Syngenta enhances WeevilTrak for 2017 annual bluegrass weevil season

  • Updated growing degree day model aids application timing
  • WeevilTrak blog  provides real-time course updates
  • Added consultant from Cornell University to WeevilTrak team

GREENSBORO, N.C., USA – For 2017, Syngenta continues to offer innovative tools through WeevilTrak™, the leading annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) monitoring program. In addition to the Optimum Control Strategy, which outlines a proven ABW treatment protocol, the 2017 WeevilTrak program features the growing degree day (GDD) model, new golf courses serving as ABW research stations, and real-time blog updates from researchers.

“ABW is arguably the most troublesome insect for golf course superintendents in the Northeast, so we will have more success controlling it if we work together,” said Mike Agnew, Ph.D., field technical manager at Syngenta. “I’m excited about the addition of Kyle Wickings, to the WeevilTrak Team.”

Kyle Wickings, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Soil Arthropod Ecology and Turfgrass Entomology at Cornell University. He will be monitoring golf courses in central New York and contributing to the WeevilTrak blog throughout the season.

“Every year, we review research from the WeevilTrak program to ensure we’re providing superintendents with the best recommendations for scouting properly and treating ABW populations,” said Stephanie Schwenke, turf market manager for Syngenta. “A recently published survey1 confirmed that WeevilTrak.com is the most popular means of monitoring ABW populations for superintendents. As we continue to learn about advancements in the management of ABW, WeevilTrak.com evolves too.”

One of the newest features is the WeevilTrak growing degree day model, which calculates GDD data for superintendents based on zip code and has been calibrated specifically to provide data for monitoring ABW development.

“We’ve strategically placed GDD tracking devices on each of the WeevilTrak monitoring courses to measure ABW development, based on heat accumulation,” said Steve McDonald, Turfgrass Disease Solutions owner and managing consultant for the WeevilTrak research team. “Research has shown that growing degree days can be a valuable tool for tracking ABW activity and that they effectively complement individual on-course scouting.” 

The blog, which is updated weekly by a team of researchers, is just one of several tools returning for 2017. Additionally, superintendents can continue to use CrowdTrak to contribute to real-time ABW monitoring. CrowdTrak allows registered WeevilTrak users to submit insights and photos from their own golf courses via a short and easy-to-use form.

WeevilTrak is only available for registered subscribers. Register now for a WeevilTrak account, and sign up for email alerts by visiting WeevilTrak.com. Join WeevilTrak and ABW tracking conversations on Twitter using #WeevilTrak.

About Syngenta
Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit Syngenta.com and GoodGrowthPlan.com. Follow us on Twitter® at Twitter.com/Syngenta and Twitter.com/SyngentaUS.

Media Contacts:
Mark LaFleur
336-632-6138
mark.lafleur@syngenta.com

Kelsea Mullane
919-870-5718
kmullane@gscommunications.com

Web Resources:
GreenCastOnline.com


Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as ‘expect’, ‘would’, ‘will’, ‘potential’, ‘plans’, ‘prospects’, ‘estimated’, ‘aiming’, ‘on track’ and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta’s publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract there for.

©2017 Syngenta, 410 Swing Road, Greensboro, NC 27409. GreenCast®, WeevilTrak™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Syngenta Customer Center: 1-866-SYNGENT(A) (796-4368)



1McGraw, B. A., & Koppenhofer, A. M. (2017). A Survey of Regional Trends in Annual Bluegrass Weevil Management on Golf Courses in Eastern North America. Journal of Integrated Pest Management, 1–11.

Stay Ahead of the Game:

Greencast Advisory emails deliver technical insights, product updates and in-season offers straight to your inbox.

Want to receive articles like this in your inbox each month?

Sign-up now to get tips and new product information to stay ahead of the game with Syngenta.

* Indicates required field

Email Subscriptions