IN ACTION
SECURE FOOTING FOR HAYDOCK PARK Chafer grub infestation successfully treated by Acelepryn insecticide at Haydock Racecourse
H
ealthy turf condition is a priority for racecourse grounds personnel, because a poor grass surface can affect the racehorse’s ability to gallop safely over the ground and put these animals – often worth millions of pounds – at risk. “If the racing surface becomes unstable due to the action of turf pests, we have no alternative but to cancel the race meeting,” explains Haydock Park’s deputy head groundsman, Alan Fyles. “And, as racecourses tend to have several tracks running parallel, it’s very easy for a small infestation to quickly affect the entire course.” This was the dilemma that presented itself in spring 2018, when birds flocking over part of the flat track indicated the presence of chafer grubs grazing on the turf roots. Haydock Park, near St Helens in Merseyside, has 15.76 hectares of total racing surface and hosts prestigious racing fixtures from April to October, so the implications were serious. “At its worst, a chafer grub infestation can mean whole sections of turf just lift away like a carpet as the grazing action of the larvae destroys the roots. Birds pecking at the grubs make the damage even worse. It wasn’t too bad initially, but became more severe during the dry summer, so we needed to take action. “On a racecourse you can’t just fence off an affected area. We were concerned that if we didn’t treat the chafer grubs, the racing calendar in the following spring season would be under threat,” says Alan. “We try not to use too many chemicals, but will apply effective treatments where they are needed.” An Emergency Authorisation for the use of the insecticide Acelepryn, marketed in the UK by
“We raced over that track within a month – I’ve never seen a product work like it” 36 THE GROUNDSMAN September 2019
Alan was delighted with Acelepryn’s e ciency
Syngenta, came at just the right time, and Alan was able to treat the area in September, while the grubs were still at the early larval stages, for optimum control. “It was very easy to apply with a boom sprayer, and our distributor Sherriff Amenity helped with obtaining the paperwork for the authorisation.” The Acelepryn was applied at 600 ml/ha in a high water volume, accompanied by a wetting agent.
ASTONISHING TURNAROUND
The effects, Alan says, were dramatic. “It worked so quickly – the next day there were no birds to be seen, which indicates no chafer grubs. Conditions were ideal with more rain after application, which probably helped further improve the product’s effectiveness. “We left the area for a couple of days before mowing again and then it was back to our normal maintenance regime. We raced over that track within a month.” Alan is also very impressed with the resulting turf quality: “Subsequent growth was good and it’s left a very strong, healthy sward which has performed well this season.” Haydock holds 31 meetings annually and racing takes place all year round, leaving little time for major renovations, so turf health is highly important to Alan and his 11-strong grounds team. Alan said the specialist knowledge of Syngenta and its distributors is key to the success of such treatments. “Racecourse turf is very different in its needs and management to other sports surfaces, not least because we are working at greater cut heights – up to 10cm. It’s important to know how best to use products, and the suppliers worked well with us to ensure the Acelepryn was effective. We would readily use it again at the slightest sign of an infestation.”
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For more information on Acelepryn, visit www.greencastonline.com