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GIE+Expo Feature Article

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U.S. Composting Council Feature Article
     Click Here for USCC Fall Newsletter

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Products and Product Demos

Product Demos

• Talpirid by Bell Laboratories, Inc.
• Construction by Bobcat
• Multi Terrain Loaders by Caterpillar
• BedShaper by Little Wonder
• Estate Master Lawn Sweeper by Minuteman Parker
• APEX by Nature's Wonder
• Pro's Choice by Oil Dri Corporation of America
• Advanced Grind Geometry by Oregon® Brand
• Speed-Feed by Shindaiwa
• V-twin Power by Tecumseh
• Lassenite by Western Pozzolan Corporation
• Compact Excavators by Yanmar

Education and Webinars

Webinars

• The Contractor's Time-Clock by Exaktime, Inc
• Culture by Stens Corporation
• People by Stens Corporation
• Process by Stens Corporation
• SportsTurf Managers Association

Education

• CEU Opportunity #1 STMA in San Jose, California
• CEU Opportunity #2 STMA Online Training 24,7,365
• CEU Opportunity #3 LandsConference Online 24, 7, 365

The USCC’s Seal of Testing Assurance Program (STA)
If it isn’t STA compost…….What is it?

The US Composting Council (USCC) was formed in 1990. One of the primary points of conversation during those early meetings was the question, ‘What is compost’? The answer to this question could not begin to be realized until the industry knew what specific questions to ask regarding the various properties of compost. It took the USCC another 10 years to begin to derive a scientifically valid, and the beginning of a reasonable answer, to those questions. That answer is the Seal of Testing Assurance Program (STA).

The USCC is primarily an educational organization, whose objective is to raise the level of professionalism within the composting community as well as to promote the various benefits and uses of compost. A basic understanding of what compost is was an obvious foundation of knowledge required in order to accomplish these objectives. There were no uniform, nationally accepted tests and no laboratory analysis developed to test compost prior to the year 2000. Different test labs in different parts of the US performed whatever tests that they believed were appropriate to identify the properties of compost. These tests, however, were derived from soil testing procedures. Soil testing, based primarily on a ‘dead’ mineralized material, was not and could not be indicative of what to look for in compost, a product that is alive with a variety of useful microorganisms. Significant changes were obviously needed in order to accomplish the tasks and answer this 10 year old question.

Compost research scientists and compost experts from across the US were brought into a consensus building process to address the ‘What is Compost’ question. An interchange of thoughts, theories, research and testing procedures took place via meetings, Email and telephone conversations. The end result was the development of the TMECC (Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost). This series of physical, chemical and biological testing was all designed specifically with compost in mind. It is the scientific foundation of the STA Program and it begins to answer this 18 year old question, of ‘What is Compost’.

The STA Program is a compost specific testing, labeling and information disclosure Program. It is designed to raise the professionalism of compost producers by having them test and label their product just like any other mainstream horticultural product on the market. The key elements of the STA Program include the following:
Key Elements of the STA Program:

• All enrolled manufacturers or marketers (“Participants”) will regularly sample and test their compost products based on production volumes, or as otherwise prescribed by the STA Program administrators for each product that they enroll.

• Participants will complete test analyses for the compost properties listed below and all testing required by applicable State and/or Federal regulation to assure public health/safety and environmental protection at the frequency so regulated.

• The STA suite of tests include; pH, bioassay (maturity), soluble salts, stability,
nutrient content (total N, P2O5, K2O, Ca, Mg), particle size, moisture content,
pathogens (Fecal Coliform or Salmonella), organic matter content and trace metals (EPA Part 503 regulated metals)

• All lab analyses will be conducted at laboratories which have certified that they are capable of performing the test methods specified in the Program Rules. Test methods used in the STA Program are found in the Test Methods for the Examination of Compost and Composting Manual (TMECC), jointly published by the USDA and the USCC (2002 publishing as a part of the USDA National Resource Conservation Technical Bulletin Series).

• The Participants, or their compost testing lab, will provide the appropriate lab analyses results to the USCC at the prescribed frequency.

• All Participants will make test results available to any person, upon request, using the STA Program’s “Compost Technical Data Sheet” (CTDS). The CTDS shall include:

1. detailed directions for product use (actual compost application rates     and/or depths)

2. a list of product ingredients (use directions and product ingredients shall     be provided by the STA participant)

3. analytical test results (from a certified STA test lab

• A Participant’s composting facility must certify that it is in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations with respect to the certified compost product(s), and it must remain compliant to remain in the STA Program.

• The USCC will certify an applicant’s compost product on the basis of the criteria specified in the “Program Rules”, allowing Program involvement with respect to the approved product, and use of the STA Program Logo and promotional opportunities. If a compost manufacturer or marketer represents multiple facilities, the compost product from each individual facility requires separate enrollment in the Program.

It should be obvious that the cost and operational responsibility required under STA Program Rules is significant to a compost producer. This is intentional with the goals being to increase both consumer confidence and the ultimate success of compost use in the field. STA Program compost should:

• Improve field results (decrease failures in the field) - provides end users with the product quality and application information they need to use compost properly, and for optimum results

• Helps end users identify customer-oriented composters - helps end users identify composters who are rigorously testing their compost products and providing end-use information

• Improve customer satisfaction - assists compost end users make more informed purchasing decisions

Please visit the US Composting Council website at: www.compostingcouncil.org, and click on ‘STA’ under the Programs header to learn more about this valuable and exclusive Program managed by the USCC. You’ll also find a list of all of the participating STA compost producers and certified labs on this site.

Please plan a visit to the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, scheduled for January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX if you really want to learn more about compost production, use and all of the related issues and current information on all things compost and organics. This is the Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste & Organics Recycling Industry. Nowhere else will you have the opportunity to interact with more industry professionals from the organics industry. This conference will give you a tremendous opportunity for education, professional growth & career advancement.
 
Conference Highlights Include:  more than 100 educational and technical presentations and workshops on every aspect of Composting & the Benefits and Applications of Compost Use, Anaerobic Digestion and other Alternative Treatment Technologies, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Organics & Composting, Carbon Credits, Energy from Organics, & Renewable Energy; 11 pre-conference training courses; the largest exhibition of composting and organics recycling equipment, products, systems and services with more than 100 exhibitors; Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ manufacturers at the New Earth Compost Facility, "Tools of the Trade" workshop: the 5th annual Showcase of compost products; the 3rd annual "experts corner"; certification exams & CEU's for members of SWANA, ASLA, & P.E.'s ; raffles and giveaways of thousands of $'s worth of USCC publications & much more. Join us for the most important Composting & Organics Recycling event of 2009!

 

The USCC is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development, expansion and promotion of the composting industry in the U.S.The USCC also directs the Composting Council Research and Education Foundation (CCREF), a charitable foundation, which administers public and private research and education activities. For more information about the composting industry and membership in the USCC, visit www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC office at 631.737.4931.

 

 

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Fall Newsletter

Online Registration Open for GIE+EXPO 2009

Online registration is now open for the 2009 GIE+EXPO (the Green Industry & Equipment Expo) in Louisville October 29-31.  Go to www.gie-expo.com for updates on events and features planned for the tradeshow.

Warren Sellers, show director, said many of the event’s popular features will return, including the three-day outdoor demonstration area, free concerts, the Dealer Club and the Green Industry Conference.  He said plans are in the works for new surprises, which will be announced through the media and the website.

Kevin O’Donnell, superintendent of grounds at Villanova University was one of the 19,000 participants at the 2008 show.  “GIE+EXPO is an effective use of my time because not only do I see products and equipment I can use immediately at my facility but I also see equipment that I didn’t know existed,” he said.  “The show sparks ideas that will help me in the future.  It is an opportunity to look at equipment, ask questions and touch it …I’m always trying to provide better value to my employer.  Seeing the diversity of new products helps with that.  For example, I found commercial-quality Christmas decorations at the ’08 show.  You would have to attend many trade shows to find the diversity of products available at GIE+EXPO.”

One of the 625 exhibitors in 2008, Tony Czubernat, vice president sales & marketing at American Brick Saw Co., said, “If you believe in networking and making contacts, this is the show for you!”
 

GIE+EXPO is sponsored annually by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) and Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS).  It is now the 14th largest tradeshow in America, according to Trade Show Executive magazine.

For information about GIE+EXPO 2009, set for Oct. 29-31 in Louisville at the Kentucky Exposition Center, go to www.gie-expo.com or call Sellers Expositions, 800-558-8767 or 812-949-9200.

 

Drawing Winners at GIE+Expo.

By Steven Jay Porus, Green Industry Education

Green Industry Education had drawings for both Exhibitors and Attendees at the GIE+Expo in Louisville Kentucky. The winners are as follows.

Exhibitor Product Demo winners:
• Mel Limon of Flame Engineering Inc.
• Bill Berlin of Hydra-Flex Inc.
• Gregg Warfel of A.S.V. Inc.

Attendee online training winners:
• Rey Castillo of Precision Landscape Management
• Jay Murray of Tender Lawn Care Ltd.
• Tom Weingartz of Power Equipment Distributors Inc
• Richard Piper of GSP Airport International
• Kim Kellogg of Grasshopper Property Maintenance Inc.
• Andre Rolaf Jr. of Rolaf Lawns and Landscaping Service Inc.
• Ellen Newell of Arizona State University
• Greg Nerby of Greg's Lawn Care
• Ed Klaas of Georgia Irriagtion Association
• David Tumminello of Professional Landscape Service Inc.
• Arun Aggarwal of Rent A Gardner Inc.
• Matt Walbring of Custom Turf Inc.
• Kenneth Jenkins of J&A Properties LLC
• Corey Ruff of Abilene Christian University
• Doug McIntosh of McIntosh Grounds Maintenance Inc.

 

View Bell Labs Demo  

Sales Email, Bell Laboratories, Inc.

TALPIRID is the first and only mole bait designed, developed and scientifically proven to kill moles. It mimics the mole’s natural food source, the earthworm. One worm can kill in 24 hours.

 

View Bobcat Demo  

Sales Email, Bobcat Company

No other manufacturer offers so many solutions to maximize your return on investment. Bobcat® interchangeable attachments let you do more and make more money. Our panoramic serviceability provides easy access for maintenance and repairs.

 

View Caterpillar Demo  

Sales Email, Caterpillar, Inc.

It doesn't take long to recognize the added value of Cat® Multi Terrain Loaders (MTLs). Find out some of the various operating strategies and maintenance steps at our Product Demo.

 

View HydroPoint's WeatherTRAK ET plus Demo  

Sales Email, HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc.

WeatherTRAK smart ET controllers adjust irrigation automatically as local weather changes. Achieve healthier landscapes while you and your customers save money, time and water.

 

View Little Wonder BedShaper Product Demo  

Sales Email, Little Wonder.

The Little Wonder BedShaper cuts crisp clean edges, tree rings, even “S” curves up to 100 feet per minute.  Cut costs nearly as fast as you cut edges with the Little Wonder BedShaper.

 

View Minuteman Parker Product Demo  

Sales Email, Minuteman Parker

The Estate Master Lawn Sweeper is a real workhorse for professional applications. A configurations of three Suburbanite Sweepers operating together from Minuteman Parker
is considered the ultimate lawn sweeper performer.

 

View Nature's Wonder Product Demo  

Sales Email, Nature's Wpmder

 

The organic compounds found in APEX-10 contain structures that can complex metals, oxidize and reduce elements, while enhancing or reducing the uptake of nutrients by plants andsoil microorganisms. Through low pH extraction and the natural evolution of selected peat, APEX-10 provides the elements for a complete organic uniformed product.

 

View Oregon® Brands Product Demo  

Sales Email, Oregon Cutting Systems Group

Faster out of the box, see what advanced grind geometry can do for you. Go to Oregonchain.com for a complete lookup of over 7000 quality replacement parts and more information about the Oregon® brand.

 

View Pro's Choice Product Demo 

Sales Email, Pro's Choice

Pro Mound® packing clay, delivers all-star performance on the mound and in the batter’s box by bonding to form a solid subsurface player’s can really dig into and holds up season after season.

View Shindaiwa Speed-Feed™ Demo

Sales Email, Shindaiwa, Inc.

The average time to reload line from container in to the trimmer head is 30 seconds or less!.

 

View Tecumseh V-twin Power Demo 

Sales Email, Tecumseh Engine & Transmission Group.

Re-power tractors and ZTRs with Tecumseh V-twin power at a fraction of the cost of original replacement. Contact your Tecumseh Distributor for details on the OV691EA re-power promotion.

View Valvette System's LittleValve Product Demo 

Sales Email, Valvette Systems Corporation

LittleValve products are retrofittable sprinkler parts that make ordinary sprinklers into the best they can be with great labor savings, substantial inventory reduction and huge water savings due to higher uniformity and elimination of overspray.

View Western Pozzolan Corporation's Product Demo 

Sales Email, Western Pozzalan Corporation

The Benefits of Using Lassenite:
Reduce the frequency of watering. Reduce labor costs. Increase quality and quantity of yields.
Reduce fertilizer consumption. Accelerate blooming and optimize maturation. Reduce compaction. Promote deeper roots. Reduce energy costs associated with irrigation.

View Yanmar's Product Demo 

Sales Email, Yanmar America Corp.

Yanmar's result-sized (TM) compact excavators and strong, single-frame CBL40 Compact Loader Backhoe are designed to meet your needs.  Eleven compact excavator models.  Seven with True Zero Tail Swing. The CBL40 sets class leading performance and durability standards.

 

View Exaktime, Inc. Webinar: The Contractor's Time-clock

Contact by Email, Exaktime, Inc.

Every Jobclock system that we ship out each day is custom designed for the business that orders it. In just a few minutes on the phone, we'll customize a Jobclock System to fit your business and give you complete pricing for your system.

 

View Stens Corporation Webinar: Session 1 - Culture  

Sales Email, Stens Corporation.

Stens works to help your business run better by offering helpful strategies for building your business and providing you with one source for all your replacement parts needs.  Stens carries a wide variety of original and replacement parts for outdoor power equipment including oil and air filters, bearings, belts, blades, chainsaw parts, lubricants, spindles, starters, tires, trimmer heads, trimmer line, safety equipment and other small engine parts.

 

View Stens Corporation Webinar: Session 2 - People 

Sales Email, Stens Corporation.

Stens works to help your business run better by offering helpful strategies for building your business and providing you with one source for all your replacement parts needs.  Stens carries a wide variety of original and replacement parts for outdoor power equipment including oil and air filters, bearings, belts, blades, chainsaw parts, lubricants, spindles, starters, tires, trimmer heads, trimmer line, safety equipment and other small engine parts.

 

View Stens Corporation Webinar: Session 3 - Process 

Sales Email, Stens Corporation.

Stens works to help your business run better by offering helpful strategies for building your business and providing you with one source for all your replacement parts needs.  Stens carries a wide variety of original and replacement parts for outdoor power equipment including oil and air filters, bearings, belts, blades, chainsaw parts, lubricants, spindles, starters, tires, trimmer heads, trimmer line, safety equipment and other small engine parts.

 

View STMA Webinar: The First 25 Years 

Sales Email, STMA Official Site.

 

The SportsTurf Managers Association celebrates their 25th Anniversary in Orlando Florida.

For more information, please contact STMA at (800) 366-0391.

 

Turfgrasses, Carbon Dioxide and Global Warming (Part 2 of 2)
Thomas J. Samples, Ph.D. - Plant Sciences Department, The University of Tennessee

More than 49 million acres of urban land in the U.S. are covered by turfgrasses (h). After absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere, turfgrasses produce, or synthesize, a number of sugars that can be transported to, and eventually become a part of, plant roots. Sequestered C in turfgrass soils is often a combination of decomposing roots and shoots that have been mixed with soil.

Research indicates that turfgrasses may sequester up to 800 pounds of atmospheric C per acre per year (l). Based on this estimate, urban turfgrasses in the U.S. could remove about 20 million tons of C from the atmosphere annually (e).

Researchers Ronald F. Follett (USDA-ARS Soil-Plant-Nutrient Research Unit, Ft. Collins, CO) and Yaling L. Qian (Dep. of Hortic. and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO) are studying the impact of turfgrasses on C levels in soil. They report that, in Colorado, four years after turf establishment, about 14 to 16 percent of the soil organic C (SOC) at a depth from 0 to 4 inches, and 7 to 11 percent of the SOC at a depth of 4 to 8 inches, came from turfgrasses (l). Fine fescue and creeping bentgrass sequestered more C than Kentucky bluegrass (l). In a previous study of 15 golf courses near Denver and Ft. Collins, CO, and one golf course near Saratoga, WY, research results show that, after turfgrasses are established, C sequestration continues for up to 31 years in fairways and 45 years in putting greens (m). Most rapid SOC increases take place during the first 25 to 30 years (m). 

Trade-in, greenhouse gas 'offsets' paid by companies and individuals worldwide may total more than $100 million this year (n). The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute suggests that homeowners managing lawns may not need to look any further for a C offset than their own back yard (I). According to a research report by Ranajit Sahu, turfgrass in an average-managed lawn removes four times more C from the air, and a well-managed lawn, five to seven times more C from the air, than is produced by today's typical lawn mower (o).

Perhaps the efforts of golf course superintendents, homeowners, landscapers, lawn care professionals, parks and recreation department employees and sports turf managers to improve the overall quality of turf are more beneficial and important than ever before.

References:

a. Anonymous. 2008. Carbon services- We’re involved. Schlumberger. http://www.slb.com

b. Anonymous. 2007. Cold storage solution for global warming? Carbon dioxide could be frozen in underground reservoirs. ScienceNews. February. http://www.sciencedaily.com

c. Anonymous. 2008. Geologic sequestration research. Fossil energy. U. S. Dept. of Energy. http://www.fe.doe.gov

d. Anonymous. 2003. Watching brief: Ocean carbon sequestration. Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission of UNESCO. Scientific Committee on Ocean Research. http://ioc.unesco.org 

e. Bremer, D. 2007. Carbon sequestration in turfgrass: An eco-friendly benefit of your lawn. TurfNews. Kansas Turfgrass Foundation Newsletter, October.

f. Gutro, R. 2003. NASA study solves ocean plant mystery. Goddard Space Flight Center. August. http://www.nasa.gov

g. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007: Climate Change 2007: The physical science basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.L. Miller (Eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.

h. Kent, S., G. Morris, K. McConnaughay and S. Morris. 2007. Carbon sequestration in urban turf soils. ASA, CSSA and SSA International Annual Meetings. 98-8.

I. Kiser, K. 2008. For carbon offset, look no further than your own backyard. Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. http://www.opei.org

j. Luoma, J. 2008. Greenhouse graveyard: New progress for big global warming fix. Popular Mechanics. July. http://www.popularmechanics.com

k. Preuss, P. 2001. Climate change scenarios compel studies of ocean carbon storage. Science Beat. Berkeley Lab. http://www.lbl.gov

l. Qian, Y. and R. Follett. 2008. Soil organic carbon input from urban turfgrasses. 2008 Joint Meeting of the Geological Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies with the Gulf Coast Section of SEPM. 68-2.

m. Qian, Y. and R. F. Follett. 2002. Assessing soil carbon sequestration in turfgrass systems using long-term soil testing data. American Society of Agronomy. Agron. J.: 94:930-935.

n. Revkin, A.C. 2007. Carbon neutral is hip, but is it green? New York Times. April 29.

o. Sahu, R. 2008. Research report: Technical assessment of the carbon sequestration potential of managed turfgrass in the United States. Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc. http://www.opei.org

p. Zalasiewicz, J., M. Williams, A. Smith, T.L. Barry, A.L. Coe, P.R. Bown, P. Brenchley, D. Cantrill, A. Gale, P. Gibbard, F.J. Gregory, M.W. Hounslow, A.C. Kerr, P. Pearson, R. Knox, J. Powell, C. Waters, J. Marshall, M. Oates, P. Rawson, and P. Stone. 2008. Are we now living in the Anthropocene? The Geological Society of America. GSA Today. 18(2): pp. 4-8. http://www.gsajournals.org

 

 

Hustler Turf Equipment's 2 and 3 Bag Catchers

Easy-on, easy-off blower and hopper assemblies. 3 Bag Catcher holds 12 bushels and fits Hustler Zs and Super Zs. 2 Bag Catcher for the FasTrak holds eight bushels.

Phone: (620)327-4911

Web: www.hustlerturf.com

 

The Estate Master Lawn Sweeper

The Estate Master Lawn Sweeper is a real workhorse for professional applications. A configurations of three Suburbanite Sweepers operating together from Minuteman Parker is considered the ultimate lawn sweeper performer.

Phone: (630) 627-6900

Web: www.parkersweeper.com

 

LawnShark's High-performance Leaf and Litter Collection System

LawnShark effectively collects, chops and stores wet and dry leaves, dead grass, sticks, pinecones, pine needles, paper and plastic debris and aluminum cans. Features include 42" clearing width wet or dry: a 6-blade mulching impeller for high reduction rate, variable speed dual hydrostatic transmission, 13 or 17 HP Kawasaki electric start engine, adjustable deck height for thatching and hard surface capabilities, 1/4 yard easy dump zipper-less bag, suction hose with wand and mulching shoot are available. Currently there are two models being produced, a Heavy Duty Commercial model and a Light Duty Commercial model.

Phone: (866) 904-9071

Web: www.lawnsharkusa.com

 

Sportsfield Specialties GroomAll®

From infill decompaction to sweeping, the FieldSpec® line of products addresses the needs of today's demanding sports venues. The Groomer, Drag Brush, Hydraulic Sweeper and the all-in-one GroomAll® system has been designed to meet not only safety and aestheic demands but also to address efficiency, ease of use and flexibility for the end user.

Phone: (888) 975.3343

Web: www.sportsfieldspecialties.com

 

Cyclone Rake XL

The all-new Cyclone Rake XL is the most advanced and powerful machine we’ve ever offered. It blasts through the heaviest fall debris and keeps summer lawns groomed like a carpet. If you have tough work to do, the XL is your answer.

Phone: (888) 531-7253

Web: www.cyclonerake.com

 

STMA Conference 2009 in Review

By Steven Jay Porus, Green Industry Education

Review of the STMA's 2009 Conference in San Jose , California. STMA management, exhibitors and attendees talk about this incredible event.

View Episode 4002.

 

Golf Industry Show
February 5-7, 2009
New Orleans, Louisiana USA

The Golf Industry Show is an innovative trade show designed for the owners/operators of golf facilities, and the professional members of the golf course and club management industries. Featuring the largest exhibit floor in the industry, the event combines education, networking and solutions for golf course superintendents, owners/operators, general managers, chief operating officers, architects and builders.

The Golf Industry Show is presented by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), along with supporting organizations, the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and the National Golf Foundation (NGF). The 2009 event will take place Feb. 5 - 7 in New Orleans, La.

About Education conferences

Along with the show, GCSAA, NGCOA and CMAA will be presenting their annual education conferences -- GCSAA's Education Conference will take place Feb. 2 - 7, NGCOA's Annual Conference will be held Feb. 3 - 7 and CMAA's World Conference on Club Management will be held Feb. 5 - 10.

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