Reading FC Have A Pitch Fit For Royals

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Reading Have A Pitch Fit For Royals Thanks To Ground-Breaking SISGrass Technology: The Madejski Stadium becomes first venue with dual-use pitch to experience added durability of SIS Pitches’ advanced hybrid system.

Reading FC have become the first UK sports club with a dual-use pitch to install the revolutionary SISGrass hybrid system – to help the club’s hallowed turf endure almost 250 hours’ playing time.

Global pitch specialists SIS Pitches introduced their advanced hybrid turf technology at the Madejski Stadium this summer as part of a full reconstruction of a pitch that staged over 55 matches last season.

With the Berkshire venue hosting all home first-team fixtures played by Reading and London Irish, the Aviva Premiership Rugby side that have been ground-share tenants for over 16 years, plus a selection of the Royals’ Under-23s and Under-18s games, the playing surface gets a severe workout.

Reading FC Have A Pitch Fit For Royals

So much so there were times last season that Adam Grantham, Reading’s Grounds Manager for 13 years, and his hard-working staff had to prepare for four matches in as many days.

With such little time to recover from wear and tear, the quality of the playing surface inevitably suffered.

To manage such high usage, the Sky Bet Championship club opted for the increased durability of Cumbria-based SIS Pitches’ award-winning SISGrass, a reinforced natural turf system featuring patented fibre injection technology.

Reading have the added bonus of having SISGrass Universal at their disposal. The compact machine, combining speed, mobility and laser precision, specialises in repairing high-use areas such as touchlines, goalmouths and penalty spots.

Main contractor MJ Abbott Ltd were central to the six-week pitch reconstruction project at the ‘Mad Stad’, while Premier Pitches completed the turf finishing process.

Adam said: “The pitch was last reconstructed to this extent way back in 2007 and it reached the end of its shelf life last season, becoming ineffective in areas.

“Balancing all the football and rugby commitments on an ageing pitch was extremely tough at times and there was some criticism over the winter period, so it was good to start afresh in the summer.

“We completely reconstructed the pitch, taking the old hybrid system out and starting from the bottom up, reshaping all the sub-base levels, reinstalling the drainage, the undersoil heating and adding a new irrigation system.

“We have been really pleased with both the high quality of SIS Pitches’ service and the pitch they have installed. With the increased durability of SISGrass, we’re extremely hopeful the end result is a much stronger and healthier pitch all year round that suits our manager Jaap Stam’s style of play.

“By September 9, we’d played five matches on it already but the pitch is holding together really well and I’ve been getting good feedback from the coaching staff and players.”

SISGrass’ laser-guided installation combines a 95% natural grass pitch with 5% of specially-designed PE yarn stitched into the ground, offering unrivalled durability, improved pitch recovery time and increased playing hours.

Phil Blackwell, SIS Pitches’ UK Projects Director, said: “With the Madejski Stadium staging so many fixtures during a season, Reading require the most durable and stable pitch on the market, which we firmly believe our award-winning SISGrass hybrid pitch technology provides.

“The installation process went extremely smoothly and we have no doubts that both Reading and London Irish will experience a higher quality and more durable playing surface this season.

“SISGrass is essential for sporting clubs striving for the highest quality pitch on the market, and an absolute must-have for all dual-use pitches.”

The ground-breaking SISGrass hybrid pitch system has been installed at prestigious venues across the globe, taking pride of place at six of next summer’s World Cup venues, including the iconic Luzhniki Stadium, which will host the Russia 2018 final.

SISGrass has been installed at Premier League duo Newcastle United and AFC Bournemouth, Serie A side Verona and a quartet of Türkish Super Lig clubs.

It also features at Championship clubs Birmingham City, Derby County and Fulham and at the training grounds of FC Barcelona, Chelsea, Swansea City, Hull City, Fulham, Derby County and the National Football Centre at St. George’s Park, home of the English FA.

With offices in the UK, Ireland, Russia, Turkey, Holland, Middle East and Angola, SIS Pitches has many years’ experience in delivering both natural and synthetic turf pitches to some of the greatest names in sport as well as to schools, colleges, universities, sports clubs and local authorities.

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Kubota UK Top of the Class

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Kubota UK Top of the Class: The top educators in the agricultural machinery sector chose Kubota UK to host their annual conference, ensuring they are up to speed with the latest machinery and technology offered by the manufacturer. 

The Association of Lecturers In Agriculture Machinery (ALAM), whose members boast academic staff from top colleges across the country, including Harper Adams and Hartpury College, were treated to a host of lectures and workshops covering Kubota’s global business heritage, its product offering and plans for the future, whilst also getting hands on experience with Kubota machinery and visiting local dealers from Kubota’s network.

Kubota UK Top of the Class

Ian Coleman, Chairman of ALAM and lecturer at Hartpury College, said: “The function of ALAM is to keep up-to-date with the latest technologies and to disseminate current practices and focuses to our members, ensuring that what we teach our students across the country reflects the modern industry. Holding our conference at Kubota UK this year has filled us with confidence that we are up to speed with technological advances, trends for the future and updating our knowledge on Kubota’s product portfolio, from horticulture right the way through to agriculture.

“Technical updates are vital for both ALAM and our students, so another advantage of working with Kubota is that we can look outside of the standard agricultural box into other sectors, giving us a rounded view and ensuring that we have our finger on the pulse of the industry as a whole. The three days were hugely beneficial and demonstrated the clear advantages of networking between colleges, colleagues and manufacturers.”

Keith Miller, Service and Training Manager at Kubota UK, added: “For Kubota, the relationship with all the UK agricultural colleges is really important. We understand that communicating the essential principles of machinery and their operation to the colleges makes a real contribution to the future learning of the students and the sector as a whole, injecting a high number of skilled engineers into the industry.

“It’s for these reasons that we put so much effort into the ALAM conference, with a rigorous itinerary that included getting hands on experience with a number of machine models, including the new Kubota M7001 series, plus visiting two of our leading dealers, Lister Wilder and George Browns, to give insights from their perspective too. We really wanted Ian and the whole ALAM team to get as much out of the three days as possible and the feedback we’ve had has been very positive.”

Dave Roberts, Kubota UK Managing Director, closed by adding: “It has been a great pleasure welcoming ALAM to Kubota UK for the team’s annual conference. There’s a real synergy between our organisations, not only in the agricultural machinery we manufacture, but also in the need for all stakeholders in the industry to work together to ensure that we are all aligned in promoting the best practice for agricultural and horticultural engineering. This is essential in keeping the full and sustainable availability of quality engineers to support the market, which is increasingly complex and diverse.

“We also have a strong affinity with ALAM as we currently have 4 apprentices in our business, and a number of our team, including myself, went through the agricultural machinery education system.”

“The visit has also given us the opportunity to showcase our latest innovations, not only in the agricultural machinery arena, but in our engine technologies. The visit demonstrated how Kubota, with technology such as autonomous tractors, is pioneering for the future.”

To watch video highlights and interviews from the ALAM conference, click here: https://youtu.be/04qphWlefm8

For more information on Kubota’s and its expansive range of solutions for the agriculture, construction and groundcare sectors or to find your nearest dealer, visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.

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GKB Drainmaster Makes Their Day

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GKB Drainmaster Makes Their Day: Phil Day Sports of Worcestershire has added a GKB Machines Drainmaster to their fleet of sports ground construction and maintenance equipment.

Established in the late 1990’s Phil Day’s company has built a firm reputation as a leading sports turf contractor and specialist in the sports amenity sector. Their constant aim, they say, is to offer best value by constantly upgrading specialist equipment and machinery. They see the GKB Drainmaster as having a significant role in the work they carry out for their wide range of customers which includes Premier League football clubs, county cricket, top class rugby and golf clubs and leading independent schools.

GKB Drainmaster Makes Their Day

As every turf professional and greenkeeper knows, surface water and pitches that stay wet for too long will always be an issue along with the cost and downtime for renovation. The GKB Drainmaster offers a complete solution to improving and accelerating the drainage of surface water. Toby Grace, Business Development Manager at Phil Day Sports, had been looking at investing in a secondary drainage system for a while and was impressed by what could be achieved with the Drainmaster. He and his team decided they were going to need one for a number of pending client requirements, including work at West Bromwich Albion F.C., Wasps Rugby and the STRI. Once ordered, after tender at the beginning of 2017, the GKB machine arrived within three weeks and was put to work with immediate results. The Drainmaster excavates two or three trenches four centimetres wide which are positioned perpendicular to the existing underlying drainage. Soil removed is disposed of by means of conveyor belts and can be re-used as dressing soil. The trenches are filled with drainage sand up to the operating depth of 23cm in the same operation while the Drainmaster wheels press the sand into the trenches.

“We have found the Drainmaster does what it says with unique sandslits to the correct width and depth and we have seen excellent results.” Says Toby. “With the way the sand bunker has been developed, you can choose to operate the full length of the pitch in one operation or two across the width. The grass grows on the trenches in a matter of weeks.” The overall effect is strengthening of the grass while the drainage network ensures a higher playing capacity.

“The next real test will be in the winter months and with the changing weather we’ll be carefully monitoring the results.” Toby says. “For now we’re very happy with the quality achieved and the service we have had. GKB as the manufacturer talk to us and we’re providing feedback so it’s a two-way traffic of information that helps us all.”

GKB add that where there is a need to create a more even, well-functioning pitch you can combine the operations of the Drainmaster and their well-known Combinator for the optimum playing surface.

To find out more, visit: www.gkbmachines.com

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Campey Turf Care Systems Returns To Saltex 2017

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Campey Turf Care Systems returns to Saltex 2017 with additions to their all-star line-up of machines.

Stand Number: D117

Campey Turf Care Systems will be bringing an all-star line-up of machines to the exhibition halls of Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre for Saltex 2017, including the introduction of new Koro® FIELD TOPMAKER® model.

The new 1.6 metre model of the Koro® FIELDTOPMAKER® will be at the centre of Campey stand D117, and will be launched to the sports turf industry as a natural evolution of a truly innovative machine.  Saltex will also see the launch of a newly designed and patented Universe® Rotor, developed by Campey Turf Care Systems in response to requirements from professional groundsman working out in the field.

Campey Turf Care Systems Returns To Saltex 2017

The FTM® will be joined by the newly upgraded Koro® TopDrain 1000, specifically designed to be used on sports pitches and golf course fairways. It complements the successful TopDrain 1500 machine that harnessed the unique function of trenching, removing spoil, injecting sand and re-compacting the surface all in one operation. It also offers material and labour savings, faster processing times and less contamination than conventional methods.

These machines will sit alongside the award winning Air2G2 Air Inject, an aeration machine that is becoming a stalwart of the Campey range. It uses pressurised air to target compaction deep at root zone level. Probes penetrate the soil and force air sideways to create fissures in the sub structure improving aeration and drainage throughout the soil.

Completing the line-up on stand is the Dakota 310, offering the accuracy expected from any Dakota 400 series spreader, but in a compact version. It spreads light to heavy and wet to dry, with easy calibration and no tractor or truckster required.

There will also be a new machine unveiled on the Campey stand, but no details are available before the show.

Campey Turf Care Systems is one of Europe’s largest independent grounds care machinery dealers, supplying equipment to countries in most parts of the world.  Over the years Campeys have earned a reputation for offering practical advice and superb aftercare service. The company acts as a new equipment dealer for some of the most respected grounds care machinery manufacturers including Dakota, Imants, Koro, Raycam, Vredo, Omarv, Votex, VGR and GT Air 2G2 injector.

The company also has a thriving used machinery business and a subsidiary company, Tines Direct, which supplies replacement tines, blades and replacement parts for a wide range of turf care machinery.

More information is available at www.campeyturfcare.com

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STRI Research Shows How To Make Every Seed Count 

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STRI Research shows how to make every seed count: Every seed counts when it comes to restoring playing surface quality on golf courses or getting stadium pitches established and stable for the new season. Typically there are now greater expectations for turf managers to achieve excellent turf surfaces, with shorter intervals in which to achieve it.

Reporting new trials at STRI Research in Bingley, Yorkshire, this week (20-21 September), Syngenta Technical Manager, Marcela Munoz, highlighted the push for rapid seedling growth – with warmth and high humidity – creates conditions highly conducive to disease, especially in sports stadiums with poor airflow or under germination sheets.

“Seedling blight diseases can affect success at many levels, from individual plant losses reducing sward density, to patches of bare ground or even total seedling kill – possibly losing two or three weeks in the restoration timeline that may never be recovered,” she warned.

STRI Research shows how to make every seed count 

Syngenta research, in association with STRI, has investigated application timings and agronomy options to utilise new fungicide technology that can reduce the impact of seedling diseases and establish stronger swards more quickly.

“The work has looked at ways to protect seedlings through the first 14 to 21 days from emergence, when new growth is especially vulnerable to infection, but managers want to avoid travelling or walking on the surface to avoid seedling damage,” reported Marcela.

Pot trials at STRI have already established that the crop safety of new Instrata Elite has no adverse effect on germination or seedling establishment on the Fescue, Bent or Ryegrass species tested. The trial looked at application at sowing, or in the days immediately prior to sowing, to investigate the potential to reduce disease pathogens on the soil surface and provide a reservoir of protection that may be taken up by the seedlings.

“Following that success, new pot trials have established that Instrata Elite is also safe to use on plants from first emergence. The trial showed no phytotoxicity effects from applications at the seeding; 1st leaf or 2nd leaf stage – with sprays at label rate and even tested at double the label rate.

“Although most turf managers would aim to avoid such early applications, to prevent physical damage to the plants during spraying, well-timed treatment with an appropriate fungicide could stop disease outbreaks from developing further, and help to protect clean seedlings from infection,” she advised.

Marcela pointed out that preventing seedling blight infection is seen as important not only to protect against die-back and losses, but also to avoid the stress on small plants associated with disease attack; clean healthy seedlings are better able to establish and develop stronger roots.

A further development of the seedling establishment research – which is being shown at STRI Research 2017 – is a field-scale evaluation of the pot trials. Instrata Elite has been applied to turf pushed to create disease conducive conditions for seedling blight pathogens, to test the fungicide activity.

The trial has also been extended to include Primo Maxx II in the early foliar application, to provide information for future recommendations on the optimum time to begin the PGR programme after seeding. The work assesses potential benefits of physiological effects to promote tillering and stronger rooting, whilst evaluating any effect of growth regulation on the establishing leaf.

“The new fungicide trials are part of an initiative to provide future fully integrated recommendations for seeding best practice,” added Marcela. “It builds on previous successful Syngenta and STRI seedling establishment research with Qualibra wetting agent – which demonstrated the significant advantages for seedling growth from more effective soil moisture management.

“Together with ITM aspects of seed selection – for varieties with good germination, vigour and disease resistance – along with management of shade, moisture and fertility, there will be real chance to enhance the speed and reliability of future seedling establishment and successful renovation,” she concluded.

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