CARY, North Carolina (January 3, 2024) – Atticus continues to grow its professional non-crop EcoCore division by adding industry professional Jane Stanley to the team. Jane will serve as Manager, Technical Services – Greenhouse & Nursery. In this role, she will work under Rob Golembiewski, Director of Technical Services, to spearhead new initiatives in Atticus’ ongoing commitment to the greenhouse and nursery industry.

With over a decade of experience, Jane’s skills and knowledge are a valuable asset to the EcoCore team. Her expertise will enable Atticus to provide customers with tremendous value beyond the product itself. As a whole, EcoCore is dedicated to expanding its technical expertise to serve its customers better and assist in making the most of their investments.

Jane earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in horticulture from Penn State University. Most recently, she was the Technical Services Manager for Ornamentals at Bayer/Envu. Through both her professional and personal accomplishments, Jane acquired invaluable industry insights that allow her to deliver the ultimate customer experience.

“I am excited to have Jane join the EcoCore Team. Atticus continues to invest and showcase the importance of a best-in-class customer experience. Jane’s education, training, and extensive work experience in the greenhouse and nursery industry, paired with our robust portfolio, enables Atticus to provide unparalleled technical expertise and customer-focused solutions.” States Rob Golembiewski, Director of Technical Services.

The EcoCore division includes sales-focused professionals with extensive knowledge across EcoCore’s diverse market segments. Atticus’ portfolio continues to expand, with over 20 new product launches slated for Market Year ’24. EcoCore provides relevant products for various needs, ranging from golf courses to green spaces, residential pests, and more. To view the complete EcoCore portfolio, visit atticusllc.com/ecocore-products/.

By leveraging technical knowledge and resources, Atticus EcoCore is well-positioned to continue delivering high-quality solutions that meet the needs of its customers. To learn more about the EcoCore team, visit atticusllc.com/meet-our-team/#ecocore.

CARY, North Carolina (June 23, 2023) – With continued expansion of Atticus’ professional non-crop division, known as EcoCore, Atticus LLC welcomes industry expert Rob Golembiewski Ph.D. to the team. Golembiewski will serve as Director, Technical Services, focusing on furthering Atticus’ product stewardship by providing technical support and product education.

Golembiewski has over 35 years of university and industry experience in agronomy and technical services. His passion and outstanding knowledge of fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and growth regulators, paired with technical precision, will serve an essential role in helping customers optimize their pest control strategies and find relevant products for their operation’s unique needs.

“Atticus is focused on delivering a best-in-class customer experience. Expanding the technical expertise of our team will give our customers an additional resource to maximize their investments. I’m truly excited to have Rob’s extensive product and industry knowledge join the EcoCore team.” Said Nate Dahlman, Executive Vice President, EcoCore Division.

Golembiewski earned a B.S. in Crop & Soil Science and his M.S. in Botany & Plant Pathology from Michigan State University.  He then completed his Ph.D. in Agronomy at The Ohio State University.

“I love helping people do their job better and this is ultimately what led me to Atticus. Their culture and value proposition of being Relevant, Simple, and Reliable are built around a customer-first approach” states Golembiewski.

Rejuvenated Team Structure Simplifies Customer Experience

In addition to expanding technical services, the EcoCore team restructures for a streamlined customer approach. The Dahlman-led EcoCore team’s new structure leverages account, segment, and geography-based experience to better support partners across all business aspects. Customers benefit from dedicated account leads with supporting market segment experts.

“When we see an opportunity to enhance our customer’s experience – we adapt. Our go-forward structure streamlines day-to-day interactions while leveraging the deep expertise across our team. The EcoCore division continues to evolve to meet the demands of our growing business.” said Dahlman.

The EcoCore division includes 11 sales-focused professionals with extensive knowledge across EcoCore’s diverse market segments. Atticus’ portfolio continues to expand, with over 20 new product launches slated for Market Year 2024. From golf courses to green spaces, nurseries, residential pests, and more the EcoCore portfolio provides relevant products at the right value. View the full EcoCore portfolio at atticusllc.com/ecocore-products/.

With organizational agility and a continuous appetite for product development, EcoCore will continue to pave the way for expansion across non-crop market segments. To meet the EcoCore team, visit atticusllc.com/meet-our-team/#ecocore.

Wetter weather patterns threaten crop health; branded generic fungicides can offer budget benefit over premium fungicide prices

CARY, N.C. (May 1, 2023) – This season, growers once again face a battle with high input prices and market volatility that puts their profitability at risk. A cool, wet spring and continuing wet weather patterns across much of the country threaten to increase the risk of disease in row crops. As growers prepare for 2023 fungicide applications, they should be looking at economics and product availability, determining how many times they are going to treat versus if they are going to treat. And as several major manufacturers face price increases again, their post-patent counterparts provide an affordable alternative.

“Given the risk potential for disease this year, the high prices of corn and soybeans make it simple for growers to apply a fungicide and get a yield benefit and incremental margin from it,” said Aaron Burke, business unit lead, North with Atticus LLC.

“When you combine the yield bump that you can get with fungicides, regardless of disease pressure, it is important for growers to plan for at least two fungicide applications this year,” said Burke. “The data overwhelmingly shows that sequential, or two applications, especially on highly responsive hybrids, will outperform a single fungicide application. Even in the absence of disease, a fungicide application to corn at tassel can increase yield, sometimes to double digits of bushels.”

Historically, corn growers have had a choice between a V5 application and a VT application. A wetter year, like 2023 so far, will benefit from applications at both stages, as well as a seed treatment at planting.

“2023 will require a disciplined approach to product selection and application,” said Burke. “As growers consider the timing of their applications, they should be communicating with their retailers for insights on relevant, affordable fungicide products as well as help with scouting.”

Product availability and affordable pricing

Diversification is key to product availability. While supply chain challenges have eased some, major manufacturers have again taken a price increase on most of their brands. And several name-brand products remain in short supply compared to the post-patent alternatives.

“With these factors in play, post-patent fungicides, herbicides and insecticides are even more appealing this year,” said Burke. “They are a grower’s best ally in fighting back to minimize costs and protect crops from yield-robbing diseases, weeds and insect pests.”

Burke stressed the importance of staying in close contact with a trusted local crop protection retailer and remaining vigilant in scouting as the season goes on, both for management decisions this year and for planning for 2024. The local retailer can help recommend a long-lasting and potentially multi-ingredient fungicide to provide disease protection as long as possible throughout the season.

“Growers are going to experience yield enhancement and disease protection from their application,” he added. “At harvest, we advise tracking and documenting data from different fields—including their level of infection, how the fungicides performed and additional yield—to help growers make more informed decisions going forward about where, when and how to use fungicides on their farms.”

When it comes to fungicide selection, the number one consideration for growers is field history and the historical challenge each individual farm or field has had.

Diseases to look for in 2023

This year, areas like the Dakotas that experienced late-season snow will see an increased threat of fungal infection due to increased moisture around planting time. In the Southern Plains states, where last year’s drought persists, growers are more likely to instead face insect pest pressures. Yet this opens crops up to later season disease issues such as ear, stem and stalk rots. Corn and soybean growers alike will want to monitor closely for disease to stay on top of them after a wet spring.

Risks for corn diseases in 2023:

• Tar spot
• Anthracnose
• Northern corn leaf blight
• Rusts
• Crown rot

Soybean disease threats in 2023:

• Seedling diseases like pythium and fusarium
• Phytophthora root rot
• White mold

Last year was very dry, so there were fewer white mold infections than normal but that will change in 2023 with the increased moisture levels already affecting the Central Plains states.

“If we trend back to any normal levels or have higher levels of moisture throughout the growing season, we’re going to see increased levels of white mold infections this year that growers need to be ready to manage,” said Burke.

“Overall, it’s important for farmers to invest in fungicides to maximize yields given this spring’s unfavorable weather conditions and continued high commodity prices. The fact that we’re going to be putting the crop in a little late this year, combined with the softening of post-patent fungicide prices, makes the ROI of fungicide applications a no-brainer,” Burke concluded.

Rapid portfolio growth and addition of in-house packaging expertise set Atticus apart

CARY, North Carolina (February 3, 2023) – In the face of rapid growth and a deep commitment to operational excellence, Atticus, LLC welcomes two industry experts to the team. Tim Cotter joins Atticus as senior director, Package Engineering & Optimization, while Robert Avalos assumes the role of senior manager, Regulatory TGAI (Technical Grade Active Ingredient). Specific to the company’s portfolio expansion of off-patent fungicides, herbicides and insecticides, Cotter and Avalos bring innovation, industry experience and expertise that further intensify Atticus’ focus to become best-in-class across all aspects of customer experience, delivering on the value proposition of Relevant-Simple-Reliable.

Cotter to drive Atticus’ unique position; focus on best-in-class packaging

Joining the Operations team led by Executive Vice President Mike King, Tim Cotter will have broad-reaching impact throughout the company on the development and implementation of innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.

“As we continue to grow the business, our needs are changing. With an expanding portfolio and resulting new product introductions, particularly in the EcoCore segment, bringing package design and innovation in house moves Atticus into a unique position for a post-patent company,” said King. “I am truly excited to have Tim’s in-depth background, network, overall business maturity and passion for delivering exceptional customer experience on the team.”

With 27 years at Syngenta, where he advanced to lead Global Package Design and Innovation, Cotter has a significant depth of industry understanding and process knowledge that will drive internal decisions involving regulatory, sourcing, operations, commercial and marketing communication to ensure compliance and efficiency as well as packaging, label and brand integrity.

“I am excited about Tim in this position as it only intensifies the Atticus focus on best-in-class in yet another customer-facing aspect of our business. This role facilitates exploring options with traditional packaging to find efficiencies, better functionality, more environmentally friendly options, or cost-savings; accommodating bulk packaging, returnable-refillable, closed handling systems or Child Resistant Packaging (CRP); or designing innovative packaging to better serve the small packaging needs of EcoCore,” said Randy Canady, CEO and founder.

Cotter will manage and facilitate the entire packaging development process, including internationally supplied turn-key products, ensuring packaging aligns with regulatory requirements and Atticus’ high, quality standards. He will serve as the Atticus representative on the Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC), which Atticus joined recently.

Cotter graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in packaging. Most recently, he was the director of the industrial closures category at Bericap.

Avalos brings dedicated focus to growing technical active ingredient portfolio

In the role of senior manager, Regulatory TGAI, Robert Avalos will be vital to developing Atticus’ technical active ingredient portfolio, reporting to Dave Bolin, VP Regulatory Affairs. Avalos will be the key contact for suppliers and consultants, while collaborating intensively with Atticus’ Development and Regulatory teams to broaden and diversify the product portfolio. Leveraging nearly 20 years of industry experience, Avalos will help ensure Atticus submissions are complete and high quality to deliver on the company’s promise of Reliable, providing supply proficiency and execution customers can trust.

“Robert’s position further enhances Atticus’ commitment to deepen technical registrations by securing multiple manufacturing sources of technical active ingredients. Diversifying manufacturing sources across provinces in China mitigates disruptions from energy allocation and pollution ordinances while diversification to and within India mitigates tariffs and offers logistical advantages,” said Canady.

“Robert’s expertise and experience strengthen our regulatory team and brings more focus on our technical active ingredient pipeline,” said Bolin. “We are confident Robert will help assure that we can continue offering our customers the most diversified post-patent portfolio in the industry.”

Prior to working for Atticus, Avalos was a member of the product stewardship team at Nutrien and worked in regulatory science and crop protection with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Both his professional and personal experience have provided Avalos with valuable industry insights ranging from innovation to application.

Avalos earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in biochemistry from New Mexico State University. He also holds an Associate of Science degree in fire science and manages his family’s pecan orchard in Mesilla, New Mexico.

To learn more about Atticus’ growing and diverse team of professionals passionately dedicated to supporting the U.S. Agricultural and EcoCore markets, visit https://atticusllc.com/meet-our-team/.

Reliability You Can Count on for 2023 and Beyond

Wherever you fight pests and uncertainty, you need a supplier you can count on. EcoCore by Atticus delivers.

EcoCore by Atticus presents a broad and ever-expanding portfolio of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides developed to protect and beautify vital plant health in greenhouses and nurseries. Armed with established chemistry and a commitment to best-in-class service and support, Atticus’ EcoCore team is acting decisively and engaging proactively to mitigate future uncertainty and to ensure a relevant, reliable product supply for 2023 and beyond.

Following two of the industry’s most challenging years, the team is amplifying its approach to reliable sourcing to secure essential herbicides, insecticides and fungicides that benefit greenhouse and nursery managers. The team is facing adversity head on while remaining agile to manage changing market conditions—and encouraging greenhouse and nursery managers do the same. With an intense focus on future growth, Atticus is working tirelessly to protect and preserve environmental wellness for years to come.

How EcoCore is getting it done.

• Aligning more closely with operations, supply chain and distribution.
• Implementing demand plans early.
• Diversifying sources for products and materials.
• Planning for longer lead times.
• Growing our portfolio and business significantly.
• Launching 12 new brands in 2023 for greenhouse and nursery markets.
• Staffing for the future.

Reliability you can count on.

Driven by an unrivalled cultural framework that allows Atticus’ EcoCore team to deliver on its value proposition of relevant, simple and reliable, the team is equipped to get ahead of industry challenges, manage through instability and ensure as a manufacturer, we bring you access to the products needed to grow healthy, beautiful plants and flowers.

Going into 2023, retailers can benefit from Atticus’ proactive engagement, decisive action and broad portfolio to ensure a relevant, reliable product supply for the next growing season and beyond.

As a leader in branded-generic pesticides, Atticus believes acting decisively requires not only adapting to change but also deliberately creating it for the betterment of the whole industry. Following two of the global crop protection industry’s most challenging years, Atticus leaders are facing adversity head on—and encouraging ag retailers to do the same.

“Today, we’re operating in a global market where manufacturers, retailers and growers are competing for inputs on an international scale,” said Mike Henderson, vice president of ag markets, Atticus. “To stay relevant, reliable and accessible, we’re strategically approaching our business differently to secure herbicides, fungicides and insecticides that benefit retail distribution.

“We’re acting now to introduce new active ingredients with post-patent alternatives to the marketplace. We’re aligning with diversified product sources to expand our offering. And we’re remaining agile to deal with changing market conditions while continuing to deliver unrivalled customer service for ag retail distribution. Coincidentally, we think this nimble business approach is one that can directly benefit ag retailers,” Henderson added.

Atticus’ decidedly different, battle-ready approach is based on a cultural framework that allows the team to minimize future challenges to best help customers reach their business and agronomic goals. For success in 2023, ag retailers can consider these three steps to access the products needed to maximize crop quality and yield.

Act now: Plan ahead, order early

Gone are the days of “on demand” or “just in time” purchases. Global competition and logistical factors have lengthened demand planning in the crop protection industry, with many manufacturers looking out 18 to 24 months to ensure they have raw materials, manufacturing production time, packaging and logistics in place to put product into your hands.

As soon as growers communicate their product needs, retailers must swiftly relay these requests to manufacturers. There will still be rough spots in the supply chain in 2023 but prioritizing early communications will allow us all to manage and ensure an adequate supply of necessary crop protection products.

Align strategically: Find manufacturers you can count on

Seek, find and engage with manufacturers who can help broaden your expertise and view of product options available for your customer’s needs. The breadth of Atticus’ portfolio combined with the team’s commitment to introducing new, post-patent alternatives means the company will deliver deeper transparency to the marketplace with more active ingredients that influence every major crop across the U.S.

Adapt: Have a plan B

The number and availability of post-patent products in the crop protection marketplace is increasing. Familiarize yourself with active ingredients, then investigate and consider alternate options to branded pesticides.

“There are many post-patent herbicides, insecticides and fungicides available with the active ingredients and technology retailers and farmers have had confidence in for years, at a more reasonable cost, “Henderson said.

“And even though availability of raw ingredients has improved, we’ve intentionally researched and sourced alternative ingredients for products we’ll be bringing to market in the future. Having a secondary source of high-quality ingredients ensures we will be able to manufacture and deliver effective, quality products to our customers,” he concluded.

Many key fungal diseases in almonds start in the bloom stage, so proactive planning during dormancy is critical. In preparation for bloom, most growers and pest control advisers return to orchards by early January to spray dormant trees to kill the pathogens and fungal spores remaining on stems and branches.

Growers can protect their harvest from the start and improve tree vigor and productivity by understanding practices that help prevent disease, knowing what diseases to watch for and how to minimize fungicide resistance. Scouting for pathogens, knowing the orchard’s disease history and properly timing management tactics will further help minimize and control disease pressures.

“Effective fungal disease management requires cultural, chemical and mechanical management tactics to promote sustainable, high-quality yields,” said Ruben Escoto, pest control adviser and area business manager, Atticus, LLC.

“Start a game plan now. Neglecting winter care and prevention practices can cause parts of the canopy to wither and die and affects bloom production, which hinders nuts,” he said.

Cultural, chemical and mechanical practices to prevent disease

“Fungicide treatment is the most important control strategy of almond diseases, but it must be coupled with cultural and mechanical practices to achieve the most comprehensive control,” said Escoto. Cultural practice includes those that allow for more air movement, irrigation management and pruning. Mechanical practice is the removal of diseased wood from the orchard to reduce the amount of inoculum present.

•  Prune out the centers of the trees to promote airflow and reduce humidity, which causes fungus. Pruning and shaping trees is essential and can affect production quantity, quality and ease of harvesting and other farming activities. Almond trees should be pruned in the first year and every subsequent year to help thin the canopy and prevent disease.
• Mulch mummy nuts to reduce aflatoxin. Nuts remaining on almond trees after harvest work as a host for unwanted overwintering insect pests. Shake or manually knock down the nuts and mulch them up to remove the pests before bloom.
• Irrigate to the best practices available to reduce over-irrigation, which leads to phytophthora, root rot and hole rot. Use low angle nozzles to prevent the tree canopy from being wetted by the sprinklers and reducing disease spread.

 Scouting for disease

In a typical year, brown rot blossom blight is the most prominent disease at bloom. Risk of infection is determined by environmental conditions, such as temperature and wetness, and the disease is uncharacteristically favored by rainfall but can thrive in years of low rainfall.

“Brown rot disease spores are airborne and spread by wind or wind-driven rain, conditions that commonly occur each year during bloom,” Escoto said. “Once established in an orchard, the disease is difficult to remove using pruning practices alone. So, prevention is really the best way to manage the disease.”

• Signs and symptoms of infection: Brown rot can infect all parts of the flower: stigma, anthers, pistils and petals. Although flowers are most susceptible when fully open, they can become infected anytime from pink bud to petal fall. Once infected, trees will exhibit blighted or rotting flowers. And because the brown rot pathogen can move beyond the flower into young shoots and twigs, growers may also find cankers.
•  Prevention and management: Treat at pink bud, 5-10% bloom, and again at 80-100% bloom. In most years, one fungicide application at 80-100% bloom is sufficient in most orchards if there is low rainfall. But if brown rot has been severe, or in years of extended bloom accompanied by rainfall, a second and sometimes even a third application near full bloom may be necessary.

“For early season, root-to-leaf protection of soil-borne diseases, a systemic fungicide like the new Recon™ Bold SL will help protect quality and yields,” said Escoto.

Another disease to watch for and manage from early in the season is anthracnose, which can be severe in warm, wet springtime conditions.

• Signs and symptoms of infection: Infected flowers look like brown rot strikes. Growers should scout for leaves on infected spurs that have developed marginal necrosis, beginning with water-soaked areas that fade in color. Dead leaves will remain attached to branches.
• Prevention and management: In orchards that have a history of anthracnose, apply fungicide sprays beginning at pink bud, 5-10% bloom, and repeat every 10 to 14 days if rains persist. Late spring rains may require additional applications in May.

At 80-100% bloom, growers should scout for green tissues diseases like Alternaria, rust and scab, which typically appear in late spring to early summer.

Minimizing resistance

Resistance management programs are critical to a fungicide’s long-term efficacy. Using too many fungicides with the same mode of action must be avoided.

“Farmers can use a different mode of action for each application, if listed on the label —each one followed by the other. Or they can apply a block of fungicides with the same mode of action and then rotate to a different mode of action and change again,” said Escoto. “Using different modes of action also helps manage resistance build up. Always read and follow label instructions.”

Growers can work with a trusted pest control adviser to make sure they’re alternating FRAC groups and applying the right fungicides at the right rates to prevent resistance from developing.

From the team at Atticus comes EcoCore — an expanding portfolio of essential pest management products serving a growing number of markets including turf and ornamental, greenhouse and nursery, vegetation management, aquatic and more.

Atticus’ continuous appetite for product development also ensures the EcoCore portfolio is paving the way for expansion into additional non-crop segments such as animal health, forestry, home and garden, professional pest management and more.

“Broadening our market diversity, together with our extensive experience, enhances our holistic approach to pest management,” said Michael Maravich, Vice President, EcoCore markets at Atticus. “The EcoCore team has a deliberate focus on our professional market customers and is proud to deliver a reliable, straight-forward experience and an expansive portfolio focused on multiple market segments to meet today’s fast-changing priorities and challenges.”

EcoCore is aimed not only at fighting pests, but also contributing to the safety and comfort of people, the beautification of our surroundings and the protection of personal property and critical infrastructure. Customers can leverage the complete line-up of branded-generic herbicides, fungicides and insecticides to elevate their operations and maximize their investments.

As significant patent expirations take effect, EcoCore continues to optimize the portfolio to deliver relevant solutions everywhere daily life is lived.