SPOTLIGHT on Wittig Grass Farms
Company Name: Wittig Grass Farms
Owners: Leonard Wittig, Aland, Mark, and Brad Wittig
Location: Boling, Texas
Year Established: 1972
Type of Operation: Wittig Grass is a family-owned business operated by Aland Wittig and his two brothers, Mark and Brad Wittig. Their father is still involved in the business but leaves day-to-day operations to his sons.
The farm was established in 1972. Turf was an answer to many problems present with row crops, which the senior Mr. Wittig had started with. Wittig Grass Farms Inc. was "born" with three varieties and about 100 acres; and today offers 15 varieties and approximately 1,000 acres. Wittig Grass Sales, LLC now promotes sales while Wittig Grass Farms controls the production end.
Aland Wittig reports, "Our service and ability to deliver has continually given an edge to our customers. Hands-on contact has proven valuable, especially in tight market places. We run our own trucks, 6-10 depending on need, which enables us to perform as necessary. The varieties we offer fill diverse orders and truckloads may sometimes have as many as six different grasses." 
Challenges: Aland Wittig says that Texas’ perceived low value of turfgrass is their biggest challenge. He cites lack of communication among growers as the largest "culprit," and he hopes future involvement with TPT (Turfgrass Producers of Texas) will slowly build trust and begin to make this a problem of the past. But this problem, coupled with today’s escalating input costs, is a definite challenge. In the past, making correct decisions, purchasing wisely, and keeping costs minimal have kept the farm competitive, but Wittig says it is now time to address the changing economy with a unified effort that will benefit all participants in the turfgrass industry. Water has been historically viewed at Wittig Grass as a precious commodity and is still valuable -- now more than ever. The majority of the farm’s turf is watered with center pivots and linear irrigators, which apply precisely the amount of water desired, with zero runoff. These systems are costly, but Wittig says that, in this era, they are necessary to prevent waste and unnecessary costs associated with over-watering -- common with lesser systems. Wittig Grass Farms now uses 22 of these irrigators, and plans to further convert older systems in the near future.
What’s ahead: Three important issues that lie ahead are new varieties which solve problems with older grasses; water shortages with the growing population; and the continuing quest to better educate the consumer. Wittig Grass hopes relations with companies such as Sod Solutions, a national turfgrass developer that has developed several improved varieties produced by the farm, will result in the offering of better product lines. Also, membership in local, state, and international groups will provide universal knowledge for the consumer. Wittig says that these groups are invaluable and provide many opportunities to link folks such as SAWS (San Antonio Water System) and TPT, who are now working together to discover new information which will ultimately benefit all turfgrass users. A unified effort is essential to our success. Aland Wittig adds, "Our country was built on the unification of individuals -- ‘United we conquer -- divided we fall.’"
Contact Information: Wittig Grass Farms, Rt. 1 Box 199, Boling, TX 77420; (800) 482-4496, wittig@wcnet.net.
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