Buylines Spring 2021

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: BWI CUSTOMER PROFILES - The Bug Master in Austin, TX - Adsit Landscape & Design Firm in Memphis, TN - Neshoba County Co-op in Philadelphia, MS

The Official Publication of BWI Companies, Inc. | Spring 2021

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Choosing the Right Water Soluble Fertilizer by ICL Specialty Fertilizers Deadly Simple Ant Control with the All-New Sumari System from MGK Keys for Successful Fly Control

by Bayer Animal Health

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2021 BWI EXPO in San Antonio, TX BWI Annual Awards BWI Greenville Continues to Grow

bwicompanies.com

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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www.controlsolutionsinc.com

EffEctivE, innovativE & Economical SolutionS

Protect with the best.

Maintain your farm, ranch, home and animals with safe, easy-to-use solutions.

Stop pests in their tracks and increase your bottom line with cost-effective formulations you can count on.

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Choose from the broadest portfolio in the industry to eliminate disease, insects, weeds and strengthen your turf for optimum health.

APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

16 IN THIS ISSUE 03 President’s Letter

By Jim Bunch, BWI President & CEO

06 BWI Customer Profile: The Bug

Master (Austin, TX)

06

40

12 Choosing the Right Water Soluble Fertilizer

By ICL Specialty Fertilizers

18 Commodity Market & Supply Chain Update

By The Andersons

22 BWI Customer Profile: Adsit

Landscape & Design Firm (Memphis, TN)

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By Ashley Gardner

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By Ashley Gardner

28 BWI Annual Awards 30 Deadly Simple Ant Control with the

All-New Sumari System

By Ryan Neff, MGK

36 Facilities Update

By Robert Bunch, BWI Co-President & CAO

40 BWI Customer Profile: Neshoba

County Co-op (Philadelphia, MS)

By Ashley Gardner

46 Successful Fly Control

By Bayer Animal Health

VISIT BWI.LINK/BWI-EMAIL AND SIGN UP TO RECEIVE NEWS AND SPECIALS IN YOUR INBOX! BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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VALUE-ADDED COMBINATION THESE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS WORK TOGETHER TO ENHANCE PLANT PERFORMANCE, QUALITY AND YIELD

ENHANCE

The use of fertilizer and water.

Increase resistance to stresses.

Improve plant strength and productivity. Optimize plant growth rate and uniformity.

PROTECT

By reducing incidence of plant root diseases (Fusarium, Pythium and Rhizoctonia) and risk of pathogens that develop resistance to chemical fungicides.

SUPPRESS

Certain insects, including fungus gnats and thrips that pupate into the growing media, by suppressing their food sources and plant susceptibility.

PRO-MIX® growing media are enriched with high performance active ingredients, MYCORRHIZAETM (Glomus intraradices) and BIOFUNGICIDETM (Bacillus pumilus). Exclusive to PRO-MIX® BIOFUNGICIDETM + MYCORRHIZAETM, ENHANCE plant growth with MYCORRHIZAETM, PROTECT against root diseases caused by specifc root pathogens, and also SUPPRESS fungus gnats and thrips.

(EPA Reg #: 74267-4) Product availability may vary depending on the US region.

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

PRESIDENT’S LETTER...............................................................................................................................................................................................................

It’s a Great Time to be in an Industry Related to Lawn & Garden and Outdoor Activities

W

hen the news of the pandemic known as COVID-19 disrupted our way of life in the United States and globally, we first thought that this once-in-a-century pandemic would be short-lived. Obviously, that wasn’t the case and now a year later we are still adapting to life with COVID-19. The good news is that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, with more and more people receiving vaccinations.

During the past year, I have

seen more changes in the way business is conducted in the U.S. and how we live our daily lives. A few examples that come to mind are: • Virtually no business travel from March of 2020 through the first of the year and only modest travel since the first of the year.

• It seems like virtual meetings via Zoom and Microsoft Teams are the new daily normal now.

• Tremendous pressure has been put on the supply chain for logistics services. It seems that we have five-plus loads of freight for every available truck, which has created a challenge for moving products.

• It is now more unusual to see someone not wearing a mask in a public place versus wearing a mask.

• Home offices have replaced many downtown offices as more people are now working from home.

• A record number of consumers are gardening for the first time.

This list is certainly not exhaustive, but the world as we know it is a different place than it was just 12 months ago.

Unfortunately, some businesses and industry sectors have been hit hard with negative financial impacts due to COVID-19, such as travel and entertainment, clothing stores,

performing arts and spectator sports, amusement parks, and recreational venues. Hopefully, these industry segments will all bounce back in the later part of 2021.

Other industries such as delivery services, home and garden stores, golf courses, warehousing and storage facilities, and online retail have flourished during the pandemic.

What a great time to be in the lawn and garden business as consumers have shifted their interests and buying patterns from travel and entertainment to staying home and making home improvements. In my history of being in the lawn and garden distribution business, I have never seen as much demand as BWI has had the past 12 months. All indications are that consumers will continue to invest in their homes and outdoor areas. Our industry looks to be poised for continued growth in the next nine months of 2021.

Hence the title of this article “It’s a great time to be in the Lawn and garden industry”.

BWI prides itself in providing over a 97% fill rate with delivery within 48 business hours and we strive hard to achieve that level of service for our lifeline—our customers.

The past 12 months have presented quite a challenge and unfortunately our fill rates have suffered for two reasons: CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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Contact your BWI sales representative or visit StarbarProducts.com today to learn how you can start setting the bar on your operation.

Always read and follow label directions. Alluvium, Cyanarox, Golden Malrin, Mosquito Torpedo, QuikStrike, Starbar, Starbar with design, Pre-Strike and Prolate/Lintox-HD are trademarks of Wellmark International. Bite Free, Captivator, EZ Trap, Fly Stik, Fly Terminator, FlyRelief, Lure-Fly, Milk Jugg and Trap ‘N Toss are trademarks of Farnam Companies, Inc. ©2020 Wellmark International.

L I F E SC I E NC E S

Greg Imus gimus@jacto.com 503-720-2567

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

HEART STOPPING RESULTS THAT LAY RODENTS OUT FLAT. FLATLINE® SOFT BAIT – A FIRST GEN FOR THE NEXT GEN. • The original and only first generation soft bait rodenticide for everyday use • Flatline is a multiple-feed anticoagulant rodenticide • Available in 4lb. bags of 28g pouches

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9:42 AM

customer profile | The Bug master | austin, tx .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

We’re a People Business That’s Done Some Amazing Work FOR OVER 35 YEARS, THE BUG MASTER HAS PROTECTED AUSTIN AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS FROM THINGS THAT BITE

By Ashley Gardner

C

ritters and pests are a part of life, especially in the heart of Texas, but luckily there’s help.

The Bug Master, headquartered in Austin, Texas, provides pest control, rodent trapping, and wildlife removal to residential and commercial properties throughout the region. The Bug Master also has locations in Houston and Temple, Texas.

Whether it’s an apartment complex plagued by roaches, a hotel where bed bugs are free-loading, or a home that has a family of mice squatting, The Bug Master can help. Ants, termites, wasps, fleas and ticks, rats, raccoons, and squirrels are no match for the company’s highly trained pest removal experts.

The Bug Master strives to provide a fairly priced and quality service to the region it serves.

“I think our business means a lot as far as keeping places pest-free and keeping residential properties pest-free. Roaches, spiders, fire ants, rodents, and wildlife can close businesses down and termites can damage structures. Pest control is extremely beneficial to businesses and homes,” said Joe Cantu, vicepresident and director of operations for the company.

Working in pest control is an adventure and technicians come across some interesting situations from time to time, especially when it comes to wildlife re-

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Photographs by The Bug Master

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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customer profile | The Bug master | austin, tx .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Below: The Bug Master employees participate in the Operation Blue Santa parade in Austin, TX.

“

I can’t say enough about the people we work with.

They just know how to roll up their sleeves and get it done.

“

Joe Cantu Vice President and Director of Operations

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moval. Wild animals, often driven by temperature extremes, excessive precipitation, hunger, or opportunity, can make their way from the outdoors to inside homes and businesses. It’s often more of a problem than can be handled by the average person. That’s where The Bug Master comes in to save the day. The company’s technicians remove squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and around the Austin area, ring-tail cat removal is common and although it’s called a cat, ring-tails are actually a mammal of the raccoon family.

“We have three guys in central Texas and wildlife removal is what they do every single day. It takes a different kind of guy to do what they do, running into some of the things those guys run into. Crazy ring-tailed cats are common in certain areas of Austin. Skunks are always interesting. Normally skunks are more frowned upon than anything else for obvious reasons,” Cantu said.

Bees are another situation The Bug Master technicians are occasionally faced with.

“We have a couple of people that are bee-

APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

keepers that we will call if they’re normal bees and they will come in and relocate the hive. If they are a threat, if they are Africanized, then we eliminate them,” he said. “While both types of bees look alike, you can tell quick if it’s Africanized or a regular bee by how aggressively they act. Africanized bees are very, very aggressive.”

The Bug Master also provides mosquito elimination that is safe for bees and pets, free quotes for pest control, residential package, disinfection services, prompt next-day service, and a service guarantee.

The excellence The Bug Master strives to achieve starts with hiring the right people, not always an easy task in a competitive industry.

“One of the challenges we face is finding the right people first and foremost. In this day and age with COVID-19, hiring people is always a challenge. This basically is amplified because we have to find people who want to do this kind of work and are okay with being out and about in general public,” Cantu said.

“Also, hiring in this industry has gotten more competitive over the years.”

Training employees and equipping them with the necessary knowledge to provide the best possible pest control service is a focal point for The Bug Master. Quality is the company’s calling card.

“We spend a lot of time training because we want to deliver the best service we can,” Cantu said. “When we send someone out for a service call, they are probably the best in the country at what they do. They’ve gone through an extensive classroom education program and on-the-job training beyond what is required of us by the state. There are state requirements we have to meet but we go way above and beyond that. We will go out and address the customers’ need and then try to expand on that depending on what we see.”

“We try to train our technicians to give value every time they provide a service. Sometimes things get tough on customers as far as finances. We give value so if customers do need to make some changes, we want to be the last people they change,” he said.

There are times technicians face challenging situations and that’s where their extensive training comes into play.

“Once we’re out there, most situations we’re able to handle no problem but over the years there have been some places that have been a little difficult depending on the severity of the problem,” Cantu said.

The Bug Master strives to provide a fairly priced and quality service to the central Texas region it serves.

“We try to stay competitively priced. Being in businesses for as long as we have, our customers know they can count on someone answering the phone and addressing their needs in a timely manner. I do Above: Ring-tail think that adds a lot of value cat removal is to people purchasing pest concommon in the Austin area. trol,” he said.

For more than a decade The Bug Master has been listed as a Top 100 company, something Cantu attributes to the quality of the company’s employees and their hard work and dedication.

“Actually the last 12 to 15 years, we’ve been listed in the Top 100 companies in the country and it’s a testament to the people we work with. I think it’s important that they know that. I tell them all the time that CONTINUED ON PAGE 33

GROWING CONTAINERS

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Round, Square, Decorative, Hanging Baskets, Trays, Flats & Sheets, Support Systems, Sustainable Fiber.

800-225-7712 |

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter! hc-companies.com/newsletter

Ask your BWI Sales Rep for more information on HC’s full line of growing containers BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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BE TOUGHER THAN THE TOUGHEST CONDITIONS. The great outdoors can be a tough place, but Scion™ insecticide with UVX™ technology is tougher. With UVX technology, Scion insecticide stands up against even the most extreme conditions, including high temperatures, intense sunlight and harsh surfaces. Our formulation is engineered to meet and exceed industry demands, providing immediate control and a continuous residual for true 90-plus day performance.

Learn more at ScionUVXTechnology.com.

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Always readand andfollow followallalllabel label directions, restrictions and precautions forSome use.products Some products not be registered use inFMC, all states.

FMC, FMC logo, Always read directions, restrictions and precautions for use. may notmay be registered for sale orfor usesale in allorstates. the FMC logo,the Scion, True Champions and UVXand are trademarks or service marks of FMC Corporation an affi liate.or©2021 FMC Corporation.

All rights reserved.All19-GSS-0956 05/1919-GSS-0956 05/19 Scion, True Champions UVX are trademarks or service marks of FMC or Corporation an affi liate. ©2019 FMC Corporation. rights reserved.

APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

collars have proven to be a good investment. They provide “Tree benefits such as ease of access, reusable, prevent trunk wounds and save costs in tree stand up from windy conditions.”

Patrick Miller, Director of Horticulture, Cherry Lake Tree Farm, Groveland, Florida

HOLDS TREES IN A ROW

AVA IL A B L E IN FI V E SIZES

A GROWING REVOLUTION

TM

Preventing wind damage.

The patented High Caliper Tree Collar secures trees and prevents wind blow-over. Keeps your trees upright and uptight! They easily fasten to a cable line to hold rows of plants in a production or retail setting.

Easy to fasten, easy to remove trees from the line Tree collars are reusable year after year Trees are more saleable without broken branches Extra padding helps eliminate scaring and damage to the trunk

1. 8 0 0 . 5 2 1. 8 0 8 9 I w w w .Tr e e B a g . c o m

Urban Raised Bed Gardens Easy to Use!

LEAD & BPA FREE

Easy upsell with the new Smart Pot Urban Raised Bed Garden.

This raised bed comes PVC ready and supports 1” PVC piping and fitting. The Urban Raised Bed is rigid and designed to grow more abundant vegetables, flowers, plants and herbs in any garden area. Available in two sizes, 2 ft by 4 ft and 4 ft by 4 ft, the Urban Raised Bed is easy to assemble and is durable so it can be used year after year.

A GROWING N REVOLUTIO

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Learn more about other Smart Pot products at www.SmartPots.com

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT WATER SOLUBLE FERTILIZER

By ICL Specialty Fertilizers

A

s a grower, choosing the right water-soluble fertilizer (WSF) for your operation is one of the most important decisions you make. Choose wisely, and you can optimize your fertilizer investment, improve operational efficiencies, reduce inputs and labor costs, and improve retail performance for the customers you cultivate.

But the water-soluble fertilizer industry has changed a lot since the late 1940s, when Bob Peters first started testing soil for cut flower growers and developing prescriptive fertilizers to meet grower needs. Since commercial production of Peters brand water-soluble fertilizers began in 1952, options for the grower have flourished. But choosing the best water-soluble fertilizers for your operation is not as hard as it may seem.

Discovering your starting points No one knows your growing operation like you do. But the more you learn, the better decisions you can make when it comes to WSFs. Identifying what your crops really need starts with knowing your irrigation water and growing media quality.

Accurate, reliable testing eliminates

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the guesswork, reveals your true starting points, and puts you ahead of the game.

Irrigation water – Water quality is the single most important factor affecting your WSF success. Solubility and nutrient availability depend on it. Without knowing where your irrigation water stands on key measures such as alkalinity and soluble salts, fertilizer performance comes down to trial and error.

Water testing provides you with crucial information to keep your crops and profitability on track. Testing is especially important if you use well water or multiple water sources.

Heavy rains, melt-off, flooding and drought can impact water quality significantly as well. That’s why it’s a good idea to always test new water sources, and retest existing sources twice a year.

Growing media – Growing media quality can vary considerably from the start, but media pH and nutrient content also change over time. Depending on your management practices, those changes can be significant. To manage nutrition effectively, you need to know where your media quality stands all season long. This is especially important if you mix your own media.

By testing your growing media as a regular part of your quality assurance program, you can keep an eye on root zone nutrient status at critical points. Rather than guessing what your crop needs, you can rest assured in your knowl-

edge and adjust your nutrient plan accordingly. Because irrigation alkalinity has such a strong influence on growing media pH, it’s a good idea to test your media in tandem with your water. This gives you a better view into nutrient availability and the choices that can best support your crop.

Plant tissue – If you suspect a nutrient deficiency or toxicity, a plant tissue analysis can end your speculation. To get the full picture, you may want to sample and analyze your plant tissue and growing media at the same time. As with water and media tests, a thorough lab tissue analysis can help you accurately identify the problem—and choose the best WSF in response.

Understanding fertilizer content and properties Establishing your water and growing media quality helps narrow down your fertilizer options. But before you buy, it’s important to research the product to understand what’s in a product and how it meshes with what you do.

Whatever your path, don’t overlook the obvious. Pay close attention to the nutrients listed in your fertilizer’s guaranteed analysis. Don’t assume, for example, that a 20-20-20 or 20-10-20 WSF formulation contains adequate calcium and magnesium. In most cases, you’ll want to supplement those products. Unless your setup allows zone-specific feeding programs, or your operation focuses on a single crop, you may want to take the practical approach. Develop a fertilizer program that satisfies most of your crops, then supplement those that need special treatments.

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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The short list for your biggest challenges.

You take pride in every blade of grass from the first tee through the last green. You raise the plants and flowers that in turn bring beauty and value to homes and businesses. Your work is what keeps you in demand.

Corteva Agriscience is committed to finding solutions to make your turf and ornamentals beautiful.

We deliver products that give you the flexibility and strength you need to help you thrive season after season. Every product and solution starts with you. Because it's all of you who make us who we are.

To learn more about our products, including new herbicides and insecticides, visit corteva.us/turf.

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™ ® Trademarks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners.

GameOn® and XXpire® are not registered for sale or use in all states. Crew™ is not registered for sale, distribution or use in New York. Other state restrictions on the sale and use of Crew may apply. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. State restrictions on the sale and use of Dimension® and Snapshot® apply. Consult the label before purchase or use for full details. Always read and follow label directions. © 2020 Corteva. CT38-000-024 (07/20) BR CATO0TURF001

APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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E T A D E H T E V SA

O P X E I W B 2021 ONLINE REGISTRATION & HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Information on EXPO’s Schedule of Events, Customer Appreciation Events, Hotel Accommodations, COVID-19 information, San Antonio happenings, and more will be posted online in May. Visit our website for more information - bwiexpo.com.

EXPO HOURS

Monday, September 20 | 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Tuesday, September 21 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday, September 22 | 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM

2 SEPTEMBER

0-2

EXPO AT A GLANCE

✓ 200+ exhibitors throughout 180,000 sq. ft. inside the Henry B. González Convention Center ✓ Excellent timing for manufacturers to show their complete offering and new products ✓ With over 2,000 customers in attendance, the BWI EXPO sets the bar high for networking opportunities ✓ Enjoy the amazing culture, natural beauty, and wide range of activities you’ll find in San Antonio, TX

NIO, T X O T N A N A S | NZ ÁLEZ C C O G .

B Y R N E 2 | THE H

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COMMODITY MARKET AND SUPPLY CHAIN UPDATE The supply chain challenges we faced during Spring 2020 were unlike any experienced in history. Order cycles times associated with raw material and packaging procurement saw delays 3-4 times longer than typical.

demand is tight and NOLA values are not yet attracting significant amounts of imports.

In order to contend with these increased lead times, our procurement team has tried to take longer positions of key raw materials. In a typical spring, fertilizer commodity markets see increased strength during spring correlated with the establishment of corn. Following the planting season, the market typically softens modestly throughout the summer until fall arrives.

Prices are up approximately $250/ton since summer ’20 (essentially double again).

Strong demand coupled with tight supply with less overall imports to the U.S. due to countervailing duties has been supportive to phosphate pricing. The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) published countervailing duties in February and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will review these determinations and issue the results of that process in March. If the ITC affirms the DOC’s decisions, then orders imposing the duties must ensue by April.

Thus far, 2021 has been an atypical year with many major commodities experiencing pricing increases in late 2020 that have continued through the new year. Strong grain prices and increased acre planting intentions have translated to increased fertilizer demand. Here are a few of the major commodity inputs in a bag of fertilizer and how much they have increased in price from a year-over-year perspective.

N

Nitrogen

UREA Prices are more than $190/ton (NOLA basis) since summer ’20 (essentially double) and reaching multi-year highs. Global supply vs.

P

PHOSPHORUS

Phosphorus

K

POTASH

Prices are up approximately $130/ton since spring/summer ’20. With excellent weather this past fall, potash applications were strong and emptied the domestic supply chain in the span of a few months. Resulting tight supply and strong global demand has led to stronger pricing that’s anticipated to remain firm through spring.

Potash

SEYMOUR MANUFACTURING FACILITY EXPANSION In 2019, The Andersons invested approximately $5M to add manufacturing capabilities needed for producing large particle straight fertilizer and combination products to our Seymour, IN manufacturing facility. Prior to these upgrades, this facility operated predominately as a limestone granulation plant.

Geographically positioned approximately 200 miles south of our Maumee, OH facility, the Seymour location provides significant freight advantages into Southern US markets. This facility manufactures with many basic active ingredients including: Generic Prodiamine/Syngenta® Barricade®, Corteva® Dimension®, GrubOut®/Bayer® Merit®, Bifenthrin and more. Controlled release nitrogen sources available for fertilizer blends include: Fortify®, NS-54™ and

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biosolids. Products made in Seymour are manufactured with an agronomically-superior granulated limestone compared to its the traditionally-screened material utilized in our Maumee facility.

NEW PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

CharX The Andersons prides itself on being a market leader, and that extends to our continued work in developing the best humate-based soil amendments in the green industry. The newest member of our humate line of products is Humic DG CharX, a 50/50 blend of humic acid and biochar in a dispersible granule.

Many turfgrass managers have a basic understanding of the importance in having a soil high in organic matter.

However, they may not be aware that humates make up about 75% of all soil organic matter. Some of the most fertile soils in the world are located in the Amazon region.

These soils are known to local inhabitants as ‘Terra Preta’, and were created through the addition of a variety of organic soil amendments over many years, including biochar.

as karrikins. If you have ever watched the recovery of a forest understory from a wildfire, you have witnessed firsthand the power of karrikins. These compounds act as a growth regulator and aid in overall seed germination.

One of the traditional limitations with the application of humate and biochar-based products stems from their physical characteristics. Screened versions often have a large granule size and may be impeded by the turf canopy when applied. Humic DG CharX features our Dispersing Granule (DG) Technology, which breaks the granules down into millions of smaller particles upon watering. These micronized particles are then able to move quickly through the turf canopy and down to the soil floor, where they can begin their migration into the soil profile.

Biochar

Humic DG CharX

Why biochar? Biochar is the result of burning wood byproducts at high temperatures without the presence of oxygen. The key difference between biochar and cooking charcoal are the temperatures used in the manufacturing process and the limitation of oxygen during burning.

The resulting biochar is high in carbon and provides excellent physical structure for microbes to live. Biochar also contains a family of bioactive compounds known

THANK YOU We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our customers for your continued support. Our partnership with BWI Companies is integral to our success and we recognize and appreciate the opportunity to service your needs. Thank you and we hope you have a safe and prosperous 2021!

TONY GOLDSBY Director of Sales

CLINT FORMBY Territory Manager

TYLER WARNER Territory Manager

©2021 The Andersons, Inc. All rights reserved. Fortify and GrubOut are registered trademarks of The Andersons, Inc. CharX, Humic DG, and NS-54 are trademarks of The Andersons, Inc. Barricade is a trademark of Syngenta Group Company. Dimension is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences. Merit is a registered trademark of Bayer.

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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GALLAGHER ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

The grass is always greener on your side

Gallagher is on your side. No matter which side of the fence you need your cattle to graze, Gallagher will help you get them there. Our portable electric fencing products make it easy to keep your cattle where you need them. And we are always ready to provide on-farm assistance.

Because at Gallagher, we help make any side your side.

Geared Reel

Ring Top Post

S100 Solar Fence Energizer

Turbo Braid

To purchase, find more information, or contact your nearest territory manager, visit am.gallagher.com, or visit your local dealer.

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

BWI COMPANIES PROVIDES THE BEST SELECTION OF PROFESSIONAL PEST PRODUCTS AND COMPETITIVE PRICES WITH EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE. TERMITICIDES • INSECTICIDES INSECT BAITING • RODENTICIDES CLEANERS • DISINFECTANTS EQUIPMENT • APPLICATORS • APPAREL

855.558.7378 (PEST) WWW.BWICOMPANIES.COM

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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customer profile | adsit landscape & design firm | memphis, tn .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Located in Memphis, TN, Adsit Landscape & Design Firm provides high-quality landscape maintenance to its customers.

By Ashley Gardner

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

“We don’t sell items, we sell services. We are a landscape maintenance company which means we cut grass, trim shrubs, mulch, and pretty much anything else a maintenance company would do.

We also do irrigation, spraying, and some landscaping but not a whole lot,” said Johnny Ritter, president and co-owner of Adsit, along with his wife Cheryl Ritter.

That commitment to excellence has resulted in customer loyalty between Adsit and the properties it maintains.

“We’ve still got some of the same customers we’ve had for 25 or 30 years.

We hardly lose a property. Once we take one over, we usually have it as long as we want it. I don’t get into the bidding wars on apartments and warehouses and those type of places,” Ritter said.

Adsit started in 1976 as a landscape architecting company. Its focus has evolved since its inception, but the commitment to quality has not wavered.

“As a company, we’ve always

tried to have a higher standard than anybody else and it’s still the same way today. We want the properties we maintain to look the best in Memphis,” Ritter said.

Ritter and his crew take pride in providing the best landscape maintenance possible.

“Me and my wife go out and inspect properties. My crew leaders know exactly what to do when they go to a property. We want it to be weed-free and always look manicured. I’m a person that doesn’t like those phone calls when a customer has a complaint, so we inspect our work,” he said.

....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... boundaries or the expectations. Because of their experience, they know what to do.”

Landscape maintenance isn’t seasonal work. Adsit and its employees stay busy all year long.

“We work year-round and there’s always something to do. Like right now in early March we’re mulching.

That’s important because it does help keep weeds at bay. It doesn’t prevent them, but it helps and it also helps to hold moisture around the plant. As an added bonus it looks good,” he said.

This year because of the record-

here in Memphis that had a very large operation growing annuals and perennials, trees, and shrubs. At that time, Adsit was actually a customer of mine. Don Pafford who owned Adsit is actually my best friend. About 11 years ago, we got together and he decided he wanted me to come and run the company for him and that’s how I got started. Don retired two years ago and I bought the company,” Ritter said.

Adsit has maintained momentum, even with a pandemic negatively impacting many areas of the country.

As a company, we’ve always tried to have a higher standard “ than anybody else and it’s still the same way today. We want the properties we maintain to look the best in Memphis.”

Keeping a property properly manicured is something that people don’t necessarily notice, but when a business is unkempt, it can garner the wrong type of attention.

“Anybody from visitors to owners don’t notice when a property is manicured, but people will notice if it’s not,” he said.

Adsit has 19 employees with plans to add a few more as the grass-growing season swings into effect. Maintaining a stable employee base is one reason for Adsit’s success.

“We have some guys that have been here for 17 or 18 years, which is really unheard of in the landscape industry,” Ritter said. “We will have the same guy work on the same property week in and week out and that continuity is a benefit to the customer.

My guys and their crew know exactly what to do when they get to a property. They don’t have to guess at the

breaking snowfall that occurred in mid-February in the South, Adsit got the opportunity to provide a muchneeded service that it rarely gets to provide - snow removal.

“We do snow and ice removal too.

I actually drove a plow truck for nine days this winter. It was a mess. We got 12 to 14 inches of snow here,” he said.

“I’ve got four plow trucks. One is my irrigation truck and it does get used when irrigation starts back up, but for the most part, this is the first time I’ve put a plow down in five years.”

Ritter has always loved being outside and growing things so getting into this line of work made sense.

“I love plants. I love being outside.

I have a big garden at home. I’ve just always enjoyed it,” Ritter said.

That love of growing things, along with a special friendship, guided his career path to where he is now.

“In the late 80s, I started working for a friend of mine that had greenhouses so I learned to grow plants first. I moved onto another place

“COVID didn’t really affect our business at all. We actually had one of our best years last year. In some ways it made it easier for us to do our jobs. Since we do commercial jobs and those properties were mostly empty, things went smoother. We had open parking lots and nobody complaining about us being there,” Ritter said with a laugh.

Ritter has a long-standing professional relationship with BWI Companies.

“I have the greatest BWI salesman in the world in Andy Milligan. He was afraid to give my name out to do this interview,” Ritter joked.

The feeling is mutual for Milligan.

“Johnny and Cheryl have continued Adsit’s tradition of quality first in everything they do. If I had to define what a great distributor/customer relationship would be, Adsit would certainly check every box in that regard,” Milligan said.

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

23

SHOP ONLINE AT BWICOMPANIES.COM The BWI Companies website is designed to provide you with an efficient and enjoyable online experience. Key functions include: • Clear navigation • Order placement • Purchase history • Invoice payment • One-click shopping • Detailed product information BWI has also established a dedicated website support staff that is just a phone call away (903-334-0404) to assist with any problems customers may encounter. Visit our website today!

CONNECT

Like our business page facebook.com/bwicompanies

INTERACT

Follow us @bwicompanies twitter.com/bwicompanies

WATCH

Subscribe to our channel youtube.com/bwicompanies

KNOW

Click the “join email list” link on our website

BWI Customer Sign Up to Receive News and Specials in Your Inbox!

BWI e-News is the official email of BWI Companies, Inc. It features timely, relevant, and exciting BWI information regarding events, special offers, new product information, custom marketing tools, and so much more.

Visit bwicompanies.com/emailsignup and sign up today!

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

TARTERUSA.COM • 800-414-2837 Tarter equipment is designed and manufactured with longevity in mind. We offer scalable solutions for small operations just beginning their farming journey as well as customizable solutions for full time ranching operations. We strive to bring flexible, valuable options to our customers.

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27

BWI AWARDS .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BWI DIVISION OF THE YEAR: TEXARKANA, TEXAS BWI-Texarkana was named the 2020 Division of the Year during the President’s meeting held last December. “Although it sounds like a cliché, this year’s win was achieved with all team members contributing,” stated Ron Riddle, Division Manager at that time. “Addi-

tionally, we knew that our best chance to win was to earn points in most, if not all, of the 14 categories that make up the criteria for Division of the Year.

In the end, we received points in all 14 categories, which could only happen if all employees are working together

to achieve success in their respective departments.” This is the fifth time the Texarkana Division has won the award and the fourth time in the past seven years.

BWI EMPLOYEE AWARDS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

BWI Employees of the Year

1. James Kremling - Night Shift Supervisor (Schulenburg, TX) 2. Richard Coleman - Warehouse (Memphis, TN)

BWI Department Managers of the Year

3. Mike Daniel - Office Manager (Texarkana, TX) 4. Eric Cunningham - Warehouse Manager (Springfield, MO)

BWI Corporate Employees of the Year

5. Landon Forbes - Assistant Corporate Credit Manager 6. Carolyn Neff - Executive Administrative Support 28

APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 1. Challenges with getting timely deliveries from our supplying partners due to a shortage of drivers and trucks.

2. The combination of low product supply coupled with increased demand has put pressure on BWI’s incredible supplier partners. It seems packaging materials like bags, bottles, bottle caps, etc., have become very hard to come by which has caused a lag in the supply chain.

Service to our customers is BWI’s top priority and the base of our foundation. I will personally guarantee you that BWI is exhausting all resources to ensure we provide the best level of service we possibly can, and we will continue to stay focused.

No one has a crystal ball to see what the future holds for our industry, but I am very bullish on the lawn & garden, turf & landscape, nursery & ornamental, and professional pest control business. I do feel for those in the travel and hospitality business and hope we are all able to start traveling and having larger gatherings very soon.

We look forward to the balance of 2021 and hope the vaccines will help the world return to a more normal environment.

Thank you to our customers and supplier partners for your continued support and the confidence you place with BWI.

THE PERFECT COMBINATION FOR PREMIUM SOIL NUTRITION

CharX™ Humic DG CharX is a 50/50 blend of humic acid and biochar in a dust-free, spherical, and dispersible granule.

Learn how Humic DG CharX can enhance your soil at AndersonsPlantNutrient.com/HumicDGCharX

Jim Bunch President & CEO BWI Companies, Inc.

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

29

DEADLY SIMPLE ANT CONTROL WITH THE ALL-NEW SUMARI SYSTEM

By Ryan Neff, PhD, MGK Technical Field Specialist haviors make them difficult to control. Ant management can be divided into two types of treatments: preventative and curative.

D

id you know that ants are consistently one of the top pests for which PMPs would like better control? They are also the number one household and nuisance pest in the United States. While they are beneficial to the environment, they also pose health and property risks such as food contamination and structural damage.

Although small, their vast numbers, complex colony structures and be-

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

Preventative treatments involve applying materials around the structure or known nesting sites early in the season to either eliminate ants before colonies become too large or as a barrier to keep ants out of a structure. For example, a preventative treatment might involve a barrier application of a repellent product like Onslaught® FastCap Microencapsulated Insecticide or OneGuard® Multi-MoA Insecticide, which provides quick kill and long residual while keeping ants from trailing indoors. Another type of preventative treatment is a broadcast landscape application with a prod-

uct like Sumari® Insecticide, which targets colonies before they get fully established.

Curative applications involve treatments after ants have entered a structure or are becoming a nuisance to customers. These could be first-time treatments or call-back services and typically involve the use of non-repellent concentrates in conjunction with an attractive bait. The combination of the two products exploits the foraging behavior of ants to move an active ingredient deep into a colony.

The all-new Sumari® System from MGK simplifies ant control and boosts productivity, positively impacting Pest Management Professionals’ bottom lines. The system involves two parts – applying non-repellent Sumari® Insecticide concentrate to areas where ants are actively foraging/trailing and applying Sumari® Ant Gel Bait over or around areas

treated with the concentrate. Ants are attracted to the bait, which leads to more contact with the non-repellent concentrate. This attract-and-kill approach reaches deep into the colony, providing long-lasting control through direct contact and ingestion.

The Sumari® System was created specifically for PMPs. During development, the MGK team worked directly with PMPs to identify several challenging areas within ant control that were lacking in current product offerings on the market. Boasting flexible labels, only Sumari® brings together the features critical for improved ant control.

Sumari® Insecticide concentrate provides fast-acting and long-lasting control of ants, including multi-queen species, as well as a broad spectrum of other insects. This all-in-one solu-

tion can be used indoors and out, including outdoor broadcast. It has no signal word and contains NyGuard® IGR. Sumari® Ant Gel Bait is a highly palatable, consistent matrix that delivers long-lasting control of ants, including multi-queen species. It kills within 24 hours and eliminates colonies within 1-2 weeks. This new bait can be used indoors and outdoors, including food areas in operation and has no signal word.

Successful ant control starts with the Sumari® System. Get resources and download the Sumari® Insecticide and Sumari® Ant Gel Bait labels at MGK.com/SumariSystem or contact an MGK sales representative or your BWI Companies distributor representative for more information.

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

THE BUG MASTER

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

don’t get to where we are just by ourselves. It takes a collaborative effort,” he said.

Company growth and continued improvement is an ongoing job for The Bug Master management team.

“We’ve continued to look at how to get better next year. Last year was pretty weird for everybody with COVID but we still enjoyed a 17 percent growth despite that. It’s commitment to excellence. I can’t say enough about the people we work with. They just know how to roll up their sleeves and get it done. I try to emphasize that we all work together and I think everybody has embraced that,” Cantu said.

The Bug Master has evolved since it was founded in 1981 by Ned Ewart. What began as a one-man operation working out of a Volkswagen grew into the thriving business it is today.

“I’ve been here since 1984 so I’ve been here for most of that. In the early 80s we did all residential and commercial properties, everything we do now but over the years we’ve been able to grow the business to where we are now with 50 technicians located all over central Texas and east Texas,” Cantu said.

Cantu now co-owns The Bug Master and works with Ewart’s sons Dauphin and Keld.

“I worked with Ned for 16 years before I had an opportunity to buy into the company.

Both of his sons are my partners now and Ned is retired,” he said.

For more information about The Bug Master, visit thebugmaster.com.

GIVE FIRE ANT COLONIES A CASE OF

EMPTY NEST SYNDROME Extinguish® Plus fire ant bait combines the knock-down power of an adulticide with the long-lasting control of an insect growth regulator (IGR), killing worker ants and sterilizing the queen. This two-way action eliminates fire ant colonies — and the property damage they cause.

Learn more about Extinguish® Plus at CentralAntControl.com or contact your BWI representative.

Always read and follow directions. Extinguish is a registered trademark of Wellmark International. ©2020 Wellmark International

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

33

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Facilities update | greer, sc .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

In Greer, South Carolina Everything Keeps Getting Larger

By Robert Bunch, Co-President and CAO

I

n 1996, BWI Companies Inc. opened a twelfth location in Greer, South Carolina. It all started with hiring a few employees from another lawn and garden distributor that had recently closed and a long-time employee for BWI, Jeff Frix. We purchased a 25,000 sq. ft. building and two bob trucks. It wasn’t long before we had outgrown that facility.

In November of 1998, we found a new building in Greer near the current building at 15 Shelter Dr. This was a brand new 49,500 sq. ft. warehouse with 4,500 sq. ft. of office and showroom space. This new location was the answer for all our warehouse needs for the next fifteen years.

In 2014, we were out of space again and expanded the building by 14,500 sq. ft. which included 700 sq. ft. of office space. Sales had taken off and we couldn’t keep the inventory on hand that we needed to service our customers at an acceptable level.

In 2019, we made another expansion of 14,500 sq. ft. of warehouse and 12,000 sq. ft. of outside storage. This last expansion brought our total warehouse to 78,400 sq. ft. with a 16,000 sq. ft. outside storage pad. The tremendous growth came from all sources – traditional farm stores, retail nurseries, plant growers, turf, pest control, and online retailers.

By the end of 2020, we found ourselves out of space once again. With no

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

more room to expand, we began the search for a larger building. The market had changed a lot since 1996. There were only one or two buildings in the 100,000 sq. ft. range available and these locations were only for lease. Division Manager Bryan Whiffen, Warehouse Manager Jeff Frix, and a commercial real estate agency compiled a short list of choices.

BWI ownership made a trip to the Greer/Greenville area to view the selected locations. We chose a 100,000 sq. ft. building, but unfortunately, it wasn’t for sale. It was available for lease and we wanted to own it. This building is on a 23.5-acre site with two other 100,000 sq. ft. buildings and rail access.

We made an offer on the entire complex which included 300,000 sq. ft. of buildings. This purchase is the largest single land and building purchase in BWI history. Quickly, BWI started moving product into the building after closing on February 1, 2021.

Current plans are underway to build 8,500 sq. ft. for offices, training, and showroom spaces. Push Back Gravity Flow pallet racking has been designed and ordered to accommodate 12,000 pallets of product. Design work is also underway for a maintenance facility and fueling island for our fleet of vehicles. In addition to the 100,000 sq. ft. building, we will also occupy 50,000 sq. ft. of an adjacent building in

the complex which has rail access. This rail access will greatly improve the unloading of rail cars of fall forage and turf seed. For the past 15 years, all rail cars had to be unloaded off-site and the products had to be transported 17 miles to our current facility. Part of this second building will also be dedicated to stocking bulk products such as soil, mulch, and compost.

If all goes as planned, we should have the offices completed and move into our new facility located at 564 Gilliam Road, Greer, South Carolina in December 2021. Come by! Jeff would be happy to show off our new warehouse!

.................................................................................................................................................................................

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The new 100,000 sq. ft. BWI location in Greer, South Carolina sits on 23.5 acres with two additional buildings; rail access at the new site; the original 25,000 sq. ft.

BWI location; artistic rendering of 8,500 sq. ft. addition for offices, training, and showroom spaces; BWI started moving product into the new location in February 2021.

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

37

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customer profile | neshoba county co-op | philadelphia, ms .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

By Ashley Gardner

T

he Neshoba County Cooperative, located in Philadelphia, Mississippi, has something for almost everyone, whether you hunt, fish, garden, or farm. The Co-op is the largest supplier of hunting and fishing products in its area, carrying a long list of namebrand products and the latest in hunting and fishing equipment.

Many of the staff are sportsmen who can answer customer questions and make suggestions on which items may work best.

Neshoba is also a gardener’s delight providing a vast selection of shrubs, trees, flowering plants, vegetables, and more. The Co-op boasts three large nurseries allowing customers to purchase homegrown, healthy plants. Nursery attendants can offer their expertise to customers, assist with planting questions, and choose plants that will work for their individual needs.

Agriculture has long been the focus for Neshoba which keeps feed, seed, fertilizer, and farm supplies in stock. The Co-op carries many different types of fertilizers for pastures, gardens, lawns, and crops and has spreader services available for those who need them. It also keeps farm supplies in stock, including barbed wire, metal t-posts, wooden posts, stock tanks, gates, feeders, tractor implements, and more.

Richard Goldman manages Neshoba and he still relies heavily on his father Ricky Goldman’s past management experience. The Co-op recently promoted Nichole Bankston, a 15-year employee, to assistant manager. Nichole’s help in managing the business has been a significant help to Richard. She oversees 35 employees and does all the hir-

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

ing. The elder Goldman saw Neshoba through some tough times at the beginning of his tenure.

When the bottom fell out of the dairy industry, Ricky had to change the Neshoba Co-op’s focus, which was heavily focused on dairy.

“Richard has managed the Co-op for the last three years and I managed it for 30 years before that,” said Ricky. “I came in 1987 and it was pretty broke at that point. It was after the dairy buy out and the store was struggling to survive.”

Ricky turned the focus away from dairy and started looking at offering a wider variety of products and services. By diversifying and expanding its offerings, the Co-op moved forward, evolving into the bustling business it is today where hunters, farmers, and gardeners alike can all find products to meet their needs.

“We’ve been very blessed since then. We’ve gone in a lot of different directions. We have diversified and that’s what kept us alive and made us as successful as we are,” Ricky said. “We have a good board that allowed us to go out on a limb.”

Luckily that limb proved sturdy and the store has grown into a hub for shoppers of many different interests.

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Photographs by Neshoba County Co-op

But even for all the diversity, the focus of Neshoba Co-op is still agriculture.

“That’s who we are and what we were designed for. We still do big business in agriculture but all these other things make it work,” Ricky said. “If it had not been for the other areas we branched out in, I don’t think we would have survived. Diversifying let us position ourselves where we could grow.”

Neshoba Co-op aims to be a one-stop shop for farmers and it does so by making sure it has the items farmers need in stock. It carries between $2.5 to $3 million in inventory and that stock onhand is one thing that makes Neshoba Co-op a go-to supplier for area farmers.

“We keep a huge inventory and they know we will have everything they need. If someone wants to build a fence then they can come in and get all their supplies right here. They don’t have to go to this store and that store. We have it all in stock,” Ricky said.

Being so big allows the Co-op to buy supplies in bulk, a savings that Neshoba can pass on to the customers.

“We are priced competitively,” Richard said.

“

We keep a huge inventory and they know we will have everything they need. If someone wants to build a fence then they can come in and get all their supplies right here. They don’t have to go to this store and that store.

We have it all in stock.

”

“We are big enough that we can buy in large quantities.”

Providing exceptional customer service is a key focus for Neshoba. The Goldmans know that if customers can have their questions answered by the Co-op’s knowledgeable staff, it will keep them coming back.

“We do a good job with customer service. It’s very satisfying to meet each customer’s individual needs,” Richard said.

Working throughout the COVID pandemic proved to be very challenging in several ways.

Neshoba closed its doors to the public and went to curbside-only for a month in the spring of 2020. They dealt with staffing issues and offered incentive pay for employees to keep things running smoothly.

“It was a tough year last year. When we went to curbside-only for a month, that was hard, hard,” said Ricky.

They found a way to make it work and in spite of the difficulties, the determination and commitment of the Goldmans and the Neshoba staff paid big dividends. It has proved ultimately to be a very successful year for the Co-op which had the largest increase in sales ever, resulting in a $750,000.00 increase.

Ricky attributes that to people working from home and not going on vacations. Restaurants and movie theaters were also closed. With those other forms of entertainment not available during part of the pandemic, people turned their focus on their homes and their yards. Instead of families heading to the beach or on a cruise, they were landscaping, building fire pits, planting flower beds, or other home improvement projects.

“They spent the money they saved on other things here,” Ricky said.

The father/son team obviously enjoy working together to make Neshoba County Co-op a success. Richard has been working by Ricky’s side for nearly two decades and loving every minute of it.

“I’ve been blessed to work with my father for the last 18 years. It’s been a joy,” Richard said.

Ricky agreed that they make a great team.

“We work together surprisingly well,” said Ricky, who handles inventory control and purchasing for the Co-op. “I buy 75 percent of everything that’s bought for the store which is a pretty good job in itself.”

“I take care of the complaints,” Richard said with a laugh.

BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

41

Customers have been snapping up the much anticipated Snake boot for protection when spring hunting or prepping for fall.

It boasts Bogs’ proprietary Seamless Technology, for lighter weight and more durability.

The olive mid-cut Digger boot has been flying off shelves. Consumers are drawn to its versatility, in the yard, farm, poultry houses, etc.

It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear year round in southern climates.

Contact your BWI Sales Rep today!

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HIGHEST QUALITY. COMPETITIVE PRICING. LARGEST SELECTION. The World’s Leading Manufacturer of Plastic Containers for the Wholesale Nursery Industry For over 50 years NSI has been manufacturing top quality plastic containers for the nursery industry at competitive prices. Today, Nursery Supplies is the only company fully dedicated to the wholesale nursery industry with blow molding, injection molding and large scale thermoforming manufacturing capabilities.

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A solution for every situation // Celsius® WG // Tribute® Total // Revolver ® Bayer offers solutions to your toughest weed challenges with a portfolio of proven postemergence weed solutions. With products like Celsius WG, Tribute Total, and Revolver, lawn care operators have the ability to effectively address difficult targets, timing, and turf types so lawns stay weed-free and your customers stay happy. Learn more about these and other Bayer solutions for lawn care professionals at es.bayer.us/herbicides-solutions

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL INSTRUCTIONS Bayer Environmental Science, a Division of Bayer CropScience LP. 5000 CentreGreen Way, Suite 400, Cary, NC 27513. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-800-331-2867. environmentalscience.bayer.us.

APRIL 2021 BWIBayer COMPANIES, INC. Revolver, and Tribute are registered trademarks of Bayer. ©2020 Bayer CropScience ES-0620-LL-0162-A-1 Not all products are registered in all states. the Bayer Cross, Celsius,

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45

SUCCESSFUL FLY CONTROL

By Bayer Animal Health

This article originally appeared on beefmagazine.com on March 15, 2017.

PREPARE FOR FLIES, THEN MAINTAIN THE CONTROL MOMENTUM THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. For cattle producers, the change in seasons brings much to anticipate—green grass, healthy calves and flourishing cows. A change in seasons also brings much to anticipate as far as summer pests. While the appearance of flies is challenging and costly, here are some steps you can take throughout the season to help minimize their impact.

PRE-SEASON Prior to the start of fly season, it’s time to do a little early “spring cleaning.” This can include: • Eliminating potential breeding areas by removing left-over hay and other spilled feeds from winter feeding; this should include tilling the areas around round bale feeders to help dry these areas out and reduce stable fly breeding • Cleaning facilities, particularly areas with manure, to eliminate potential breeding grounds • Ensuring standing water is limited to what is necessary BEGINNING OF SEASON Once spring has sprung and fly season begins, it’s time for producers to implement their fly control plan. When doing so, it’s important to have a good understanding of the types of flies that pose the biggest threat to an operation.

Not all flies are the same, so knowing the type of flies you’re dealing with (and where they breed, rest and

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

feed) is necessary to help you choose the best strategies and products to control them.

Horn Fly • Breed – Fresh, undisturbed manure • Rest – Spends majority of life on cattle • Feed – Takes blood meal from cattle Face Fly • Breed – Fresh, undisturbed manure • Rest – On fence posts, trees, bushes, other objects • Feed – Feeds on saliva, tears, nasal mucus Stable Fly • Breed – Manure, mixed with moist decaying organic matter • Rest – Barns, walls, fences, weeds, other surfaces • Feed – Takes blood meal from cattle (and people) House Fly • Breed – Manure, moist and/or decaying organic matter • Rest – Manure, contaminated soil, fences, buildings, trees

Not all flies are the same, so knowing the type of flies you’re dealing with (and where they breed, rest and feed) is necessary to help you choose the best strategies and products to control them.

• Feed – Old feed, manure, waste, sweat, tears of animals Horn flies and face flies are almost always associated with cattle on pasture. House flies and stable flies are most often found around confined cattle and their premises. Once producers know what flies are an issue, they can better determine how to fight them, such as via the Defense Point system. The system works by dividing an operation into four key treatment areas where pests thrive – on animal, facility, environment and feed through – and choosing the products suited to those locations.

MID-SEASON As spring turns in to summer, producers should take time to monitor and evaluate their fly control efforts and make any adjustments needed based on fly pressure. Some of the more common issues may include: • A resurgence of flies, often brought about by a weather change, for example, rainfall after an extended dry spell • An abundance of flies from not initially treating properly for fly control • Ear tags wearing out, especially in locations with longer fly seasons Fortunately, creating and implementing a mid-season strategy can still help producers defend against the impact of potentially damaging pests.

POST-SEASON Once fly season ends, producers should take steps to prepare for the next season, including removing ear

tags to avoid resistance issues. In addition, producers should take the time to evaluate what was most effective and determine any adjustments to make the next season.

RESISTANCE REMINDER Pests can develop reduced susceptibility to an active ingredient over time. Rotation between products with different modes of action (MOA) can help reduce the risk of insecticide resistance.

It’s important for livestock producers to implement a strategy of rotating about every year and remember to rotate between different MOA groups, not just brands or active ingredients in the same chemical class. Modes of action available include: • Pyrethroids – Sodium channel modulators that disrupt the normal flow of sodium ions • Organophosphates – Cholinesterase inhibitors that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine • Neonicotinoids – Acetylcholine receptor agonists that mimic the action of acetylcholine Limiting pests’ exposure to any one insecticide MOA helps sidestep the potential impact of cross-resistance and helps reduce selection pressure for resistance by any mechanism, minimizing the emergence of new resistant pest populations.

There are a variety of insecticides available with different modes of action to help producers keep their method of fly control active.

In addition, producers also should consider the following rotation-related tips: • Rotate insecticides with different MOAs, not just different brands or active ingredients • Rotate late in the season to cut down on resistant overwintering flies • Discontinue using insecticide ear tags as soon as horn fly numbers decline in the fall, to minimize the flies’ exposure time to the insecticide and help ensure fly populations that proliferate later in the season remain susceptible • Rotate MOA classes between applications when applying insecticides more than once per season or year • Use insecticides at their full doses according to product label recommendations BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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• If mixing insecticides as a short-term measure for a resistance problem, be sure each component of the mixture is from a different MOA group and use both at the full label THE DEFENSE POINT SYSTEM

pests to pass from one animal to another. Treating the facilities on an operation may aid in stopping the spread of pests among livestock. Products to treat facilities include sprays and baits.

Defense Point 3 – Environment

Flies and lice can wreak havoc on the productivity of livestock. They can transmit disease, destroy property and disrupt feeding — and cattle that aren’t eating aren’t growing.

That’s why Bayer Animal Health introduced its Defense Point System, which offers a specific strategy for effective pest control throughout a producer’s operation. The system works by dividing the operation into four key treatment areas where pests thrive, and identifying the products best suited to those conditions.

Defense Point 1 – On-Animal Animals are ground zero for pest damage. Many pests spend the majority of their life cycle on cattle and take blood meals several times a day. An infected pest can also transmit disease, which can lead to serious loss of productivity.

Products that can be used on animal include pour-ons, onanimal sprays and dusts.

Defense Point 2 – Facility Where cattle sleep and take shelter is a prime location for

Pests may use the areas beyond the immediate housing facilities to breed and replenish their numbers. Treating potential pest breeding areas that surround livestock buildings and horse stable areas may play a significant role in reducing the pest population. Grassy areas surrounding lagoons and feed spillage areas are examples. Products that can be used in the general environment of an operation include sprays and baits.

Defense Point 4 – Feed-Through Several species of flies flourish on the natural actions of cattle, both feeding and laying their eggs directly in cattle manure. With the use of a feed-through product, producers can take a proactive effort toward disrupting the fly’s life cycle. Products that can be used as a feed-through include oral larvicides.

With this approach, producers can take a comprehensive approach to pest control, maximizing their efforts to reach their entire operation.

Stay updated on all things BWI, including current promotions, local events, EXPO updates, product information, and more!

Like our business page facebook.com/BWICompanies Follow us @BWICompanies twitter.com/BWICompanies Subscribe to our channel youtube.com/BWICompanies

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

pe ts g t Gott pests...get G

We’re going to get A LOT of attention...

In June, July and August of this year BONIDE is implementing a digital marketing campaign to inform consumers in the South and Southeastern USA about our new Invisible Roach Bait and it’s 2-year control. This, the most aggressive advertising campaign in our history is using targeted digital tal marketing and is projected project to deliver results…. eliver the following results…

5.8 million Facebook/Instagram impressions per month 2.1 million youtube video views per month 2.0 million Google display ads per month

That’s nearly 10 million impressions PER MONTH In the key population centers of Houston, Atlanta and Charlotte we are running a saturation campaign on drive time radio. These campaign will reach over 10 million consumers and inform them about Invisible Roach Bait.

We are reaching 58.7% of the population with a 7.6x frequency over the course of the campaign

Houston

Atlanta

Charlotte

KGLK-FM/Classic Rock KTRH-AM/News/Talk KTBZ-FM/Alternative KODA-FM/Adult Contemporary KLTN-FM/Mexican Regional

WSB-AM/News/Talk WSRV-FM/Classic Hits WALR-FM/Urban Adult Contemporary WVEE-FM/Urban Contemporary WUBL-FM/Country WFSH-FM/Adult Contemporary

WBT-AM/New/Talk WRFX-FM/Classic Rock WKKT-FM/Country WKQC-FM/Adult Contemporary WLKO-FM/Adult Hits WSOC-FM/Country WLNK-FM/Adult Contemporary

Order Revenge Invisible Roach Bait today so we can list your store on our campaign website BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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For the performance you expect from Roundup® IT&O Products and fast, visible results within 24 hours, Roundup QuikPRO® herbicide has what it takes to quickly satisfy the toughest customer.

THE POWER AND SPEED YOU NEED • Visible results in as little as 24 hours – that’s up to four times faster than liquid formulations of Roundup®.

• Quick uptake speeds weed-killing power right to the root, where it can’t wash away.

• Rainfast in one hour.

• Quick burndown and complete control, roots and all, reduce hassle of customer complaints and callbacks.

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APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

ROUNDUP QUIKPRO BENEFITS • • • • • • • •

Labeled Precision Measuring Device Child-Resistant Cap with Aluminum Seal 30% of the Weight of Liquid 1 Jug Makes 72 Gallons of Spray Solution Dustless Dry Granule Formula Easily Mixes with Water Stays in Solution Without Agitation Easy Clean-Up

Solitare ® WSL Herbicide

Control Over 40 Weeds with Just One Product

“With Solitare’s broad-spectrum capabilities, it controls a lot of the weeds our technicians see everyday. We see a quick visual response shortly after applying the product.”

-Mark Tamn

CEO & Founder Freedom Lawns USA Hampstead, NC

WHAT IS SOLITARE WSL HERBICIDE? Solitare WSL Herbicide contains sulfentrazone and quinclorac in a water soluble liquid (WSL), the most complete combination against post-emergence weeds such as Crabgrass. Solitare WSL can be applied on both warm and cool season grasses for flexible control.

HOW DOES SOLITARE WSL HERBICIDE WORK? Solitare WSL’s one-two punch attacks both the foliage and the root giving quick results and complete control. This dual mode of action

SOLITARE WSL HERBICIDE: • Fast, visible results you can see within a few days • No tank mixing hassle • Contains a surfactant for improved coverage • Control of crabgrass, sedge and various broadleaf weeds

WEEDS CONTROLLED • • • •

Clover Crabgrass Wild Violet Yellow Nutsedge

LABELED USE SITES: • Residential Lawns • Institutional Lawns • Athletic Fields • Commercial Sod Farms • Golf Courses

is absorbed through the roots, shoots and the foliage. The sulfentrazone in Solitare WSL works as a cell membrane disruptor. This allows you to see fast visible symptoms on targeted weeds and sedges. As a bonus, Solitare WSL reduces tuber production on yellow nutsedge reducing the likelihood of future outbreaks.

Always read and follow all label directions, restrictions and precautions for use. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states. FMC, the FMC logo and Solitare are trademarks or service marks of FMC Corporation. ©2021 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved.

Visit fmcprosolutions.com or contact your BWI sales representative for more information BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021

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2020 bwi expo | grand prize winner .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BWI congratulates Vaiden Farm Supply of Vaiden, MS for being our grand prize winner. They won a Hooray Grill from the Hooray Grill Company.

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Don and Kathy Eddins of Vaiden Farm Supply; Matthew Courtney, BWI-Meridian Sales Manager; Trey McClellan, BWI Sales Representative

ADVERTISING INDEX Absorbent Products.....................29 Alliance Animal Care..................21 The Andersons..............................29 Back to Nature..............................35 Bayer..............................................44 Bayer Roundup Brands...............50 Bengal Products............................39 BioZyme........................................32 Bonide............................................49 BWI Grower Technical Sales.......42 BWI Pest Management................20 Control Solutions, Inc............... IFC Corteva Agriscience.....................14 52

APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

Dramm...........................................35 Extinguish Plus.............................33 Fertilome ................................39, BC Fertilome Soils..............................15 FMC Corporation...................10, 51 FoxFarm Soil & Fertilizer Co......45 Gallagher.......................................20 HC Companies...............................9 High Caliper Growing.................11 ICL Specialty Fertilizers........... IBC Jacto, Inc..........................................4 Liphatech.........................................5 Medina Ag Products....................42

Merck Animal Health..................35 Michigan Peat...............................38 Nisus Corporation.......................25 Nursery Supplies..........................43 PBI-Gordon Corporation............26 Premier Tech Horticulture............2 Scotts Miracle-Gro........................34 Smart Pot.......................................11 Starbar..............................................4 Tarter Farm & Ranch ..................27 Wind River......................................4

The one to grow with

Generation after generation of professional growers depend on Osmocote—the original controlled release fertilizer used in greenhouses and nurseries around the world. Decades of exhaustive research and development have resulted in the most trialed, tested, and scientifically advanced product available. If you’re not already one of the millions of satisfied users, contact ICL today to learn more about Osmocote—the most trusted name in fertilizer.

growwithosmocote.com BWI COMPANIES, INC. APRIL 2021 53

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID CARTHAGE, TX PERMIT NO. 80

P.O. Box 5968 Texarkana, TX 75505

Give A Weed An Inch And It Will Take A Yard • Weed Free Zone is a broadleaf post emergent weed killer that kills over 80 of the toughest broadleaf weeds • Fast acting • Proven cool weather performance – effective down to 40°

Make Your Yard A Weed Free Zone 54

APRIL 2021 BWI COMPANIES, INC.

www.fertilome.com