Barenbrug announces top-scoring seed range

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Barenbrug announces top-scoring seed range: Hot on the heels of taking the very top positions in the new *BSPB/STRI Turfgrass Seed 2022 booklet, with its new sport varieties, Barenbrug has announced their inclusion in its upgraded product range for 2022, with the release of its annual catalogue.

Barzico and Barbasten, the number one and two varieties in table S1, released on 25 January, will feature in all three of Barenbrug’s primary sports products. The highly respected BSPB tables are the result of intensive trials in Bingley, West Yorkshire by the STRI.

Barenbrug announces top-scoring seed range

Barenbrug announces top-scoring seed range

“With our revitalised sports range, we now have the best performing products on the market,” says Dr David Greenshields, Barenbrug’s Commercial Amenity Manager. “Our long-term investment in developing good looking, hard wearing, strong recovering grasses is now paying off – for our customers and for us”.

Elite Sport, the leading grass seed mix for winter sport stadiums and pitches, will now contain both chart-topping varieties, offering the highest score in the market of 7.8 from the S1 table. It promises exceptional levels of both winter wear tolerance and early spring growth for rapid recovery, with a recovery score of 7.3*.

Barzico, with a table-topping Mean score of 8.1*, is 35% of the Elite Sport blend, closely followed by Barbasten with 7.9* (25%). Stalwarts Barcristalla, with 7.4*, and Europitch, with 7.8*, each take 20% of the new mixture. All four varieties feature in the top 14 of the new S1 table.

Barenbrug’s RPR Sport is also given a new look, with the addition of Barzico. The Regenerating Perennial Ryegrass blend already offers unparalleled capacity for recovery, thanks to Barlibro’s regenerative stoloniferous growth. Barorlando’s unique combination of wear tolerance and dark green genetic colour rounds out the team.

The mixture is ideal for areas of intensive traffic and heavily used pitches that do not get a complete annual renovation, providing both top wear tolerance and good aesthetics. RPR Sport contains 40% Barlibro, 40% Barorlando and 20% Barzico.

Year-round blend Multi Sport also gets a new generation upgrade. This mixture is formulated for flexible, through-the-year performance and sustainability for multi-use sport fields, grounds and pitches such as winter sports pitches used for cricket in the summer. Barbasten will now represent 40% of the Multi Sport blend.

Based on the BSPB S1 table, the mixture gets a strong score of 7.5. Showing its flexibility into the summer months, it also hits 7.3 for shoot density at the lower mowing height of 15mm on the BSPB L1 table.

Multi Sport also contains 30% Baradona, 20% Barorlando and 10% Baromario, all products of Barenbrug’s own breeding programmes in Holland and France, Barenbrug’s new 2022 catalogue contains full details of its sports products, together with a wide range for golf, cricket, tennis, bowling green and equestrian applications. The 52 page volume also contains sowing data, and takes a look at Barenbrug’s breeding systems and unique technologies. It is available via the company’s website – barenbrug.co.uk.

Specialising entirely on developing innovative UK grass seed solutions, Barenbrug UK is now recognised as the leading grass seed breeder and grower in the UK. As part of the wider Barenbrug Group, grass experts since 1904, their worldwide research and plant genetics network includes dedicated UK trials of amenity varieties and mixtures, providing a solid testing ground while drawing on knowledge and expertise from across the globe.

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Fueling the future of garden machinery

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Fueling the future of garden machinery: Leading power tool manufacturer Makita UK is offering end users the chance to get their hands on FREE LXT and XGT products with the purchase of selected cordless garden machines. With a wide selection of freebies on offer, the deal is perfect for professionals looking to start or expand their existing Makita cordless range.

Makita’s latest garden machinery promotion gives end users the chance to claim the highly sought after MR002GZ01 Bluetooth Site Radio (compatible with LXT, XGT and CXT batteries), or 18V LXT DMP180Z Inflator, or 18V LXT DUM604ZX Grass Shear with the purchase and registration of a huge selection of its leading LXT outdoor products – including blowers, grass shears, hedge trimmers, line trimmers, brush cutters, split shafts, lawnmowers, chainsaws and the Twin 18V DDG460T2X7 Brushless Earth Auger.

Fueling the future of garden machinery

Fueling the future of garden machinery

In addition, those who purchase selected XGT 40VMax outdoor equipment (including blowers, hedge trimmers, brush cutters, linetrimmers and more) can redeem a free MR002GZ01 Bluetooth Site Radio, or MP001GZ XGT 40VMax Inflator, or ML003G XGT 40VMax Work Light.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita said: “At Makita, we believe that the future of garden machinery is cordless – which is why we are offering end users the chance to introduce new cordless products into their armoury with our latest promotion.

“Our 18V LXT and XGT 40VMax outdoor equipment has been designed to offer professionals the power and performance needed to tackle any task with ease, without compromising on battery run time, user safety or productivity. With over 270 LXT products and 50 XGT models in our wider range, we are helping end users achieve a truly cordless jobsite.”

Makita’s latest redemption offer launches on 1st February and will run until 30th June 2022. Customers who purchase any of the qualifying models in this period will have 28 days to register their purchase and claim their free product.

For more information on the promotion and terms and conditions, visit: www.makitauk.com/redemption

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A new era for battery-powered tools

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A new era for battery-powered tools: With the recent passing of the California Air Resource Board (CARB) measure to restrict new sales of landscaping equipment to be zero-emission tools, Pellenc is over 10 years ahead of the competition with a full range of battery-powered tools for the professional market.

Pellenc has spent over a decade designing and refining their range of ULiB battery packs, comprehensively testing with professional users worldwide and sharing the same core values as CARB to innovate towards a zero-emission future.

A new era for battery-powered tools

A new era for battery-powered tools

Within the report, it’s noted: “a commercial operator using one backpack leaf blower for one hour generates the same smog-forming emissions as a car driving 1100 miles. These new regulations will aim to reduce emissions of smog-forming emissions by 72 tons per day.”

Now is the time to find out more about the range of Pellenc batteries and grounds maintenance tools.

Following the successful launch at SALTEX 2009, Pellenc has quickly become the leader in professional battery-powered tools, with a range of batteries able to undertake a full working day on a single charge.  Productivity was brought to a new level, while reducing vibration, noise and Co2 emissions.

Pellenc have a tried and tested knowledge and understanding of what a true professional user needs to undertake the move from petrol to battery tools. That now includes a four-year warranty on all batteries within the range which gives peace of mind and confidence in equipment lasting the testing conditions of commercial use.

For more information on the California Air Resource Board report, please visit click here.

Pellenc is sold exclusively in the UK and Ireland by Etesia UK. For more information, or to book a no obligation demonstration, please visit www.pellencuk.com

You can also follow Pellenc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PellencUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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BASF invests in growth

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BASF invests in growth: Leading pest control solutions manufacturer, BASF has invested in new vessels at its specialist nematode production facility, which is the only one of its kind in Britain. The operation produces nematodes used by amateur gardeners and commercial growers globally as a natural pest-control solution for slugs and other pests.

Based in Littlehampton, the 4,000 m2 facility has been producing up to 12 trillion nematodes every month, but the installation of the new vessels in which to grow them will see this increase by 14% per month, whilst also creating a more robust manufacturing process, ensuring reliable supply to customers.

BASF invests in growth

BASF invests in growth

The project was conceived at the end of 2020 and work began in earnest at the beginning of 2021, with completion due at the end of Q1 2022.

As is the case for the other 6 manufacturing vessels already on site, the new equipment was designed and manufactured to exacting requirements in Burton upon Trent, a town famous for its brewing – which is apt, as the vessel is reminiscent of a brewery fermenter, with similar technology employed in its production.

The 316L Stainless Steel vessels, with ground and polished welds for sterility, are designed and tested to withstand 150ºC, 5.2 barg pressure and full vacuum, with a cooling jacket built into the shell, to prevent the nematodes from ‘cooking’ by the heat generated from their mass reproduction. Even when empty the vessels weigh an astonishing 7,150 kg.

The vessel installation took place over a weekend, but the mammoth task of mechanical and electrical installation will take approximately 10 weeks, with work due to begin this month.

Thomas Goddard, operations manager at BASF Agricultural Specialities commented: “This is an exciting time for the company, as we invest in our resources, which reflects the growing appetite for biological pest control and our unique place in the market.”

For further information about nematodes, please visit https://www.nemasysinfo.co.uk/ and follow basf_nemasys_uk on Instagram.

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BIGGA Vice President revealed

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BIGGA Vice President revealed: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has revealed that Shirley Golf Club course manager Andrew Smith will become vice president of the association for 2022.

Andrew will support former St Andrews Links Director of Greenkeeping Gordon Moir in his activities as BIGGA President throughout this year, before stepping up to the president’s role in his own right in 2023.

BIGGA Vice President revealed

BIGGA Vice President revealed

Andrew, 59, has been course manager at Shirley Golf Club in Solihull for 23 years, following stints at Lutterworth, North Warwickshire and Olton. He has been involved with BIGGA as an active committee member since 1996, most recently serving as chairperson for the Central England Region since 2019 and is also an R&A Greenkeeping Scholar.

Prior to a serious bout of COVID-19, Andrew was an extreme athlete, undertaking personal challenges such as the National Three Peaks, climbing the 13 highest mountains in Wales in a day and completing triathlons. Last Christmas he undertook a challenge of a different sort as he played a lead role in his local theatrical society’s presentation of Cinderella.

Andrew said: “It will come as no surprise to anyone that I’m always willing to try new things, but I never imagined that would include being appointed vice president of BIGGA.

“I have been involved with the association for over 25 years and during that time we’ve taken some incredible strides forward with regard to the education that is on offer to greenkeepers and the reputation of BIGGA members within the wider golfing industry. For the presidency to go from St Andrews to Shirley Golf Club in Solihull shows the breadth and scope of BIGGA and the degree to which anyone can contribute to the association, if they put their mind to it.

“I’m incredibly proud to represent Shirley Golf Club on a national scale and I look forward to meeting my fellow members from across the association at the various events we are involved with throughout the year.”

Andrew will be appointed Vice President of BIGGA during the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition, which takes place in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, during March 2022. He will then become President at the same event the following year.

BIGGA Chairperson Scott Reeves will complete his term at BTME 2022, to be succeeded by Steve Lloyd of The Worcestershire Golf Club. Commenting upon the appointment of Andrew as Vice President, Scott said: “After a turbulent few years for everyone, I’m proud that BIGGA has stuck to its vision of being an association that values the contributions of all its members, no matter their background or career path. Andrew has been a respected figurehead within the Central England Region for many years and has been influential in creating education opportunities for so many of his fellow members. I am therefore delighted that he has accepted the nomination to become BIGGA Vice President in 2022.”

Registration for BTME 2022 is open now via www.btme.org.uk

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