I thought I would take this opportunity in my first blog post at Syngenta to introduce myself. My name is Pete and I have the privilege of stepping into Sean’s shoes as Technical Manager for UK and Ireland. Don’t worry, Sean is still with us as European Technical Manager and we will be working closely as I learn the ropes.
So I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about my journey in turf.
My Route Into Turf
I’ve been in the industry for over 15 years, but my route into it was slightly unconventional. I originally studied biology and polluted ecosystems at university, and it was during that time that I really became fascinated by how plants, soils and the wider environment interact. Not long after, I caught the “turf bug” working in grassroots sport, everything from cricket and football to bowls. Seeing how good (or bad!) turf affected the game and the people playing it really pulled me in.
From there, I moved into lawns and fine turf on the tools and then as products and technical manager, concentrating on ITM strategies and trials work.
What Drives Me
What really interests me is simple to say but challenging to achieve: how do we get maximum performance out of turf while facing both abiotic and biotic stresses?
Whether it’s heat, drought, shade, wear, disease or pests, I love the problem-solving involved in helping turf cope, recover and still perform at a high level. I’m passionate about how present and future technology can aid our decision making through improved mapping and modelling.
Looking Ahead
In this Technical Manager role, I’m looking forward to:
- Sharing knowledge and learning from others in the industry
- Continuing the fantastic research and trial work that Syngenta and Sean have been carrying out to keep pushing things forward, whilst learning from turf managers and their individual experiences
I’m passionate about combining solid science, sustainable practices and real-world experience to help people get the best from their surfaces, whatever level they’re working at.
If we haven’t met yet, please feel free to say hello, I’ll be at BTME, Stand 226. I’m always up for talking turf, comparing notes on disease pressure, or just chatting about how the weather somehow always knows when you’ve made plans!
Looking forward to the journey ahead.
Pete
