Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/106599
chemical care you're far more effective on the pest and ultimately have more satisfied customers." Shawn Askew, professor and extension turfgrass weed scientist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, agrees pre-emergence herbicides will continue to play a critical role in the industry. "The foundation of turfgrass weed control is pre-emergence herbicides for crabgrass control," Askew says. "In fact, crabgrass (Digitaria spp) is one of the world's most economically important weeds because of the money spent controlling it in turfgrass." In light of the industry's loss of MSMA, Scott McElroy, associate professor of turfgrass and weed science at Auburn University, says pre-emergence herbicides are more important than ever as the basis for effective weed management. This efficacy offered by pre-emergents becomes increasingly appealing as other business costs continue to escalate. With gas prices settling at more than $3 for most parts of the country, Welge says even lawncare professionals who like to work in rounds really can't afford not to take advantage of new technology that can extend those rounds from four weeks to six — or even more in some instances. "I don't see gas prices declining, and you can't afford to be calling on customers more frequently than you have to," he says. "Plus, quality labor is more difficult to maintain, and it's at a higher cost than it ever was," Welge adds. "You really have to focus on the results. We're seeing that lawncare professionals 4 2 To ta l L a n d s cap eC are.c om TLC0213_ChemCare3.indd 42 will look at newer products and new technologies — even if they are more expensive — if it will eliminate call-backs and improve customer satisfaction." 2. Doing more with less. Perhaps one of the most exciting trends in the herbicide market involves some of the new active ingredients (AI) and combination products. They not only allow landscapers to multi-task, but they also do so using less of the product than they were using in the past. "Some of these new active ingredients are pretty phenomenal," Welge says. "They have incredibly low use-rates — we're talking about fractions vs. what it used to take — and are getting better efficacy on weeds. They deliver." Combine that with a more favorable environmental profile for newer products (and existing products that have been reformulated to require lower application rates), and it completes the trifecta: lower rates, better efficacy and positive environmental profile. 3. Dynamic duo. Combination products are impacting the current herbicide market (insecticide market, too) and will remain a focus for future technology, according to Welge. "Combination products that blend fertilizer and herbicides or insecticides, allowing for one application instead of two, are a great option for lawncare," Welge says. "It takes a little more planning from an overall programming perspective, but the potential labor-savings and efficiency benefits make it worth the planning." For those states with fertilizer restrictions (Florida and those in the Chesapeake Bay region) that dictate the timing of fertilizer application, the planning is a little more involved. However, using combination products is still a viable option, even there. When using a combination product, Tim R. Murphy, weed science professor (retired), University of Georgia, recommends selecting a product that has uniform particle size and a sufficient number of particles that will ensure even, uniform application. "Also, be sure the herbicide load is sufficient F E B R U A R Y 2 013 1/24/13 11:04 AM