Grass Health Watch 2021

Grass Health Watch 2021: Recently, Mike Heisig from FairWay Awards reported that, so far this year, sports turf grass health in the UK was struggling to keep pace with levels seen this time last year. The data was collated from around 50 satellite readings up and down the country.

The results from the satellite tracking using the Kleffmann Digital Biomass Index (KBDI) shows the UK as whole was 5% behind in March 2021 in terms of grass health/vitality levels compared with the same point in 2020.

Grass Health Watch 2021

Grass Health Watch 2021

Mike Heisig from FairWay Awards digs deeper into the numbers. Mike explains:

“The national figure is an average that disguises some significant regional variations. In the table below each region is based on Met Office Climate Regions and as such each has its own potential attainable health level.”

“Up to the end of March 2021 grass health and vitality was running at a deficit in most regions except Scotland. Of most concern was the South East.”

“Because we know the April 2020 KDVI health levels on the same sports grass areas, we can take these as a estimate of the potential KDVI that we could expect 12 months later at the end of April 2021.

Grass Health Watch 2021

Grass Health Watch 2021

“The next diagram gives some indication of the uplift in health and vitality that were required by the end of April 2021 to put each region of the UK back on track. “

“In the next 2021 Grass Health Watch update we will have the April results and will look forward at where we might get to in May and June which is when we normally expect to experience the highest levels of grass health in the year.”

What about the grass at your club?

You can register for free 3-month no commitment trial of satellite biomass data for your club.

Get the benefits of the Precision Sports Turf Revolution:

  • Spot grass health problems before they are visible
  • Save money on inputs where they are not required
  • Apply inputs according the needs of the grass
  • Make better environmental decisions

Regular updates on grass health through 2021 at www.fairwayawards.com or follow @FairWayAwards on twitter

Join the Sports Turf Revolution contact Mike Heisig: Mike-Heisig@btconnect.com

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S&C Slatter celebrates 30 years

S&C Slatter celebrates 30 years: Leading sports construction specialists S&C Slatter celebrate 30th anniversary of family-owned business

Founded in 1991 by Stephen and Caroline Slatter, the Newbury based company is a leading provider of sports facilities and estate infrastructure for the sports, leisure and education sectors, and has earned an exceptional reputation for quality and service resulting in continued growth over 30 years.

S&C Slatter celebrates 30 years

S&C Slatter celebrates 30 years

Enjoying rapid expansion under the leadership of current CEO, David Slatter, the company has a long list of achievements to its name, from becoming the world’s first International Hockey Federation (FIH) Certified Field Builder to delivering Europe’s first Major League Baseball field at the London Stadium.

The company shows no sign of slowing down, currently constructing two world-class athletics tracks as part of the Alexander Stadium redevelopment, while recently announcing an exclusive new finance partnership with Buckingham Leasing, allowing clients to spread the cost of new sports pitches, courts and tracks over time.

Jason Douglass, Group Director, The Slatter Group commented:

In my 10+ years at the company, it’s been a pleasure to witness such enormous growth, thanks in no small part to the continued leadership and presence of the Slatter family. The shared vision, intelligence, direction and integrity in which the business and employees operate reflect our heritage, advancement and the core family values upon which S&C Slatter was founded.”

Ben O’Connor, Managing Director of S&C Slatter, presented members of the Slatter family with a 30th anniversary gift at the company offices in Enborne, while company staff delivered personal video messages, enabling everyone to join in with the celebrations despite coronavirus restrictions.

Ben commented:

“S&C Slatter’s legacy extends beyond just the thousands of fantastic sports facilities we have delivered in the last 30 years. The long-term employment, personal development and incomes the company has provided for families based both locally and nationally is a source of great pride. We’re honoured to have built a company with long-term sustainable growth and a team of brilliant individuals that thrives together, with a deep-rooted commitment to honesty and integrity.”

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Etesia goal achieved

Etesia goal achieved: It was a brand of mower he always wanted and now, Lee Norris, owner of Four Seasons Gardening, is the proud owner of four brand new Etesia pedestrian mowers.

Eight years ago, Lee Norris took the decision to start his own business and was equipped only with a lawnmower and an old Ford Fiesta. Fast forward to 2021, and his company now has five members of staff and boasts a glowing reputation throughout South Wales.

Etesia goal achieved

Etesia goal achieved

Lee pinpoints the success of the company to the advice and criticism he received from his mentor.

“When I was 18 years old, I started working with a landscaping company and I had never pushed a mower in my life,” he said. “I went everywhere with the owner and he taught me everything I needed to know. He was an absolute perfectionist, and his work was so precise and neat. If, for example, I left just one leaf on a driveway then he would quickly let me know about it! I often wondered why he gave me a hard time but now I know – he was showing me that it is the little things that go an incredibly long way.”

Lee and his team now tend to many private and commercial projects and it is these high standards which has ensured that the company has never lost a contract. These standards demanded by Lee, not only apply to work ethic, but also to the equipment – and there is one brand that he has always had in his sights.

“I first heard of Etesia many years ago when I was first starting out in the industry,” he said. “Someone in the local area had one and he used to rave about how good it was and how it could cut and collect in the wet. I saw him using it and from that day I was adamant that one day I was going to get one.

“As the years progressed, and my company grew nothing had changed – I was forever telling the guys that soon we will have a fleet of Etesia mowers to use.”

Etesia UK also came from relatively humble beginnings. Although a revolutionary and market-leading brand in France, Etesia entered the UK market in 1995 with only one walk- behind and one ride-on machine. Over the years Etesia UK has grown rapidly and now offers a wide range of products that include a variety of walk-behind, ride-on mowers and the highly regarded Attila range of brush cutters.

With an extensive range of products in the Etesia portfolio, Lee was keen to ensure he made the correct decision.

“I knew that I wanted some Etesia mowers, but I just didn’t know which models I needed,” he said. “I messaged the Etesia Facebook page and following that I received a call from Stephen Muir (Etesia UK Business Development Manager) and he gave me all the advice I needed. He asked me about what I do, what the mowers would be used for, where they would be used, and we talked through all the different models. We eventually decided on the PRO 46 PHTS3’s.

Etesia’s renowned PRO 46 pedestrian models are robust, reliable, ergonomic, and easy to use. Lee opted for the single speed self-propelled option, but a push variant (PHE3) is also available. The design of these models has been proven over many years and has an unbeatable record of quality and performance unrivalled in its class. They provide outstanding collection performance, even if the grass is long and wet – something that Etesia has prided itself on over the past 30 years.

Further features include:

  • Capable of mowing and also of mulching
  • Individual height of cut adjusters
  • Collection: grass is only cut once before being sent to the grass box
  • Internal aerodynamics of the housing and the wide channel eliminates any risk of blockage.
  • Superb rear wheel traction to offer perfect grip on slopes
  • Integrated deflector for rear discharge
  • 22mm handlebar design
  • The latest Honda GCV170 engine

Lee purchased four PRO 46 PHTS3’s and believes they have certainly lived up to his expectations.

“I can’t praise these machines enough,” he said. “There is one particular site we look after, and it has just over 10,000 sq. ft of grass and it is always thick, wet and lush. With our previous mowers we had to always go over it initially, then push it all back and go over them again. However, the first time we put the new Etesia mowers over it, they literally went straight through all the grass and the clippings went directly into the box – all in one go. We no longer have the hassle of stopping and starting or cleaning the decks out. These Etesia mowers are saving us so much time.

“They are smooth and quiet, and they are absolutely solid – which I love,” continued Lee. “I also like the height adjusters being at the front and the back because it gives us the opportunity to do bank work; so, if we are on a slope then we can raise the back and drop the front, to level it out to ensure that we get a good cut.

“The customer service from Etesia has been great at all times and I’m just very happy with the purchase.”

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

You can also follow Etesia on Twitter @EtesiaUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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John Deere’s new apprentice training centre

John Deere’s new apprentice training centre: John Deere and training provider ProVQ have announced plans to open a brand new Apprentice Training Centre this autumn, at a farm site in Upper Saxondale near Bingham in Nottinghamshire. This will mark the 30th anniversary of the company’s first Ag Tech apprentice intake, who were enrolled at original partner Brooksby Melton College in 1992.

Designed specifically and solely for John Deere dealer apprentices attending the company’s award winning Ag Tech, Turf Tech and Parts Tech training programmes, the first John Deere Apprentice Training Centre was established at Radcliffe-on-Trent five years ago. These premises have now been outgrown, due to the programmes’ success and increasing dealer demand.

John Deere's new apprentice training centre

John Deere’s new apprentice training centre

The Ag ,Turf and Parts Tech apprenticeships focus on developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for dealer personnel of the future. Each year group trains at the centre for up to eight weeks a year in four blocks of two weeks. Some of this time is also spent at John Deere’s Langar HQ when working with the largest equipment and the latest technologies.

John Deere appointed ProVQ Limited in summer 2015 as its new business partner to deliver the apprentice training programmes on behalf of its dealers in the UK & Ireland. Since that time the strength of the partnership has allowed the programmes to develop and grow to meet the needs and expectations of a modern John Deere dealership. The current full-time ProVQ staff will continue to be managed by James Haslam at the new Apprentice Training Centre from the autumn.

ProVQ started its apprentice training programmes in 2005, and went on to develop a full range of national services including apprentice recruitment, training, vocational assessment and qualifications. Today the company trains over 600 apprentices and many hundreds of adult learners on technical, parts and customer service programmes.

“We are really looking forward to establishing this new bespoke facility close to our UK headquarters at Langar,” said John Deere Limited training centre manager Allan Cochran. “Our joint investment in the expanded Apprentice Training Centre will be in the region of £1.5 million. This will allow us to continue our growth and ambition to attract more young talent to develop successful careers in land-based engineering through the John Deere agricultural, turf and forestry dealer network.

“As our dealership businesses continue to grow, there is increasing demand for qualified technicians equipped with the correct knowledge and skills to support that growth. We have therefore recognised the need to increase the capacity of our already successful and industry leading training programmes even further.

John Deere's new apprentice training centre

John Deere’s new apprentice training centre

“The new site will feature a purpose-built two-storey unit in addition to refurbished and extended farm buildings, effectively almost doubling our available square footage. The premises will include a bigger workshop space as well as larger classroom and cafeteria facilities.

“Most importantly, this will give us the capability to double our throughput of trained technicians to meet dealer demand. ProVQ will maintain its current staffing levels and continue to provide the full suite of apprentice technician training programmes at the new premises.”

ProVQ managing director Stuart Jones added: “Together with John Deere, we have already jointly developed a very high quality training environment in which apprentices can learn to master the technology that underpins the company’s comprehensive agricultural and amenity turf product ranges.

“We are now looking forward to seeing many more young people come through the doors of our new training centre at the start of what is undoubtedly a very exciting and rewarding career in engineering and parts support. The facilities we are developing will help them to achieve their full potential in a rapidly changing industry that offers a great opportunity to work with some of the most advanced technologies supporting food production, land management and environmental sustainability.”

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Forest Green extend Infinicut partnership

Forest Green extend Infinicut partnership: It is perhaps no surprise that the club described by FIFA as ‘the greenest football club in the world’ would turn to battery power when it comes to their choice of mowers.

However, what did surprise Forest Green Rovers Grounds Manager Nigel Harvey was the enormous improvements in both operation and finish achieved with the club’s duo of 34” INFINICUT® FL’s compared to their previous petrol-driven units.

Forest Green extend Infinicut partnership

Forest Green extend Infinicut partnership

Now nine months into his role, and with the assistance of club Apprentice Matt Berry, Nigel’s transition from the Forest Green training ground to the Stadium was a swift and steep learning curve. “I had only used petrol mowers previously and because of the speed of the handover, when I took over at The New Lawn Ground, I stuck to what I knew. That was until Oliver Hall from INFINICUT® came in and did some training with me on the pair of floating head units and I just could not believe how good they were – I’d been missing out!”

“It’s not just the fact they’re battery powered, which obviously means they’re quiet to operate and aren’t kicking out noxious fumes, but it’s the quality of cut too which is just outstanding. Within the time it took me to mow half the pitch I could tell the definition of stripe and cleanliness of cut was far superior to what we had been using. With fewer conventional tools and techniques at my disposal to tackle issues such as disease control, the balance and adjustability of the INFINICUT® delivers the perfect cut – with no shredding or bruising – to maintain plant health.”

Along with the two FL 34’s, Nigel has also got a range of TMSystem™ cassettes as his disposal including the SarelRoller™ and ThatchMaster™, which will be of particular use in preparing the surface for next season. The club are also looking at add further battery powered equipment to their fleet, with the aim of significantly reducing petrol usage at the stadium.

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