Turf and Ornamentals Community Hub
Stay up-to-date on news and updates from Bayer during these challenging times
Stay up-to-date on news and updates from Bayer during these challenging times
Bayer remains committed to providing business continuity in our daily operations and ensuring we deliver on our commitments to customers to the greatest extent possible under these challenging circumstances. The safety and well-being of our employees, customers, business partners and the communities in which we live and work remains a top priority.
We have staffing plans in place to maintain plant and facility operations in order to provide customers with the products and services they depend on.
Bayer continues to work closely with local, state and national health officials to do our part as we learn more every day about COVID-19. We are committed to keeping you informed of any changes that may come in the days or weeks to follow.
Bayer is always available to support your business. Our dedicated team of professionals is available to answer any of your questions and continue to provide best-in-class service and solutions to you.
You can reach out to your Bayer area sales manager with questions or concerns. For general product support, contact our customer support hotline for any questions or concerns: 1-800-331-2867.
We hope you will find useful information here to help you get your course ready for opening day, and keep it in top shape. Also follow us at @BayerGolf on Twitter for regular updates.
Green Start Academy is a leadership and development program co-hosted by Bayer and John Deere. This year, to manage the health, safety and well-being of our attendees during this dynamic time of COVID, Green Start will be held as a virtual event. The event is scheduled to take place over multiple days the week of October 12 – 17, 2020 with additional touchpoints outside of the main event.
In a year that has educated us all in more ways than one, we wanted to offer some valuable lessons that the industry can actually look forward to. In that spirit, Bayer is proud to introduce the Sunshine Series, a curriculum of educational webinars led by highly respected subject matter experts to shine a light on key topics related to keeping your course in peak condition. And, in addition to sharpening your skills, you'll also earn FL pesticide CEUs and/or GCSAA education points for every session in which you participate.
Below is the lineup of topics and speakers. Each webinar will start at 9:30 Eastern Time and last approximately one hour, including Q&A. All participants will earn GCSAA education points. Participants in Florida will also earn Florida pesticide CEUs.
The world is facing uncertain times with the current Covid-19 issue and its impact on society. It is impossible to predict the long-term impact on golf courses, but here are some tips to help you weather this storm of uncertainty, realizing staff and budget may become limiting.
Increase plant growth regulator (PGR) use to limit mowing frequency
Increase mowing heights
Pest management – Preventative applications made in the spring for the most problematic pests are critical for reducing costs and labor later this season.
Getting aggressive with aerifying/topdressing – Many clubs struggle to find the right time of the year to aerify for various reasons (volume of play, shortened playing season due to weather, uncooperative management or membership etc.). With limited or no play during a mandatory shutdown, now is a great time for aggressive aerification and topdressing, especially in areas that need it most.
We should all follow CDC’s precautions to stay safe during this time. At Bayer, we care for you and your well-being and please do not hesitate to call on us when needed.
Now is the time to start controlling Pythium root rot (PRR) to promote root health and limit summer damage. This year started with warmer temperatures and excessively wet weather in parts of the country, getting ahead of disease-causing inoculum is critical with a good preventive fungicide strategy.
We are pleased to provide you with agronomic advice and support, and updates about upcoming programs to help your business.
April Update
Constantly changing quarantines and health regulations are continuing to affect maintenance practices. With cancellations, customer skips due to no payment, phone ahead notifications, and odd working schedules, there continues to be disruptions in your applications. Here’s a few more points to consider:
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure –This year even more than normal, we never know when we’ll get back to each particular property. Insure your preventative applications for annual grasses and white grubs are solid, using tried and true products at the highest recommended rate
Timing is everything, or not – All applications in lawn care have preferred timing, but there is still some flexibility with many applications
You might only have one chance – This is a repeat from the previous posts but we continue to include it because it’s critical:
More information:
We at Bayer are in this with you and please do not hesitate to call your Bayer Area Sales manager if we can help.
March Update
With the constantly changing quarantines and health regulations, the ability to carry on professional lawn care business is inconsistent among states, counties, and municipalities. Here is some insight gleaned from our team’s 140 years of combined turf experience.
You might only have one chance - uncertainty in labor availability and changing local regulations affecting freedom to operate put added pressure to maximize efficacy
Annual grasses – crabgrass, goosegrass and foxtails are best controlled with single or split applications of preemergence herbicides made well before germination
Broadleaf weeds – summer annuals are best controlled in spring with a postemergence herbicide, but consider including a preemergence herbicide that also helps control broadleaf weeds yet to germinate
White grubs – applications should start as adults first appear, maximize the rate and water-in to maximize control
Non-selective control of weeds in beds, walks, hardscapes, etc. – these weeds continue to germinate throughout the season, so include a preemergence herbicide along with a non-selective burndown herbicide
Growth regulators to reduce (not eliminate) mowing – some companies will use once or twice in the spring to help minimize the spring growth flush
Fire Ants – With many areas of the country implementing “shelter in place”, more families will spend time in their yards, gardening, and other activities. Fire ants become much more active during April and May, a good fire ant preventative product, such as TopChoice, can control fire ants for the entire season
More information
We at Bayer are in this with you and please do not hesitate to call your Bayer Area Sales manager if we can help.
From March 1 – May 31 My Bayer Rewards members can earn $20 credit per TopChoice bag. Now is the time to stock up on the only fire ant treatment guaranteed to provide you with protection for a full year. Not a member? Sign up at MyRewards.Cropscience.Bayer.com.
Here is an exclusive offer for My Bayer Rewards members. From April 1 – July 31, you can now get a $100 rebate per case of Armada. Not a member? Sign up at MyRewards.Cropscience.Bayer.com.
We are pleased to bring you timely agronomic advice and support. If you have any questions or wish to consult on agronomic issues, please feel free to reach out to our expert below:
Aaron Palmateer, Ph.D. Ornamental Technical
Tel: (786) 525-0717
E-mail: aaron.palmateer@bayer.com
May 4, 2020 Update
We are well on our way into Spring and with warmer temperatures and higher rainfall comes increased pressure from disease, insects and weeds. Taking a preventative approach to minimize and control issues before they occur will save time, frustration and most importantly money. Most growers will agree that effective weed control is one of their toughest pest management challenges. The labor required to control weeds is very expensive and quality labor is not getting any cheaper or any more plentiful. Growers have limited resources – time, money and personnel – and it makes sense to utilize those resources wisely. Those greenhouses and nurseries that are doing a good job managing weeds are laser focused on controlling weeds at their source. They invest the time and money to address the problem sooner rather than later, saving valuable resources and ultimately, improving profits. Preemergence herbicides are the most cost-effective way to control weeds. Here are some tips to maximize weed control with preemergence herbicides:
Application timing & Prevention
Crop tolerance
Sequential applications
Herbicide resistance
Need more info? – Contact your Bayer Ornamental Specialist if you need assistance.
We should all adhere to the CDC’s precautions to stay safe and healthy during this time. We care for you and your wellbeing, so please do not hesitate to call on us when needed.
March Update
The current pandemic caused by the Covid-19 virus is nothing short of a gamechanger and we face a lot of uncertainty on the impact this disease will have on our society. It is impossible to predict the long-term outcome on the greenhouse and nursery industry, but as this pandemic continues, we recognize the need to support our customers ongoing operations in an unfamiliar and virtual setting. Bayer is putting in place, or reinforcing, a variety of support elements to ensure that the required support of our customers need is in place as they manage their businesses in these unprecedented times.
Our dedicated team of professionals are available to answer any of your questions and continue to provide best-in-class service and solutions to our customers. Whether for product support, technical and agronomic expertise, pest diagnoses, or just someone to talk to, you can count on us to be there when you need it most.
Here are a few tips for dealing with potential labor shortages and slow sales.
To avoid excessive growth that can occur while holding plants longer than desired be sure to monitor irrigation and attempt to use less water. Space plants to allow for adequate air flow and try to keep temperatures cooler, but not below 60° F. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are mostly used in early stages of production (i.e. plug and liner trays), but can be used successfully, later in the crop to minimize excessive growth. Be sure to read product labels and consult the manufacturer for additional questions and recommendations.
With the potential for reduced labor and less eyes on the crop, preventative pesticide applications are more important than ever. Using a preventative approach and applying pesticides before pests and diseases are present will minimize the potential for severe outbreaks and protect plants while being held longer than normal. Other considerations include using systemic fungicides and insecticides that offer longer lasting residual control. Drench applications should be made when possible, to allow for root uptake and longer lasting plant protection. The same can be said for weed control and the use of preemergence herbicides to prevent weeds before they occur. Be sure to choose products that provide longer lasting control, such as Marengo.
by Aaron Palmateer, Ph.D.
From April 1 – May 31 growers receive special pricing and terms on purchases of Marengo and Marengo G. Pricing is per product and per invoice. Multiple invoices will not be aggregated. Download the information sheet to read more.
From April 1 – May 31 growers receive special pricing and terms on purchases of Marengo and Marengo G. Pricing is per product and per invoice. Multiple invoices will not be aggregated. Download the information sheet to read more .
Broadform fungicide is now available for use on greenhouse- and nursery-grown ornamentals in the state of California for foliar disease control of key pathogens including Botrytis, leaf spot and dieback diseases.
With both knockdown and long-lasting residual protection, Broadform is a strong rotational fungicide that controls more than 50 pathogens on ornamentals, including fruits, nuts and Christmas trees.
Other product features of Broadform fungicide include: