IMPORTANT SELECTION & APPLICATION TECHNIQUES
Winter has arrived and if you haven’t already, soon you will be visited by lots of snow. But life can't stop for snow, which is why we count on ice melt. Are you buying and applying your ice melt the most cost efficient and effective? Ice melt is a great tool to help prevent ice/snow build up as well as slips or falls but results vary depending on the ingredients and application method. Follow these four important tips & techniques to ensure you’re getting the BEST MELT out of your ICE MELT.
1. SELECT THE PROPER ICE MELT
With so many ice melt products out in the market today, trying to choose the right product to use may seem overwhelming. There are many performance characteristics to consider prior to choosing an ice melt that may help you narrow down your choices. For instance, what is the coldest temperature your region is likely to experience or how quickly do you want/need your ice melt to work? Review the info below and chart to learn which ingredients will work best to fit all your Ice Melt needs.
Exothermic Ice Melt (Hygroscopic Deicer):
This product contains calcium chloride and releases heat when it comes in contact with ice. Ice melts that are exothermic work well in dry, cooler temperatures (down to -25°F) because the material attracts any available moisture from the relatively dry surface of ice as well as the surrounding air to chemically react with the moisture to release heat and begin melting ice. Often these products cost slightly more than other blends but are more effective because they work quicker with less product being used.
Endothermic Ice Melt:
This product does not contain calcium chloride. Endothermic ice melt blends require ambient temperature to work. This just means that the product absorbs heat from the atmosphere in order to melt snow/ice. Ice melts that are endothermic work well in mild temperatures (down to 5°F) but will often dissolve snow and ice slower in more dry/cool temperatures. Often these products cost slightly less than other blends but are limited to areas with more mild winters.
- NOTE: Once you determine what type of ice melt to use, consider colorant (dye added to help with even coverage), safe-for-use qualities and environmental impact. All these are determined by you and what your preferences are. Refer to label on your product to determine these qualifications.
2. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE
This includes both purchasing and applying your ice melt product. Winter is approaching so instead of waiting until the first snow to purchase ice melt, try making arrangements to have ice melt on hand prior to a storm. If there is an expected storm coming, treat a surface (driveway, sidewalk, outdoor steps, parking lot etc.) ahead of time. A pre-application will prevent snow/ice to bond and build-up on a surface which will ultimately result in less product use in the long run.
- TIP: Apply ice melt before, during and at the end of storm for maximum deicing results.
3. DISPERSE PROPERLY
It is possible to have too much of a good thing with ice melt. Applying large amounts of ice melt at once will not affect the speed of snow and ice melting. Also, too much product can result in damaged surfaces, harm to the environment and unnecessarily increased product use and cost. For efficient and accurate coverage results, a mechanical spreader is recommended; the proper coverage is about one cup per square foot. Product will fan out and undercut the ice, making it easier to remove.
4. STORE PROPERLY
In between storms, be sure to store product in a tightly sealed container to protect it from air, sunlight and moisture. Certain chemicals in ice melt products (Magnesium Chloride and Calcium Chloride) will draw moisture out of the air resulting in a clumpy, hard and degraded product. Left over product at the end of the winter season can be stored in the same container it’s been stored it in all season, but wrap the bag in a dark wrap to prevent any extra light from reaching the product.
- NOTE: Be sure to always store out of reach of children.
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Reference:
http://blog.regdist.com/6-important-tips-to-safely-and-effectively-use-ice-melt
http://blog.hpproducts.com/2013/09/reduce-slips-and-falls-this-winter-with-ice-melt/
https://www.greenviewfertilizer.com/articles/prevent-ice-melt-damage
Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog
Turf Care Supply, LLC, a portfolio company of Platte River Equity, has officially acquired Beaty Fertilizer, the industry respected Tennessee-based manufacturer and blender of custom granular and liquid fertilizers, as well as combination products. This strategic move expands Turf Care’s manufacturing footprint, adds new product capabilities, and enhances overall production capacity. “The partnership with Beaty Fertilizer marks a major milestone in our journey and an important step forward in our mission to grow, innovate and lead in our industry,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “This acquisition is more than just expansion; it’s a powerful opportunity to strengthen our product offerings, broaden our market reach and provide greater value to our customers. By welcoming Beaty into the Turf Care family, we are reinforcing our commitment to excellence and positioning ourselves for an even brighter future.” “We are excited about this next step in the Beaty Fertilizer story. For almost 50 years, our family and our employees have worked hard to serve customers and communities with pride and heart,” said John Beaty, President of Beaty. “Now, we are embracing an opportunity for growth with Turf Care. With our combined know-how and resources, we’ll keep building on what we’ve worked so hard to create and bring even more value to our customers, employees and partners. We truly believe this partnership will keep the Beaty legacy going strong while opening up new doors for growth and innovation.” Tarun Kanthety, Vice President at Platte River, added, “We believe the acquisition of Beaty Fertilizer represents a strategic step in expanding Turf Care’s footprint and product breadth... as it scales and enhances its value proposition to customers.”
Root out Grubs, Before they Attack Yours! White grubs, the immature stage of several scarab beetles—including Japanese beetles, masked chafers, May and June beetles, and green June beetles—are a major threat to turfgrass across the Southeast. These beetles follow a complete metamorphosis (egg, grub, pupa, adult), with most species completing their cycle in one year. Eggs are laid in early summer, grubs hatch within two weeks, and begin feeding on turfgrass roots through the late summer and fall. May and June beetles differ slightly, with a two- to three-year life cycle and prolonged feeding as third-instar grubs. Grubs damage turf by severing roots, causing grass to yellow, wilt, or lift easily from the soil. Feeding is typically concentrated in patches and worsens during hot, dry weather. Wildlife digging for grubs can create further turf destruction. Healthy turf may tolerate 5–10 grubs per square foot, but damage becomes evident as populations rise or turf is under stress. Early detection and timing are essential. Scouting begins in late June, shortly after adult beetle activity peaks. Monitoring plants favored by beetles can signal egg-laying is underway. Treatment is most effective when small grubs are active—typically from mid-July through early August. For professional turfgrass managers, insecticides containing imidacloprid (Merit®), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn®), or trichlorfon (Dylox®) are the most effective tools. The primary months of preventative application of Acelepryn® is from April to end of May and Merit® from April into July - targeting grubs before they hatch. Curative treatments with Dylox® or similar products are applied July through the fall, when young grubs are feeding and most vulnerable. Always follow label directions for optimal application and safety. Timing may vary slightly by regional seasonal needs. Turf Care Supply has a variety of professional TCS Growstar insecticide fertilizers available to protect your turf and prevent grub damage, before it starts. Click on the button below to view products, contact your sales rep for addition TC Growstar products available.
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.