GreenCast Connect is a mobile app that delivers real-time insights and advanced tools for smarter turf and landscape management. It supports informed decision-making, resource optimization, and improved performance— All in one place.

Forecasting
Provides accurate weather data to help plan turf management activities based on environmental conditions.

Tracking
Monitors and predicts disease, weed, and pest threats, with additional models available in the advanced version for more comprehensive insights.

Scouting
Allows users to capture photos and notes on-site to track turfgrass health and growth.

Alerting
Stay informed with timely alerts. Receive customizable notifications on severe weather events, pest risks, and changes in soil conditions.

Sensing
Collects real-time data from soil sensors, including moisture, salinity, light, and temperature.

The post Syngenta collaborates with Spiio to develop GreenCast Connect appeared first on Spiio.

Basel / Switzerland, 13 December 2023  

Syngenta, a global leader in agricultural innovation, is announcing a collaboration agreement with Spiio, whose precision soil sensor technology and agronomic data is used by turfgrass professionals, irrigation experts, municipal parks and recreation departments, tree care companies and landscaping professionals.

This collaboration unites the market-leading expertise of Syngenta and its premium portfolio of professional turf solutions with the state-of-the-art cellular, wireless soil sensor technology from Spiio. Together, they will help golf courses evolve toward a future of precision agronomy and data-driven decision-making that complements the existing range of tools and services from Syngenta.

“We are excited to collaborate with Spiio to bring this sustainable innovation, initially focused on the golf industry,” said Mike Parkin, global head of Syngenta Professional Solutions. “Our combined strengths in technology and agronomy will enable turf managers to make smart agronomic decisions for a better golfing experience for their players, while providing hyperlocal soil data to complement existing weather and modelling services provided by Syngenta. This solution aligns with our vision of creating a more sustainable future for golf.”

The cellular, wireless Spiio sensors continuously monitor the soil moisture, temperature and salinity and stream data to a cloud platform, allowing turf managers to create more precise agronomic programs across the course. The Spiio technology simplifies hyperlocal data collection and analysis without time-consuming, manual measurements. It also complements existing Syngenta tools including precision weather forecasts, disease and insect models, as well as turf growth models. 

“Once customers can access Spiio sensor data from their phone across the entire property, they can quickly identify areas of concern and receive notifications and agronomic alerts before conditions become critical. They can also track specific data trends over time and provide greater efficiency with better reporting and strategic planning,” said Henrik Rosendahl, CEO of Spiio. “By collaborating with the Syngenta agronomic and research teams, we’ll be poised to create even more robust agronomic algorithms and recommendations in the future.”

The impact of this collaboration extends beyond golf to other professional turf and landscape industries including lawn care, sports turf and tree care.

For more information about Syngenta and Spiio, visit spiio.greencastonline.com. Join the conversation online – connect with Syngenta on X.

About Syngenta Crop Protection

Syngenta Crop Protection is a leader in agricultural innovation, bringing breakthrough technologies and solutions that enable farmers to grow productively and sustainably. We offer a leading portfolio of crop protection solutions for plant and soil health, as well as digital solutions that transform the decision-making capabilities of farmers. Our 17,900 employees serve to advance agriculture in more than 90 countries around the world. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta, www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/syngenta

Contact
Michelle Ng Head, External Communications michelle.ng@syngenta.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as ‘expect’, ‘would’, ‘will’, ‘potential’, ‘plans’, ‘prospects’, ‘estimated’, ‘aiming’, ‘on track’ and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or commodity prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors.

©2023 Syngenta. Rosentalstrasse 67, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.

The post [Media Release] Syngenta collaborates with Spiio to bring sustainable innovations to golf course management appeared first on Spiio.

The post [Video] Spiio announces major new analytics release for it’s soil sensor platform appeared first on Spiio.

The new Spiio release offers a range of new tools to analyze your data.

• Data Explorer: A flexible research tool for superintendents.
• Analytics Dashboard: Helps keeping track of strategic goals and makes reporting easier than ever.
• Google API Plugin: A Google sheets Integration to directly export data into google sheets and combine it with other data.
• Time-series heat maps: Visualize data over time and reach excellence in turf monitoring
• API: Integrate your Spiio data with anything 

Read more

New Mobile Release: Now you can access all your Spiio data from your mobile phone

Monitor your soil conditions while you are in the field and compare the data with your observations. Be sure that conditions are optimal even when you are not on site. Bring the knowledge with you.

Navigate with our mobile app from a full overview of your golf course to a detailed time-line chart of a critical spot.

Every feature on our app is available to you, no matter what device you are using. You can find the Spiio Live app on the AppStore and on the PlayStore. 

Read more

The post Spiio announces major new analytics release for it’s soil sensor platform appeared first on Spiio.

We are so excited to see our customers, colleagues and friends in person again at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show on February 6-9 in Orlando, FL.

Come visit the Team Spiio at booth #2885 in the exhibition hall.

We will be showing our latest release of Spiio’s exciting new irrigation management platform that will benefit your playing conditions, water usage, power consumption etc.

Safe travels,

Team Spiio

The post Meet Spiio at booth #2885 at GCSAA Conference and Trade Show February 6-9, 2023 in Orlando, FL appeared first on Spiio.

We asked and readers responded. The following products are readers’ top products for 2022, as well as their favorite products of all time. 

Spiio SP-110

“It’s a great technology. Having just another tool to assist in our agronomic decisions that can come at the touch of a button on your phone is going to certainly be helpful as we continue to get more and more automated and have more challenging decisions to make as superintendents.”

— Alex Stuedemann, CGCS, director of agronomy, PGA Tour Network

The post Spiio Wins Golfdom’s 2022 Super’s Choice Award appeared first on Spiio.

Spiio interviewed Curtis Tyrell in November 2022.

The post [Video] Interview with Curtis Tyrrell, Superintendent at Desert Highlands re. their daily use of Spiio appeared first on Spiio.

A few years ago, we had the first opportunity to speak with arborist and Spiio customer Jerry White, the PHC manager at Arborwell. Arborwell, who recently merged with SavATree, is a professional tree management company who primarily operates on the West Coast.

For those that don’t have first-hand experience, there’s a lot involved in managing trees—pruning, tree removal, risk management, and more. Jerry’s role is to manage the operation of plant health care, including fertilization, protecting from disease, reducing insect issues, and improving overall tree and soil health.

In that conversation, we learned how valuable Spiio data was in managing the health of a tree—particularly because of its role in understanding the tree’s need for water intake, which is central to tree care.

Recently, we spoke with Jerry again and were excited that Spiio is continuing to be a part of SavATree’s growing operations. Jerry recently oversaw an installation of Spiios at a corporate campus in the Bay Area where Arborwell manages 19 redwood trees.

19 Spiios for 19 Redwood Trees

The site where the redwoods are, is doing some reconstruction of its landscape, which means that its irrigation has to be turned off. To complicate matters, the trees’ health had already started to decline from the stress of the construction process. We’re tasked with monitoring the overall health of the trees and helping them maintain proper moisture so that they can recover,” says Jerry.

When asked about this big installation, Jerry says it was quite a task. We were training three employees at the same time which further complicated the process. 

Spiio is known among its customers for providing support all along the way—installation, troubleshooting, replacements—to make this process as easy as possible. The job was done, and Jerry reports, “we’re really happy with it.

One unit was having trouble, so they had to replace that as well. However, thankfully Spiio is known among its customers for providing support all along the way—installation, troubleshooting, replacements—to make this process as easy as possible. The job was done, and Jerry reports, “we’re really happy with it.”

Using Moisture Readings to Cope with Drought

So, why so many sensors? Depending on the conditions of the tree and its soil, explains Jerry, some trees can be particularly finicky and require more personalized maintenance. “We’ve had significant challenges on the West Coast with dry weather, and especially, most recently, dry winters.”

Many people assume that hot, dry summers are the culprit when it comes to plant stress in drought. In fact, efforts to conserve water often reflect this by restricting water during the winter to save it for the heat. However, that’s actually counterintuitive. Trees in California are accustomed to a Mediterranean climate, including its hot and dry summers. They rely on reserves of moisture built up during the winter, which is why the current pattern of dryer winters is so concerning.

This isn’t a particular issue for the redwoods in the recent installation, but in other projects, SavATree is helping to create a plan to recover trees from drought stress. Spiio data helps monitor those recovering trees that need extra care.

And what about trees that aren’t adapted to the hot, dry Mediterranean climate? Jerry says they want to fine-tune their care for those trees using Spiio’s moisture readings so that they can help customers save water. For instance, they can recommend turning off the water for a couple of weeks at a site that just got two inches of rain. “Those are things we can be developing info on to help clients.”

Using Salinity Readings to Keep Trees Healthy

Spiio’s many features allow it to adapt to the needs of a wide variety of customers. While soil temperature and light readings are key for our many customers managing turfgrass, those aren’t so necessary for SavATree, whose sensors are far underground and operate in a relatively mild climate that only occasionally needs a soil temperature check. However, features like salinity measuring become really valuable in this setting.

“Another application of Spiio data for tree care is monitoring transplanted trees in a new environment: We have to find out, are these trees salt-sensitive? For example, redwoods are a popular commercial tree on the West Coast because they are so tall and majestic. However, they are not adaptive to high saline soils. Especially during a drought, salt content builds up in the soil and can affect these trees immensely. The salinity measure on the Spiio sensor is helpful to check this.”

Especially during a drought, salt content builds up in the soil and can affect these trees immensely. The salinity measure on the Spiio sensor is helpful to check this.”

Using data from Spiio sensors, SavATree is able to make targeted and efficient agronomic decisions for its trees. For example, if the salinity sensor finds that too much salt is building up for these redwoods, SavATree has several interventions in its toolbox:

“There are certain soil amendments that help reduce salt that we can recommend and apply, depending on the Spiio readings. We can incorporate specific products into the soil to reduce high saline sites.  We can also flush the soil through with water, or we might add calcium if there’s a calcium deficiency since that also helps reduce sodium.”

Gathering Data for Long-term Agronomic Decisions

Data isn’t just a short-term benefit for tree health. “The climate always is changing, and California’s noted for always having variable weather,” notes Jerry. “Gathering data over a long period of time is one of my goals so we can compare information. Being able to monitor the information that Spiio units provide makes the process much easier. 

The climate always is changing, and California’s noted for always having variable weather, notes Jerry. “Gathering data over a long period of time is one of my goals so we can compare information

So, it’s not just about recognizing and addressing immediate needs of the trees they manage—it’s also about using that information over time to inform long-term decisions and recommendations for clients. That’s why long-time Spiio customers like SavATree are continuing to look for new ways to utilize the value of in-ground data.

Tree health has broad implications. Not only does it impact the aesthetic of a landscape, but dying trees also present a safety and liability risk. We also know how valuable trees are in contributing to an area’s environmental, physical, and mental health. Combining years of experience and expertise with timely and easily-accessible data allows SavATree to do its important work, both for its clients and for the communities where their trees live.

The post Using Spiio to Tackle Dry Winters, Check Salinity Buildup, and Improve Tree Health appeared first on Spiio.

Survey conducted by Golf Course Superintendents Association of America also shows increased implementation of water best management practices at U.S. courses

Lawrence, Kan. (July 26, 2022) – Golf courses in the U.S. used 29 percent less water in 2020, compared with usage in 2005, according to recently released survey data. The 2021 survey was conducted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and funded by the GCSAA Foundation as part of its Golf Course Environmental Profile program, which began in 2005.

The report found that U.S. golf facilities applied approximately 1.68 million acre-feet of water in 2020, a 29% reduction since 2005. Two-thirds of the reduction was likely a result of operational golf facilities applying water more efficiently.

Two-thirds of the reduction was likely a result of operational golf facilities applying water more efficiently.

The survey results from nearly 1,600 golf course superintendents were collected and independently analyzed by scientists Travis Shaddox, Ph.D., Bluegrass Art and Science LLC., and J. Bryan Unruh, Ph.D. University of Florida, and the National Golf Foundation (NGF), which published the findings for peer review before making the information public.

“Data from the 2021 water use benchmarking survey show that golf course superintendents continue to reduce water use at their facilities. The survey results indicate a 9% reduction in applied water since 2013, totaling a 29% reduction since the inaugural survey was conducted,” Unruh said. “Similarly, the median acre-feet per acre, a measure of water use efficiency, has improved by 23% since 2005.”

The most common sources of water, according to the report, were wells (32%) and lakes and ponds (23%). Less water was applied in 2020 from each water source than in 2005 except for recycled water, which accounted for 21% of water applied.

Golf course superintendents have also increased the use of best management practices (BMPs) that can lead to reductions in water usage. BMPs such as keeping turf drier, pruning tree roots, changing to a more drought-tolerant turfgrass, mulching landscape beds and increasing no-mow acres were significantly associated with reductions in applied water.

The study also provides data on average water use in the seven different agronomic regions of the country. Decreased water use was seen in every region. The greatest water use applied per acre happened in the Southwest and Upper West/Mountain – two regions that have high average temperatures and low average rainfall.

Golf course superintendents are responsible stewards of water resources, and the latest national survey results demonstrate that

Rhett Evans, CEO of GCSAA

“Golf course superintendents are responsible stewards of water resources, and the latest national survey results demonstrate that,” said Rhett Evans, CEO of GCSAA. “Superintendents are committed  to efficient water management and have implemented evidence-based best management practices that result in reduced water use. All golf facilities should maintain a BMP manual and strive for continuous improvement as water management plans are an important aspect of BMPs and overall environmental sustainability.”

As part of the third series of its Golf Course Environmental Profile program, GCSAA will publish two additional national surveys related to golf course management over the next two years.

To learn more and to see the complete survey report, read the upcoming August issue of GCSAA’s GCM magazine at gcmonline.com.

The post GCSAA NEWS: GOLF COURSES REDUCE WATER USAGE BY 29% ACCORDING TO NATIONAL SURVEY appeared first on Spiio.

Chevy Chase Country Club is a beautiful championship golf course situated near Chicago in Wheeling, Illinois. Jeremy Turton has been the course superintendent for over six years now. He brought with him about 20 years of experience, having previously been the super at the George Dunne National Golf Course in Oak Forest, IL. Before that, he worked as an assistant superintendent at Idlewild Country Club (Flossmoor, IL), Glenwoodie Golf Course (Glenwood, IL), and Thunderbird Hills Golf Course Huron, OH).

Turton’s career started, however, like many others, with a high school job on a grounds course. He attributes his initial interest in the field to that initial job, which was at a course near Cleveland. “I really enjoyed being able to see instant results from my work. I also learned a lot from the super there,” he says.

That superintendent was the one who pointed Turton toward the Turf and Turfgrass Management program at Ohio State University, where he got his degree. His initial job hunt landed him in Chicago for a couple of seasons, and the rest is history.

Challenges at Chevy Chase

“This job at Chevy Chase actually came to me,” says Turton. The course needed lots of help, and its staff and leadership trusted Turton to bring that help. “There was definitely some overwatering going on, and there wasn’t any aerifying. I don’t know that I’d ever seen greens quite like that.”

However, Turton also acknowledges that at Chevy Chase he found “the best crew I’ve worked with. They have a lot of experience, and they don’t need me to babysit them.” Together, they worked to drastically improve the course’s health and playability.

It’s been a challenging few years, to say the least. In 2017, the course experienced massive flooding and had to close for the season. Then, of course, three years later came Covid-19, which rocked the industry everywhere. However, he’s overseen progress and improvement even through these obstacles.

Spiio, Watering Efficiency, and Course Playability

One of Turton’s most recent efforts to continue improving the Chevy Chase course was to install a Spiio sensor. He decided to compare its moisture readings with the TDR readings he had been using already.

“I use Spiio as a baseline. I can see drydowns there.” He placed a sensor in a section of the green that was drying out faster than other sections. “It’s our alert,” he says. “It’s typically the first spot we have to check with the TDR, and we often have to hand water there. So, we know that as long as that spot is doing well, everywhere else is good too.”

Climate change and other large-scale factors make real-time data that much more necessary.

The primary reason Turton has for using Spiio to monitor the course is to get reliable data for water management. The goal is to decrease watering as much as possible. In addition to the expense and environmental cost of overwatering, too much moisture also leads to disease in turfgrass. Specifically on a golf course, another factor to keep in mind is playability. The turf needs to be dry enough to be firm for playing (while, of course, staying healthy enough to be sustainable.)

The Long-Term: Climate Change and the Relevance of Spiio’s Current Data

In addition to moisture, Turton also uses Spiio to check soil temperatures under 65 degrees. That temperature threshold gives him important information about when to apply fungicides.

But moisture is the biggest interest for Turton. The data from Spiio informs agronomic decisions, such as whether and how much to water, which Turton monitors by watching the decrease in moisture throughout the day.

Watering and other agronomic decisions are further impacted by larger factors like climate change. “It feels like the season is longer; fall stretches longer and winter slams harder,” notices Turton.

Watering and other agronomic decisions are further impacted by larger factors like climate change. “It feels like the season is longer; fall stretches longer and winter slams harder,” notices Turton. “That affects the impact of storms, which we are having to worry about on a more regular basis than we used to. Staying warm longer also effects our fungicide applications.”

Climate change and other large-scale factors make real-time data that much more necessary. Many highly experienced professionals in the turfgrass industry are recognizing the value of in-ground data. It’s becoming increasingly the case that what happened last year and the year before, let alone ten or twenty years ago, just might not happen this year. Those who see the value of concrete, timely data are more likely to invest in technology like Spiio to inform their agronomic decision-making.

The Short-Term: Spiio’s Impact on Staff Training, Course Playability, and Ease of Data Access

However, even aside from long-term issues like climate change, real-time data pays off here and now. A course’s playability is directly affected by its watering, and that watering has shown to be more efficient and more cost-effective when determined by relevant and current data.

Best of all, the data comes easily to the user. “The app is addictive!” admits Turton. He is one of many who really appreciates the ease of access to the most recent data, which updates regularly. These updates allow the user to quickly notice crucial trends in the soil throughout the day.

“The app is addictive!” admits Turton. These updates allow the user to quickly notice crucial trends in the soil throughout the day.

Finally, we know that no technology can completely replace the necessity of good, reliable staff. Turton has noticed that Spiio data has actually helped him in working with his staff. For example, he has a new assistant whose professional background is slightly outside the field. While his assistant is being trained on some of the intricacies of managing a golf course, it helps Turton to have demonstrable data to point to.

Right now, Turton still has already noticed its potential in the short and long term, especially when it comes to watering decisions. That kind of opportunity-oriented focus on improvement is one of the reasons that Turton and his capable staff have helped make Chevy Chase the destination that it is.

The post Golf Course Playability and Water Efficiency: Spiio Moisture Data Helps Inform Decisions at Chevy Chase appeared first on Spiio.