Just when you thought fertilizing was an easy enough task along comes DG Man with his DG Contec dispersing granule technology, and now fertilizing is a new voyage.

What makes fertilizing with Contec DG such an adventure is the speedy and effective way the granule disbands after water is applied. “Contact with water in the form of light irrigation or heavy dew causes each Contec DG granule to disperse into thousands of microscopic particles. These tiny particles move through the canopy during light irrigation.”

Remarkable and environmentally friendly because the granule is easily spread, water causes the granule to magically disperse into microscopic particles that seep into the thatch hugging the grass blades. No runoff, no granules sticking to shoes, balls or mowers and the nutrients disperse into the root-zone.

RESEARCH Research began in the early 90s for an inert granual dispersing act. Tim Birthisel, tech dev manager, The Andersons Inc., Turf and Specialties Group, is credited with developing the dispersible granule. Birthisel knew he had invented something remarkable.

Contec DG is a small particle granular fertilizer and is designed for application with conventional rotary spreading equipment. However, it is more than fertilizer. It is a combination of premium turf nutrients, patented dispersing granule technology and the special manufacturing process.

Birthisel explains that “We want the granual to be hard and durable to the plants so we are not generating dust. With these granules they disperse quickly and move down to the thatch where it is self-incorporating.” While developing this technology Birthisel said the toughest part is the desire to have Contec DG as a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer and not dissolving but dispersing. The real art is making a granule disperse in minutes but be durable for handling.

The Andersons Golf Products and others in the industry say this technology is ‘game changing’ as developers want to explore it to the fullest. The dispersible granule technology developed from The Andersons is the spring board for additional agriculture applications.

SERIOUS PROGRESS While discussing this new technology recently, Birthisel explains, “I would propose to interject the following information as a way of showing that our technology is drop-dead serious.

“While many marketing promotions in our industry ring fairly hollow once the "technology hood" is raised by anyone interested enough in doing the research, this document can show how our home state, via the Ohio Biotechnology Innovation Center based at The Ohio State University, is embracing our work and recommending the government invest in our work for the betterment of the world at large!

“Bottom line, there is a LOT of steak behind the sizzle here, and we can be very proud of our collective efforts.” This product will transform the way superintendents manage their greens. Contec DG was invented, engineered and introduced to be flexible to apply the nutrients to the plant for extended lengths.

Visit the website at www.andersonsgolfproducts.com for more information and a presentation by DG Man – Friend to Turf – Protector of Superintendents.