Iprodione Withdrawal Update

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Iprodione Withdrawal Update: An EU meeting, held by the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF), has voted against the inclusion of iprodione. As a result, all products across Europe containing this active ingredient, including Chipco® Green and Interface® from Bayer, will be removed from the market.

Bayer is working to the following timescales for the UK and Ireland, in terms of sell-out and usage periods of iprodione product based registrations:

  • 5 March 2018 – sales of Chipco® Green and Interface® will cease and the three month use-up period will commence
  • 5 June 2018 – this is the last date for storage, disposal and use of any iprodione based products, including Chipco® Green and Interface®

Iprodione Withdrawal Update

The loss of iprodione reduces the available number of fungicide groups for turf managers from six to five. With other chemicals also due for assessment, a further reduction in the total number of products on the market for turf disease control is to be expected.

In light of this, Bayer was pleased to launch a new turf fungicide, Exteris® Stressgard®, at BTME in January 2017.  The new product brings a totally new fungicide group to the market – SDHIs, and without this innovation from Bayer, greenkeepers would only have access to four fungicide groups.

“Exteris® Stressgard® has unique benefits, making it an integral part of many turf disease management programmes for the future.  It’s important for turf managers to appreciate that the continued pressure on contact acting, chemistry will likely mean that they need to adopt a preventative disease control strategy, and Exteris® Stressgard® is ideal for this approach,” says Steve Bishop, Bayer professional product manager.

Steve reminds greenkeepers that Chipco Green® in particular has been a key management tool for the control of turf diseases for over 35 years.

“Greenkeepers should not be concerned with using the product up to its last use date. Numerous studies have been conducted on iprodione and we believe that our products, when used according to the label, are highly effective and do not pose any undue risk to the operator and environment.”

For further information on the withdrawal of iprodione and Bayer products, please contact the Turf Solutions Team on 00800 1214 9451 or email turfsolutions@bayer.com

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College Reports Excellent Results From ICL

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College Reports Excellent Results From ICL: Radley College in Abingdon, Oxfordshire has reported excellent results from ICL, with Grounds Manager Adam King saying the ProTurf and Vitalnova Stressbuster have helped him improve the health and presentation of the school’s range of sports pitches.

Adam has been at Radley for 17 years, and is responsible for the maintenance of the huge 800 acre site which includes a tenanted farm and a 9-hole golf course as well as the numerous natural and synthetic pitches. Sports played at the College include rugby in the Michaelmas Term, hockey, rowing and football in the Lent Term and cricket, rowing, lawn tennis and athletics in the Summer Term.

College Reports Excellent Results From ICL

“We have 694 boys at Radley and sport is a major part of their life,” says Adam. “The campus is incredibly busy and the pitches are in use all-year round. We host 26 rugby teams, 16 football teams, 22 hockey teams and 24 cricket teams each year.”

Adam has a large team to help him with the mammoth work required to keep the facilities to the impeccable standards expected by Radley College. There is a total of 18 grounds staff including Adam, which consists of eight groundsmen, two greenkeepers and seven gardeners.

The team has strict maintenance procedures in place and, according to Adam, ICL products play an integral role.

“I have a long history with ICL and I have always found the products to provide consistent results.

“What I like about ICL is that, as a company, they are always looking ahead, always developing new products and adding to the stable of quality products. For what we need to do and what we need to achieve at Radley, no matter what the time of year – whether it is relieving turf stress or making grass grow, whatever you need ICL has, and you know that the products perform as you would expect.”

Adam applies ProTurf 15-5-15+2CaO+2MgO in readiness for a busy period of winter sports in which the potassium element can help pre-condition the turf for intensive play and the inevitable harsh weather.

“ProTurf is applied in early August so the grass surfaces are actively growing for the start of the season. The one thing we work on really hard here is recovery – for as long as we can. As long as the soil temperatures are there and the moisture levels are there, we want the grass to keep growing because we have 14 weeks of rugby followed by 12 weeks of football. We all know that by the time we get to January or February the recovery rates are minimal so if we can keep it growing up until Christmas then we will and this is where ProTurf really helps.”

College Reports Excellent Results From ICL

ProTurf contains a combination of Poly-S controlled-release fertilizer technology, readily available urea Nitrogen, and Polyhalite, a naturally occurring mineral sourced from ICL’s Cleveland Potash mine.

The Poly-S technology gives consistent, regular growth over a 2-3 month period without growth peaks while the uncoated Nitrogen portion provides an immediate turf response, even in cooler conditions. Polyhalite contains four macro-nutrients – Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium and Sulphur. Potassium is required for the process of energy transfer, especially photosynthesis and the breakdown of carbohydrates.

“We base feed with ProTurf,” Adam continues, “and then top up with liquid irons and Sportsmaster WSF SeaMax (a soluble seaweed concentrate) along with Vitalnova Stressbuster – which is a product I would use absolutely everywhere if I could.”

Vitalnova Stressbuster is a unique liquid formulation which pre-conditions turf against stress and helps generate a quick recovery. Featuring iron which provides an instant colour, Stressbuster also contains a unique combination of macro and micro nutrients, wetting agents, bio-stimulants and amino acids.

“Stressbuster is a lovely cocktail of everything you require which gives you a superb result. It contains iron, bio-stimulants, a little bit of sugar, some nitrogen – all of which encourage recovery. Colour-wise I would say we get about 21 days out of it and you get an instant colour-up overnight which is perfect when we apply before a game. It can also be complimented with some Primo Maxx II growth regulator.

“Ultimately Stressbuster is helping us to produce a tightly knit sward that keeps its colour and sends as many roots down as possible. That’s what it is all about in winter sports – with rugby and football it is all about traction so it is important that you have the right products in place.”

It’s not just the products that Adam and his team get great results from: “Emma Kilby (ICLTechnical Area Sales Manager), who I’ve known for many years, is an invaluable person to talk to ensuring that we have the best possible nutritional programme in place,” says Adam.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

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Scramblers Appointed As Pellenc Dealer

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Scramblers Appointed As Pellenc Dealer: Scramblers have been appointed as a new distributor of Pellenc’s complete range of battery-powered equipment in the Cambridgeshire area.

Scamblers was first established in 1974 and the family owned business specialise in supplying compact tractors, bank tractors, mowers, utility vehicles and turfcare and groundcare machinery for every aspect of turf and grounds maintenance.

New Pellenc Dealer Announced

Having seen the emergence of battery powered equipment over recent years, sales director Ed Scambler, admits that it has been a case of trial and error in selecting the ideal range of equipment suitable for his customers who operate in the commercial market.

“We have tried working with a number of different battery and cordless manufacturers,” he says.

“We’ve known about Pellenc since it first came into the country and we believe it has set the industry standard – it really is at the top end of the market. Until now there hadn’t been an opportunity to distribute Pellenc products so we are absolutely delighted to be working with them. It’s a truly professional brand and with a 3 year warranty on products and fantastic customer support, we know that we are in good hands – which in turn means our customers will be.”

As Ed says, the addition of the Pellenc range of equipment will present Scamblers’ customers with a lighter, odourless, noise-free and more cost effective alternative to petrol powered machinery. Pellenc has developed the most comprehensive range on the market leading the way in terms of performance, lightness and durability. The extensive product range features an impressive portfolio – from chainsaws, pole saws and hedge cutters to grass strimmers, brushcutters and mowers.

Not only will users be able to comfortably achieve a full day’s work without having to re-charge the battery but they will see a huge amount of savings by eliminating the necessity of purchasing fuel. Furthermore, users will be contributing to protecting the environment by reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and noise pollution – something which Ed believes will be of huge benefit to his customers in Cambridgeshire.

“We are looking forward to promoting the green credentials, not only pollution in terms of fumes but noise pollution as well. Within Cambridge we have a lot establishments where noise pollution can be just as disruptive and as damaging as the fumes. With that in mind we can see the Pellenc brand being ideal for our customers who operate in universities, parks, hospitals and schools.

“There is a growing demand for green technology and equipment like Pellenc is the future.”

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk where you can also find more information on Pellenc which is sold exclusively in the UK by Etesia UK.

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Williamwood Get Ahead With Terra Spike GXi8 HD

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Williamwood Get Ahead With Terra Spike GXi8 HD: For several seasons Williamwood Golf Club had their sites set on a Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD deep aerator. This autumn, a well subscribed winter membership initiative finally made it a reality for the Scottish course.

“Increased demand for winter play heightened the need to keep the course open,” said Course Manager, Gerry Bruen. “The Wiedenmann is our tool of choice to make that happen.”

Williamwood Get Ahead With Terra Spike GXi8 HD

The James Braid designed parkland course is nestled in the outskirts of south Glasgow.  Gerry Bruen and his team of five greenkeepers cope valiantly with above average rainfall to deliver a consistently high standard of surface.

“Everything about the GXi8 HD confirms how aerators have moved on. Set up takes minutes and not a morning. The depth and heave settings are tool free and can be set in seconds.  You just adjust them to suit the conditions on the day. The machine has several shock absorption systems so there’s no shock transfer to the operator or tractor. Basically it’s just getting the gearing and speed right and off you go.

“We’re out and back within the weather windows. Last year to do one of the wider fairways took a full day and a half.  Now it’s done thoroughly in less than one. Crucially our members are benefiting with less disruption.

“After nine weeks we’re almost two full months ahead of where we would be normally with prep for next season. We haven’t allocated extra time. Aeration for us has become an altogether smarter operation.

The 1.8 metre wide is Wiedenmann’s most popular Terra Spike, the access–all-areas status giving it the versatility to take tees, greens and fairways in its stride.

“Everywhere is scheduled for at least two passes before spring but key areas are earmarked for more. Never before could I have contemplated some of the fairways receiving three visits. In the coming months we will hollow core a few select spots to open the surface even further.”

Alan Jack, Area Sales Manager (West) for Fairways GM, Wiedenmann UK’s dealer in Scotland said:

“Gerry knew exactly what he wanted. The GXi8 HD had his name on it from the start so our involvement has been to help him and his team become familiar and use the machine to best effect. His team is powering through so next season he’ll really be able to see a difference especially to his fairways.”

For more information, visit: www.wiedenmann.co.uk

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Extensive Display Of Polaris Models At LAMMA

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Extensive Display Of Polaris Models At LAMMA: Polaris has lined up a vast range of 2018 models for the LAMMA show. Starting with the world’s best selling Sportsman ATVs, there are not many to match the off-road abilities these Polaris machines have to offer. Take the Sportsman 570 EPS. It boasts 44hp, Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and Engine Braking System (EBS) to complement the class leading suspension, and true, on demand All-Wheel Drive. A long-time favourite on the farm, the Sportsman is thoroughly at home negotiating the toughest terrain while providing the rider with an ergonomic, all-round work horse.

If you want an ATV that will carry two people, the Sportsman X2 570 EPS is the ideal choice, offering the features of the single-seater with the addition of Polaris 4 wheel Active Descent Control (ADC) for safely traversing the steepest hills in all types of weather. It’s the ideal solution for getting two people who need to work together into and out of the most inaccessible areas and safely down the steepest inclines, with optimum traction and control in all conditions.

Extensive Display Of Polaris Models At LAMMA

For those of you looking for more power from your ATV, consider the Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 with its 952cc Prostar engine producing 90hp at 7,250 rpm. That is a massive amount of power in a quad and this Polaris has a 261kg payload capacity while featuring EPS, EBS and ADC. It also shares with the rest of the Sportsman range the facility for masses of storage space, with Polaris Lock & Ride, and a comprehensive choice of accessories.

The Polaris Ranger has been largely responsible for leading the charge in the rapid development of the side by side utility 4×4 vehicle market in the UK. For the farmer, the Ranger offers the perfect solution in off-road working transport capable of carrying up to six people, from the two-seater Ranger 570 to the Ranger Crew XP 1000 which accommodates six people, and in addition offers a load carrying dump box at the rear. Most importantly, the Polaris Ranger series gives you the choice of petrol, diesel or electric power, with the multiple options of Lock & Ride cabs to keep out the weather and a host of accessories to meet every need on the farm. As a highly capable alternative to an ATV, the Ranger 570 will take two people comfortably where they need to be across the roughest ground in all weathers. The electric Ranger, the EV, is equally proficient in rough terrain as an eco-friendly alternative, with its silent running 30hp on demand all-wheel drive.

For power, versatility and diesel economy nothing compares to the Polaris Ranger XP 1000 Diesel, sharing EPS, EBS and ADC with its Sportsman cousins and carrying three people in comfort. There’s a petrol equivalent in the Ranger XP 1000 EPS with the same features. Where there is a need to carry up to six people with room for equipment the Ranger Crew XP 1000 EPS fits perfectly as its name implies and with gamekeeping and shooting it has long become the first choice. For added convenience the six seater crew models are available in both petrol and diesel fuel option.

Also on display at LAMMA, the Polaris General 1000 EPS Deluxe Tractor, with ABS (Antilock Braking System) is the ultimate side by side for farm, work, hunting and leisure. Seen alongside its bigger brothers, Polaris is featuring the Sportsman 110 which offers a great way for youngsters to get started in quad biking. See the Polaris ranges at Stand No. R71 at LAMMA.

Polaris Britain: 0800 915 6720 www.polaris-britain.com

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