June 23, 2026
How Eagle Lake is Evaluating the Future of Turf grass
For over 25 years, Eagle Lake Turf Farm and Landscape Supply has focused on one simple goal: growing and supplying turf grass that performs in real-world conditions.
That means looking beyond marketing claims and evaluating varieties based on research, field performance and how they fit the needs of landscape contractors, landscape architects, turf professionals, municipalities and property owners across Western Canada.
As turf grass genetics continue to evolve, so do the tools and standards used to evaluate them. One of those standards is Alliance For Low Input Sustainable Turf (A-LIST®), an approval program that identifies turf grass varieties capable of maintaining high turf quality while requiring fewer inputs.
Starting in 2026, you’ll see Eagle Lake placing greater emphasis on A-LIST approved varieties within our sod production, seed recommendations and turf grass education efforts. This direction reflects our ongoing commitment to helping customers balance performance, sustainability and long-term value.
A History of Evaluating Turf grass Performance
The turf industry has made significant progress in developing varieties that require less water and fewer inputs while maintaining the quality expectations of modern landscapes, golf courses and sports fields.
Organizations such as the Turf grass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) have played an important role in advancing that conversation. TWCA helped bring attention to drought-tolerant turf grass varieties and encouraged the industry to think more carefully about water use and resource management.
Eagle Lake has long respected and supported that work.
As we continue evaluating turf grass genetics, however, we have chosen to align more closely with A-LIST as the primary approval standard we reference moving forward.
It’s important to note that Eagle Lake’s current sod production is based on TWCA-certified turf grass varieties, which have served our customers well and continue to play an important role in our production program today.
The transition to A-LIST approved turf grass will happen gradually as new fields are established and brought into production. We anticipate A-LIST approved sod becoming available beginning in late 2027.
This is not a reflection on one organization versus another. Both TWCA and A-LIST are credible programs that contribute valuable research and guidance to the industry. Like many decisions we make at EagleLake, this comes down to selecting the framework that best aligns with our product direction, supplier relationships and performance goals.
Evaluating the Full Picture
Water efficiency remains an important consideration in turf grass selection, but it is only one part of the equation.
Landscape contractors, landscape architects, turf professionals, municipalities and property owners also need confidence in establishment speed, turf quality, recovery, density, wear tolerance and long-term performance.
A-LIST approval evaluates varieties through a rigorous process that includes independent testing and performance data. The program focuses on turf grass varieties capable of maintaining acceptable turf quality while requiring fewer inputs, including water, fertilizer, pesticides and other chemical applications. Many A-LIST varieties are also supported by National Turf grass Evaluation Program(NTEP) trials, providing additional research and performance information across a wide range of environments.
For Eagle Lake, that broader evaluation process aligns well with how we assess turf grass. We want to understand how a variety performs as a complete package, not just in one category.
The Role of Mountain View Seeds
Another factor influencing this direction is our growing relationship with Mountain View Seeds.
Mountain View Seeds has become an important partner in our turf grass program because of its focus on breeding, variety development, research and independently tested genetics. Their product lineup aligns closely with the type of turf grass we want to grow and recommend in Western Canada, and their commitment to improving turf grass performance closely matches how we approach product selection and turf production at Eagle Lake.
Their involvement with A-LIST and their focus on independently tested varieties provide an additional layer of confidence as we evaluate future turf grass options.
One example is 365SS, an A-LIST approved Kentucky bluegrass blend that combines Blue Note, Bolt and Legend. The blend has attracted attention for its establishment speed, turf quality, recovery potential and overall performance across a range of applications, including sod production and sports turf.
Those characteristics have also contributed to its adoption by several large-scale turf producers in North America. According to Mountain View Seeds, 365SS and related turf grass genetics are being used by sod producers supplying several 2026 World Cup host venues, including Seattle, Los Angeles, Boston and Philadelphia. While stadium performance is only one factor we consider, it provides another example of how these varieties are being trusted in high-performance environments.
The transition extends beyond Kentucky bluegrass. Eagle Lake is also moving its fine fescue program forward with Mountain View’s Vanguard blend, an A-LIST approved mix of fine fescue varieties developed for strong turf quality, shade tolerance and performance across a range of maintenance levels. Vanguard combines four top-performing fine fescue cultivars selected for attributes such as disease resistance, shade adaptation and overall turf performance.
As a result, future production of both Site Select and Freedom Fescue will also align with A-LIST approved genetics, bringing greater consistency across Eagle Lake’s premium turf grass offerings.
As we continue testing and evaluating new genetics, products like 365SS and Vanguard reflect the type of research-backed turf grass development that aligns with where we seethe industry heading.
While the sod transition will take time, Eagle Lake’s premium seed lineup is already built around A-LIST approved genetics and is available today. Customers requiring premium turf grass seed can begin using these varieties immediately while our sod production program transitions over the coming years.
What This Means for Eagle Lake Customers
For our customers, the shift toward A-LIST approved varieties is less about a logo and more about a long-term turf grass strategy.
Today, Eagle Lake’s premium seed lineup already consists of A-LIST approved varieties and blends.Contractors, turf managers and property owners can purchase and specify these products now.
The transition within our sod production program will take additional time. Our current sod fields are planted with TWCA-certified varieties that continue to perform well for our customers. As new production fields are established, we will gradually transition toward A-LIST approved genetics, with A-LIST approved sod expected to become available beginning in late 2027.
That transition extends beyond Kentucky bluegrass. Premium Dream Kentucky Bluegrass will move to A-LIST-approved genetics, while our Site Select and Freedom Fescue programs are also being advanced through Mountain View Seeds’ Vanguard fine fescue blend.
When the transition is complete, Eagle Lake’s premium turf grass programs will be built around A-LIST approved genetics across Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue products.
At Eagle Lake, we remain focused on the same objective we’ve had since 1998: helping our customers succeed by supplying turf grass products they can trust.
A-LIST approval is one of the tools helping us move toward that goal, and we look forward to sharing more about the varieties, research and field results that will shape the next generation of turf grass at EagleLake.
