Tuesday, January 10, 2012
2011 Fungicide Review
After a long winter hiatus and a brief time without Internet (it was frightening) SGCC is back on the blog trail. To start off a new year, it's always nice to look in the rear view mirror and take note of what went right and what did not. One item we can be particularly proud of is our reduced use of fungicide.
We are always striving to make the grass stronger to resist disease, handle dry conditions, and withstand low mowing heights and aggressive maintenance practices. The membership has been supportive allowing timely aerification, light topdressing, and greens flushing when necessary. The result is stronger turf that does not need as many 'plant protectants' as it used to.
On December 20th, the greens received the 7th fungicide application of 2011 after waiting to see the smallest sign of snow mold. The whole staff is trained to watch for any disease spots and having 12 sets of eyes out there sure beats one or two. Occasionally, a ball mark or a scalped plug is mistaken for disease, but rather safe than sorry.
In spring of 2011, we applied two shots of fungicide designed as a preventative for fairy ring. In late spring, waitea patch or brown ring patch popped up just before the Men's Invitational and required our third application. At the beginning of July, we put down Insignia as we have done for the past three years. Finally, at the tail end of summer, we needed two applications to rid the greens of some minor fairy ring problems.
7 applications is a big improvement from bi-weekly apps on a preventative basis. However, that is needed in many instances where disease pressure is high. Courses in the Midwest, Southeast, and pretty much any where east of the Mississippi will experience humidity levels that dictate a solid preventative fungicide plan. Waiting until you see disease is waiting too long. Stockton is blessed with a climate that allows a different strategy and employing it can make the turf stronger.
So far, ten 10 days in, we've applied zero fungicides in 2012.
Happy New Year to all the golfers out there!! Thanks for giving me and my crew our jobs, we love them. This sport needs a good year for the 2 million people it employs (directly and indirectly) and the $3.5 billion raised for charity (2005). Do your part to make 2012 the turnaround year.
Check out more stats like these at WE ARE GOLF.
We are always striving to make the grass stronger to resist disease, handle dry conditions, and withstand low mowing heights and aggressive maintenance practices. The membership has been supportive allowing timely aerification, light topdressing, and greens flushing when necessary. The result is stronger turf that does not need as many 'plant protectants' as it used to.
On December 20th, the greens received the 7th fungicide application of 2011 after waiting to see the smallest sign of snow mold. The whole staff is trained to watch for any disease spots and having 12 sets of eyes out there sure beats one or two. Occasionally, a ball mark or a scalped plug is mistaken for disease, but rather safe than sorry.
In spring of 2011, we applied two shots of fungicide designed as a preventative for fairy ring. In late spring, waitea patch or brown ring patch popped up just before the Men's Invitational and required our third application. At the beginning of July, we put down Insignia as we have done for the past three years. Finally, at the tail end of summer, we needed two applications to rid the greens of some minor fairy ring problems.
7 applications is a big improvement from bi-weekly apps on a preventative basis. However, that is needed in many instances where disease pressure is high. Courses in the Midwest, Southeast, and pretty much any where east of the Mississippi will experience humidity levels that dictate a solid preventative fungicide plan. Waiting until you see disease is waiting too long. Stockton is blessed with a climate that allows a different strategy and employing it can make the turf stronger.
So far, ten 10 days in, we've applied zero fungicides in 2012.
Happy New Year to all the golfers out there!! Thanks for giving me and my crew our jobs, we love them. This sport needs a good year for the 2 million people it employs (directly and indirectly) and the $3.5 billion raised for charity (2005). Do your part to make 2012 the turnaround year.
Check out more stats like these at WE ARE GOLF.
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6 comments:
Big Deal !
You have not used a fungicide in the last ten days.
STOP apologizing for the use of products that are FEDERALLY-LEGAL, GOVERNMENT-APPROVED, SCIENTIFICALLY-SAFE, and PRACTICALLY-NON-TOXIC.
Your attitude merely validates the Anti-Pesticide Lunatic Agenda.
For more information, please go to the following links ...
The Golf Industry COLLISION COURSE
http://pesticidetruths.com/toc/the-golf-industry-collision-course/
The Looming Golf Industry SHIPWRECK
http://pesticidetruths.com/toc/the-looming-golf-industry-shipwreck/
WILLIAM H. GATHERCOLE AND NORAH G
NORAHG is the National Organization Responding Against HUJE that seek to harm the Green space industry.
NORAHG is a NATIONAL NON PROFIT NON PARTISAN organization that does not accept money from corporations or governments, and represents NO VESTED INTERESTS WHATSOEVER.
NORAHG is dedicated to reporting the work of RESPECTED and HIGHLY RATED EXPERTS who promote ENVIRONMENTAL REALISM and PESTICIDE TRUTHS.
http://pesticidetruths.com/
Wow, quite the comment. I suggest you read closer next time before you let your beliefs and opinions speak too soon. I try to use fungicides as little as possible because it shows that the turf is strong enough to fight off disease on its own. This is clearly written in the post. In the same way that penicillin is often overused to the point of becoming less effective, fungicides can obviously run the same course. In my situation, there is no need to use them preventatively (once again, clearly stated above). I agree that everything we use is approved by the EPA, we follow all guidelines and complete necessary training to protect the environment when using any pesticide. The links you provided are great, and I agree with most of what they say, but you are barking up the wrong tree, Big Dog. Email me if you would like to talk about any of this. Oh and the 10 day thing was a joke, ha, ha. Cheers.
Dear Force of Nature,
I agree you are missing the point of Mr Alwine's post. He is merely explaining his use of fungicides, not apologising. Unfortunately, many golfers/members do not understand golf maintenance practices and some are of the belief that all pesticides are bad. Mr. Alwine is trying to educate and inform and I feel that he's doing an admirable job. There was no apology stated or implied. Keep up the great work Mr. Alwine!
Scott Dickson
It may be a while until he comments back. He is probably sleeping in a tent in someone's front yard claiming he is owed that property by the government.
I wish these people could see the true value of the stewardship that you and many other Superintendents convey on this industry.
Do Not Mess with Jim Alwine. Well stated my friend. SC.
Um... wow
...Profile Not Available... Figures.
Dear Force of Nature,
I think if you stepped down from your soap box and actually read Mr. Alwine's post you may find that Jim, and many just like him in the Golf Course Superintendent world, is working towards eliminating chemical applications on his golf course. With the natural and alternative products coming to the market, we all hope to achieve that goal of no chemicals for our courses and the environment.
May I suggest some other links for Force of Nature- http://www.eifg.org/index.asp
http://www.eifg.org/sustainability/index.aspx
Keep up the good work Jim
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