Terrain Aeration hitches a lift

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Terrain Aeration hitches a lift: Devonshire Homes has been committed to building high quality new homes across the West Country for more than thirty years. As a wholly owned subsidiary of London and Devonshire Trust, they have built over 1500 new homes and created over thirty new communities.

One such development at Gwallon Keas, St Austell, is built on clay laden soil and they encountered a common problem facing new build developers. During construction, the use of heavy machinery can unavoidably cause compaction panning in areas designated to be the gardens of new houses. Even with land drainage installed and soil ripped, the compaction can reach such a depth normal treatment will not relieve it and provide the natural drainage needed. Consequently, with seven gardens of the new houses, severe waterlogging was occurring. To rectify it, they were given what they called ‘some silly quotes’ with no guarantee the solutions would work. A ground works contractor recommended compaction specialists Terrain Aeration and Devonshire Homes decided to proceed with them. However, there was just one further problem, how to get the Terrain Aeration’s Tracker Terralift machine, compressor and aggregate backfill material into the gardens with limited access.

Terrain Aeration hitches a lift

Terrain Aeration hitches a lift

The solution was a crane presented itself with the arrival of a crane to lift bags of topsoil into the gardens. Whilst Terrain Aeration has had machines lifted before, they have never been this high. The fences between the seven gardens had been taken down, so the Tracker Terralift could move along the gardens to do its work. This comprises the machine’s JCB road hammer and probe driving down to a depth of one metre. At this depth, a blast of compressed air is released to a maximum of 20Bar (280psi). This has the effect of fracturing the compacted soil and creating fissures. The treatment is worked on a grid system at two metre spacings so the fissures interlink. As the probe withdraws, dried seaweed is injected which expands when it rains and keeps the fissure open to allow normal drainage. The probe holes are then backfilled with aggregate It is a solution Terrain Aeration has specialised in for over thirty years, treating areas ranging from back gardens to sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens, race courses, parks, trees and public spaces. For Devonshire Homes, it provided a timely solution, albeit one which, on this occasion, needed a crane to carry it out.

Terrain Aeration 01449 673783 www.terrainaeration.co.uk

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Ladies European Tour and John Deere partnership

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Ladies European Tour and John Deere partnership: Dénia, Spain, July. 19, 2023 – John Deere and the Ladies European Tour (LET) have extended their longstanding relaDonship with an upgraded three-year partner agreement.

The renewal will elevate the partnership with increased support services and addiDonal investment into the Tour.

Ladies European Tour and John Deere partnership

Ladies European Tour and John Deere partnership

John Deere will provide the LET with agronomy and consultation services, as well as equipment optimisation to ensure the best available services are delivered to the LET players, Tour venues and tournaments.

John Deere and the LET have been partners since 2007 and this renewal means that John Deere will conDnue to be the designated Golf Course Machinery partner of the Tour. The announcement was made on the eve of a brand new 1-million-euro tournament: La Sella Open at the award-winning La Sella Golf Resort & Spa in Denia, Alicante, Spain, where John Deere equipment was used to prepare and maintain the tournament course.

“This new agreement with John Deere will see our global brands working together more closely to further increase the quality and consistency of our championship courses internaDonally,” said LET Commercial Director Fiona Harold. “The commitment from John

Deere builds on our enduring 17-year partnership and highlights our joint objecDve to elevate the women’s game at an exciDng Dme for our industry and our Tour.”

John Deere’s Sales & Marketing Director – Turf & Golf, Carlos Aragonés, commented: “We are incredibly proud to extend our valued collaboration with the Ladies European Tour until 2026. Having John Deere as the preferred equipment supplier of the Ladies European Tour is a great honour and a major opportunity to continue supplying our latest technology and innovations, ensuring we continue to produce the best quality playing surfaces for competitive golf. It has been an exceptional association since its very first day, and we are looking forward to continuing working together and supporting the values we share around the game of golf, including celebrating women in the golf industry as well as those who play the game, sustainability and much more.”

For more information on John Deere visit www.deere.com

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Bionema launches new range of biofertilisers

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Bionema launches new range of biofertilisers: Bionema Group Ltd, a leading UK-based biocontrol technology developer and manufacturer of biocontrol, biostimulants and biofertilisers, has announced the launch of a new range of biofertiliser products in the UK for use in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, sport turf and amenities.

Bionema Group Ltd is launching four biofertilisers comprising living microbes that enhance plant nutrition by mobilising or increasing nutrient availability in soils and substrates. The BioNFix™ range and Rhizosafe™ include Paenibacillus azotofixans BNL1913, Azospirillum lipoferum BNL714, Bradyrhizobium japonicum BNL1061, and Rhizophagus irregularis BNL2414 encapsulated in a novel Incapsulex™ technology platform. This technology effectively encapsulates naturally derived microorganisms and delivers them on target, safely and effectively.

Bionema launches new range of biofertilisers

Bionema launches new range of biofertilisers

These biofertilisers restore the soil’s natural nutrient cycle and build soil organic matter, enhancing plant growth while avoiding the use of synthetic fertilisers that can pollute the world’s waters and its atmosphere.

Field trials conducted by Bionema in different parts of world demonstrated significantly enhanced growth in agricultural crops grown with biofertilisers, and positive changes in soil organic matter content and pH, soil type and agroecological condition. These effects resulted in yield improvements as well a 40–50% reduction in synthetic fertiliser use.

As the benefits of these products have become more recognised, and consumer preference for organic foods has intensified, there has been growing interest in biofertilisers. The biofertilisers market was valued at $2.6 billion in 2021 and projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2026 at 11.9% CGAR (Markets and Markets, 2022). In particular, the mycorrhizae-based biofertilisers market is projected to reach $1.087 billion by 2027, and the use of mycorrhizal biofertilizers (especially arbuscular mycorrhizae species for agriculture crops) is expanding thanks to their numerous benefits: (i) increased nutrient intake and water; (ii) reduced soil erosion; (iii) reduced need for phosphorus application; (iv) better tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Speaking on the launch, Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema Group Ltd said “Bionema’s collection of exclusive microorganisms and its novel delivery system provides a unique solution to soil fertility and crop health improvement. With a wide range of microbes that support Nitrogen fixation, Phosphorus solubilisation, Potassium mobilisation, and more, these biofertilisers are the ideal choice for anyone seeking to boost their soil’s health and vitality.”

Dr Sarah Harding, Global Head of Innovation at Bionema said, “These new products are the results of many years of research, not just into the microbes used for promoting and protecting plant growth, but also into the technology used for formulating these products in a way that ensures their survival and efficacy in the field.”

Mrs Meraj Syeda, Operations Director & Co-founder of Bionema Group Ltd said, “We believe in strict loyalty to ‘Innovation’ and in building value by supplying products and services that conform to global standards, ensuring consistent availability of world class products”.

The Bionema team would be delighted to explain the best application processes for each product to potential customers to make sure optimal results are achieved with these biofertilisers, all of which use advanced micronutrient technology to promote healthy plant growth. Bionema is focused on achieving customer success with biofertilisers and will be employing a variety of newly created technical training programmes for customers in the UK market.

Bionema’s expanded portfolio reflects Bionema’s evolution in focus and strategy, announced in 2022 following the company’s deal with Syngenta that secured Bionema’s position as a top 20 world-leading biocontrol company.

“Our vision is to be a leading BioAg technology developer and manufacturer, reducing the need for chemicals in modern-day farming,” added Dr Ansari. “We are part of the real green revolution, which is happening right now, and we are investing in our planet’s future by putting a stake in fertile ground, the BioAg way!”

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Redexim Carrier labelled the ‘most important piece of kit’

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Redexim Carrier labelled the ‘most important piece of kit’: Constructed on the site of a former gravel quarry, the greens at Kilworth Springs Golf Club in Leicestershire are incredibly mobile and free draining which, despite having some perks, also means they are prone to compaction.

That’s where the Carrier and Verti-Drain® 1513 from Redexim comes in! Head Greenkeeper Joel Chappell claims this combination delivers effective compaction relief and versatility for aeration tasks around their busy course, making it the ‘most important piece of kit’ in their shed!

Redexim Carrier labelled the ‘most important piece of kit’

Redexim Carrier labelled the ‘most important piece of kit’

Founded in 1993, Kilworth Springs delivers a challenging 18 holes of play overlooking the Avon Valley. Because of the nature of the soil and sand foundations, the main issue for Joel and his team of four is that for 12 months of the year, the course is always bone dry. “We can support year-round play where other courses local to us sometimes struggle during the winter months” explains Joel. “This sustained level of traffic means compaction is our biggest hurdle. As a club, we needed something that could get aeration completed quickly whilst leaving a minimal imprint on the greens.”

The Redexim Carrier was delivered by Ben Burgess just prior to Joel joining the club in July 2022, but he was instrumental in the purchase. “We were impressed with this being light weight, yet robust to deliver impressive aeration on our hard ground. We’ve hired machines that have succumbed to the tricky conditions and fallen apart after a week where the Carrier and 1513 Verti-Drain® stands up to the task with ease.”

Powered by a 31hp engine and hydrostatic transmission, the Carrier can be utilised with a variety of implements such as seeders, verti-cutters and aerators for high output, effective operations with minimal ground pressure. The 1513 Verti-Drain® – with its 1.3m working width, 15o of heave and a maximum depth of 6” – is ideal for use on fine turf surfaces.

“We conduct traditional verti-draining at least once a month and more often in winter where it’s out three weeks in every four across greens, tees and approaches. We also hollow core with this set up.” He continues, “When ground conditions allow, we can also use the Verti-Drain® with our compact tractor which frees the Carrier up to be used with other implements which we’re now exploring.”

Joel concludes, “Greenkeepers I think are naturally cautious and sceptical of change and new things but within a week of using the Redexim partnership my whole team were so impressed with what it could do… now we couldn’t be without it!”

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John Deere to hold careers event

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John Deere to hold careers event: John Deere is holding a careers event in September to help resettling military personnel take the next step in their careers.

The virtual event on 20 September at 7pm is the first major event to be held by the company where details of the landmark John Deere Military Hiring Programme in the UK and Ireland will be set out.

John Deere to hold careers event

John Deere to hold careers event

The initiative was launched in July and helps those leaving military service find jobs working with some of the world’s most advanced agricultural and professional groundscare machinery.

Attendees of the free virtual event will find out how they can bring their unique skill sets and experience to technician roles in dealerships, and hear from individuals who have transitioned from military service into various roles connected to the John Deere brand.

“The armed forces produces people who are highly skilled, motivated, and extremely competent, and many already have the engineering skills needed to become qualified technicians,” says Allan Cochran, John Deere Branch Training Manager.

“With many transferable skills, those with experience of military machines will be perfectly placed for a new career working with some of the world’s most advanced agricultural and turfcare equipment.

“This virtual event is a great opportunity for ex-servicemen and women to find about a rewarding John Deere career that can take you anywhere in the world, working with an internationally recognised and respected brand.”

Registration is open now via this link, or by searching ‘John Deere virtual careers event’ on www.eventbrite.co.uk.

It was announced that the Military Hiring Programme was being rolled out in the UK and Ireland following its huge success in the USA.

“Those who have served are experts at working under pressure and logically solving problems in order to keep a machine operational,” Allan says. “These are the skills John Deere dealerships need to keep the wheels turning.”

Those signing up to the programme will be offered free technical training to help them apply their current skills to John Deere products and services. There are more than 70 courses on offer.

“Everyone who signs up will be assigned to an employee from the John Deere network who has served in the armed forces who will be there to support each individual during the resettlement process,” Allan says.

Interested service members and ex-service members can learn more and fill out a contact card by visiting www.Deere.com/JDMHP.

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