Imagine a pill that could boost a person‟s immune system so that when a virus or disease attacked, no matter how strong it was, he or she would remain infection-free.
One company now offers a product that can do the same thing for plants – and it is the only regional company to offer it. Fisher & Son Company, established in 1928, is the largest independent distributor of professional-use turf and horticultural supplies serving the Mid-Atlantic region.
The product is named Civitas and is the newest, most environmentally friendly golf turf fungicide on the market. Produced by Petro-Canada, Civitas is a new mineral oil-based fungicide that turns on the natural defenses of the plant to fight off fungus. By activating the plant‟s natural defenses, fungus cannot gain a foothold and simply dies off. The product, which was recently featured on The Discovery Channel, is just as effective as the leading chemical fungicides and works on a variety of grasses, including perennial ryegrass, bluegrass and bentgrass.
"The game of golf is changing as players, members, workers, and the community become more concerned about the use of traditional plant protectant products," says Anne L. Fisher, vice president, Fisher & Son. "Offering Civitas answers our client demands for the safest, most effective products, but it also speaks to our continued tradition of a progressive approach to our customers and the environment."
Todd Bidlespacher, golf course superintendent at Lancaster Country Club and a client of Fisher & Son, says he couldn‟t be happier since purchasing Civitas. "Fisher & Son is responsive, knowledgeable and in tune with the green movement. This is the type of product that superintendents like me have been waiting for. This past winter was one of the worst winters with snow mold pressure. But we were clean wherever we sprayed Civitas. We greened up earlier, too. Civitas delivers tournament-ready course conditions without any resistance issues."
Recent research among golf course superintendents in the U.S. shows there are three primary qualities desired in a turf fungicide. These are that the product is safe for golfers and golf course employees when applied at label rates, that it protects and improves the health of grass, and that it reduces the negative impact on the environment.
Fisher & Son Company introduced Civitas to its clients in 2009, says Thom Mahute, Director of Sales at Fisher & Son. "Since launching Civitas, we have had excellent client feedback. We now have more than 50 clients using the product and only expect sales to continue to increase."
In addition to Civitas‟ effectiveness, comparative safety and eco-friendliness, it has another benefit, says Mahute. "Civitas is an excellent tank mix partner. That means that it can be used alone or in combination with a chemical fungicide. While using it with a chemical fungicide reduces its environmental benefits, it‟s still toxicologically better than using a chemical fungicide alone."
Offering environmentally friendly products is a large part of Fisher & Son‟s mission. "Fisher & Son has earned a reputation for the stewardship of quality, eco-friendly products," says Mike Fisher, President of Fisher & Son. "Our golf course superintendent clients are very concerned about the environment. We represent many product lines which are considered eco-friendly, such as Redox and Earthworks and they‟re well received. We‟ve taken an IPM approach to this industry for decades. Our company actively participates in industry organizations and stays abreast of the latest university and industry research. I believe we are viewed as innovators in this industry."
For more information about Fisher & Son and its line of professional turf and horticultural products, please call toll-free at 800-262-2127.
