Agrovista Amenity Launches Controls Brochure

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Agrovista Amenity Launches Controls Brochure: Agrovista Amenity, a leading provider of innovative solutions for turf and amenity management, proudly announces the launch of its new Controls brochure. This comprehensive guide is a valuable resource for turf managers, offering essential information on plant growth regulators (PGRs), fungicides, herbicides, wetting agents, and much more.

In the ever-evolving landscape of turf management, Agrovista Amenity aims to empower professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to overcome challenges. The Controls brochure features details on some of the most innovative products on the market, including the recently launched Maxtima® – a revolutionary turf fungicide, the highly regarded Attraxor® plant growth regulator, the powerful Medallion® TL fungicide, and a range of total and residual herbicides such as Roundup® and Valdor® Flex. Other notable products highlighted in the brochure include Acelepryn® insect control, Ferromex® mosskiller, and the impressive range of Aqua-Zorb® wetting agents.

Agrovista Amenity Launches Controls Brochure

Agrovista Amenity Launches Controls Brochure

Dr. Abigail Graceson, Technical Manager at Agrovista Amenity, emphasises the importance of tailored solutions, stating, “What might be right for one person isn’t always going to be right for someone else. It is about understanding your own circumstances and identifying what the best solution is.” This sentiment reflects the core philosophy behind the brochure – providing turf managers with the information needed to make informed decisions based on their unique situations.

“Managing good quality turf surfaces and other amenity areas presents many challenges,” Dr. Graceson notes. “Our objective is to maintain healthy plants while minimising the presence of undesirable fungal, insect, and plant pests.” In a time of increasing legislative and environmental changes, making informed decisions becomes paramount, as these choices form the foundation of management plans that deliver high-quality amenity environments.

The Controls brochure goes beyond product listings, offering a better understanding of integrated pest management principles. It equips turf managers with the knowledge required to navigate the complexities of product selection in the face of legislative and environmental challenges.

To further support turf managers, Agrovista Amenity emphasises the expertise of its representatives, who are qualified to BASIS and FACTS as a minimum. These professionals can provide personalised support in product selection and advice tailored to the specific environment being managed. Additionally, the Agrovista Amenity Academy (www.amenityacademy.co.uk) offers free courses covering product knowledge and wider aspects of managing amenity environments.

These courses are designed to enhance knowledge and maximise the benefits of the products in use while allowing professionals to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.

For further information, turf managers are encouraged to contact their local Agrovista Amenity representative.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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Wiedenmann double all in a day’s work

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Wiedenmann double all in a day’s work: This summer, Brian Dunne, celebrates 20 years as Course Superintendent at Adare Manor Old Course GC in the southwest of Ireland.

He has built a long-established relationship with local Wiedenmann dealer Seamus Weldon, at nearby Killarney.

Wiedenmann double all in a day’s work

Wiedenmann double all in a day’s work

“We go back years; they’ve always been there for us,” he said. “When we purchased a new blower back in 2008 or thereabouts, Michael Weldon pointed us in the direction of a Wiedenmann Whisper Twister. It was new to the market, and we were among the first to buy.

“You can’t fault it. Aside from a new belt and some wheel bearings, it’s never missed a beat. We’d be lost without it.

“From October to December, it’s out every day of the week on leaf clearance duty. Our course is lined with beech and oak trees so there’s plenty of work. One of the team on our small tractor blows the leaves into lines and our collector follows behind. It has dozens of tasks; we use it to dry off the fairways or tee boxes, it helps year-round with presentation and tidying and, of course, when we’ve had storms, it’s come into its own.”

“We used to bring contractors in to help with deep aeration on our fairways. It was always a struggle to book the right week: and balance weather and the needs of golfers. It was also getting very expensive.

“I asked Michael if he could source a second-hand aerator so we could do the job ourselves. He came back with a beautifully refurbished Wiedenmann Terra Spike XP, and we haven’t looked back.

“Your own machine makes such a difference.  We try to do our fairways twice a year. We just pick when the conditions are right and do two or three at a time. We’ve got twelve acres in total, as well as walkways and tee boxes, so it takes us around a week and a half normally to do all the split sessions.

“We were out in late January and with 20 mm diameter tines down to 250 mm. In some choice places known to hold water, we went a little deeper, so around 300 mm and we might revisit these more frequently.

Brian’s team, three at present, with a vacancy about to be filled, takes on two summer workers to help them cope. The friendly parkland club is constantly busy, its history and dramatic setting, marking it out as not your typical golfing experience, so enjoys lots of visitors.

Very few clubs can boast anything as spectacular as Desmond Castle (1200 AD) which nestles in the background of the 1st and 15th greens. Move to the centre of the course and the ruins of the Franciscan Abbey (1464 AD) let you know you’ve arrived somewhere extraordinary.

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Green-tech delivers BNG Solutions map

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Green-tech delivers BNG Solutions map: The Government’s Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy is effective from today (Monday 12th February)

BNG is an approach to development, and management, that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand.

As of today, residential developments with 10 or more dwellings, or where the site area is greater than 0.5 hectares, will have to deliver net gains for biodiversity leading to positive outcomes for nature, better places for local communities, and more consistent and transparent requirements for developers.

Under mandatory BNG, all developments in England must replace any biodiversity lost and add a minimum of 10% biodiversity to provide a net gain. The resulting habitat will be secured for at least 30 years via planning obligations or conservation covenants, enforced by s106 agreements.

A brand of leading landscape supplier Green-tech, the team at John Chambers Wildflower Seed has worked with Bridgman and Bridgman to design a new BNG biodiverse green roof mixture.

Bridgman and Bridgman are specialists in the creation of sustainable living roofs. They trialled the wildflower seed mix to ascertain the best-performing species.

The final mixture comprises 40 species of native wildflower to ensure at least 25 species are present once the roof is established to meet the new legislation. The seed mix should be complimented with native sedum and dry grassland species as described in the guidelines.

John Chambers Wildflower Seed Technical Manager Georgia Gilbert explains, “The final mix contains native wildflower seed to combat the huge declines we have seen due to habitat loss, chemical use, and climate change. Native species are incredibly valuable for our native wildlife. We also chose species that are suitable and perform well in green roof structures – ones that are drought tolerant, suitable for full sun and exposed conditions, and thrive in lightweight substrate.”

Green-tech’s Business Development Director Mark Wood, adds, “Like many others in the industry, Green-tech has been planning for Biodiversity Net Gain and the introduction of the Government’s mandatory BNG policy. We have developed an interactive Biodiversity Net Gain map for use alongside the Biodiversity Metric to contribute to different design options, in the creation of a Nature Positive design. We aim to create a collaborative approach with an overview of enabling nature to thrive through considerate development. Users can view the map at https://www.gtspecifier.co.uk/interactive-map/ simply click on the map and they  will find an abundance of information and resources to help ensure their project is BNG compliant.”

For more information or advice contact the Green-tech Specifier team on 01423 332100.

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Johnsons announce strongest ever seed line-up

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Johnsons announce strongest ever seed line-up: The Johnsons Sports Seed catalogue for 2024 has landed – bursting at the seams with sustainable seed solutions for sports and fine turf applications.

In-field trials and the results from DLF’s leading global ‘Disease Watch Programme’ has led to two new mixtures and more than 10 new formulations making this year’s portfolio stronger, more resistant and more reliable than ever!

Johnsons announce strongest ever seed line-up

Johnsons announce strongest ever seed line-up

Following successful screening for Brown Patch last year, DLF have this year completed a global study into Grey Leaf Spot (GLS) which has resulted in a new formulation for J Premier 4Turf 25, incorporating varieties with proven increased resistance to Brown Patch, GLS and other common turf diseases. The 2024 mix adds 5% Saila and 25% Fiesta 4 to an already strong blend of perennial and tetraploid perennial ryegrasses to create the ultimate football and rugby stadia renovation mixture for wear tolerance, visual merit and enhanced disease resistance.

Also updated in the winter sport range is J Multi Sport, ideal for sports and athletic fields and cricket outfields, and J Premier Pitch. Already delivering proven performance at many of Europe’s leading stadia, the 2024 formulation of J Premier Pitch includes 20% Salia perennial ryegrass for further enhanced visual merit and wear tolerance.

Two new mixtures have arrived in Johnson’s fine turf range in the form of J Sustain Fairway and J Ultrafine Rye 100. J Sustain Fairway is a new high-performance, fine-turf formulation with 40% Hard Fescue and 15% Sheeps Fescue which provides a natural foundation of strength and tolerance to a broad range of turf stresses. Requiring less nutrient, water and chemical inputs, J Sustain Fairway is ideal for links and heathland venues, and those pursuing a sustainable, low-input management strategy.

Suitable for use on golf greens, tees and fairways, bowling greens and tennis courts, the new J Ultrafine Rye 100 blends four of the finest high-performing, fast-establishing perennial ryegrass cultivars to create a high-density, hard-wearing sward. The two new mixtures join a long list of improved fine-turf mixture formulations including Johnsons J Fairway and J Rye Fairway.

Details of all the new and updated mixtures can be found in the 2024 Johnsons Sports Seed catalogue, and by visiting www.johnsonssportsseed.co.uk

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