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Scots Turf Gets Bigger and Better for 2024

in News, Press Release/by CharmianRobson

Scots Turf Gets Bigger and Better for 2024: Following the resounding success of its inaugural year, the Scots Turf Show is returning to Hamilton Park Racecourse, promising an expanded exhibitor list and more education opportunities.

The second edition of Scots Turf will take place on 6th March 2024 at Hamilton Park Racecourse, featuring exhibitors such as Campey Turf Care, AllGrass, Dennis, SIS Pitches and John Deere.

Scots Turf Gets Bigger and Better for 2024

One of the most notable enhancements for 2024 is the substantial increase in exhibitors from an initial 16 to an impressive 50. This growth speaks volumes about the event’s popularity and ability to attract key players in the turf industry. The expanded exhibitor line-up ensures a diverse array of products, services, and expertise on display, making Scots Turf a comprehensive hub for all things turf related.

Alongside fellow Scots Turf Founding Committee member Alan Thomson, Sales Manager SIS Pitches, Campey Product Specialist Richard Heywood, has worked hard to bring this event to Scotland and is excited to see its early success and where it can go in the future.

“The Scots Turf Show was designed to bring the trade to the Scottish Turf community, and it has quickly done that with a lot of success,” Richard said.

“Whilst it is primarily for Scotland, it’s an event that is open to everyone, and I think the developments we’re making demonstrates the show’s progress.

“As we enter our second year, the increased number of exhibitors reflects the growing importance of this event in the industry, and we’re already excited for our advancements in 2025, where we will increase the area for indoor exhibitors.”

Scots Turf holds particular significance for the Scottish Turf community, serving as a pivotal platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and industry collaboration. The event brings together professionals, suppliers, and enthusiasts from various corners of turf management and provides a valuable opportunity for the grounds community in Scotland.

Feedback from the previous year has been taken onboard about the seminar programme, and the Show will again strive to provide the most relevant, valuable and comprehensive educational opportunities to those attending.

Registration is free via Eventbrite, with the first 500 guests receiving a bacon sandwich and tea/coffee on arrival.

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MP Gets a Look at High-Tech Facilities

in News, Press Release/by Admin

MP Gets a Look at High-Tech Facilities: Local MP, Tom Tugendhat, got a first-hand look at the work Hadlow College is doing to inspire the next generation of students when he visited the College’s state-of-the-art glasshouse.

Constructed in 2022, the glasshouse plays an integral part in horticulture courses and features cutting edge technology, including:

MP Gets a Look at High-Tech Facilities

Suspended gutters running hydroponics for tomatoes and peppers in separate houses
LED and High Pressure sodium lighting
Vertical growing farm
Latest environmental control computers – PRIVA
Fogging systems for plant propagation
Dedicated space for individual glasshouse research
Outdoor standing down beds for shrub and herbaceous plant production
New structures for seasonal bedding plant production

Students work alongside practitioners from leading industry grower Thanet Earth to develop their skills and produce hydroponic tomatoes in the Venlo glasshouse.

The tomatoes are grown on a rockwool system using the industry training system known as layering. Scissor lifts are employed to allow students under supervision to work on the crop at height to carry out all the necessary cultural requirements of the crop. Biological control is used to control any unwanted pests, these are populations of beneficial insects.

The Venlo glasshouse is operated using PRIVA environmental control computers which also control the vertical growing farm where students grow a range of salad crops from seed and harvested as micro leaves in as little as three weeks for some crops.

A misting unit is also built into the glasshouse for the propagation of a wide range of plants from both stem cuttings and seeds with the aim of these finished plants being sold at pop-up plant sales which take place every Wednesday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm at the College outside the glasshouse.

Tom Tugendhat, Member of Parliament for Tonbridge and Malling, enjoyed his visit, saying: “The new glasshouse offers a brilliant opportunity for students to work alongside and learn from the fantastic team at Thanet Earth and I’m sure it will go a long way in supporting their development.”

“It is fantastic to see investment into our community like this. I had a great time visiting the new glasshouse at Hadlow College and it really shows how invested they are in our community.”

Chris Lydon, Vice Principal of Hadlow College, said: “We are proud to be working with Thanet Earth to produce tomatoes in our new Venlo glasshouse. This unique partnership gives students the best opportunities to develop their skills working alongside current practitioners from a leading industry grower and the produce from the tomato crop is used on site in our own student eatery and also distributed by Fair Share.”

Rob James, Technical Director of Thanet Earth added: “We have a long standing relationship with Hadlow going back to 2011 when we set up our first Fellowship with the college, the facilities we now have on site are perfect for nurturing the next generation of experts in our industry.”

The glasshouse illustrates a commitment from the College to regenerative farming and horticulture, using practices that minimize harm to the environment.

Unveiled earlier this year, the College also has a ‘robotic orchard and vineyard’.

This two-hectare area, showcases the latest technology including automated AI management systems, a state of the art irrigation, fertigation and frost protection system and automated fruit picking.

The crops are grown with sustainability in mind at all times. Drones are used to monitor bud set, predict yields and monitor the growth of the crop allowing precise applications of nutrition, pest and disease control methods to be used.

Sensors installed throughout the orchard monitor, amongst other things, moisture, relative humidity, PAR and rain fall.

To learn more about Thanet Earth, visit their website www.thanetearth.com

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Suståne gets top marks from Farleigh School

in News, Press Release/by Louise Challiss

Suståne gets top marks from Farleigh School: More than a decade on from the switch to an organic feeding programme, the grounds team at Farleigh School in Hampshire are receiving more praise than ever before!

Staff, parents and pupils alike have cited how surfaces across the 70-acre site are providing consistent presentation and performance, despite the challenging climatic conditions, which Grounds Manager and Sports Coach Shaun Crowley attributes to the reliable results from 18-1-8+Fe and 5-2-4+Fe from Suståne.

Suståne gets top marks from Farleigh School

“While we weren’t initially pressured to explore the organic route, it was something my predecessor and I were keen on – not just for the environmental benefits but considering the safety element for the children and the flexibility it provided on application rates. We have a packed schedule both during and between term-times so getting feed down without pupils around was challenging” explains Shaun, who has been Sports Coach at Farleigh School since 2011 and took over the role of Grounds Manager three years ago. “Russell Riley from Suståne came in 12 years ago and it became clear that as long as we could catch a bit of favourable weather, we would be able to apply the product more flexibly which has been a great benefit ever since.”

Starting on the cricket squares, before finding uses on the outfields and lawned areas, Shaun and his team of five have found the combination of 18-1-8+Fe and 5-2-4+Fe delivers exactly what they need – namely a kickstart in spring, followed by consistent health, colour and growth without flushes. “We’ll apply the 18-1-8+Fe when the temperatures rise, ideally March or April, to get the cricket surfaces ready for the summer season. We’ll then carry out three to four applications of the 5-2-4+Fe annually which we see as a ‘maintainer’, again on our cricket squares and on our Headmaster’s lawn area.”

Suståne 18-1-8+Fe is a two-part blend combining Suståne organic with urea nitrogen for enhanced and long-lasting colour, ideal for fine turf and sports turf applications, lawns and landscaping. Combining four forms of Nitrogen, including three types of slow-release, 18-1-8+Fe provides economical results over a 12-16 week period. 5-2-4+Fe is the original Suståne formula, providing a mix of nutrients for greater root development, increased soil porosity and stability and even colour and growth. Fully compostable, 5-2-4+Fe has also demonstrated outstanding disease suppression on wide variety of turfgrass diseases, including Red Thread, in trials.

“We know what we need from the Suståne products, we know when and where to apply them, and we know that they work. Russell is also a great person to have on the end of the phone. He pops in to make sure we’re on track and has given us some great advice for improving growth on some of our more problematic heavy-clay areas.” Shaun concludes, “I know it’s a phrase that gets used a lot, but these Suståne fertilisers do exactly what they say on the tin!”

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Mansfield Sand gets the game on

in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

Mansfield Sand gets the game on: Paul Loader, Site Co-ordinator for Worcestershire FA, believes that MM40 from Mansfield Sand has helped to prevent several games from being cancelled due to bad weather.

An ambitious site move recently signalled Worcestershire FA’s commitment to providing a space for football to develop in the county. The new state of the art site, situated at Claines Lane, Worcester, now plays host to several local football teams including Worcester City FC.

Mansfield Sand gets the game on

With the new facility up and running, the games quickly came thick and fast, and the turf naturally received a lot of wear and tear. There was, however, a key ingredient missing from the pitch according to Paul.

“This pitch is clay based so when it is wet it takes a long time to dry out. Also, the pitch doesn’t have any drainage and therefore an application of sand was recommended by a company I work quite closely with.

“It was something we had never properly used before, so we decided to go ahead with it.”

It was at this point that Paul turned to Mansfield Sand.

Mansfield Sand is a company with history and pedigree – in fact, its origins can be traced as far back to 1840. It has been a long-standing pioneer in the development and production of premium sand-based products and boasts the most up-to-date and advanced equipment currently in the industry.

From winter sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens and all amenity turf areas – Mansfield Sand has a solution for all.

Paul applied 90 tonnes of MM40 which is sourced directly from the Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield where the company produces its renowned Mansil range of Silica Sands. MM40 is a medium sand which is predominantly used in the construction and maintenance of a wide range of sports surfaces.

Mansfield Sand gets the game on

This product was applied in May last year, and Paul has seen the benefits.

“The sand has made a huge difference,” he said. “Since applying it I have been able to get the majority of games on, even throughout the winter and that is what it is all about. Without the sand I would have lost possibly 8 or 9 games based on previous years.

“I have noticed that the ground is a lot firmer, and more stable and flatter with a lot less bobbles. Ultimately, we are always looking at how we can make the site better and this sand has certainly signalled a big improvement.”

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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Millfield gets the MM treatment

in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

Millfield gets the MM treatment: Craig Richardson, head of grounds and gardens, is using a range of MM and Designer grass seed on a variety of sports pitches at the prestigious Millfield School in Somerset.

Boasting a fascinating history and a brilliant present, Millfield is one of the leading UK independent schools for boys and girls, aged 2-18 years. It all started back in 1935 when six princes were brought back from India to be educated by the School’s founder Jack Meyer.

Millfield gets the MM treatment

The School grew steadily and in 1939 became one of the first independent schools to be co-educational. It was shortly after that Millfield gained fame as the first in the country to deal successfully with dyslexic pupils.

Fast forward to the present and Millfield continues to gain widespread recognition for both academic success and an outstanding array of extra-curricular activities. Sport is also a serious matter at Millfield and it proudly holds the reputation of the best sporting school in the UK.

“I can’t think of a sport that we don’t have here,” says Craig who has been in his position at Millfield School since July 2016.

Indeed, Millfield is known for its sporting prowess and has produced many top-class international sports persons and Olympic athletes. One look at the stunning sports pitches and amenities will tell you that no stone is left un-turned in providing facilities of the highest quality – and that’s where Craig and his team of 24 grounds staff come in.

Maintenance regimes for all surfaces and gardens across the three sites (Millfield Prep School, Millfield School and Kingweston Sports Ground) are set by Craig and he uses a wide range of suppliers to identify only the best equipment and materials.

One such supplier is MM Sports Seed and Craig has been a long-term advocate of the company’s range of grass seed. MM is one of the most respected brands in the UK sportsturf and amenity industries and is relied upon at top sports grounds throughout the UK and beyond.

In particular, Craig uses MM10 on the School’s golf greens which offers good, dense putting surfaces; MM50 – a hard-wearing ryegrass mix which is ideal for cricket squares and outfields; Action Replay (from the Designer range) for winter pitches; and MM60 – which Craig reserves for the main pitches.

“I solely use MM60 on what I class as my premium pitches,” he says. “These are the pitches where we have installed drainage and irrigation and carry out annual fraise mow renovations, these include our first team pitches for football and rugby.”

MM60 is renowned for producing an excellent playing surface. It is a 100% ryegrass formula which is perfect for renovation and divot repair, has a high disease resistance, fantastic aesthetic qualities and offers extremely fast germination – which is boosted by the inclusion of Headstart GOLD®.

“It’s important that the first team pitches get the MM60 treatment,” adds Craig. “The mixtures are clean, they give me peace of mind, you know what they are going to do, and they perform. Ultimately, I always get good results from the seed.

“Furthermore, Matt Gresty (UK sales and marketing manager) provides everything you want and more. He is full of technical knowledge and is always there when you want him. What I like about Matt is that he always provides an honest and informed view.”

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed.

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Foamstream gets top marks

in News, Press Release/by Louise Challiss

Foamstream gets top marks: What started as a new non-herbicidal weed-control solution for the school at which he is Principal, has become a venture all of its own for Pat Galvin after discovering the effectiveness of Foamstream!

A demonstration of the Foamstream system sealed the deal for Pat two years ago, and since then, he has established WeedItGreenIreland Ltd – carrying out non-chemical treatments of both weeds and moss for domestic and commercial customers across Leinster, Ireland.

Foamstream gets top marks

Local distributors Furlong Equipment introduced Pat to Foamstream in his capacity as Principal of St Patrick BNS Portalington and after one trial, it went to the top of the class! “Here in Ireland, we have the ‘Green Schools’ initiative which promotes long-term, sustainable solutions to issues within the school and wider environment” explains Pat. “We had been looking for an alternative to chemicals, in particular Glyphosate, to treat weeds on our footpaths and flowerbeds. The demonstration of the Foamstream treatment killed the weeds instantly – we were so impressed, we purchased the L12 power unit straight away.”

Foamstream from Weedingtech is the world’s leading chemical-free weed treatment. Using the precise application of hot water insulated by a specially formulated organic foam, weeds – together with seeds and spores – are targeted, resulting in the death of the plant and reduced re-growth which in turn reduces the number of treatment cycles required per year. Research by the Agricultural University of Athens, and recently published in NewScientist magazine, found that

the efficacy of hot foam was comparable to that of glyphosate and outperformed other non-chemical alternatives.

“Soon after we purchased the L12 unit, word started to spread and we began getting enquiries for work from lots of other schools in the area so I set up WeedItGreenIreland with my son Daragh. We now have a mixture of clients on our books from schools to businesses, to residential properties who all want to tackle weeds in a way that is effective and safer for people and the environment. It’s effective on the whole spectrum of weeds, including Marestail which is notoriously difficult to treat.”

Pat continues, “Another great thing about this set-up is the versatility. The L12 system can also be used for other tasks such as high-pressure cleaning and lower pressure rinsing of furniture and play facilities.” The foam treatment itself is also versatile, able to treat both weeds and moss, and effective in all weather conditions. “We’re currently using Foamstream to combat moss on a stud farm and we can do this in all weathers and completely eliminate the moss in one treatment, without the use of any toxic chemicals that could harm the animals.”

“There are so many benefits to Foamstream and it is testament to the fantastic job it does that we’re as busy as we are!”

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Compact sprayer gets top praise

in News, Press Release/by External Source

Compact sprayer gets top praise: The demands from spraying contractors extend far beyond just reliability when it comes to their sprayers. Strength, durability, and flexibility are all factors that need to be considered for the operator to tackle a wide range of spraying situations.

UK compact sprayer manufacturer Martin Lishman Ltd has embraced industry changes and stringent customer requirements to drive the development of their sprayer range to the point where they now offer a whole plethora of options and sizes to cater for almost any situation.

Compact sprayer gets top praise

Sam Vickers of SMV Contract Services LTD, Stamford, Lincolnshire covers all aspects of ground care maintenance. The spraying sector of the business covers agriculture, sports turf, and amenity sites across the UK. A continually growing list of clients meant it was time for him to expand his sprayer fleet.

For Sam the choice was easy – another Martin Lishman sprayer: “We bought our first Martin Lishman sprayer 4 years ago, a 400-litre model with a 6-metre boom, and it’s been superb! So much so, that we haven’t replaced but added to the fleet with a new 600 litre, 8m metre boom pro-specification version. The tractor mounted option suits our needs for transport and utilises the compact tractors we have. The new sprayer also joins a new Martin Lishman compact 70 litre quad bike sprayer with a 3 metre boom for smaller jobs.”

Combining amenity specification and flexibility with agricultural strength and durability has been the key design element of Martin Lishman compact sprayers since production began in the 1980’s. Designed and manufactured in England at their site in Bourne, Lincolnshire, specialist or bespoke requests can often be catered for. Their design allows considerable variation of models to meet the specialist needs of customers, with many looking to diversify into a wide range of spraying jobs.

“The need for a solid design for amenity work became clear very quickly” explains Gavin Lishman, Managing Director of Martin Lishman Ltd. “In the early days we designed our sprayers for use in agriculture; we had the experience and a strong foothold in the industry, so we knew what we were up against. The sprayers needed to be able to withstand the rigors of farm use and always work when needed. As the demand for small sprayers grew in the amenity market, we were ready to bring our tried and tested designs into the industry. We are starting to see more contractors like Sam cover both the agriculture and amenity sectors, and we believe that our sprayers are almost unique on the market in offering the range and versatility needed for this kind of work”.

The Martin Lishman compact sprayer range includes trailed, ATV mounted, demountable and self-propelled models with tank sizes ranging from 70 to 600 litres and boom widths from 1 metre to 8 metres. Sam’s new pro-spec tractor mounted sprayer consists of a 600-litre tank, PTO-driven pump, 8m pro-spec folding boom, 9m hose reel with hand lance, full electric controls, chemical induction hopper and bout marker.

“The sprayer is mainly used for liquid fertiliser and herbicide applications, our compact tractors run on auto steer GPS guidance to ensure total accuracy”, explains Sam. “The new sprayer has been very reliable, and full credit goes to your workshop team should I need any replacement nozzles, pipes or wearing parts. The service from Martin Lishman has been exemplary, and I look forward to many more years of business together as we expand.”

For spraying and other groundcare enquires, Sam of SMV Contract Services LTD can be contacted on info@smvcontractservices.co.uk or 01780 693 017. Follow Sam on Facebook (@smvcontractservices) to keep up with the latest jobs and developments.

For more information on Martin Lishman compact sprayers, visit their website at www.martinlishman.com. Sales enquires can be made directly to sales@martinlishman.com

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“It’s been superb!” Compact sprayer gets top praise

in News, Press Release/by Matt Swinn

“It’s been superb!” Compact sprayer gets top praise: The demands from spraying contractors extend far beyond just reliability when it comes to their sprayers. Strength, durability, and flexibility are all factors that need to be considered for the operator to tackle a wide range of spraying situations.

UK compact sprayer manufacturer Martin Lishman Ltd has embraced industry changes and stringent customer requirements to drive the development of their sprayer range to the point where they now offer a whole plethora of options and sizes to cater for almost any situation.