The Scoop Online – November 2020

PESTICIDE LABELS

BOXWOOD CULTIVARS

A POLITICAL “PARTY”

MANAGING YOUR EQUIPMENT

PLUS:

BENCHMARKING YOUR EQUIPMENT november 2020 n v43 n11

ALSO INSIDE:

TRAILER TOWING RISK MANAGEMENT

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Inver Grove Heights Location 5500 Blaine Avenue Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076 651-450-0277

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november 2020 n v43 n11

16

Virtual

22

8 Events 28

10 A Political “Party” of a Different Kind President Malooly reports on an overlooked way to participate in the political process.

22 Northern Green is Going Virtual Northern Green is now more accessible and

45

12

Trailer Towing: What You Need to Know for Risk Management Each towing component has limiting factors that directly affect maximum

affordable than ever!

23 Northern Green Virtual Schedule Overview Four days of region-relevant learning and conversations with people who understand your challenges.

towing capability.    

26 Registration Options for Northern Green 2021

16

Benchmarking Your Equipment Is it time to invest in equipment to help generate more revenue per day?    

18

What Is in the EPA Pesticide Label, Pt. 1 of 3 Dr. Vera Krischik walks us through the information presented on the EPA label in the first of a series of three articles.    

Choose from an All Access Pass, a Select Access Pass, or a free Exhibit Only Pass.

30 MDA Offers End of Year Reminder The MDA encourages certificate holders to use the online system to renew their nursery certificate.

40 2020 MNLA Shootout Roundup

28

The Susceptibility of Boxwood Cultivars Dr. James Calkins shares the top 10 BMPs for boxwood health, both in production and in the landscape.    

45

Misuse of Vole Control Pellets This article was submitted in hopes of reminding all of the importance of closely reading the product labels on pesticides. 

 Landscape & Hardscape Install & Design  Garden Services & Landscape Mgmt  Garden Centers  Growers: Nursery & Greenhouse  Irrigation & Water Mgmt  Arborists & Tree Services  All

The weather was perfect for the sporting clays tournament that supports the MNLA Scholarship Fund.

42 Thank You Members!

These companies stepped up their support for MNLA with a one-time additional emergency contribution.

Cover photo: iStock.com/stevecoleimages. Table of Contents Images: Top Left: iStock.com/MicroStockHub. Middle: James Calkins. Bottom: iStock.com/strickke.

november 20 MNLA.BIZ

5

DIRECTORY

november 2020 n v43 n11

MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION Successful Businesses Grow Here!

1813 Lexington Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113 651-633-4987 • Fax: 651-633-4986 Outside the metro area, toll free: 888-886-MNLA, Fax: 888-266-4986 www.MNLA.biz • www.NorthernGreen.org Mission: The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is to help members grow successful businesses.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tim Malooly, CID, CLIA, CIC, President Water in Motion 763-559-7771 • timm@watermotion.com Randy Berg, Vice-President Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • randy@bergsnursery.com Matt Mallas, Secretary-Treasurer Hedberg Supply 763-512-2849 • mmallas@hedbergaggregates.com Faith Appelquist, MNLA-CP Tree Quality LLC 612-618-5244 • faith@treequality.com Patrick McGuiness Zlimen & McGuiness PLLC (651) 331-6500 • pmcguiness@zmattorneys.com Mike McNamara Hoffman & McNamara Nursery & Landscaping 651-437-9463 • mike.mcnamara@hoffmanandmcnamara.com John O’Reilly Otten Bros. Garden Center and Landscaping 952-473-5425 • j.oreilly@ottenbros.com Jeff Pilla, MNLA-CP Professional Turf, Inc. (Proturf) 952-469-8680 • jeff@professionalturf.com Nick Sargent, MNLA-CP Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. 507-289-0022 • njsargent@sargentsgardens.com Cassie Larson, CAE MNLA Executive Director 651-633-4987 • cassie@mnla.biz STAFF DIRECTORY Executive Director: Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz Membership Director & Trade Show Manager: Mary Dunn, CEM • mary@mnla.biz Communications Dir.: Jon Horsman, CAE • jon@mnla.biz Education/Cert. Manager: Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz Dir. of Government Affairs: Forrest Cyr • forrest@mnla.biz Regulatory Affairs Manager: Jim Calkins • jim@mnla.biz Accountant: Kris Peterson • kris@mnla.biz Foundation Program Coordinator: Paulette Sorenson • paulette@mnla.biz Administrative Assistant: Lora Sondrol • lora@mnla.biz Advertising Sales: 763-295-5420 Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com Legislative Affairs Consultant: Doug Carnival 6

MNLA.BIZ november 20

Aspen Equipment ................................................................................ 43 Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes ............................... 3 Bullis Insurance Agency ..................................................................... 15 Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus ............................... 32 Central Landscape Supply ................................................................. 11 Contree Sprayer & Equipment Co, LLC ............................................ 11 Crysteel Truck Equipment ................................................................... 9 Cushman Motor Co. Inc ...................................................................... 42 Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................... 36 Frost Inc ................................................................................................. 15 Fury Motors ............................................................................................. 4 Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply ............................. 2 Hedberg Supply .................................................................................... 32 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet ..................................................................... 24–25 Minnesota Propane Association ....................................................... 11 Niebur Tractor & Equipment, Inc. .................................................... 15 Out Back Nursery ................................................................................. 34 Peat, Inc. ................................................................................................ 43 Plaisted Companies .............................................................................. 7 Rock Hard Landscape Supply ........................................................... 34 SMSC Organics Recycling Facility ...................................................... 9 The Resultants ..................................................................................... 35 The Tessman Company ....................................................................... 44 Trenchers Plus ...................................................................................... 15 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. .......................................................................... 47 Truck Utilities, Inc. ............................................................................... 44 Versa-Lok Midwest .............................................................................. 20 Ziegler CAT ............................................................................. Back Cover

UPCOMING

MNLA is continuing to plan education and events for the green industry. All precautions will be taken to meet social distancing requirements and the guidelines set in place by local and state agencies as well as venues. But, as we all know, there are no promises during these times and we are taking this day by day and will announce any changes as they come if necessary. We also know these are difficult and uncertain times for everyone, so we've made a few adjustments. Should changes occur causing an event to be cancelled due to COVID-19 issues, your registration would be refunded in full.

NOV

09



OSHA CHAINSAW & CONCRETE SAW SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE SEMINAR – ENGLISH AND SPANISH This half-day seminar (English in the morning/Spanish in the afternoon) taught by Armando Actis covers OSHA rules and regulations regarding protective clothing, safety features, starting procedures, operating procedures and productivity, maintenance, chain sharpening and more.

Cedarholm Golf Course, Roseville ➽MNLA.biz

NOV

10



MASTERING FOREMANSHIP TRAINING In this dynamic seminar, foremen learn how to more effectively handle tight deadlines, tight margins and increase customer satisfaction.

Cedarholm Golf Course, Roseville, MN ➽MNLA.biz

NOV

17 –18



ICPI CONCRETE PAVER INSTALLER COURSE Two-day classroom-based training on proper installation (both residential and commercial) of interlocking concrete pavement systems. Participants will have the opportunity to pursue certification.

Cedarholm Golf Course, Roseville ➽MNLA.biz

NOV

18

MNLA LANDSCAPE AWARDS SUBMISSION DEADLINE The MNLA Landscape Awards is a program for installed landscapes. Entries are due by midnight. ➽MNLA.biz

NOV

20



Photo courtesy of biota Landscapes

MNLA/MTGF ONLINE PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION ZOOM WORKSHOP (CAT. A, E AND OPTIONAL J) This Workshop Meets MDA’s Commercial Pesticide Applicator Requirements For: Category A (Core), E (Turf and Ornamentals), and J (Forestry, Rights-of-Way and Natural Areas).

Online Zoom Workshop ➽MNLA.biz

JAN

The Scoop, November 2020, Issue 11 is issued monthly, 12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats

11 –14

published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery &

NORTHERN GREEN VIRTUAL Northern Green 2021 goes virtual! This exceptional virtual experience will keep with Northern Green’s tradition of providing quality education sessions, a first-class exhibit hall that will offer one-on-one opportunities to meet with your vendors, and social events to allow attendees to mingle, catch up with friends, and network.

Landscape Association, 2020, and may not be used

NorthernGreen.org

without written permission of MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113. Subscription price is $99 for one year, which is included with member dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Scoop, MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113.

Editorial Contributions. You are invited to share your

2020 MNLA seminars

expertise and perspective. Article ideas and manuscripts

generously supported by:

should, whenever possible, reflect real and specific experiences. When submitting an article, please contact the publisher at jon@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987. MNLA



reserves the right to edit all Scoop content.

➽Information on industry events: MNLA.biz/events. Free member-only videos: MNLA.biz/OnlineEducation.

8

MNLA.BIZ november 20

Business

 Skills Training

 Networking



Leadership Development

General

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SMSC ORGANICS RECYCLING FACILITY:

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952.233.9191 • smscorf.com 1905 Mystic Lake Drive S, Shakopee, MN

FROM THE PRESIDENT

A Political “Party” of a Different Kind Tim Malooly

MNLA President

As you read this message, the November 2020 election will have taken place. Hopefully, America experienced a peaceful electoral process and our society is preparing for a peaceful transition or continuation of governmental authority in January 2021 — whomever was chosen by the citizens and/or the Electoral College.

You are likely aware of the work that we, MNLA volunteers, staff, and interested parties undertook last spring to help the Governor consider and accept the essential nature of our industry as he faced the early challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic. Although nobody in contemporary society has had to navigate an international economic shutdown and stay-at-home order, our Government Affairs program is well established and our reputation as a calm, reasonable organization helped furnish access to and consideration from key decision-makers that ultimately lead the Governor to declare the Minnesota Green Industry as “Essential” shortly after the Stay-at-Home order was issued.

Thank-yous are due to many persons who took action last spring on behalf of the Green Industry, including the folks who contributed on the MNLA COVID-19 Facebook page. Our Government Affairs Director, Forrest Cyr had less than one year of experience at MNLA when the COVID-19 actions began and WOW(!), what a great job he did on behalf of our industry -including participation in a meeting that included Governor Walz AND seizing the op10

MNLA.BIZ november 20

portunity to address the Governor directly in that meeting, on behalf of our industry.

You have opportunities to address leaders too. Whether a business owner or an employee, you are citizens of the country, the state, and your locality and you have a right -a duty, to participate in the process of choosing our elected leadership. How you choose to participate is up to you.

But, participation beyond showing-up on election day is not hard to do and involvement in our political process does not have to be the “unpleasant” experience the mainstream media makes it out to be.

Have you heard of a “Meet & Greet”? In its most basic form, it is an occasion whereby someone chooses to invite a candidate for office to a gathering of friends or colleagues to meet and converse with a candidate for office. Sometimes the event is also a fundraiser for the candidate. The Meet & Greet can be at your home, your business or a local establishment. The event can be co-hosted too. The CONTINUED on page 41

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MNLA.BIZ november 20

TRAILER

TOWING What You Need to Know for Risk Management

Bob Raybuck NTEA Director of Technical Services

iStock.com/stevecoleimages

TRAILER TOWING INVOLVES THREE PRIMARY ELEMENTS: the work truck used to tow; the trailer and payload being towed; and towing system components (e.g., hitch system and safety chains). Each has limiting factors that directly affect maximum towing capability.

Truck salespeople, fleet managers and end users face challenges in determining size and capacity of the trailer that can be towed based on the work truck specified or purchased. First, let’s review the tow vehicle’s rating. Truck manufacturers publish maximum trailer tow rating and gross combined weight rating (GCWR) in the trailer towing guide or as part of the vehicle specification guide. Additionally, the trailer towing guide may include maximum trailer tow ratings based on conventional towing (which uses a coupling device attached to the rear of the towing vehicle) or fifth wheel towing (which utilizes a coupling device attached to the top of the chassis near the rear axle and is sometimes referred to as a gooseneck). Alternatively, mediumand heavy-duty truck dealers provide information based on the OEM order guide or through application engineering departments. The chassis manufacturer determines GCWR using a variety of factors, including specific drivetrain components of the engine, transmission, number of drive axles, axle ratios and braking capability. Each OEM tests chassis towing and stopping capability before determining vehicle GCWR. Chassis manufacturers also provide maximum trailer weights for conventional and fifth wheel/gooseneck towing. Normally, these maximum trailer weights are for complete vehicles such as pickups and vans, and do not include work trucks built from incomplete chassis. Truck GCWR helps determine maximum trailer towing capacity. Both the weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer (towed vehicle) are included in the GCWR total. Essentially, vehicle trailer november 20 MNLA.BIZ

13

TOWING

iStock.com/stevecoleimages

towing capacity is determined by remaining GCWR after taking into consideration chassis, truck body, equipment, passenger, fuel and payload weight. The amount of payload carried on the work truck can raise or lower maximum trailer towing capacity. For example, if your work truck has a 26,000-pound GCWR and 19,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and is completely loaded to the GVWR, maximum trailer weight would be 7,000 pounds — even if the truck manufacturer stated the maximum trailer weight was 11,000 pounds.

The second element of trailer towing is trailer GVWR — the maximum allowed weight of the trailer and its payload, which can be found on the required trailer certification label. Typically, the certification label for a trailer is a metal plate welded or riveted to the forward half of the left front. Trailer GVWR will be based on the limiting factors of the axle(s), tires, frame, coupler and safety chains. The trailer manufacturer is required to take all components into consideration when determining final GVWR. The third factor in trailer towing is the trailer coupling system, which contains the components necessary to connect the towing vehicle and trailer. Conventional trailer, fifth wheel and gooseneck towing systems are rated by SAE International Standards.

• SAE J684 Trailer Couplings, Hitches, and Safety Chains-Automotive is for conventional type trailer towing • SAE J2638 Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck Attachment Performance Up to 30,000-lb Trailer Gross Vehicle Weight is for lighter duty fifth wheel and gooseneck type trailer towing • SAE J684 divides conventional-style (receiver hitch and ball) trailer hitch systems into four classes: • Class 1 for trailers not to exceed 2,000 pounds • Class 2 for trailers over 2,000 pounds and not to exceed 3,500 pounds • Class 3 for trailers over 3,500 pounds and not to exceed 5,000 pounds • Class 4 for trailers over 5,000 pounds and not to exceed 10,000 pounds Conventional hitch manufacturers rate their receiver-style hitches using this capacity format. Some market Class 5 hitches up to 17,000 pounds; however, SAE J684 does not contain a rating for this class.

Pintle hook hitch system (another type of conventional coupling system) performance ratings are covered by SAE Recommended Practice J847. It does not specify rating classes similar to the automotive-style hitches in SAE J684, but it does provide a performance test for hitch manufacturers to ensure the pintle hook and corresponding draw bar will perform to their rated test capacities.

There are other factors to consider when determining actual vehicle maximum towing capacity. For example, coupling system capacity is determined by the weakest component in the system. Components in a conventional towing system include the receiver, draw bar, hitch ball and connecting pin. If the installed hitch is rated at a maximum of 10,000 pounds but the hitch ball is rated for 9,000 pounds, even though the hitch has a higher towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, the maximum trailer towing capacity is limited by the hitch ball’s 9,000-pound rating.

When determining chassis specifications for towing with a work truck, it’s important to fully understand the end user’s body, equipment and payload needs.

When assessing maximum truck towing capacity, it’s also essential to account for correct matching of trailer hitch system components to the desired trailer and payload, since the hitch system can be a limiting factor for safety, durability and customer satisfaction.

14

MNLA.BIZ november 20

➽BOB RAYBUCK is Director of Technical Services for NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry. Bob works with a team of NTEA engineering experts who provide solutions to members daily on body and equipment installation issues, chassis and equipment compatibility, weight distribution challenges and vehicle certification needs. Contact Bob at 248-479-8905 or bob@ntea.com. buyer. Focusing on these key value drivers will translate to a much higher value when it comes time for the owner to exit the business.

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trenchersplus.com

BENCHMARKING EQUIPMENT

BENCHMARKING YOUR

EQUIPMENT

Mark Bradley

TBG Environmental and LMN

RECENTLY, I ATTENDED A MEETING with an objective to create financial benchmarks as guidelines for companies in our profession.

Our goal is not to define a company as wrong or right or good or bad by benchmarks. The intent of these benchmarks is to provide a general framework for success for owners and managers who lack experience or a strong financial background.

Step one: Establish a common standard for benchmarking The single most important step to benchmarking your data against industry standards, or even in discussions with your peers in the industry, is to standardize the numbers so we’re all speaking the same language. With so many contractors choosing to cost equipment as overhead, this is an easy trap to fall into when discussing equipment.

Briefly, here’s what we’re including as equipment costs: • All vehicles and equipment (includ-

•

•

• •

ing trucks, trailers, skid steers, mowers, mini-excavators) assigned to crews. We are not including trucks and equipment assigned to the owner, office staff, or yard staff.

Straight-line depreciation of all owned equipment. This means we treat equipment depreciation as if it was depreciated evenly each year. A truck that costs $50,000 used for 10 years and was worth $5,000 after 10 years would have an annual depreciation of $4,500 per year, even if you paid for it in cash in the first year.

Any lease or financing costs, including monthly payments and interest.

Fuel costs.

All costs related to repairs and/or maintenance (parts, filters, tires, etc.).

• Insurance costs (related specifically to vehicle and equipment insurance).

Left and Top: iStock.com/MicroStockHub

Step two: Benchmark The average landscape company spends between 12 and 18 percent of its revenue on equipment costs.

Maintenance companies and landscape companies tend to spend about the same percentage of revenue on equipment costs.

Install crews tend to run less equipment, but the equipment is typically bigger and more expensive. Maintenance crews tend to run more pieces of smaller, less expensive equipment and they typically burn more fuel per day than a landscape install crew.

Step three: Identify and explain exceptions What if I’m spending less than 12 per cent of my sales on equipment costs? This could be a good thing. The less revenue you spend, the better your profits are likely to be. It could be the result of very productive crews, which means the equipment ratio is low because revenues are higher than industry averages.

Other reasons could be: • A consistent estimating method that always recovers equipment costs on the job.

• A small geographic work area, which keeps fuel costs and equipment depreciation to a minimum.

• Mostly new equipment with very low repair and maintenance costs.

• Most of your work is very hands-on (e.g. garden maintenance, install work on very small properties).

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with spending less than the industry average. In many cases, it could be a good thing. If your company is consistently profitable, this is likely the case. On the other hand, if your

equipment ratio is low and your company is not consistently profitable, it could indicate a problem. If your company spends less than average on equipment, but more than the industry average on field labor and overhead and isn’t making good profit each year, there are reasons for concern.

It’s likely you don’t have enough equipment to do the work efficiently. You’re spending too much on labor and your overhead ratio is high because you aren’t completing enough jobs in the year (production is slow without the equipment to do the job efficiently). Companies that share a lot of equipment (in the hopes of cutting costs) often find themselves stuck in this trap. Equipment costs are low, but they are overspending everywhere else because crews are often working without the best equipment for the job, while they’re also spending far too many hours moving equipment to and from jobsites.

Finding and keeping good field staff is a significant challenge these days. If your equipment ratio is low, you could look to boost revenue by adding equipment instead of field staff to make the crews you have more productive and efficient. It’s far easier to better equip your crews than to hire more people.

What if I’m spending more than 18 percent of my sales on equipment expenses?

When companies spend more than 18 percent of their sales on equipment, they often struggle to be competitive on price or they struggle to make a consistent, fair net profit. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem.

Run through this checklist to see if any of these conditions apply to your company: • You might have the right equipment mix, but revenues remain low because your staff are less productive than the industry average.

• You have a lot of snow equipment that sits unused all summer.

• You have a lot of old equipment and your repair costs are high.

• Your company performs very equipment-heavy work including excavation, grading or large-lot snowplowing. As long as your field labor ratio is low, this scenario should not be a problem.

• You have a very large geographic work area, so you burn lots of fuel and put a lot of miles on vehicles each year.

To truly understand whether your equipment ratio is a strength or a problem, you really need to use it in combination with two other expenses: your field labor, and your overhead. If your equipment ratio is low, but so is your overhead and your field labor, congratulations, you’re likely running a profitable company. If your equipment ratio is high, but so too is your field labor and your overhead, chances are your company needs to improve its efficiency. A solution could be to invest in equipment to help generate more revenue per day or reduce your field labor spend.

➽MARK BRADLEY is the CEO of TBG Environmental and LMN, based in Ontario. The objective of this article is give general guidance on common financial numbers specific to the landscape profession. It is not intended to provide or act as professional financial advice. No LMN user data was analyzed or used to provide information for this article. Financial benchmarks contained in this article are gathered from industry surveys and one-on-one experiences with thousands of landscape contractors across North America. november 20 MNLA.BIZ

17

PESTICIDES

EPA What Is in the

PESTICIDE LABEL Pt. 1 of 3

Dr. Vera Krischik Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

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MNLA.BIZ november 20

WE WILL go through the information presented on the EPA label in three articles.

The label is THE LAW The EPA and the manufacturer cooperate on the writing of the pesticide label (herbicides, fungicide, insecticides), that contains information on use, sites, application methods, environmental constraints, rates, and human safety issues. The EPA and manufacturer SDS (Safety Data Sheets) is another document that contains data on pesticide hazards, and chemical characteristics for human safety, fire, spills and other emergencies. Crop Data Management Systems, Inc. (CDMS) offers a tool for downloading a label and SDS at http://www.cdms.net/Label-Database.

The label and SDS of all pesticides should be stored in 3 places; original on the container; a copy in the binder that contains your pesticide list and emergency plan that is stored away from the pesticide room; and a copy in the binder in your truck with the same information.

The label has a lot of technical information on it. The “label is the law” means that any information about application, safety, health issues, and environmental issues that are found on the label are the law and must be followed. Labels are not exactly alike. In the past there was one label for landscape sites and another for commodity sites, such as greenhouses and nurseries. As a result of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FGPA) all labels are being reviewed, rewritten, and extra technical information added.

So what use is the label? The label provides all the technical information that you need.

Labels are governed by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and all products used for pest mitigation

must be registered with the EPA and a label created.

Pesticides are registered to the EPA in four ways: 1. A “specimen Section 3 label” contains all the information.

2. A “special needs Section 24c” label that allow states to modify the Section 3 label to cover local products not mentioned in the section 3 label.

3. An “emergency exemption Section 18” label permits the label to add new pests that ae a problem in the state or region.

4. A “Section 25b” label permits some pesticides that are very safe to be exempt from registration.

These different labels are listed at the CDMS site (http://www.cdms.net/Label-Database) under the brand name of a pesticide.

For instance, when you type in the label Conserve®, which is the trade name of the commodity formulation of the active ingredient spinosad, or type in Entrust® the organic label. All the labels and SDS will appear as a list under the trade name of the pesticide.

When purchasing a product make sure that the pesticide is registered in your state.

MN Agricultural Data searches list all the pesticides registered in MN at http://www. kellysolutions.com/MN/.

Understanding the Pesticide Label Let us go over the insecticide label for Conserve® by Corteva. The first important box or product information box is on the top left of the label and has the pesticide name, formulation, and EPA registration number.

• Under the name, the site is described.

The site is where the pesticide will be used, such as landscape, turf farm, greenhouse, nursery, etc. The site is THE LAW. A label with the site Christmas

•

•

•

•

tree farm label cannot be used for a conifer in the landscapes; a different trade name and label are needed.

The trade name is followed by the chemical name, then the common name of the active ingredient and its percentage, and the percentage of inert ingredients. For instance, the trade name is Conserve© SC, the active ingredient (AI) is called spinosad and occurs at 11.6%, and the other inert ingredients are 88.4%. In a later article we will speak about different formulations and how to mix them, as some are more soluble (dissolve) in water compared to others.

Under the ingredients is the amount of active ingredient per gallon or pound, which is provided so you can calculate how much AI is used in an application.

Nearby is the IRAC, (insecticide resistance committee) number which represents the mode of action (MOA) or the mechanism that kills the pest. The same MOA cannot be used sequentially.

Pesticides that have different MOA are used sequentially to make sure that the pest does not become resistant to the pesticide. Spinosad is IRAC number 5 and defined as nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nChRs) allosteric modulators site 1 that binds allosterically with active nChRs causing hyperexcitation of the nervous system.

This is followed by the EPA registration number. The company phone number, which is needed for a safety, hazard, or environmental issue can also often be found elsewhere on the label.

Restricted vs. General Use Pesticides Hazard x exposure=risk. Most labels with landscape and greenhouse sites are general use

Left: iStock.com/AlexandrBognat. Top: //npic.orst.edu/factsheets/signalwords.html

november 20 MNLA.BIZ

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pesticides and not restricted use pesticides.

Restricted use pesticides must have the words “restricted use” in a box on the top of the label and have a higher concentration or more toxic active ingredient.

Three signal words: Danger, Warning, and

Caution. Toxicity tests are used to determine

the toxicity of a pesticide based on tests to mice, bees, birds. There are three routes of exposure: oral, dermal, inhalation, plus other effects like eye and skin irritation.

“DANGER” means that the pesticide product is highly toxic by at least one route of exposure.

It may be corrosive, causing irreversible damage to the skin or eyes. Alternatively, it may be highly toxic if eaten, absorbed through the skin, or inhaled. If this is the case, then the word “POISON” must also be included in red letters on the front panel of the product label.

“WARNING” indicates the pesticide product is moderately toxic if eaten, absorbed

through the skin, inhaled, or it causes moderate eye or skin irritation.

Products with the signal word “CAUTION” are lower in toxicity and the pesticide product is slightly toxic if eaten, absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or it causes slight eye or skin irritation.

Remember if there is a spill accident with the truck, a human health issue, or an environmental issue call 911 first, then the MN Duty officer who is available all times at 651-649-5451 or 1-800-422-0798.

After the box with AI information, “precautionary statements” which are outlined as boxes are listed, such as personal protective equipment; user safety; environmental, hazards; storage and disposal; and restricted entry and reentry.

In the precautionary statement box called

“Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)”, the min-

imal PPE is listed, such as long sleeved shirt

and pants, and shoes plus socks. Laundry should be double washed separately with detergent and then wash the empty machine.

Mixers and loaders need additional PPE, such as aprons, hard hats, nitrile gloves, and no cuffs on clothes.

In the precautionary statement box called

“User Safety Recommendations”, the proper

behavior is washing hands before you visit the toilet, chew gum, eat, or drink.

In the precautionary statement box called

“Environmental Hazards”, it will say “toxic to

bees… do not spray if the bees may forage on the plant during this time”. Also, listed is whether the product is toxic to aquatic organisms, and if so, do not apply to water areas or intertidal areas. Also listed are instructions to avoid drift, avoid runoff, and avoid contaminating water.

CONTINUED on page 37

november 20 MNLA.BIZ

21

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Business Choice is designed for business owners who rely on their vehicles Business is designed for business owners who on their vehicles for their Choice day-to-day operations.

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To qualify, vehicles must be used in day-to-day operations of your business and not solely for transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business. ©2012 General Motors Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details. Take delivery by 9/30/12. ©2012 General Motors ©2012 General Motors

Business Choice is designed for business owners who rely on their vehicles for their day-to-day operations.

It’s available with eligible Chevrolet vehicles and offers great incentives such as valuable upfit equipment.

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302 302 302

www.jeffbelzerchevy.com Version # 4 Version # 4 Version # 4

Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.indd Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.inddLinked Graphics Art Director Control Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.indd 12KTFLCHEV032.tif Linked GraphicsRGB

Retail Planning Flyer Control Art Jarret Petsch •Mechjpetsch@jeffbelzer.com Scale 100 8.75”952-469-7063 x 11.25” Bleed Chevy CopyDirector Writer TBD

RGB

12KTFLCHEV032.tif RGB HD CC with Dump_psd.psd Linked GraphicsRGB Control Art Director 11CHSL00054.jpg RGB Mech TBD Copy Print Scale Scale 100 12KTFLCHEV032.tif RGB None BusinessCentral_KO.ai ProjWriter Mgr csenn HD CC with Dump_psd.psd RGB 11CHSL00054.jpg RGB Scale Please 100 GM_business_choice.ai TBD Copy Writer Jeff Belzer Lakeville,Mech MN. call the Commercial Department at 952-469-4444.

Print Scale None BusinessCentral_KO.ai csenn Proj Stock None HD CC with Dump_psd.psd RGB Acct Mgr Svc kdenmark cube_0758.jpg RGB GM_business_choice.ai Print Scale Trim None 8.5” x 11” BusinessCentral_KO.ai csenn Proj Mgr Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB All Rebates & incentives to dealer, must qualify for same, prices subject to change.

Stock None Live None 8.25” x 10.75” kdenmark Acct Mgr Svc afinnan cube_0758.jpg RGB Folded Size Prod GM_business_choice.ai RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB Stock Live None 8.25” x 10.75” kdenmark Acct Svc cube_0758.jpg RGB Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB Folded Size None afinnan Mgr TBD 1 RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB Finishing Buyer To qualify, vehicles must be None used in day-to-day operations of your business and notArtProd solely for transportation purposes.

Must provide Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB Family_Option_a3.tif RGB Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB None Folded Size None afinnan ProdBuyer Mgr TBD RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB 4320G_cs.tif CMYK Finishing Art Family_Option_a3.tif RGB Colors Spec’d 4C TBD Copy Edit Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details.

Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB 4320Gss.tif CMYK 4320G_cs.tif CMYK Finishing None TBD Art Buyer Colors Spec’d Family_Option_a3.tif RGB 4C TBD 1PROCS.tif CMYK Copy Edit nminieri/pm Mac with Business Central Special Instr.

4320Gss.tif CMYK 4320G_cs.tif CMYK 1PROSS.tif CMYK Colors Spec’d 1PROCS.tif CMYK 4C Business Central TBD CopyMac Edit nminieri/pm Special Instr. with 4320Gss.tif CMYK BasePkg_ss.tif CMYK Publications None 1PROSS.tif CMYK 1PROCS.tif CMYK 12KTFLCHEV021.tif RGB Mac nminieri/pm with Business Central Special Instr. None BasePkg_ss.tif CMYK Publications

CONTENT CONTENT CONTENT

Job Description 8.75” Chevy Retail Planning Flyer 11.25” Bleed Trim 8.5” x x11” 8.75” x 11.25” Chevrolet, 50Bleed & Cedar, Box 965, Trim Live 8.5” 8.25”x x11” 10.75”

Publications None

Colors In-Use Cyan Colors In-Use

Last Modified 4-17-2012 3:37 PM 4-17-2012 3:37 PMDate Last Modified Printer Output 4-17-2012 3:37 PMDate Last Modified TITAN 4-20-2012 1:48 PM Printer Output

User ma-klane User

John Zadurski 952-469-6818 • User jzadurski@jeffbelzer.com 4-20-2012 1:48Date PM Colors In-Use Printer Output

11CHSL00054.jpg

840 ppi 270 ppi 840 ppi 1089ppippi 270 840 ppi 1089 ppi 270 ppi 1089ppi, ppi461 ppi 464 1112 ppi461 ppi 464 ppi, 421 1112ppippi 464 ppi, 419 ppi ppi 461 ppi 421 1112ppi, ppi 844 419 ppi 1708 ppi 421 ppi 1006 ppi,1708 1004ppippi 844 ppi, 419 ppi 1418 ppi, 1004 1482 ppi ppi 1006 ppi, 844ppi, ppi,858 1708ppippi 860 1418 ppi, 1482 ppi 1006ppi, ppi,605 1004 ppi 606 860 ppi, 858 ppi ppi 1418ppi, ppi,820 1482 ppi 821 ppi 606 ppi, 605 ppi 860 ppi, 858 ppi 3169 ppi820 821 ppi, ppi 606 ppi, 2431 ppi 605 ppi 3169 ppi 821 ppi, 820 ppi 2431 ppi 3169 ppi 2431 ppi

1PROSS.tif 12KTFLCHEV033.tif 12KTFLCHEV021.tif BasePkg_ss.tif 12KTFLCHEV033.tif 12KTFLCHEV021.tif 12KTFLCHEV033.tif

CMYK RGB RGB CMYK RGB RGB RGB

Magenta Cyan Yellow Magenta Cyan Black Yellow Magenta Black Yellow Black

proof of business.

ma-klane Mechd By: nminieri ma-klane Mechd By: nminieri

TITANRTVd By: None TITANRTVd By: None

Mechd By: nminieri

RTVd By: None CD/ACD

COPYWRITER

CD/ACD

COPYWRITER

CD/ACD

COPYWRITER

ACCT SERVICE

PROD

4-20-2012 1:48 PM

AD AD

©2019AD General Motors COPY EDIT

BY SIGNING YOUR INITIALS ABOVE, YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND APPRO ACCT SERVICE PROD COPY EDIT VED THIS WORK.

BY SIGNING YOUR INITIALS ABOVE, YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND APPRO ACCT SERVICE PROD COPY EDIT VED THIS WORK.

BY SIGNING YOUR INITIALS ABOVE, YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND APPRO VED THIS WORK.

4-20-2012 1:48 PM4-20-2012 1:48 PM 4-20-2012 1:48 PM

Job # GMC1-12-03178 Job # GMC1-12-03178 Job Description Chevy Retail Planning Flyer JobJob #Description GMC1-12-03178

PROMASTER VANS IN STOCk! Vehicles ready for work at a moment’s notice.

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2019 Ram Reg cab – Ready for Plow.

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Call for pricing.

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COMMERCIAL HEADQUARTERS Jeff Belzer Ram, 21111 Cedar Ave., Lakeville, MN Please Call the Commercial Dept, 952-469-4444 All Rebates & Incentives to Dealer, Must Qualify for Same, Prices Subject to Change Jarret Petsch 952-469-7063 jpetsch@jeffbelzer.com

John Zadurski 952-469-6818 jzadurski@jeffbelzer.com

PRE-REGISTRATION OPTIONS

$125 (member*)/$175 (non-member) $50 for students (must be currently enrolled)

$50 (member*) $100 (non-member)

FREE to members and non-members

Includes Access to:

Includes Access to:

Includes Access to:

• • • • • • •

• • • •

All Concurrent Sessions Lightning Talks Mini Sessions

Morning Coffee Chats (seats are limited) Virtual Exhibit Hall

Keynote Presentation

• Virtual Exhibit Hall • Ability to Network and

l a u t r Vi

Keynote Presentation

Ability to Network and Communicate with Other Attendees

• Virtual Game Hour (Monday, Jan. 11) • Green Industry Awards Virtual Celebration (Wednesday, Jan. 13)

UPGRADES & EXTRAS

Lightning Talks Mini Sessions

Morning Coffee Chats (seats are limited)

• Virtual Exhibit Hall • Ability to Network and

Communicate with Other Attendees (Note: Does not include access to concurrent sessions.)

Communicate with Other Attendees (Note: Does not include access to concurrent sessions.)

Looking for even more from your Northern Green Virtual Experience? Consider these add-on options:

1. CEO & MGMT. WORKSHOP: SOLVING THE LABOR CRISIS PLUS ZOOM HAPPY HOUR (Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021) – $50

2. GREEN INDUSTRY AWARDS VIRTUAL CELEBRATION (Wed. Jan. 13, 2021) – $20 (included with All Access Pass)

*Members of MNLA, MGSCA, MPSTMA, MSA, MASMS, MAC, MTA, and/or MTSC.



Go to www.NorthernGreen.org to register. NOTE: Prices will increase after December 31.

FEATURING A VIRTUAL EXHIBIT HALL! It’s a new year with a new format and new opportunities! The 2021 Virtual Exhibit Hall is free to all attendees via desktop, tablet, or mobile phone.

List

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BY COMPANY, PERSON OR KEYWORD

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INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS WITH VIDEOS, POLLS & LIVE CHAT

MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN EVER FOR ALL OF YOUR EMPLOYEES

FUN, FRIENDLY CHALLENGES BUILT INTO THE ENTIRE EVENT

2021 Keynote l a u t r i V

Pulling to Your Potential: Unleashing the Wild Side of the Green Industry

Get ready to test your assumptions. With hilarious and poignant stories from her sled dog team, Chris Heeter will help you explore the possibilities and push the boundaries of what a Wild green business can look like… think beyond boxes and ‘how you’ve always done it,’ work in teams that lead the pack, attracting and retaining great people and sustaining and protecting the planet along the way.

• • • •

Hone your communication skills to develop a Wildly inclusive work environment.

Do more with less by drawing out the unique skills of each member of the team.

Attract and retain great workers by building a sense of belonging and connection.

Disrupt the green industry by being agile, open, and willing to do things differently.

Chris Heeter

Included with All d Access aness c c A t c le Se Passes

Featured on the Discovery Channel’s ’National Geographic Today’ and recognized with national awards as a speaker, Chris has followed her own Wild path since she was young. A wilderness guide for 30+ years, Chris leads groups deep into the wilderness by canoe or dogsled. The abundant parallels between these adventures and the workplace make up the core of her presentations. Chris grabs audiences with humorous stories about her dogs and their personalities, then weaves GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY: those stories into practical takeaways. Chris is on a mission to wake up the Wild side of organizations; to break through the trappings of ‘how we’ve always done it;’ and to create Wild and vibrant workplaces that blend heart with solid, successful business strategy.

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

MASTER

CLASSES

Generously supported by:

NEW! Full-day Master Classes to occur in February 2021.

Watch NorthernGreen.org for dates and prices.

1 2

1. PLT RELICENSURE – LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

4. FAVORITE PLANTS FOR MINNESOTA GARDENS

Pending Minnesota Dept. of Labor & Industry approval, this class satisfies eight hours of continuing education requirements for the Power Limited Training Licensure, including 2 hours of code and 6 hours of technical training oriented specifically toward the landscape industry.

The focus for 2021 is landscape lighting.

What are the best performing plants for Minnesota gardens and landscapes? Spend the day with us as we present a plethora of plants – from woody trees, shrubs and conifers, to herbaceous perennials, annuals and even houseplants – your speakers are all as cold hardy as the plants and each will cover their top ten favorite performing plants in their category.

4

2. PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION WORKSHOP

5. LANDSCAPE DESIGN CHALLENGE

Pending approval by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), this workshop meets Commercial Pesticide Applicator Requirements for Category A (Core) and Category E (Turf and Ornamentals).

Recertification for optional Categories F (Aquatics) and P (Vertebrate Pest) will also be offered as part of this workshop.

Facilitator: Julie Weisenhorn, University of Minnesota Extension

5

6. TECHNOLOGY AND THE GREEN INDUSTRY

3. GOING FROM GOOD TO GREAT: HARDSCAPE EFFICIENCY BOOT CAMP with Frank Bourque

3

Great companies use key performance indicators (KPIs) to gauge and compare performance for meeting strategic and operational goals. In this fullday Boot Camp, you will learn 7 KPIs to track in your business to motivate your teams and significantly increase your business efficiency and profits.

Design Challenge Leads: Michael Keenan, Urban Ecosystems Inc. Allyson Landmark, Southview Design Jason Rathe, Field Outdoor Spaces

6

Speakers from University of Minnesota: Maggie Reiter, Extension Educator in Turfgrass Chad Giblin, Dept. of Forest Resources Eric North, Extension Dept. of Forest Resources Speaker from Texas A&M Turfgrass Management: Chase Straw, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences

RESEARCH FOR THE REAL WORLD

Box Cult

iStock.com/alicjane

THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF

xwood ivars TO BOXWOOD BLIGHT & REVISED BOXWOOD BLIGHT BMPS

By Dr. James Calkins Research Information Director, MNLA Foundation

november 20 MNLA.BIZ

29

B

RESEARCH FOR THE REAL WORLD

oxwood blight is a destructive and devastating disease that can be problematic in both nursery and landscape settings. It is caused by two non-native species of pathogenic, ascomycete fungi, Calonectria pseudonaviculata (synonyms – Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum and Cylindrocladium buxicola) and Calonectria henricotiae. Although Calonectria henricotiae has been documented in Europe, it has not yet been reported in North America.

Boxwood blight was initially observed in Great Britain in 1994 and spread quickly throughout continental Europe. The disease was subsequently identified for the first time in North America in Connecticut and North Carolina in 2011, and it has since been documented in 28 states and the District of Columbia. In general, the disease has been found in most eastern states, several states in the upper Midwest, and in Oregon in the Pacific Northwest. Boxwood blight has also been reported in Canada in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. Surprisingly, and thankfully, boxwood blight has not yet been found in Minnesota and avoiding the importation of infected boxwood plants, rooted cuttings, and decorative boxwood greenery will be the primary method of keeping this serious disease out of the state.

Although boxwood blight has been found in Illinois (2016) and Wisconsin (2018), and infected plant material could certainly come from these states, the reality is that boxwood

blight remains a serious threat to existing boxwood plants in designed landscapes, and to the status of boxwood as a nursery crop and landscape plant, and infected plant material could come from any location where the disease is present and proper precautions are not taken. Over 25 years of experience with the disease since its appearance in Europe, combined with the findings of ongoing research focused on boxwood blight, continues to improve our understanding of boxwood blight and will hopefully provide the information and tools needed to more effectively manage this disease, including the development of boxwood selections with improved resistance to boxwood blight. Much has already been learned, but the search for answers continues and will hopefully be instrumental in helping to keep this disease out of Minnesota and reduce its impacts should it be introduced.

Boxwood (Buxus spp.) was first planted in North America in 1653 in Long Island, New York and has become a very popular land-

09 New Members

NEWS & NOTES

30

Zoom online meeting.

By The Yard;

REVISED Annual Meeting Notice: January 19, 2021

MDA Offers End of Year Reminder

calendar year. The MDA

During the annual meeting, the results of

The Minnesota

Hanson Building

applications in late

Notice is hereby given

the Board of Directors

Department of

October. Completed

Materials; Landscape

that the annual

election will be

Agriculture (MDA)

applications and

Marketing Pros;

membership meeting

announced. An

reminds Nursery

appropriate fees must

Lawnxperts; Minnkota

of the Minnesota

electronic ballot will

Stock Dealer and

be completed online

Enviroservices;

Nursery & Landscape

be sent the first week

Nursery Stock

or be postmarked by

Morning Sun Homes,

Association will be

in December to the

Grower certificate-

December 31, 2020, to

Inc.; Sipe Bros Inc;

held at 9:00am on

primary contact

holders that those

avoid late penalties.

Zeska Systems Inc

Tuesday, January 19,

provided to MNLA by

certificates expire

The MDA encourages

2021 at 9:00am via

each business member.

at the end of each

certificate holders

Aqua City Irrigation Inc;

MNLA.BIZ november 20

mailed out renewal

James Calkins

Figure 1. Korean littleleaf boxwood (Buxus sinica var. insularis; synonym – Buxus microphylla var. koreana) is a popular landscape plant for many reasons including being an attractive broadleaved evergreen, cold hardy to USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 4, shade tolerant, and deer and rabbit resistant. Although the apetalous, greenish-yellow flowers are not showy, they are fragrant and attractive to many pollinators including many species of bees and even ants.

scape plant that is very valuable to the nursery and landscape industry. In fact, boxwood is consistently ranked as one of the most popular landscape plants sold in the United States with more than 11 million plants sold and sales of more than $126 million annually based on the most current information available (2014). Unfortunately, the nursery and landscape industry has also been the primary pathway for the introduction and spread of boxwood blight to new areas. Historically, boxwood has not been widely planted in Minnesota as a result of cold hardiness concerns, but this has changed in more recent years as more cold hardy cultivars (USDA Hardiness Zone 4) have been selected. Although many homeowners experienced significant damage

Figure 2. Korean littleleaf boxwood (Buxus sinica var. insularis; synonym – Buxus microphylla var. koreana) has fine-textured foliage and is generally more cold hardy than the selections of common/European boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) grown in the eastern United States making it one of only a few broadleaved evergreens suitable for planting in the warmer regions of Minnesota. This could change if boxwood blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata) is introduced and becomes established in Minnesota.

and sometimes substantial losses of boxwood plants as a result of damage caused during the winter of 2018/2019 and may be skeptical of planting boxwood in the future, boxwood remains a valuable broadleaf evergreen and one of the best choices for shady sites when selected and sited properly. Only the most cold hardy selections should be specified and used and should only be planted in protected locations that have the proper growing conditions (evenly moist, but well drained soils and winter shade; i.e., no winter sun). Boxwoods are especially valuable when designing rabbit and deer resistant landscapes, as boxwood is very resistant to browsing by these animals.

Only plants in the Boxwood Family (Buxaceae) including boxwood (Buxus spp.), pachys-

andra (Pachysandra spp.), including Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny spurge) and Pachysandra terminalis ( Japanese spurge), and sweetbox (Sarcoccca spp.; not cold hardy in Minnesota) have been confirmed as being susceptible to boxwood blight in nursery and landscape environments. More recently, research conducted under controlled conditions has, however, indicated that other species may also have the potential to serve as hosts including Alchemilla mollis (lady’s mantle), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry, kinninnick), Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian bugloss, heartleaf brunnera), Epimedium x youngianum (Young’s barrenwort), Galium odoratum (sweet woodruff), Geranium sanguineum (bloody cranesbill), Phlox subulata (creep-

to use the online

application.

application. MDA

as a nursery grower,

accurate reporting.

system to renew their

Dealer certificate fees

Nursery Inspectors

you must grow more

It is important that

nursery certificate.

for 2021 are based on

may perform a

than 50% of the stock

an updated list of all

This allows for a

gross sales of nursery

financial audit if

you offer for sale. An

nursery stock sources,

quicker turnaround of

stock from 2020. This

the volume of stock

annual inspection

from which you plan

certificates. To use the

includes stock that

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of your growing

to purchase stock in

MDA online renewal

is sold in landscape

gross sales amounts

locations by an MDA

2021, be submitted

system, visit www.mda.

jobs. Be sure to

appear to conflict.

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with your renewal

state.mn.us/renewal.

provide an accurate

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required. Inspectors

application. Nursery

Please reference your

calculation of these

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may perform an

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on your hard copy

your renewal

production. To qualify

GPS to confirm

(continued on page 37)

november 20 MNLA.BIZ

31

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ing phlox), Tiarella cordifolia (foamflower), Callirhoe involucrate (purple poppy mallow, winecups), Iberis sempervirens (candytuft), Mazus reptans (cupflower, creeping mazus), and Vinca minor (lesser/dwarf/common periwinkle). This is not good news and nursery and landscape professionals should be aware that these, and possibly related species, may be susceptible and harbor the disease.

Boxwood blight is primarily spread over long distances through the movement of infected nursery stock (including nursery stock that is asymptomatic, sometimes as a result of fungicidal suppression) and can also be spread by spores and infested plant debris on trucks. More locally, the disease is primarily spread by rain/irrigation-splashed spores and infected leaves and plant debris.

The spores are sticky and can also be easily picked up and moved from place to place on many surfaces including contaminated tools and equipment, clothing, and footwear, and spores can also be picked-up and transported on domestic and wild animals. The symptoms of boxwood blight include light or dark brown spots on the leaves (often with darker margins) that enlarge and coalesce, elongated, dark brown to black cankers on young, green stems (sometimes described as black streaking), straw-colored, blighted foliage, defoliation (unique compared to other boxwood diseases other pests), which typically starts on the lower branches and progresses upwards and is often rapid under ideal conditions (warm, moist conditions; 75 degrees Fahrenheit is considered ideal), and death of the plant. When the humidity is high, sporulation, visible as white, fuzzy masses arising from the undersides of infected leaves and stem cankers, can be observed with a hand lens.

In addition to preventing the introduction of boxwood blight to new areas, including Minnesota, the development of boxwood cultivars that are resistant to boxwood blight is the best hope for managing this devastating disease and maintaining the popularity of this valuable landscape plant. To this end, several studies have investigated the susceptibility of existing boxwood cultivars to boxwood blight including a study that was recently published in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture which is published by the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI). The researchers screened 289 of the more than 700 accessions in the boxwood collection at the United States National Arboretum for their relative susceptibility to boxwood blight and used a

meta-analysis approach using the data from multiple studies to rank 131 boxwood cultivars based on their susceptibility to boxwood blight (least susceptible to most susceptible).

As has been the case for other studies, the authors reported that the meta-analysis indicated that while some of the most resistant boxwood cultivars were selections of Buxus microphylla (littleleaf boxwood) and Buxus sinica (Chinese boxwood) and some of the most susceptible cultivars were selectins of Buxus sempervirens (common or European boxwood), these species differences can only be viewed as generalizations because there were clear exceptions. Of the 131 boxwood taxa that were ranked, the most resistant (least susceptible) cultivars included (starting with the least susceptible): 1. a numbered selection of Buxus sinica var. insularis (60705) 2. B. microphylla ‘Little Missy’ 3. B. microphylla var. japonica ‘Winter Gem’ 4. a numbered selection of Buxus (SB17) 5. B. microphylla ‘Compacta’ 6. B. microphylla var. japonica ‘Green Beauty’ 7. a numbered selection of B. sempervirens (43877) 8. B. microphylla ‘Northern Emerald’ 9. a numbered selection of B. microphylla var. japonica (4227) 10. B. sinica var. insularis ‘Wee Willie’ 11. B. sinica var. insularis ‘Nana’ 12. B. harlandii (Harland boxwood) ‘Richard’ 13. B. sinica var. insularis ‘Pincushion’ 14. B. microphylla var. japonica ‘Golden Dream’ 15. B. microphylla var. japonica ‘Jim Stauffer’ 16. B. microphylla var. japonica ‘Wedding Ring’ 17. Buxus x ‘Green Mound’ 18. B. sinica var. insularis ‘Winter Beauty’ 19. a numbered selection of Buxus (57950) 20. B. sempervirens ‘Ohio’ 21. B. sinica var. insularis ‘Franklin’s Gem’ 22. B. microphylla ‘Hohmans Dwarf’ 23. Buxus ‘Green Ice’ 24. Buxus x ‘Verdant Hills’ (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’ x B. sinica var. insularis) 25. B. microphylla ‘John Basldwin’ 26. B. sinica var. insularis ‘Wintergreen’ 27. B. sempervirens ‘Cliffside’ 28. a numbered selection of B. wallichiana (Himalayan boxwood; 51896) 29. Buxus x ‘Green Gem’ (B. sinica var. insularis x B. sempervirens) 30. a numbered selection of B. bodinieri (Bodinier’s boxwood; 52423)

Mary Ann Hansen, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ., Bugwood.org

RESEARCH FOR THE REAL WORLD

Figure 3. Boxwood blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata) is a devastating disease of boxwood in nursery and landscape settings, but has not yet been documented in Minnesota; symptoms initially include brown spots on the leaves that enlarge and coalesce, followed by straw-colored blighted foliage, elongated, black lesions on the younger green stems, defoliation, and death of the plant.

The Top 10 Best Management Practices for Boxwood Health in Production • Train personnel for disease scouting and biology, sanitation, and management.

Symptoms, especially early infections, may be discreet and difficult to detect.

• Propagate locally to avoid introduction by infected material. When purchase is necessary, purchase from reputable producers and separate new introductions from existing blocks.

• Consider growing only varieties tested and known to be more tolerant and less susceptible to boxwood blight.

• Employ smaller sized blocks and alternate with blocks of nonhost plants.

• Sanitize tools, equipment, shoes, clothing between plantings. 70% alcohol and other products are recommended sanitizers. (bleach is not effective) • Avoid overhead irrigation.

• Avoid working in boxwood plantings when foliage is wet.

• All infected plant material should be double bagged and disposed of in an approved landfill, burned, or buried at least 10” below the soil surface. (Note that yard waste cannot be sent to a landfill in Minnesota and may not be placed in the trash.)

• Do not compost infected plant material.

• Fungicides are preventive only and will not cure an infected plant.

november 20 MNLA.BIZ

33

A Deeper Shade of Green Local Genetic Origins

TM

RESEARCH FOR THE REAL WORLD

The Top 10 Best Management Practices for Boxwood Health in the Landscape • Train personnel for disease scouting and biology, sanitation, and management.

• Purchase plant material from reputable suppliers who adhere to a boxwood blight compliance agreement.

• When installing new boxwood, select varieties tested and known to be more tolerant and less susceptible of boxwood blight.

• Mulch boxwood plantings.

• Sanitize tools, equipment, shoes, clothing between plantings.

70% alcohol and other products are recommended sanitizers. (bleach is not effective)

Native Minnesota Woody & Herbaceous (651) 438-2771 • Fax (651) 438-3816

www.outbacknursery.com

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• Shearing boxwoods is not recommended. Pruning to encourage air flow is ideal. Avoid flat surfaces. Remove lower branches that touch the ground.

• Avoid working in boxwood plantings when foliage is wet.

• All infected plant material should be double bagged and disposed of in an approved landfill, burned, or buried at least 10” below the soil surface. (Note that yard waste cannot be sent to a landfill in Minnesota and may not be placed in the trash.)

• Do not compost infected plant material.

• Fungicides are preventive only and will not cure an infected plant.

Of these 30 selections, ‘Winter Gem’, ‘Green Beauty’, ‘Nana’, ‘Golden Dream’, ‘John Baldwin’, and ‘Green Gem’ are commonly listed as having resistance to boxwood blight and ‘Green Mound’, ‘Franklin’s Gem’, ‘Verdant Hills’, ‘Wintergreen’, and ‘Green Gem’ are the most cold hardy (Zone 4). The authors note that none of the boxwood cultivars studied are immune to boxwood blight and that complete resistance to boxwood blight has not yet been observed for any genotype. They also believe this research should be helpful in developing boxwood selections that are more resistant to boxwood blight. In short, the search for boxwood selections that have improved resistance to boxwood blight continues.

You may have already heard about two new boxwood selections that have been developed by Saunders Genetics LLC (Piney River, VA) and are being promoted as having a “high tolerance” to boxwood blight.

Buxus NewGenTM Independence® (Zone 5b) and Buxus NewGenTM Freedom® (slightly more cold hardy; Zone 5) have been brought to market this year (2020). It is important to note, however, that these cultivars have not yet been assessed through independent studies including the research published by the HRI earlier this year. Although these cultivars would not be reliably cold hardy in Minnesota, if they do prove to be resistant to boxwood blight, they would provide further evidence that developing boxwood selections that are resistant to boxwood blight through breeding and selection has promise.

Nursery growers, garden center personnel, and landscape managers may also be interested to know that the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) has released the third, updated iteration (Version 3.0) of its boxwood blight best management practices (BMPs) – Best Management Practices for Boxwood Health: Production and Landscape Management Practices (Version 3.0, 2020). The updated BMPs are based on the most up-to-date research findings available and replace Version 2.0 of the BMPs that was released in 2017. The HRI has also developed and released two fact sheets: Boxwood Blight BMPs for

Production and Boxwood Blight BMPs for Landscape. In addition to providing basic information about boxwood blight and its symptoms (including pictures), these 1-page fact sheets summarize the most important BMPs for boxwood health in production and in the landscape as follows: Further information about these practices can be found in Version 3 of the HRI boxwood blight BMPs document. In addition, boxwood plants should be spaced to provide good air circulation in production and in the landscape and should be inspected regularly for signs and symptoms of boxwood blight.

Any plants that are suspected of being infected should be removed from the landscape (along with fallen leaves and other plant debris), bagged, reported, and ultimately disposed of by burning (where allowed) or burying. Plants and plant debris should not be composted. And finally, like boxwood plants, boxwood greenery should also be sourced from reputable suppliers, kept away from boxwood plants in the landscape, and disposed of properly. Garden center professionals can play an important role by educating the public about boxwood blight and the proper establishment and care of boxwood plants in the landscape.

Boxwood blight remains a serious threat, but a growing body of research is providing important information about the life history, spread, and management of this increasingly troublesome disease. Research also continues the search for resistant varieties, which is the best hope for maintaining this popular plant as a choice for designed landscapes and a viable crop for nursery growers.

Citations: Kramer, M., Y. Guo, and M. Pooler.

2020. Ranking of Resistance of Buxus Cultivars to Boxwood Blight – An Integrated Analysis.

Journal of Environmental Horticulture 38(2):5055. https://meridian.allenpress.com/jeh/arti-

cle/38/2/50/436815/Ranking-Resistance-of-Buxus-Cultivars-to-Boxwood.

The Horticultural Research Institute. 2020. Best Management Practices for Boxwood Health:

Production and Landscape Management Practices (Version 3.0; includes the BMP fact sheets for

GREEN INDUSTRY AWARDS

Virtual CELEBRATI0N

REC O GNIZING E XCELLENCE IN MINNESOTA’S GREEN INDUSTRY

A joint effort by MNLA and MTGF, this event on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 FROM 4:00-5:00 PM will be held virtually for the first time. There will still be lots to celebrate! We’ll recognize a number of deserving individuals and companies for their service to the green industry, their research, their excellence in landscape and sports field work, for receiving and sponsoring scholarships, and for completion of the Green Industry Leadership Institute.

Virtual

production and the landscape). https://www.

hriresearch.org/sites/default/files/BoxwoodBlight/ HRIBoxwoodHealthBMPs-V3-2020.pdf.

Special thanks to our sponsors:

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)– National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

2015. Census of Agriculture - Census of Horticultural Specialties (2014). https://www.nass.usda.

november 20 MNLA.BIZ

35

RESEARCH FOR THE REAL WORLD

CEO & MGMT. WORKSHOP

SOLVING THE LABOR CRISIS

gov/Publications/AgCensus/2012/Online_Resources/Census_of_Horticulture_Specialties/.

The following, selected resources may also be of interest: Daughtrey, M.L. 2019. Boxwood Blight: Threat to Ornamentals. Annual Review of Phytopathology 57(1):189-209. https://www.annualreviews.org/

PLUS ZOOM HAPPY HOUR

doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-phyto-082718-100156

Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 4:00pm – 6:00pm

(abstract only).

Today’s employee shortage is the result of a thriving landscape industry that creates a great market for potential employees, especially those with skill and experience. Finding reliable and skilled workers is the biggest issue preventing companies from growing. Surveys have shown that 77% of companies in the landscaping field believe that their inability to find and keep quality employees is hindering their growth and 80% have found difficulty finding skilled employees. They simply cannot keep up with the demand because they can’t adequately staff their company.

Ganci, M, K. Ivors, and D.M. Benson. 2013.

Join us for a workshop devoted to recruiting, developing, and keeping employees.

Hong, C. 2019. Saving American Gardens from

Based in scientific study but presented in an interactive and practical manner, Neal Glatt, Grow the Bench will equip SUPPORTED BY: attendees with the skills they need to hire for talent, develop their workforce, and manage teams to get the highest possible level of performance.

The workshop will be followed by a Zoom Happy Hour.

Susceptibility of Commercial Boxwood Cultivars to Boxwood Blight. North Carolina State Uni-

versity (NCSU) Cooperative Extension Online.

https://plantpathology.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/

uploads/2013/05/final-Cult-trials-summary-2013. pdf?fwd=no.

Boxwood Blight. The Boxwood Bulletin 58(3):410. Spring 2019. https://boxwoodsociety.org/ uploads/58_3_2019_Spring.pdf#page=4.

LaMondia, J.A.. 2019. Susceptibility of Boxwood Species, Cultivars, Hybrids, and Accessions

to Boxwood Blight Version 1.0. Connecticut

Agricultural Experiment Station. https://portal.

ct.gov/-/media/CAES/DOCUMENTS/Publications/

SNOW DOESN’T STAND A CHANCE.

Fact_Sheets/Valley_Laboratory/Boxwood-susceptibility-to-blight-V1.pdf?la=en.

Likins, T.M., P. Kong, H.F. Avenot, S.C. Marine, A. Baudoin, and C.X. Hong. 2019. Preventing

Soil Inoculum of Calonectria pseudonaviculata

from Splashing onto Healthy Boxwood Foliage by Mulching. Plant Disease 103(2):357-363. https://

apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdf/10.1094/PDIS-0518-0826-RE.

BLADES

ROTARY BOOMS

Virginia Cooperative Extension. 2020. Boxwood Blight Task Force. https://ext.vt.edu/agriculture/ commercial-horticulture/boxwood-blight.html.

Saunders Genetics LLC. The Boxwood Revolution.

V-BLADES

https://www.newgenboxwood.com/ (Accessed August 10, 2020).

See one in action at grasshoppermower.com/snowthrower

Equip your zero-turn Grasshopper with one of our heavy-duty snow removal implements, that’s designed for your location and you’ll power through deep, heavy, wet snow like a hot knife through butter. www.edneyco.com 888.443.3639 36

MNLA.BIZ november 20

➽ TO COMMENT ON THIS RESEARCH UPDATE, suggest research topics of interest, or pass along a piece of research-based information that might

CONNECT WITH US

be of interest to your industry colleagues, please email us at Research@MNLA.biz.

PESTICIDES

CONTINUED from page 21

NEWS & NOTES

1. National pesticide applicator certification core manual, Second Edition, 2014 https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/shared/ Documents/Publications/PesticidesPARC/ PesticideApplicatorCoreManual.pdf Produced by the USEPA in cooperation with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Research Foundation from 20 states 2. Crop data management systems (CDMS) pesticide label lookup by label name website, http://www.cdms.net/LabelDatabase 3. MN Agricultural Data searches list all the pesticides registered in MN, http://www. kellysolutions.com/MN/ 4. Koppert side effects data base website, https://sideeffects.koppert.com/?L=28 5. UM IPM and pollinator conservation website, http://ncipmhort.cfans.umn.edu/ Top: iStock.com/AlexandrBognat

6. UM IPM of landscape website, cues.cfans. umn.edu/ 7. UM IPM of Midwest landscapes website, http://cues.cfans.umn.edu/old/ipmbook. htm 8. National pesticide information center (NPIC) at Oregon State University http:// npic.orst.edu/health/readlabel.html

In the precautionary statement box called “Directions for Use”, it says “It is a violation of federal law to use this product in any manner inconsistent with its labeling.”

In the precautionary statement box called “Agricultural Use Requirements” information is provided for the Workers Protection Standards (WPS) which pertains to greenhouse, nursery, Christmas tree farms, and not landscapes. The box says to take precautions to prevent drift, use PPE, lists the PPE, and states the restricted entry interval (REI)

(continued from page 31)

iStock.com/Pogonici

Pesticide Related Websites to Visit

which is 4 to 24 hrs. If a person must go into a treated area before the REI is reached, then they must wear proper PPE. The next box is the “Non-Agricultural Use Requirements” that applies to pesticide use not covered by WPS. The next box is the “Storage and Disposal” where details are provided on handling, spraying, storage, and disposal of pesticides.

The next part of the label contains “General Information,” Such as “General Use Precautions” which discusses IPM, IRAC (Insecticide resistance management), pesticide rotation, spot treatments, and maximum use per field or structure a year. All pesticides have a maximum amounts of AI that can be used.

We have gone over about a third of the information on a pesticide label. Next time we will discuss the laws that govern pesticide use, mixing and application directions, tank mixing, formulations, and adjuvants. The last article will discuss site specific use, pest specific use, chemigation, calibration, spraying requirements, crops and pests allowed on the label, and rates.

MNLA offers an online course on their website under “Education” that is composed of around 12 webinars with tests to study for the MDA pesticide license. Please purchase the books to study for the two tests. The first manual is entitled “Category A Core National Pesticide Applicator Core Course Manual” that covers all categories. The second manual is entitled “Category E Turf and Ornamentals Pesticide Safety Education Manual”.

The third manual is entitled ”Category A-2: Minnesota Supplement Pesticide Applicator”.

These books are needed to study for the A and E exams and can be purchased at the St Paul bookstore by calling 612-301-3989 or online at https://bookstores.umn.edu/books/ pesticide-manuals.

addresses are required for each stock source.

This information is critical to assure that all stock purchased has been officially inspected and certified at its origin. This information is also used to contact you in the event a plant pest has been introduced into the state and/ or country on nursery stock.

Finally, please make sure to provide a valid email address. As plant pest issues arise, information is communicated by email.

The MDA’s Plant Pest Insider Newsletter and Nursery Program announcements can provide information that could be critical

➽DR. VERA KRISCHIK is Associate

to the success of your business. Questions

Professor and Extension Specialist in

and comments can be directed to the MDA’s

the Department of Entomology at the

Nursery Program Coordinator Steven Shimek

University of Minnesota. You can reach

at steven.shimek@state.mn.us

her at 612.625.7044 or krisc001@umn.edu. november 20 MNLA.BIZ

37

Advertorial

DON’T GET SNOWED IN THIS WINTER

All photos courtesy of Ziegler CAT

Snow removal. Just the words spoken aloud can bring a shiver for equipment operators. But the right tires and the right tools can make all the difference going into unpredictable winter weather, giving you more time to focus on your business instead of worrying about your equipment.

Advertorial We are going to take a look at two things in this article: snow tires and hydraulic wing plows for skid steer loaders. Knowing how to leverage these two winter weather equipment attachments can be exponentially beneficial when it comes to productivity, time management, and machine upkeep. So, let’s jump right in with some short analysis and recommendations on how to get the most out of your equipment this winter.

SNOW TIRES

Nothing is more frustrating than losing traction and control of your equipment due to slippery conditions.

It drags on your efficiency and in some cases, the wrong tires can actually be dangerous. That’s why outfitting your machines with snow tires is critical when the slush and powder shows up.

Snow tires are distinct from your normal skid steer tires for several reasons. For one, the rubber compound is created to respond appropriately to cold weather conditions by becoming more supple as the temperature drops. Normal tires stiffen and reduce traction, making your machine slip. In addition, the tread pattern on a snow tire is deeper, which allows it to bite and hold

you in place when pushing large amounts of snow around or pulling heavy loads on slopes. Finally, the profile of a snow tire is more narrow than normal weather tires.

This allows your machine to cut a finer line through the snow as they apply more ground pressure.

All in all, snow tires can improve your machine’s productivity by more than 30% in snow, and they will help give your operators confidence when working in tough winter conditions. You get more work done, and

you will have prioritized the safety of your team and your equipment. Win-win.

ADVANTAGES OF THE WING PLOW

If snow removal is part of your job, you are already familiar with the traditional box snow pushers. Not a bad piece of equipment, but certainly not as effective, versatile, and reliable as hydraulic wing plows.

A hydraulic wing plow allows you to seamlessly shift from angle plowing to straight plowing to high-capacity pushing to back-dragging without leaving or having to adjust your machine. It’s that simple and you will not believe the amount of time and energy this will save you when you have a lot of snow to clear.

One advantage that the hydraulic wing plow has over the box snow pusher is the application of its cutting edge. A wing plow will keep about 75-85% of its cutting edge on the ground while at work. The box pusher typically applies about 50% of its cutting edge when in operation, so its removal capacity is limited, and more than

likely you’ll need another attachment, such as a bucket, to finish the job.

The hydraulic wing plow has the ability to maneuver its wings to form various angles.

This enables the operator to create neater, more strategically placed rows that can be easily removed from the parking lot or jobsite, versus a mountain of discarded

snow that will be an eyesore until warmer weather shows back up.

The wing plow’s back drag ability may be its most impressive capability. In addition to being able to form neat, easily removed rows, the back drag component will allow you to get your skid steer close to garage doors, curbs, and steps for a cleaner removal in less time.

Proper tools are the key to effective snow removal. Good tires and hydraulic wing plows are two such tools that you should investigate before the snows come.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the content of this advertorial, feel free to reach out to Ziegler CAT at info@zieglercat.com or visit www.zieglercat.com.

SHOOTOUT TOURNAMENT

2020 FOUNDATION SHOOTOUT! Thank you to all the shooters who joined us for the MNLA Foundation’s annual fundraiser tournament at Games Unlimited Hunt Club in Hudson, Wisconsin on September 22, 2020! Conditions were perfect on this sunny day, along with vibrant fall colors, lakes and marshes on this 75-round course. Over 70 shooters

attended to compete in clay pigeon shooting to support the MNLA Foundation. Proceeds benefit the MNLA Foundation Scholarship Fund. The scholarship program makes it possible for outstanding college students who have made horticulture or landscaping their career choice to enter and/or complete their college degree programs.

First Place Team: Congratulations to Andy Petersen, Spectrum Sales, Bryan Kuglan, Autumn Oaks LLC, Steve Hamacher, Autumn Oaks LLC, (not pictured: Jimbo Peterson, Piece of Mind Inspection) on winning top team with a score 257!

Champion Individual: Bill Traynor of Belgard Hardscapes blew it away for the highest score of 71!

Long Shot & Grouse Skeet Winner: Jared McTague, Precision Landscaping and Construction, Inc.

Multi-Trap Flurry Winner: Sean Martin & Jeremy Evens, Precision Landscaping and Construction, Inc.

The day started off with games for cash prizes. Game Winners:

Duck Flurry: Jeremy Evans & Jared McTague, Precision Landscaping and Construction, Inc.

40

MNLA.BIZ november 20

$500 CASH Super Ticket Winner: Herman Roerick, Central Landscape Supply

A special thank you to all the sponsors for helping make this event possible!

Game Sponsors: Swanson’s Nursery Consulting Tangletown Gardens LLC

Hoffman & McNamara Nursery and Landscape Klaus Nurseries Margolis Company Rock Hard Landscape Supply Touchstone Accent Lighting, Inc. Wilson’s Nursery, Inc. Ziegler CAT Zlimen & McGuiness Attorneys at Law

Prize for Champion Team: Hedberg Supply Prize for Champion Individual: Copelund Buhl Refreshments on Course: Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply Station Sponsors: Arborjet Ecologel Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes Belgard Hardscapes BFG Supply Co. Carlin Horticultural Supplies Cherokee Manufacturing LLC Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply Hiway Federal Credit Union

Super Ticket $500 Cash Prize Sponsors: Alta Falls & Pond Supplies First Minnetonka Bank Matt Felknor Financial Giveaway and Raffle Prizes: Game Unlimited Hunt Club HiWay Federal Credit Union The Tessman Company

CONTINUED from page 10

event can be “themed” or not (such as addressing taxes or a social issue), it’s up to you to decide when assembling the event.

Often, an event theme addresses a topic that both you and the candidate are interested in — usually in agreement but, sometimes not, allowing the candidate to interact with guests who are open to adult discourse.

I was honored to be invited to a Meet &

Greet held on September 26, hosted by Heidi Heiland, MNLA member, volunteer, Past President, and former avoider of anything having to do with government affairs.☺ The event was environmentally-themed, was introduced by Heiland, included brief presentations by the two invited candidates for the Minnesota legislature, and had a free-form Q & A session. Taking place during business hours at Heidi’s business, GrowHaus, the guests included Heiland’s staff. Marvelous!

The event was informal, intimate and the candidates were engaging and participated in an un-filtered Q & A session with guests. As it turned-out, a couple of candidates for local office were in attendance as guests. A greater opportunity for attendees than perhaps Heiland may have imagined when assembling the event!

It was a nice afternoon and not only did the guests get to meet several candidates for state and local office, but the candidates got to meet the guests. Did any of the candidates win their respective seats? By the time you read this column, we will know.

And, I can assure you, as a representative of Minnesota’s Green Industry, when Heiland chooses to contact her elected representative(s), they will recognize her name and will certainly listen to her topic. The same may apply to some of the guests who attended the event.

Regardless, Heiland’s leadership by example is clear; putting herself “out there” to create and host a Meet & Greet at her place of business, during business hours, AND including her employees as guests.

Did Heiland’s grassroots event help guests decide whether or not to support the invited candidates? Perhaps. Did her event decide the election for any of the candidates? I don’t know. What I do know is, there are many ways that MNLA members can participate in public affairs. Hosting a Meet & Greet is but one. Participating in the annual MNLA Public Affairs Survey is another. Attending the annual MNLA Day on the Hill is another.

Or, you can simply vote and not do anything more. No judgment; it is your right as an American. november 20 MNLA.BIZ

41

THANK YOU

Gardens of Rice Creek - $100 Green Barn Farms - $750 Greenscape Companies - $500 Ground One -$500 Hartman Companies, Inc. - $500 Thank you for your membership in MNLA! Every voice counts toward our goal of helping you operate your business successfully. Thinking of the events of the last nine months, many members have expressed satisfaction and even happiness at the success of MNLA efforts to help our elected leadership understand the essential nature of our industry. MNLA asked for YOUR support to help the association through this trying time with a one-time additional emergency contribution. The following companies answered that call! Would you consider adding your company name to the list? Give online here: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/mnla-contributions1 Abrahamson Nurseries – Scandia - $1,000

Cherokee Manufacturing, LLC - $500

AJ’s Lawncare, Inc. - $300

Dale Bachman - $500

All Stone Solutions - $300

Dolan’s Landscape Center, Inc. - $300

Anderson Nurseries - $500

Dulcet Fountains & Aeration, Inc - $1,000

B&B Hoffman Sod Farms, Inc. - $750

EnviroTech Services, Inc. - $300

Bachman’s - $1,000

Eric Pederson - $250

Bailey Nurseries - $1,000

Forest & Floral Garden Center - $600

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Fred Holasek & Son, Inc. Greenhouse DBA Ho-

Best Outdoor Services, Inc. – $750

lasek Flower Power - $600

Carlson Timber Products, Inc. - $500

Garden Tapestry - $300

Hedberg Supply - $900 Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens & GrowHaus - $650 Hoffman and McNamara Nursery & Landscape - $1,000 Home Sown Gardens - $600 Horticulture Services, LLC - $500 Irrigation by Design - $1,000 Jean’s - The Right Plant Place - $500 J’s Lawn & Landscape, Inc. - $300 Karl’s Landscaping - $50 Kelly Green Irrigation - $500 Kerker, Inc. - $600 Knecht’s Nurseries & Landscaping, Inc. - $750 Landscape Gal, LLC - $500 LCI Landscapes - $500 Lilydale Garden Center - $300 Living Sculpture Tree & Shrub Care, Inc. - $300 Magnolia Landscape & Design Co. - $100 Malmborg’s Greenhouse and Garden Center -$500 Maple Crest Landscape - $900 McNeill Landscape - $100 Meadow Green Lawn & Landscape - $750 Minnesota Sodding Company, LLC - $1,000 Olympic Trail Greenhouse -$200 Oregon Pride Nurseries, Inc. - $300 Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping - $2,000 Peterson’s North Branch Mill, Inc. - $300 Plaisted Companies - $750 Plantpeddler, Inc. - $300 Robert Harris - $300 S.J. Louis Construction, Inc. - $500 Sargent’s Garden Growers - $1,000 Sargent’s Nursery - Red Wing - $750

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Southview Design -$2,000 Spectrum Sales/Petersen - $50 Sunbelt Business Advisors - $300 Terrain Services - $300 Thomas Tree & Landscape, Inc. - $150 Tree Quality, LLC - $1,000 Untiedt’s Vegetable Farm, Inc. -$750

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MNLA.BIZ november 20

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9/4/2020 2:36:23 PM

PELLETS Misuse of Vole Control

Chris Romanoski

iStock.com/strickke

Total Lawn Care

november 20 MNLA.BIZ

45

iStock.com/Tunatura

VOLE CONTROL

OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS we applied Rozol Vole Bait (EPA Reg No. 7173-242) by hand for a small number of our customers.

It wasn’t a service we advertised. We offered it

after increased complaints about vole damage to lawns in the spring. We had three of our Minnesota Commercial Pesticide Applicators add Category P (Vertebrate Pest Control) to handle the small number of customers who requested vole treatment to their property. A sales representative advised us to distribute it by hand late in the fall in the lawn near native or unkept property with long grass and in other areas in the lawn known to have had vole activity in past winters. We notified the customers of the anticoagulant properties of the active ingredient chlorophacinone and they were aware of the risks to their pets and/ or small children who might ingest the pellets.

During the fall of 2019, I ordered Rozol Pellets for vole control and received the product a few days later, but failed to look closely at the packaging. We did not receive Rozol Vole Bait (EPA Reg. No. 7173-242), but instead received Rozol Pellets (EPA Reg. No. 7173-151), which is labeled for Norway rats, roof rats and house mice. Both products contain 0.005% of the active ingredient chlorophacinone, however they have different label language and use and application restrictions.

46

MNLA.BIZ november 20

We had an unfortunate incident happen in the fall of 2019 when a customer’s dog came in contact with Rozol Pellets. We had two customers with the same name and one of these customers ordered a vole control application to be done late in the fall. Unfortunately, we made a Rozol Pellet application to the wrong property and the customer had not been advised on the product used or its anticoagulant properties. We broadcast Rozol Pellets by hand to multiple areas of their lawn and received a call from the customer days later requesting information about the application.

The customer informed us their dog was sick and coughing up blood. We realized there had been a mistake made in scheduling the vole control application to the wrong property.

The customer’s dog made a full recovery but required expensive veterinary care which our business paid for.

This complaint was reported to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Because we were not in compliance of the proper application methods, we needed to clean up the pellets that were above ground and accessible to non-target mammals and birds. We cleaned up the Rozol Pellets with a combination of raking and shopvacuums. This was a time-consuming undertaking which required our business to purchase special shop vacuums that would not chop up the pellets while it sucked them up from the lawns. We cleaned up the Rozol Pellets from all the applications completed in the fall of 2019 at an estimated cost of $2,500.00.

We have not decided if we will be offering Vole control applications in the future. If we do, we will not be applying any of the pellets above ground and will only use tamper-resistant bait stations. Hopefully our experience will be a reminder to all of the importance of closely reading the product label and will help someone applying Rozol Pellets avoid a similar dangerous situation in the future.

CHRIS ROMANOSKI is Manager of Total Lawn Care in Cold Spring, Minnesota.

The Rozol Vole Bait (EPA Reg. No. 7173242) label states, in part: • “VOLE CONTROL IN LAWNS… Hand Spot Bait only: Do not apply by aerial or ground broadcast… Place ½ to 1 ounce (2 to 4 tablespoons) of bait in each active hole, trail or runway in areas where voles have been observed or are known to forage.”

• “Keep away from children, domestic animals and pets.”

The Rozol Pellets (EPA Reg. No. 7173-151) label states, in part: • “Do not broadcast bait.”

• “Apply bait in locations out of reach of children, pets, domestic animals, and nontarget wildlife, or in tamper-resistant bait stations.”

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