It's not all politics

Just as it did two years ago, BASF is holding its media day (which happens to be today) in Washington, D.C. At lunch this afternoon, Bruce Knight, the undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs at USDA, addressed our group, discussing, among other things, the torturous path the Farm Bill has taken this year. However, that's just about the only piece of political discourse I've heard since I got here yesterday.

The title for the media day is "Innovate 08: Research to reality." The folks at BASF are excited about innovation and how scientific research can improve the insulation in your house (which can reduce your carbon footprint), the car you drive (it should be electric), the food you eat (you need those omega-3 fatty acids), and yes, the health of your turf and ornamentals.

Today BASF announced the release of Drive XLR8, a liquid formulation of Drive 75 DF herbicide. Grassy and broadleaf weeds absorb the liquid formulation faster, so that the product is rainfast within 30 minutes. The new formulation should allow superintendents more flexibility in their pest management programs.

The company is looking toward the future and foresees several new products on the turf and ornamental side. The biggest news is the herbicide Kixor, which is designed to pick up where glyphosate leaves off, that is, control glyphosate-resistant broadleaf and grassy weeds. Kixor was developed for agricultural use, but products for use in turf are expected to follow the release of the ag products.

As I was writing this post, I had to break for dinner at the Hay-Adams Hotel. We ate on the rooftop and had a beautiful view of the White House, the

Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. When I started the post, I said I hadn't heard much about politics -- well, all that changed tonight. Charlie Cook, publisher and editor of the Cook Political Report, gave his nonpartisan view of the upcoming presidential contest. McCain and Obama will be in a very tight race. You heard it here first.

Tomorrow is another very early morning because I need to catch a plane back home. I've had a lovely stay in our nation's capital meeting with ag and turf and ornamental editors from all over the country and BASF folks from the U.S. and Germany. Now it's time to get back home to Lawrence, Kan., and GCSAA.