Flete Estate improve environment with switch to Foamstream

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Flete Estate improve environment with switch to Foamstream: Flete Estate, home to Mothecombe Gardens, have eliminated herbicide use and created a more environmentally friendly space for both people and pollinators, by switching to Foamstream from Weedingtech.

Sustainability has always been a focus for the family-run estate situated in a picturesque part of South Devon and now, under the management of John Mildmay-White, the site is another step closer to being completely organic and chemical-free.

Flete Estate improve environment with switch to Foamstream

Flete Estate improve environment with switch to Foamstream

John took over the running of the estate from his father in 2019, which includes Mothecombe House, the public Mothecombe Gardens and a number of holiday cottages, boasting views of the beach and Erme estuary. “My father converted the home farm to organic in 1990 and my mother has been creating a haven for pollinators in the garden which is the legacy I am looking to build on” he explains. “One of the issues I was keen to tackle was the use of herbicides on areas like our gravel paths and around our holiday lets so I tasked our Head Gardener Martin Haxton with finding a viable alternative.”

Martin explains how, after trialling various alternatives, the team settled on Foamstream. “There are various tools and techniques that all claim to provide an effective non-herbicidal solution. We did some research and tried various options such as burning, which we found was very labour intensive, expensive and at the end of the day, not overly effective.” He adds, “There were lots of positives about Foamstream, firstly that it’s all organic and another is the ability to use it in all weather conditions which means you’re not reliant on the perfect weather conditions to conduct the operation.”

Foamstream is a green solution to weed and moss control, utilising a combination of hot water and a patented foam made from natural plant oils and sugars to retain heat and effectively kill a wide variety of weed species. In trials, Foamstream has demonstrated similar efficacy to glyphosate, outperforming other non-herbicidal alternatives. “It was clear during our research that Foamstream had been thoroughly tried and tested, in a range of situations and would give us the results we wanted” says John.

“We purchased an L12 in August 2022 and it’s been a brilliant investment. The set-up is quick and simple and operators have commented on how easy it is to move around the gardens meaning we can tackle weed growth in all areas thanks to the 20m hose and highly portable lance applicator.” John concludes, “We’re delighted with how well Foamstream works and how this will help in our drive to provide a cleaner environment for everybody, including wildlife, to enjoy.”

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Reesink announces Master Service Technicians

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Reesink announces Master Service Technicians: The Master Service Technician award, the highest training achievement Reesink Turfcare and Toro Commercial has to offer, has been awarded to four more technicians.

Chris Hester from Cheshire Turf Machinery, Ian Hill from Oliver Landpower, Stuart Barrie from Reesink Scotland and Michael Dixon from Lloyd Limited (Newcastle branch) have completed one of the most stringent and comprehensive training courses in the industry and are now able to offer the highest level of service in the UK.

Reesink announces Master Service Technicians

Reesink announces Master Service Technicians

The Master Service Technician (MST) programme is specifically designed to provide the most thorough training for Authorised Dealer Technicians, ensuring their skillset is updated and meets the demands of the industry’s continuous evolution.

With the rapid development of electric and hybrid technology, it’s important that the skills and knowledge in those areas progress at an equivalent rate so that technicians and dealers can better serve their customers and the Toro product.

Stuart confirms this is very much the case: “As engineers we need to keep up with industry progress and development. We all know about climate change and the move from petrol/diesel to electric power in the car industry. Not so well known is our industry is going through the same changes. This course makes sure all engineers are adequately trained to carry on with day to day repairs and requirements as the changes happen.”

When considering the advantages this will bring for customers, Ian says: “The MST course provides the opportunity to train to a standard that’s not widely available in the industry. In a customer facing role, it’s an advantage to be able to give the best level of support and advice to customers and ensure high standards of service on hybrid and all electric systems.”

Michael agrees: “Completing the MST training has meant that Lloyds as a dealer has also benefitted, receiving better warranty return rates and boosting the dealer standards score. It has not gone unnoticed by the company that my efforts have had a positive impact on the business.”

And it’s not just customers who benefit from Reesink setting the standard and offering this course as Chris explains: “For a start, it’s a huge achievement to pass the interview process and be accepted onto the course; that in itself is a worthy addition to the CV! But most of all, it’s recognition for the dedication and hard work you’ve put into your career and with it being similar to a degree in this sector, it’s a big deal.”

Summing up the benefits having a qualified MST in the business, Sean Trotter, service manager from Lloyds, says: “This training gives the engineer the recognition they deserve for their skill set and abilities. It’s an industry recognised qualification held in high esteem with our customers in the golf industry and brings financial benefits with warranty reimbursement and a contribution towards the training once qualified.”

The course has been set up with further benefits for the qualifying technician too as Michael explains: “There’s a trip to America to get a first hand insight into the goings on of Toro and where it all comes from. For someone who works for a dealer this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and trips like this rarely come around.”

Further courses run throughout the year to keep the technicians up-to-date with evolving products and technologies and with all qualified Master Service Technicians hailing from different dealers, it means there’s a good chance customers across England and Scotland now have access to this higest level of service and support.

But there can never be enough, so for dealers wanting to recognise their technician’s talent and ambition, and for technicians wishing to further their careers, call Reesink on 01480 226800 or go online at reesinkturfcare.co.uk/resources/training-courses.

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Banish the dread of Red Thread

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Banish the dread of Red Thread: Summer is on its way, and with it can appear the scourge of groundskeepers everywhere – the fungal infection Red Thread.

This common disease causes reddish-brown patches of turf, especially during warm wet weather and heavy dews, spelling disaster for those attempting to maintain pristine grass. Fortunately though, there is a way to protect managed amenity turf and improve immunity and growth – by using BASF’S Insignia®.

Banish the dread of Red Thread

Banish the dread of Red Thread

Insignia® is a long-lasting fungicide with a broad disease-control spectrum and high performance, treating turf diseases such as the afore-mentioned Red Thread, as well as unsightly infections such as Dollar Spot and Microdochium Patch. But Insignia® is so much more than just a fungicide. As part of the Intrinsic™ fungicide family, it also increases growth efficiency and enhances stress tolerance – both essential for those looking to maintain and improve turf conditions for years to come.

When used on the desired area, Insignia® forms deposits on the leaf surface which act as as a reservoir, releasing the active ingredient to protect the leaf’s surface and deeper tissues over a number of weeks.

Insignia® has numerous benefits alongside its fungicide performance and is the first fungicide with plant health effects. Greenkeepers will find that through the use of Insignia, turf will have an ehanced response to heat and drought as well as mechanical and biotic stresses, resulting in a healthy root system and improved plant health.

To find out more about Insignia® go to

https://www.agricentre.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Product-Search/Fungicides/Insignia.html

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Corvus Off-Road Vehicle accessories

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Corvus Off-Road Vehicle accessories: Existing and prospective owners of Corvus Off-Road Vehicles now have a wider range of accessories available to enhance the looks and performance of their Terrain utility vehicles.

Set out in a new 2023 brochure, which can be downloaded as a PDF from the distributor’s website www.bossorv.co.uk the accessories range from protective steel front bumpers to snow tracks and a host of useful devices in between that can be specified or retro-fitted. The front bumpers, which include installation components, are designed to allow the installation of a front winch and there is a choice of WARN winches with hauling capacities from 1,500kg to 2,041kg. These can be operated from a dashboard switch or by the top-of-the-range WARN wireless system, which lets you remote control from up to 15 metres away. Selection of tyres is an important factor for all types of tough terrain where traction is critical, and the CST Clincher tyre offers high grip in all situations. Options on wheels include light, sports design 14” aluminium rims or 14” matt black steel rims that are highly resistant to shocks and temperature changes. A spare wheel comes complete with Clincher tyre and can be used on any axle.

Corvus Off-Road Vehicle accessories

Corvus Off-Road Vehicle accessories

Safety, storage and comfort are pre-eminent factors for hard-working 4×4 utility vehicles and the range of accessories in these categories live up to the Corvus Terrain reputation for quality and productivity. There is rear windscreen impact protection with a tubular steel grill, a luggage roof rack and side storage pods for extra storage, cargo box cover and protective anti-slip silicone carpet. An electro-hydraulic system for tilting the cargo box can be fitted and operated from a switch on the dashboard. Steel side extensions are available to maximise the storage volume of the cargo box area. Creature comforts are catered for with a two-door pack of driver and passenger full doors with windows, half doors or net half doors. The front windscreen can be tempered glass or a protective glass flip-up to let in the breeze and both have a wiper and jet kit. There’s additional safety with a reversing warning device with sound and light and a rotary emergency light kit which includes wiring and switch. To round off, when the snow’s on the ground or the terrain demands it, an adapter kit lets you install Camso 4S1 snow tracks for the ultimate traction (Terrain models T21 onwards).

For more information about the Corvus Terrain range, you can call 01785 561046 E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk  Web: www.bossorv.co.uk

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