Weather patterns will likely bring dollar spot pressure
As the summer season kicked off with Memorial Day last week, so did some weather patterns that will likely bring dollar spot pressure up as well as other diseases in the golf market. The later part of spring was extremely dry causing little pressure but the early start to spring overall has been good to our end users and our channel partners. Curalan® fungicide and Emerald® fungicide applications started on schedule this year vs. last year where the market lost almost two sprays early due to record rainfall over the southern Ohio market and beyond.
Specifically, the dollar spot pressure ramped up between May 24 through June 1 as I had a few calls about it on some courses here in the Midwest. I'm hoping that most supts. that have had problems controlling pythium volutum or pythium root dysfunction in the past got their applications of Insignia® SC Intrinsic™ brand fungicide or Honor® Intrinsic brand fungicide down based on those soil temps and not the calendar. Controlling root pathogens is always difficult especially considering that our nature wants to see some sort of symptoms of a disease before treating but we know its often too late when root pathogens show signs in the foliage of the turf.
Tough year for weeds
Get ready for what could be a tough year with weeds breaking through pre-emerge applications. The early start to our season simply could be the reason for that. Drive® XLR8 and Onetime® herbicides are excellent choices for post emerge weed control in lawn care settings as well as primary rough on golf courses. Segment® herbicide is an excellent postemergent tool for fine fescue natural areas on the golf course as they are tolerant to Segment while it controls grassy weeds.
Triple Crown winner prediction
I'm predicting a Triple Crown winner in I'll Have Another at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday for the first time in 34 years. I know this isn't a "risky" prediction considering he won courageously with a late kick in both of the first two races of the triple crown. However, there is always a horse that skips one or both legs of the triple crown and lays in wait fresh and ready for an upset. That horse could be Dullahan. Oh, by the way, you may know that the term "upset" comes from a horse named Upset that was a long shot in a big race many years ago and won. Look it up...
That's it for now.
Posted at 7:01 am
