Pests & Diseases
We are never as annoyed when we are annoyed at ourselves; however, the answers invariably lie within
steps in the new model are difficult, they are all well within the realms of ability for any turf manager, greenkeeper or groundsman. Rather than difficult, the new model is complex and, rather like ‘cost’ and ‘value for money’, the two should never be confused.
difficult adjective
1. needing much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with, or understand. “she had a difficult decision to make”
synonyms: hard, strenuous, arduous, laborious, heavy, tough, onerous, burdensome, demanding, punishing, gruelling, grinding, back-breaking, painful;
complex adjective
1. consisting of many different and connected parts. “a complex network of water channels”
synonyms: compound, composite, compounded, multiplex “a complex structure”
Read the descriptions and synonyms above and observe how each makes you feel. Does ‘difficult’ evoke feelings of impending
stress and problems to be overcome? Does it create barriers in the mind to achievement? It is likely that your brain defaults to focusing on the obstacles to overcome; obstacles which will be … difficult. It is equally likely that, from reading the
definition and synonyms, you perceive complex as being more optimistic. Does it instead evoke feelings of creativity and positive challenges to be embraced and overcome?
“Balancing a pencil on its tip is difficult, building a LEGO® model of the Death Star® is complex"
“Rocket science is complex, it is rocket engineering which is difficult”
Reflective Questions
If areas are being damaged due to insect pest infestation, consider these questions… • Could I have done more?
• What are the future upcoming industry issues?
• Am I adequately prepared and confident in my understanding of the required approach to tackle those upcoming issues?
• Is my mindset closed, focusing only on the difficult, or is it open, more focused on ‘opportunity’?
• Am I courageously making a conscious, bold effort to engaging with my peers and industry, or am I clinging to a comfort zone and passively seeking answers from a small pool of people who visit me?
• Have I been invited to or had opportunity to attend meetings and seminars proffering knowledge which I have turned down?
• If I have turned down opportunities, what are the brutally honest fundamental reasons why?
• If those reasons are due to hierarchical priorities as I see them, is that perception in my long term best interest?
• What are the self-justifying thoughts I have told myself to justify not proactively seeking answers to upcoming challenges?
No one is going to say that the new model is as simple, cheap or precisely as effective as a dose of chemical insecticide. However, the
PC JUNE/JULY 2017 I 113
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reality is that this is the situation we are in and it is not going to change anytime soon. The further reality is that, in the majority of situations, biological controls, when understood and implemented correctly, are an effective and cost effective solution as part of an overall integrated approach. They also happen to be preferential for the health of people and the environment. With a number of similar issues on the short and medium term horizon (carbendazim withdrawal, fungicide restrictions), there are number of lessons to be learned from the furore around insect pest control. Now is the time for honest self-reflection
and preparation to enable you to carry forward a positive mindset. We must collectively embrace the upcoming issues, not as difficulties but as challenges and opportunities for personal growth and innovation, with the aim of such an approach being to equip oneself with the knowledge and understanding to proactively manage these and future issues effectively. “We are never as annoyed when we are
annoyed at ourselves; however, the answers invariably lie within”
Please read these two Pitchcare articles for further information:
JULY 2016 - Chafers and Leatherjackets - The Munch Bunch!
SEPTEMBER 2013 - Treating Chafer Infestations with Nematodes at Ashburnham
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