Category: artificial grass

  • What a Modern Horse Deworming Schedule Looks Like

    A modern horse deworming schedule is built around three principles:

    1. Testing before treating
    2. Adjusting frequency based on risk
    3. Timing treatments to parasite life cycles

    Instead of deworming all horses the same way, owners evaluate each horse individually. Many adult horses turn out to be low parasite shedders and require minimal intervention.

    This approach reduces costs, lowers chemical exposure, and helps preserve the effectiveness of available medications.

    Why Location and Management Matter in the U.S.

    Parasite pressure varies widely across the United States.

    • Horses in warm, humid regions often face longer parasite seasons
    • Northern climates may have more seasonal risk
    • Overcrowded pastures increase exposure
    • Regular manure removal lowers parasite load

    A small private pasture with one or two horses carries far less risk than a busy boarding barn with frequent new arrivals. That difference directly affects how often deworming is needed.

  • What Are Horse Dewormers?

    Most horses in the U.S. only need deworming one to three times per year, based on fecal egg counts, age, and risk level. Routine deworming every 6–8 weeks is no longer recommended because it accelerates parasite resistance and often provides no added health benefit.

    What Are Horse Dewormers?

    Horse dewormers are medicines that control internal parasites. These include roundworms, strongyles, bots, and tapeworms.

    These parasites live in a horse’s gut. If left untreated, they can cause weight loss, dull coats, colic, diarrhea, and poor performance.

    Dewormers do not remove parasites forever. They lower parasite levels so the horse’s body can stay healthy.

    Veterinarians now stress that dewormers are tools, not supplements used on a fixed schedule.

    What Are Horse Dewormers Used For?

    Horse dewormers help in several important ways.

    They:

    • Lower parasite levels that affect digestion
    • Help prevent illness and colic
    • Protect young and weak horses
    • Reduce parasite spread in pastures
    • Help keep deworming drugs effective long-term

    When used the right way, dewormers support horse health and farm balance.

  • How Often Should You Deworm a Horse in the U.S.?

    For decades, many U.S. horse owners followed a simple rule: deworm every six to eight weeks. It was easy, predictable, and widely recommended. Today, that advice no longer reflects how parasites behave—or how horses stay healthiest.

    Modern research shows that most horses do not need frequent deworming. In fact, over-deworming is now one of the biggest contributors to drug-resistant parasites, a growing problem across American barns and farms.

    So how often should you deworm a horse in the U.S.?
    The answer depends on age, parasite risk, management style, and fecal testing, not a calendar reminder.

    This guide explains what a modern horse deworming schedule looks like, why it changed, and how to protect your horse without unnecessary treatments.

  • Climate Change and the Effect on the Shipping Industry

    Shipping’s Contribution to Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

    It may not seem so significant numerically, but shipping still contributes roughly 3% of emissions, specifically greenhouse gases. The sector faces important demands to reduce this figure, thus diminishing its environmental impact.

    Policy Pressure and Workforce Implications

    Governments enforcing policy, which affect how companies and corporations must tackle their emissions output, will undoubtedly have challenges when offering maritime jobs to future employees. Maintaining current staff benefits and contract terms for new workers may create uncertainty for all stakeholders. Alternatively, new vacancies in clerical and administration may become possible considering the new demands placed on companies.

  • How Much Sub-Base Is Required?

    Before installing your synthetic lawn, you need to acquire the necessary materials — and that includes sub-base. But how much sub-base do you need for the job? Well, that depends on how much of your yard you plan to transform with artificial turf. Although the of sub-case needed can vary, we’ve put together a general guideline to get you started in the right direction:

    • A minimum of 2” of sub-base is recommended for residential turf installation. This offers enough of a base for drainage, durability, and added stability.
    • For commercial turf installation jobs, you’ll likely need closer to a 3” to 4” sub-base due to the higher volume of foot traffic.

    To ensure you’ve procured the proper amount of sub-base, consult a turf installation professional. If you’re looking to install artificial grass in your backyard but are unsure where to get started, look no further. Our skilled team can guide you through the synthetic turf installation process and recommend the best sub-base material for your landscape — providing you with fake grass that will look great for many years to come!

  • What is the Best Base for Artificial Grass?

    When installing artificial turf in your yard, it isn’t as simple as unrolling the turf and placing it over top of your natural lawn. Instead, there’s prep work that needs to be done to ensure your synthetic grass is installed correctly and maintains its luxurious appearance. Before enhancing your lawn with artificial turf, you need to remove the natural lawn or whatever material is on the ground to create a clear and solid foundation for application. After leveling out the area of installation, you need to install a base material for artificial turf.

    This base material, also known as a sub-base, is a layer that goes between the ground and the synthetic turf to create a level and stable structure. Do you need to install a sub-base? Are there multiple materials for laying artificial grass? What is the best base layer artificial grass? Keep reading for the answers to all these artificial lawn base questions and more.

  • Planning for 2025: Trends and Strategies for Success

    As the landscaping and hardscaping industries continue to evolve, artificial grass is fast becoming a cornerstone in outdoor design and development. What once was seen as a niche product is now a must-have for landscape, hardscape, and irrigation professionals. This shift is driven by a growing demand for sustainable, low-maintenance solutions in both residential and commercial projects. At Turf Distributors, we’re focused on supporting our channel partners to capitalize on these trends through our logistics expertise, product quality, and commitment to customer success.

    The Growing Demand for Artificial Grass

    In recent years, the artificial grass market has seen steady growth, with projections showing this trend will continue well into 2025. The global artificial turf market was valued at $2.9 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% from 2022 to 2028 . The North American market, in particular, has seen increased demand, driven by water shortages, the desire for eco-friendly landscaping, and the ongoing pursuit of low-maintenance outdoor spaces.

    Artificial grass is no longer just for sports fields or decorative purposes—it has become a core element in modern landscape design. For irrigation and hardscape professionals, offering artificial turf as part of their service is becoming essential to meet customer demands. Homeowners and commercial property owners alike are seeking long-lasting, realistic turf that requires minimal water and maintenance.

  • Optimize Your Online Presence

    Many contractors research products online before visiting a store. As you know, a well-optimized digital presence ensures you’re the first stop in their search.

    • Showcase Artificial Grass in Your Online Catalog: Include high-quality images, detailed specs, and application examples for each product.
    • Publish Educational Content: Share blogs, installation guides, and how-to videos that help contractors make informed decisions. Topics like “Choosing the Right Artificial Grass for Your Project” are great starting points.
    • Enable Online Ordering: If possible, allow contractors to order samples, schedule deliveries, or even purchase directly from your website.

  • Making Playgrounds Accessible with ASTM F1951-Compliant Artificial Grass

    If you’re adding artificial grass to a playground, making sure it meets ASTM F1951 standards is key to keeping the space accessible for everyone, including individuals using wheelchairs and other mobility devices. While artificial grass can be designed to meet these standards, the whole installation—including the base, infill, and transitions—needs to be done right to ensure compliance. 

    What is ASTM F1951 and Why Does It Matter? 

    ASTM F1951 measures how easy it is for wheelchairs to move across a surface. Just having ASTM F1951-certified artificial grass isn’t enough—the entire system, from the base to the edges, plays a role in making sure the surface is safe and accessible.

    Key Factors for Compliance

    1. Stability and Firmness

    1.  
    • The surface needs to be solid and supportive, so mobility devices don’t sink or get stuck. 
    • A well-compacted base and evenly applied infill help maintain stability over time.

    2. Pile Height and Infill Choices

    1.  
    • Shorter pile heights (typically 1.25 inches or less) make it easier to move across the surface. 
    • Infills, such as sand or coated rubber granules, should be evenly spread to prevent uneven areas. 
    • If infill is too loose or deep, it can make movement difficult.
  • Advantages and disadvantages of artificial turf

    Artificial turf has become popular for several reasons, especially in areas where natural grass surfaces can be difficult to maintain.

    Here are some of its main advantages:

    Low maintenance

    One of the main advantages of artificial grass is that it requires less maintenance compared to natural grass. No watering, fertilizing or mowing is needed, saving both time and resources.

    Durability and wear resistance

    Artificial grass can be used all year round, regardless of weather conditions. It is particularly useful in cold or rainy regions where natural grass pitches often become muddy and unusable during certain periods.

    Smooth surface

    Artificial turf provides a consistent playing experience, free from the unevenness that can occur on natural grass pitches. This makes it a popular choice for professional sports fields.

    Low water consumption

    In water-scarce areas, artificial turf is an environmentally friendly option as it requires little or no irrigation.

    Versatility

    Artificial turf can be adapted for different sports and activities. There are specially designed grass types for everything from football to tennis and golf.

    Artificial turf also has drawbacks to consider, such as the environmental impact of fossil plastics and the release of microplastics from infill materials – unless it is degradable and bio-based. Installation is costly despite lower maintenance costs, and the pitch can get uncomfortably hot in direct sunlight. Artificial turf has a limited lifespan of 8-15 years and does not always provide the same playing feel as natural grass, which some athletes prefer.