Cranfield study results

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Cranfield study results: A year-long scientific study into the amount of soil microbiology in TOPSOIL products has resulted in data that will assist product development and help customers to understand more about the health of the soils they specify or use.

The study, which was overseen by Senior Research Fellow of Soil Biology at Cranfield University Dr Mark Pawlett, commenced in November 2021 and statistically analysed four samples each of TOPSOIL’s Sports&Turf topdressing, Landscape20 general purpose topsoil, and HortLoam planting soil, taken at three-monthly intervals.

Cranfield study results

Cranfield study results

At each sampling, the total microbial biomass of each product was measured to assess whether the processes critical for nutrient cycling and resilience are supported by active soil microorganisms. In other words, is the topsoil component in TOPSOIL products a healthy, living organism making an entirely positive contribution to plant and turf establishment and growth?

Commenting on the data and final report, National TOPSOIL Manager Andy Spetch said:

“This Cranfield study, together with our ongoing carbon monitoring work and trials with the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), helps us provide our customers with as full a picture of each of our products as possible. This, in turn, allows landscape, grounds management, and sports turf professionals to make informed buying decisions based on objective, independent, scientific data and analysis. This data will also help us to develop and refine our products.”

The Cranfield study concluded that HortLoam planting soil has the greatest microbial biomass overall, reflecting the PAS 100 greenwaste compost component of the product. The microbial biomass of Landscape20 general purpose topsoil is slightly reduced compared to Hortloam, and both have significantly higher microbial biomass than Sports&Turf, a sand-based topdressing with only 10 percent soil component.

The study data and report can be freely accessed on the TOPSOIL website. www.bstopsoil.co.uk

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Happy 80th Poggy

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Happy 80th Poggy: Not only did Campey Turf Care Systems enjoy a successful Saltex show at the NEC last week, but it also provided the opportunity to celebrate Ian Pogson’ (affectionately known within the industry as Poggy), 80th birthday!

Ian has been a valued member of the Campey team for over 15 years, first as product specialist for the Southern UK and Ireland regions, then taking on an ambassadorial role in 2017. He has proved an invaluable asset, attending seminars, open days, exhibitions, and training days, using his extensive knowledge of product and the sports turf industry to greatest effect.

Happy 80th Poggy

Happy 80th Poggy

So, now Ian has reached 80, is he intending to hang up his tines, and reach for the gardening fork? Not a bit of it. “First I intend to travel with my wife Christine for a holiday and then I will continue to be available to Campeys as long as they see fit to require my services” declared Ian. “Any spare time I can find will be spent enjoying the great outdoors walking with my daughter’s beautiful golden Labrador, having fun with the grandchildren, although the eldest is already 19 and an apprentice PGA Professional golfer, and of- course gardening under instruction from Christine.”

Richard Campey, Chairman of Campey Turf Care was delighted to present Ian with a celebratory gift at Saltex. “Congratulations to Poggy on his 80th birthday. We are pleased to mark this occasion at an industry event, which is completely appropriate as he is part of the fabric of our company. Long may it continue!”

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Origin create a buzz at SALTEX 2022

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Origin create a buzz at SALTEX 2022: The Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) team has declared SALTEX a successful show. It ended on a high with their stand being announced as the Stand Award Winner by the GMA. They were voted the best in the large spaces category due to the excellence in stand design and customer experience.

Speaking about their experience OAS Marketing Director Kate Humes commented, “This was our first major show under the new marketing stewardship, and we were delighted with how it went. There was an impressive turn out with high profile visitors and exhibitors old and new.  The Origin Amenity Solutions stand was buzzing from the minute the doors opened. It was well organised and provided an ideal platform to catch up with customers, suppliers, and industry friends. Winning the Best Stand was the icing on the cake.  A lot of work goes into designing and building a stand of this scale and it was nice to be recognised for the team’s efforts.”

Origin create a buzz at SALTEX 2022

Origin create a buzz at SALTEX 2022

Origin Amenity Solutions combines four major industry brands – Headland Amenity, Rigby Taylor, Symbio and Turfkeeper. The group was established just over a year ago and their impressive presence at SALTEX demonstrates their commitment to the industry and positions them as a leading force in amenity and grounds management.

The stand was a hive of activity with live demonstrations of the Beacon application, the newest feature of the digital Turfkeeper platform offering push-notifications direct to mobile devices.  One visitor commented, “This is a fantastic new feature. Just what I needed.  It means I can keep my eyes on the jobs and my teams workload while I’m away from my desk. Simple but brilliant.”

The new Tiny Pro X robotic line marker made its debut appearance at the show and was incredibly well received.  Kate continues, “there was so much interest in the GPS Tiny Mobile Robots range and particularly the most recently launched robot, the Tiny Pro X.  We actually sold three machines on the stand which was cause for celebration.”

Elsewhere on the stand Dr Deidre Charleston profiled Symbio’s compost tea packages that are specially formulated using Symbio’s composting microbial technology. Many visitors to the OAS stand viewed the microbes in HD highlighting the types of microbes present after different brewing lengths.

Not just restricted to their stand, Research & Development Director Geoff Fenn and Angus Finlayson, OAS Turf Trials Research Manager took to the seminar area to explain about the Origin’s £1m Turf Science & Technology Centre and the importance of research in the amenity industry. It was well received, and the audience learnt about the variables to consider when conducting trials, the trial process itself, and how the team ensure all trials are completely unbiased.

The OAS team came out in force to support the GMA Awards. They sponsored the Young Grounds Person Of The Year category and  Origin Amenity Solutions Commercial Director Andy Russell presented to the worthy winner Dylan Thompson of Doncaster Rovers FC.

Andy Russell adds, “We were delighted to support the industry and the GMA.  Saltex is always a good event for networking, catching up with customers and launching new products. We had a lot of visitors to the stand, some great meetings, and some interesting leads. Overall it was a valued and worthwhile event for us.”

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AriensCo Wows Professionals at SALTEX

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AriensCo Wows Professionals at SALTEX: AriensCo, an industry leader in outdoor power equipment, is delighted with its presence at this year’s SALTEX. On display was its range of commercial petrol and electric zero-turns as well as its new stand-on mower, the ARROW and the latest range of AS-Motor products for high grass, slopes and mulching.

This was the first UK trade show bringing Ariens and AS-Motor together. For the second year running, AriensCo hosted the Lawn Care Legends booth takeover.

AriensCo Wows Professionals at SALTEX

AriensCo Wows Professionals at SALTEX

Across the two-days, turf professionals, landscapers and local authority representatives got to experience both Ariens’ fully commercial, heavy-duty line-up of zero turns and AS-Motor’s speciality machinery and understand how AriensCo can support them. No matter the size of their business, AriensCo’s new line-up have the right combination of mowers and tools to complement their needs.

Products on display included Ariens’ industry leading APEX, available in 48” and 52” decks, the fully commercial ZENITH, coming in 60” and 52” decks and the battery powered ZENITH E, now available in 48”, 52” and 60” decks. All machines are now available with side and rear discharge deck configurations.

Ariens also exhibited its new stand-on mower, ARROW. This low-profile mower offers professionals both speed and accuracy, giving them the ability to mow large areas of grass and manoeuvre easily around flower beds, trees and other obstacles.

Additionally, AriensCo showcased its AS-Motor line-up following its 2021 acquisition. Products shown included the latest SHERPA and YAK ride-on mowers, which combine strength, performance and comfort. A range of AS-Motor battery and petrol-powered walk-behind mulching mowers and the specialist battery powered WeedHex tool were also on display.

Back by popular demand, the AriensCo stand was also taken over by the Lawn Care Legends, a community of professional landscapers. More than 100 Legends took in the AriensCo buzz and heard from Brad Stiles as he presented on ARROW, ZENITH E and the rest of the Ariens and AS-Motor line-ups.

Brad Stiles, VP Sales, EMEAA said, “We couldn’t have asked for anything more from this year’s Saltex. We got an unbelievable reception for our commercial line-up of Ariens zero-turns and feedback on the latest AS-Motor line-up was positive. ARROW and ZENITH E were also big hits, not only with the distinguished Lawn Care Legends but with new and existing customers.”

John Ryan, Head of Lawn Care Legends said, “Taking over Ariens’ booth this year was legendary. Not only did we get to see and hear more about Ariens’ awesome commercial line-up of battery and petrol powered zero-turns, but we got hands on with the latest AS-Motor gear and the new ARROW. AriensCo’s commercial offering gives professionals like us the tools to get the job done and done well.”

To find out more about Ariens’ commercial line-up of battery and petrol powered zero-turn mowers and speciality AS-Motor products visit ariens.eu or as-motor.uk. If you’d like to join the growing network of AriensCo dealers, email: bturvey@ariensco.com.

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