SPECIAL FEATURE – GREENKEEPING
Knowledge is Power
Hello to every keen golfer that loves the game as we do. I start out this article with a bit of humor that every Golf course Superintendent can relate to at some stage of their careers
Making turf better, one step at a time In previous articles I wrote about insect control and when to control it by keeping an eye on insect activity and keeping records of these activities when damage to your greens are at its highest. Today I will write a bit about a great initiative that was formed by the Syngenta Company, a company that strives for the best control with the environment as first priority. Through years of testing and bettering products for good control, Syngenta always strives for the best and they are definitely leaders in the industry when it comes to pest and disease control on turf and other plants. I also spoke about plants and pests building up resistance to certain chemicals if it is not sprayed correctly, or too often. For better spraying frequency and for better control of pests and diseases, Syngenta came up with 56
a fantastic program called Greencast. This initiative helps every Superintendent across the country to see when the high risk periods with regards to pests and diseases will occur, and then they can spray accordingly for better results. With the help of several Superintendents across the country, data gets stored throughout the year and these records are made available for all to see. Knowledge is power and the more we know about pests and diseases, the better for the environment and for the health of our turf and plants. Most mornings I have the privilege to see sights like the pictures below, and this is why we take so much care to preserve what we have been given and do our bit to live life and still keep the natural environment moving forward and healthy.
www.sagolftrader.co.za
March/April 2014