Hi All. The last couple of weeks I have been on the road close to home with several trips fanning out to NV/Fresno/Visalia/North Coast areas.

Turf maintenance programs spring into preventative summer applications
Golf applications are right on schedule with temperatures in the mid seventies, humidity in the 20%, and nice cool evenings. Superintendents are having success with preventative sprays on their greens every 3 weeks.

I did hear from one of the assistant supers in my area that recently went to FarmLinks. He said that Brian Thompson did a great job of offering him more information about our pest solutions. He said that it felt good to have Brian listen to his issues.

Crabgrass species unique to Central Valley?
While spending time in Fresno, I spoke with Chuck Synold, VP of Target in the Fresno area and Arizona, about the different problems affecting turf management in the area. We were confused as to why some herbicide formulas do not do as good a job on emerged crabgrass as the do in rest of the country. I learned back in 2006 that there is a certain bio type of crabgrass that is prevalent in central valley. I am interested in seeing if our new Drive XLR8 liquid herbicide formula will have as good of an effect on the central valley bio type crabgrass as it does on common crabgrass in other regions of the country.

Got any turf industry issues to share?
I am meeting with several people in the turf management industry to talk issues in the next week. Write me with any issues, comments, concerns, or successes to report for your course, lawn care business or the like in the Southwest, and I’ll bring them to the attention of the group. Thanks in advance for your help.