Tag Archive for: Plant

Grass Plant Ltd praise Redexim Verti-Drain®

Grass Plant Ltd praise Redexim Verti-Drain: After 15 years of reliable service running a fleet of smaller Redexim Verti-Drain® models Martin Guy, owner of Grass Plant Ltd, comments that the addition of a high-speed Verti-Drain® 2519 has brought new-found efficiency to both internal contracting operations and external hire projects… so much so, that plans are already in the pipeline to add more!

Martin leads a team of 25, undertaking construction and ongoing maintenance of all types of natural turf sports surface, working with venues across the Southeast. “Across the board, agronomic expectations are on the rise but due to play demands and climatic conditions, the time available to deliver these standards is getting ever smaller” he explains. “This meant increasing demand was placed our high-speed aerator, but the competitor model we were running was not delivering what we needed it to. As soon as the 2519 was introduced we were straight onto our local Redexim Partner Tuckwells, and we were one of the first to try it.”

Grass Plant Ltd praise Redexim Verti-Drain®

Grass Plant Ltd praise Redexim Verti-Drain®

Offering a PTO speed of up to 540rpm, the Verti-Drain® 2519 can cover up to 8739sq.m per hour when spaced at 165mm making it the most productive aerator in its category. Its ability to accept a range of tine options and working to variable depths of up to 250mm mean the 2519 is well suited to an array of applications – something thoroughly tried and tested by the Grass Plant team.

“It’s adaptable, which is critical for us considering the broad spectrum of places we work at” Martin explains. ”On a golf course for example you can start on a tee, then use the same machine to aerate the fairways and the greens. There are very few machines that allow you to do that.”

He continues, “You tend to find that the higher speed these machines operate at, the more there is that can go wrong, but the build quality of the Verti-Drain® is as solid as ever and, since taking delivery of the 2519 close to three years ago, we’ve seen very little downtime.” This reliability has found favour both internally and with self-drive hire customers. “We get a lot of repeat business on our hire fleet and we wouldn’t get that if we were giving them machines that weren’t fit for purpose or were falling apart in front of their eyes! Trouble is, everyone is so impressed with just how much the 2519 can do that now we need more of them!”

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DMC sales & plant hire choose Wiedenmann

DMC sales & plant hire choose Wiedenmann: Limerick business owner, Darragh McCormack, Director of DMC sales and plant hire, has purchased a Wiedenmann Maredo STrac 700 system with four interchangeable heads

Based in Ardagh, in the south west, his recently launched business has gone from strength to strength also including a ground care division which carries out turf projects.

DMC sales & plant hire choose Wiedenmann

DMC sales & plant hire choose Wiedenmann

“Initially, I discovered the kit online and watched You Tube footage. Then I found out Michael Weldon at local Wiedenmann dealer, Seamus Weldon in Kerry was able to supply and it all took off from there,” commented Darragh.

The new Wiedenmann Maredo STrac 700 system is ideal for turf renovations to bowling greens, sports pitches, landscaped areas and, especially, to turf surfaces where tractors cannot access.

Brought to you via your local Wiedenmann UK dealer, the pedestrian Maredo unit has a powerful guiding handle and a set of inter-changeable heads which all come with a working width of 65 cm. A noticeably short turning radius means the rear wheels can adopt a variety of operating positions, while the tools connect effortlessly, cassette style.

Darragh chose four of the six cassettes that make up the system; the Flex- Verticutter which scarifies to 25 mm; a Vibe-Spike aerator which relieves compaction down to 60 mm; the FlexFrase Mower which strips the top layer to 20 mm, which also removes bumps and undulations on goal mouths; the VibeDisc-Seeder, a slit seeder which can dose seed from 0 to -15 mm at as low as 2 g/m ² to 15 g / m²

At delivery, Darragh received full installation training from Andy Kerr, Wiedenmann’ s lead demonstrator and started putting it use on his own grounds.

“It’s really impressive,” commented Darragh. “The seeder in particular reaches 10-15 mm below the surface and is very precise. The scarifier and aerator cassettes will contribute hugely towards plant health removing thatch and organic matter. It‘s a really great solution when a tractor just can’t get access.

“The versatility of the STrac will be enormously helpful for our projects. The heads are easy to change and the way the wheels configure on the pull along unit means it can work close to hedges, walls etc and gives access to areas you would have previously considered unreachable. I can see enormous potential, too, for golf courses and those who have transitions and levels to manage.

“We’ve got lots of uses for it locally, but it will be available for hire across Ireland very shortly. Anyone interested can contact me at DMC on 086 360 6420.

Michael Weldon, Director at Seamus Weldon said: “The clever engineering where you can just add another cartridge to the guiding unit is genius. I know that a new HighSpeed-Corer head is about to be launched, bringing the choice of cassettes to six. For some turf professionals and landscapers, the STrac might be the only system they ever need for surface conditioning.”

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BIGGA launches ‘Plant a Tree for BTME’

BIGGA launches ‘Plant a Tree for BTME’: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has launched a new scheme that will see exhibitors at its annual trade show and education conference encouraged to ‘Plant a Tree for BTME’.

The 2022 edition of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) was held from 22 to 24 March at the Harrogate Convention Centre, but is anticipated to return to its regular January date in 2023. Exhibitors who sign up to attend the 2023 event will be given the option of purchasing a tree, to be planted at a nominated golf course.

BIGGA launches ‘Plant a Tree for BTME’

BIGGA launches ‘Plant a Tree for BTME’

It is hoped that over the years sufficient trees will be planted to create a network of ‘BTME community woodlands’ around the UK, with Harrogate Golf Club the first club to participate in the scheme.

With individual trees capturing up to 1 tonne of carbon dioxide from our air over its lifetime, the scheme will raise awareness of the carbon footprint generated by major events such as BTME and be a flagship initiative as BIGGA seeks to improve its sustainable practices, as is echoed at forward-thinking golf facilities everywhere.

BIGGA Membership Services Manager for Sustainability James Hutchinson said: “The idea of planting trees as a means of offsetting carbon generated by people travelling to attend BTME was first proposed by a BIGGA member a couple of months ago and it is something that struck me as making a lot of sense. Those who know me know that I’m a dendrophile – I love trees – and as we explored the possibility further we uncovered schemes such as the National Trust’s pledge to plant 20 million trees by 2030, so it just made a lot of sense to get involved.

“It is always important to take great care when selecting what trees to plant on a golf course as not all species are appropriate or will generate the desired result, but by working with courses that are eager to create areas of woodland for the wider community, we believe this scheme will help to raise awareness of the good work that golf courses are doing to protect the natural environment.”

Harrogate Golf Club’s course manager, Ken Ward, said: “An old employer of mine once told me, ‘we’re just custodians of this land’. That rang true with me. We’re not here for that long but we want to leave it in a better place than we found it. This is an opportunity to get our members and two local primary schools involved with a project on the golf course, which is a fantastic thing.”

Plant a Tree for BTME is just one of a number of initiatives that BIGGA has undertaken to reduce the carbon footprint of BTME. BTME returns from 24 to 26 January 2023 at the Harrogate Convention Centre. The event is free to attend and for more information visit www.btme.org.uk

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Kubota appoints FJS Plant

Kubota appoints FJS Plant: Kubota (UK) Ltd is pleased to announce that FJS Plant Repairs Ltd is to become the first Kubota full-line dealer in the Republic of Ireland, with effect from today (01 November 2021).

As a natural expansion of its existing Kubota construction dealership heritage, FJS based at Timahoe, in Co Kildare, will now be responsible for Kubota tractors and ground care equipment. As part of its growth, FJS is forging ahead with plans to open a second depot at a one-acre site in Naas, to include a new showroom, extensive workshop facilities and additional staff.

Kubota appoints FJS Plant

Kubota appoints FJS Plant

“This appointment reinforces Kubota’s commitment to its customers and the market, while supporting FJS with the opportunity to continue to grow its business,” explains Henry Bredin, general manager of Kubota (UK)’s Tractor Business Unit. “This partnership will also help Kubota to further strengthen its position in these important market sectors, by serving a wider cross-section of customers from one business.”

A market leader in the sales, service and supply of mobile plant and demolition equipment in Ireland, FJS was established in 1993. With its highly skilled and manufacturer-trained staff providing the highest levels of customer care across its sales, service and repair divisions, the business is looking forward to expanding its operation with the addition of Kubota’s tractors and ground care product ranges.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have been appointed as a full-line dealer for Kubota,” explains Frank Smyth, managing director of FJS. “We believe that Kubota has tremendous potential for market growth in this area, and this move provides us with a range of tractors up to 170hp, ground care equipment and RTVs to sell to our growing customer base.”

“The integration of Kubota tractors and ground care products into our existing business is great news, both for new and existing FJS customers. And our long-term strategy, as a full-line Kubota dealer, also includes opening a third depot,” he adds.

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New regulations for plant protection product suppliers

New regulations for plant protection product suppliers: The Official Controls (Plant Protection Products) Regulations 2020 (the 2020 Regulations) have recently been issued with a policy statement.

These apply to the whole of Great Britain and supplement existing regulations that govern the sale and use of plant protection products or PPPs. The Northern Ireland Executive has put in place its own legislation implementing and enforcing official controls for PPPs.

New regulations for plant protection product suppliers

New regulations for plant protection product suppliers

The regulations are in place to:

  • allow regulatory authorities to enforce legal requirements that apply to the placing on the market and use of PPPs throughout the supply chain
  • explain the action enforcement authorities can take where non-compliance is identified or suspected

The 2020 Regulations also apply to components of PPPs such as active substances, synergists, co-formulants and to adjuvants.

Under the Regulations, businesses concerned with the placing on the market of PPPs authorised for professional use, and/or the placing on the market of components of PPPs are required to notify competent authorities of their details and business activities by 22 September 2021. This includes businesses that produce, manufacture, process, import, distribute and sell those products. Information will be requested about company details and contact information, product types, storage and capacity.

Similarly, all users of PPPs in a professional capacity will need to follow a similar process by 22 June 2022. Further information is to be provided for these businesses over the coming months. The HSE will operate controls and enforce the 2020 Regulations in Great Britain, taking a proactive, risk-based approach. It is also expected that Local Authorities will have a role. Enforcement of existing PPP regulations will remain unchanged.

Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are finalising the details of the control programme. These will be provided in communications over the coming months and the Amenity Forum has already engaged with all involved in such discussions. As further information comes available, the Forum will issue further releases. These control measures come at a time of significant policy change when the UK Government is already preparing its revised and refreshed National Action Plan in relation to weed, pest and disease management.

A key element of the Amenity Forum conference will be a focus on policy change and how it impacts on the sector. The conference is to be held at the Pirelli Stadium in Burton on Trent on October 21st. Registration for the conference and associated exhibition is now open and further information can be obtained by contacting Kate at admin@amenityforum.net . Given support from the sector, this allows ticket price to be maintained at 2019 levels of £95 with early bird discounts for registrations prior to September 1st.

Professor John Moverley, Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said ‘’this issued policy statement is highly significant for our sector. However all operating to professional standards has nothing to fear and such controls chime well with the introduction of the UK Amenity Standard, providing full assurance to all involved that organisations are meeting requirements seeking to create safe and sustainable amenity and sports spaces fit for purpose.

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Knebworth’s plant health programme

Knebworth’s plant health programme: An enhanced plant health programme consisting of Headland Amenity’s 20-20-30 tank-mix, Mantle® and PPT114 has been key to reducing fungicide applications at Hertfordshire’s Knebworth Golf Club.

Where, previously, it was commonplace to be putting down multiple fungicide applications each year, last year Team Leader Arran Johnson applied just one – resulting in benefits for both course condition and the budget!

Knebworth's plant health programme

Knebworth’s plant health programme

Arran has been using Headland products for the last 15 years and, since he joined Knebworth, they have been fundamental to his maintenance regime on the course’s clay push-up greens. The success of the programme has recently seen it extended to also include tees and approaches. “We have had a particularly great response from the 20-20-30 tank-mix, but the addition of Mantle® and complementary applications of PPT114 have taken results to a new level” he explains.

“20-20-30+Mantle is applied at the beginning of each month from October through to May, weather dependent, to keep disease at bay through those high-pressure periods. What we’ve found is that if there are any signs of disease, the addition of Mantle® checks it at a very early stage to suppress it and stop it turning into a bigger problem.” Mantle®’s water-soluble formulation of manganese, zinc and harpin protein elicitor stimulates the grass plant’s own natural defence mechanisms, making it more difficult for some disease pathogens to take hold.

“We also apply Headland’s PPT114, as required, a couple of weeks after the 20-20-30+Mantle® application. This has proven to increase the efficacy of the tank-mix, bringing additional plant strength and improved winter colour.” Through the summer months, Arran’s programme switches to one of moisture management – utilising both Tricure AD™ wetting agent and Terafirm™, advanced soil penetrant, when required to manage and optimise plant and profile moisture.

Keeping the team up to speed on new products and any adjustments needed to further improve the results of the feeding programme is Arran’s Regional Technical Manager Peter Blackaby. “I made a conscious decision in 2019 to actively reduce our fungicide applications. Pete’s guidance has helped us a lot with this drive and the Mantle® and PPT114 products have undoubtedly given us a huge step forward.”

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Plant based podcast returns

Plant based podcast returns: On Sunday 8th March, The Plant Based Podcast will return for its third series, bringing with it a brand-new sponsor and a stellar line up of guests and famous faces.

The podcast launched last February and became an instant hit, amassing a large audience tuning in for the latest plant-based news, features and interviews every fortnight.

Plant based podcast returns

Plant based podcast returns

Series three is set to continue exploring everything plant-based the planet has to offer, being bigger and better than ever before! As part of this a new sponsor has been announced. Natural Grower, a manufacturer of plant based, chemical free fertilisers, is the proud partner for series three – with a commitment to inspiring growers to adopt an organic and sustainable approach it is the perfect partner.

The show hosts Michael Perry and Ellen Mary are prolific gardening writers, bloggers and presenters with a strong social media following that has helped catapult the podcast to the heights of the podcast charts. Their light-hearted and entertaining podcasting style has been a big hit with listeners of all ages with interests beyond gardening. The show is far from the usual gardening programme with the typical how-to gardening tips, instead it celebrates places and people worldwide with a true passion for plants.

In series three, Michael and Ellen will meet famous faces who champion plants, horticulture and plant-based living. Some of the brilliant guests booked for series three include Mark Lane, award winning garden designer and one of the presenters of BBC Gardeners’ World; creator of the world famous plant-based skincare range, Liz Earle; naturalist, television presenter and author, Chris Packham; and Alex Petrides, the founder of All Plants, the first entirely plant-based meal delivery service.

Ellen Mary commented: “Both Michael and I are overwhelmed by the success of the podcast, we had no idea what it would turn out to be or how popular it would become. It’s amazing that its success means that now we can attract big names like Chris Packham and Liz Earle to help continue to spread the word about just how amazing plants are. We’re thrilled to be working with Natural Grower, their company ethos is amazing, and we love the products. Their support has allowed us to elevate the podcast to the next level”.

Series three will launch on Sunday 8th March, and episodes will be released on Sundays fortnightly thereafter.

Fans of the podcast can now get even more plant-based news through Plant Based Podcast TV! Michael and Ellen have kicked off their YouTube channel which is proving popular with the Plant Based Podcast following. Plant Based Podcast TV brings viewers more horticultural hi-jinks and educational content, delivered in the signature Plant Based Podcast style.

Subscribe via iTunes or Spotify, and visit theplantbasedpodcast.net for more information. On the website you will also find exclusive content and articles to coincide with the topic of each episode, as well as further information about Natural Grower. Watch Plant Based Podcast TV on YouTube.

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Headland enhances plant health

Headland enhances plant health: After its launch at the tail end of 2019, early adopters of Headland Amenity’s new Enhanced Plant Health product, PPT114, are already reaping the rewards.

One such club is Mill Green Golf Club in Hertfordshire, where Course Manager Andy Copeland has successfully trialled PPT114 as part of his EPH tank-mix and has reported significantly reduced levels of disease activity.

Headland enhances plant health

Headland enhances plant health

Andy joined Mill Green in July 2019 but has been using Headland Amenity products for much longer. “When I first took charge of a club 10 years ago, I very much sought the guidance and advice of those trusted suppliers around me – one of those being Headland. Some of those products that were incorporated into my programmes back then, still play a major part of my regime now here at Mill Green – including C-Complex and the 20/20/30 tank-mix. We’re not in a position where we can afford to take too many risks, so when you find products that give you guaranteed results, I tend to stick with them.”

Saying that, when new products or adaptations to mixes become available, the trust that Andy has in the advice of his Regional Headland Technical Manager Peter Blackaby means he’s up for giving them a try. “When Mantle was introduced and incorporated with the 20/20/30 mix we trialled that and noticed the improvements straight away. Following discussions with Pete at BTME, for the remainder of the winter we’ve now doubled the Mantle application rate with great results. He also showed me the trial results of the PPT114 formulation back in October, and I was confident that it would work well for us.”

PPT114 is a soluble, micronutrient formulation featuring Manganese, Zinc and Copper, alongside Harpin Protein Elicitor. It has been developed to increase the efficacy of plant-health applications, helping to minimise Microdochium nivale infection. Andy combined PPT114 with his monthly fungicide strategy, followed up with 20/20/30+Mantle mix two weeks later. “We first trialled it on our Par 3 on its own and it was evident just seven days after the first application that the greens looked good and clean, so we rolled it out course-wide. This proactive strategy gives me better control over the health of our greens and, compared to other sites, the results we’re achieving, and the reduction in levels of disease we’re seeing, are much better.”

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Vincent Tractors’ New Plant

Vincent Tractors’ New Plant: Vincent Tractors & Plant are delighted to announce that they are relocating to the former Holsworthy branch of Bond Agri at Unit 1, Neet Way, Dobles Industrial Estate, Holsworthy, EX22 6ES. 

As from Monday 15th July Vincent Tractors & Plant started trading from this new location.  They will continue to supply and service the full range of Kubota Tractors, Groundcare and Construction equipment including a range of agricultural implements and other products within the Vincent Tractors & Plant product range. The full range can be viewed on their website at www.vincenttractors.co.uk.  The new branch includes a showroom and will continue to offer a large range of spare parts as well as provide a dedicated machinery servicing and repair department.

Vincent Tractors' New Plant

Paul Vincent, Managing Director of Vincent Tractors & Plant explained “The opportunity for us to take over the Bond Agri depot was too good a chance for us to miss.  The move to Unit 1 on the Dobles Industrial Estate provides us with a bigger showroom, more office space and a larger workshop.  It means that we can service more machines at once, as well as stock a wider range of spare parts”.

David Stanbury has joined our sales team and will be the Vincent Tractors & Plant agricultural sales representative for the West and North Devon area, his mobile number is 07970 207689.  John Scott (07768 063548) and Nick Vincent (07834 555172) are our Groundcare and Construction sales representatives respectively for West and North Devon.

The Vincent Tractors & Plant telephone number remains unchanged, 01409 251241 and a member of their Holsworthy team will be happy to speak with you.  They look forward to welcoming you to our new branch and showroom in the near future.

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JCB Secure Plant Hire Deal

JCB Secure Plant Hire Deal: JCB has secured a major deal with Plant Hire UK for new fleets of Loadalls and compact excavators worth almost £17 million.

The deal will see the leading UK hirer strengthen its construction machinery line-up by purchasing 300 new JCB Loadalls and 50 compact excavators along with site dumpers and tandem rollers.   The new machines will be put to work by contractors on construction and civil engineering projects across the country and will add to Plant Hire UK’s vast fleet of JCB machines.

JCB Secure Plant Hire Deal

Plant Hire UK Managing Director Graham Jones said: “As the construction sector goes from strength to strength this investment in new JCB Loadalls and compact midi excavators ensures our customers are guaranteed the highest specification machines with outstanding safety features and telematics support as standard.”

JCB Group Managing Director of Global Key Accounts Yvette Henshall-Bell said “Plant Hire UK has a reputation for delivering the best machines and market-leading service, which perfectly complements the JCB ethos. As the world’s number one telescopic handler, the Loadall has a proven track record that construction firms trust implicitly, while our compact excavators are hard-working on-site machines.”

The machines are supplied and supported by Gunn JCB. Managing Director Paul Hartshorn said: “Plant Hire UK is one of our largest and most successful customers. Gunn JCB depots are perfectly located to support the ever-growing number of machines as Plant Hire UK has continued to invest in its fleet.”

Plant Hire UK was founded in 2005 by Managing Director Graham Jones and Finance Director Wayne Illidge. Based in St Helens, Merseyside it has a national customer base, hiring, maintaining and servicing thousands of machines on sites across the UK.

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