Building a Foundation for 2024 Q&A WITH Jeff Vannoy

The 2024 BASF Early Order Program helps superintendents build out their agronomic program and set their course up for success in the year ahead with simple planning, ordering and saving.

1. What should turf professionals' expectations be for the 2024 BASF Early Order Program (EOP)? What does The Blueprint mean to them?

Just as an architect's blueprint guides construction using exact specifications, superintendents require a range of precision-type products to maintain optimal turf conditions. The BASF EOP Blueprint prioritizes simplicity and ease while providing our customers with essential chemistries and impressive rebates up to 29% to help their budgets.

It's our goal to keep superintendents in control with a user-friendly program that allows them to tailor their approach and maximize their course's potential as they stock up for the year with some of the best QoI, SDHI and DMI products on the market.

2. What is the major change in this year's 2024 BASF EOP?

One of the biggest enhancements this year is that we've improved our rebate levels. We've introduced a new entry-level rebate tier, called the "Par" level, that allows customers to start earning 8% rebates when they spend just $3,000 on a single brand in the Design-Your-Own-Program. It's a significant reward at this entry point and the perfect opportunity to try our industry-leading fungicides. To benefit existing customers and thank them

for their loyalty, we've also increased rebate amounts across the board. This rewards those who plan big for the year and purchase more BASF products, strengthening their partnership with us while earning savings.

3. Tell us about this year's Fairway Foundation Kicker. What role do these Intrinsic^® brand fungicides and others available during EOP play in establishing a plant health foundation?

It's important to give fairways a mid-summer boost. Like greens, fairways undergo significant wear and tear, but not all courses can treat them due to their large acreage. The Fairway Foundation Kicker supports customers who annually apply Honor^® Intrinsic brand fungicide or Insignia® SC Intrinsic brand fungicide on their fairways with an extra 5% rebate on their order.

4. Why are proactive preparation and foundational plant health so critical for future turf success?

Like constructing a skyscraper, a strong foundation is crucial for reliability. We take a similar approach when it comes to plant health. An exceptional program starts with a solid foundation — in our case, Intrinsic brand fungicides. We call them the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Turf) for a reason. Beyond remarkable disease control, these game-changing products have been helping superintendents provide top-notch conditions and healthier turf since 2008. Waiting for disease is risky. Threats are constant. Without being proactive, issues will persist all season. Establishing a strong foundation of plant health with Intrinsic brand fungicides is vital for successful disease prevention.

5. How do the EOP Blueprint and other planning tools, like the BASF Intrinsic Holiday Spray Program, help superintendents achieve that?

A key component of the EOP Blueprint is the BASF Intrinsic Holiday Spray Program. This straightforward and proven program is the hands-on part of incorporating Intrinsic brand fungicides into a spray schedule that aligns with the major U.S. holidays for easy planning. For cool-season turf, that includes Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. For warm-season turf, it's Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year's, and Valentine's Day. Four applications are strategically positioned to provide comprehensive coverage during the shoulders of the season. The feedback has been resoundingly positive from superintendents utilizing the BASF Intrinsic Holiday Spray Program, and knowing we're contributing to their peace of mind is truly satisfying.

6. What are Across-the-Course Solutions, and how can turf professionals benefit from adding them to their order?

We understand that programs require more than just great fungicides. There are ever-present weed issues and pesky insects that pop up on the golf course. That's why we offer a wide range of additional products within our Across-the-Course Solutions. When superintendents order $20,000 or more of Design-Your-Own-Program fungicides, they access a fantastic 12% rebate on our Across-the-Course Solutions — one of the best in the industry for these products. Within our program, we've got established brands like Drive^® XLR8 herbicide, FreeHand^® herbicide, Finale^® XL T&O herbicide, Alucion^® 35 WG insecticide and others. Adding these products creates a well-rounded blueprint for course management.

Start building your blueprint for 2024 by visiting betterturf.basf.us/eop.