SALTEX confirm Learning LIVE schedule

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SALTEX confirm Learning LIVE schedule: Full Learning LIVE schedule confirmed boasting a distinguished roster of speakers from UEFA, Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon, Edgbaston, and more.

SALTEX is pleased to unveil the complete lineup for its highly anticipated Learning LIVE programme, featuring over 20 industry pioneers, technical specialists, and experts across three different stages. It’s the largest and most extensive free live educational event in the sector, providing an unparalleled opportunity for attendees to gain insights from the best in the business.

SALTEX confirm Learning LIVE schedule

SALTEX confirm Learning LIVE schedule

On day one, the Main Stage will feature a not-to-be-missed panel discussion with industry giants including Karl Standley (Wembley Stadium), Neil Stubley (All England Lawn Tennis Club), Jim Buttar (Twickenham Stadium), and Gary Barwell (Edgbaston Stadium), who will tackle the topic of Sustainable Solutions.

The day continues with a critical conversation on ‘How to Attract Young People into The Industry’ with members of the GMA NextGen and wraps up with an insightful session on ‘Maintenance of 3G Artificial Turf – Effective Practice and the Evidence’ led by Professor Paul Fleming from Loughborough University.

On day two, the Main Stage will host Phil Sharples (Caspian Sport & Landscape), Vicente Alpuente (Villarreal), Iker Orue (Real Sociedad) and Dean Gilesby (Naturalgrass) as they delve into ‘Dealing with Climate Change Challenges at Top International Football Venues’. Attendees will also gain valuable tips on ‘How to Keep Your Team Members Motivated’, before finishing with ‘The Tools and Methodology to Ensure Excellent Surfaces’, presented by Reece Watson (Raw Stadia) and Neil Rodger (STRI Group).

The Spotlight Stage promises to draw crowds with its engaging ‘Ask-the-Expert’ style forums. Day one begins with ‘Integrated Approaches to Leatherjacket & Chafer Grub Control’ featuring insights from Dr. Christian Spring (STRI Group) and Sean Loakes (Syngenta). Other must-see sessions include Colin Corline’s (SAPCA) exploration of ‘Artificial Grass Pitches – What the Future Looks Like’, Professor John Moverley OBE’s talk on ‘Principles & Practices of Sustainable Amenity Management’, and Dr. Minshad Ansari’s (Bionema) presentation on ‘The Benefits of Biofilms in Sustainable Turf Management’.

Day two on the Spotlight Stage starts with a Soil Health Clinic, where experts Alex Vickers (Turf Consultant), Andrew Turnbull (Central Pharma Biotechnica), Dr. John Dempsey, and Dr. Deb Cox will share their knowledge. Notable sessions also include Geoff Fenn’s (Origin Amenity Solutions) presentation on ‘Independent Turfgrass Research – The OAS’s Latest Results’, as well as a discussion on ‘Understanding Climate Effects on Turfgrass Management’ by Mark Hunt (Prodata Weather Systems) & Jim Dale (Meteorologist).

Brand-new for this year, the Community Sports Stage will put all its focus on community and grassroots sports. Day one opens with ‘What’s Available in Multi-Sport Facility Funding?’ presented by representatives from the ECB, RFU, RFL, and the Football Foundation. Other highlights include ‘Essential Planning for Pitch Improvement Projects’ by Alex Vickers, ‘Quality Surfaces on a Shoestring Budget’ by Tom Rowley (GMA), and ‘Grant Funding for Sport’ by Richard Twigg (4Grants Ltd).

On day two, Kelly Marie Clack (Origin Amenity Solutions) will lead with ‘An Introduction to Grass Seed and Fertiliser’, followed by Grounds Management Association (GMA) Regional Pitch Advisors’ session on ‘Effective Aeration and Decompaction’. The day and will finish with a valuable session on ‘How to Attract and Manage Club Volunteers’ led by Chris Hunter and Nasa Hussain (Bradford Park Avenue CC).

For more information about the SALTEX 2024 Learning LIVE programme, and to see the full schedule, please visit: https://www.saltex.org.uk/learning-live.

To register for SALTEX 2024, please visit: https://www.saltex.org.uk/

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Kubota fleet is key to maintenance operations

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Kubota fleet is key to maintenance operations: A fleet of equipment from Kubota is being entrusted with ambitious improvement plans across the surfaces at Hertfordshire’s Aldenham School.

With the assistance of a pair of RTV Utility vehicles, two ride-on mowers and three tractors from Kubota’s L-Series, Grounds & Gardens Supervisor Danny Wells is well-placed to continue the development of the highly historic sports facilities across the 110-acre site.

Kubota fleet is key to maintenance operations

Kubota fleet is key to maintenance operations

Regarded in the Good Schools Guide as ‘seriously sporty’, Aldenham School boasts the title of the earliest organised football club in the history of the game with records dating back to 1825. The game has come along way since then, as to have the facilities which Danny only recently took charge of in June 2024, though he’s certainly no stranger to Aldenham. “I worked here previously before taking up a ‘dream role’ at Arsenal FC’s Colney training complex for three and a half years. When an opportunity arose to bring everything I learned there back to Aldenham, it was one I couldn’t turn down” he explains.

Much of the Kubota equipment was already working hard at the school during Danny’s previous stint, and it’s this reliability and versatility – together with the fantastic back up support from local dealer George Browns Ltd – that sees the fleet expanding more in recent months. “Our tractors are the workhorses for the vast majority of operations we do here – whether that’s spraying feeds on the cricket outfields or hitched up with our scarifier, aerator or top dresser for mechanical maintenance on the fifteen winter sports pitches.”

Recently joining two Kubota L2-452 compact tractors in the shed is a cabless L1-382 fitted with flotation tyres. “While we’ve only had it a matter of weeks, this has already proven to be a great bit of kit!” Danny continues, “Our pitches are mainly clay-based so can lay very wet over winter. This capable yet lightweight tractor will enable us to still get implements on the ground without causing damage.”

“Everything we have from Kubota is well-built, intuitive to operate and versatile for all the various applications and environments we manage. Our RTV’s for example, one RTV-X1140 and one RTV-X1110, are reliable people and equipment movers. We can use these to tow hand tools and machines such as our woodchipper around, getting things exactly where they’re needed quickly and safely.”

Danny and his team of six also rely on their Kubota ride-on mowers for the upkeep and presentation of lawned areas. “Our F3890 from the Kubota F-Series of out-front rotary mowers is fantastic for cutting the banks around the site, as well as some of our more natively-managed areas which might only get one or two cuts a year. It poses no match for this machine!”

“I also have to mention the Kubota G21 mower, which has clocked up some serious hours. This is our go-to machine for mowing large areas such as the prep school lawn and the grass around our on-site chapel. Because of its manoeuvrability, this machine is also great for getting where our cylinder mowers can’t on the sports pitches. Because it collects, we’ll also use it in the autumn to remove not just grass clippings but leaves and other debris.”

He concludes, “My predecessor did a fantastic job at bringing the surfaces on and with the Kubota equipment at my disposal, I am confident I can continue this great work and lift the bar even higher.”

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Foamstream redefines weed control for DB Premier Solutions

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Foamstream redefines weed control for DB Premier Solutions: Foamstream by Weedingtech has been described as a ‘gamechanger’ in the world of weed control by contractors DB Premier Solutions. In fact, owner Darren Baldwin was so impressed with the versatility of the system, that his new venture revolves solely around his L12 unit – opening doors to customers in both the commercial and domestic markets.

With more than two decades of experience under his belt maintaining the world-leading sports surfaces at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Darren admits he seldom gets excited about new machinery – but that changed upon his discovery of Foamstream. “In the Premier League, sustainability is at the forefront of what we do. However, our pursuit of solutions that are more environmentally-friendly cannot be to the detriment of effectiveness or surface quality.” Darren continues, “Foamstream first dropped onto my radar when I saw it in action at another Premier League Club. We then hired a unit at Tottenham and I was sold. I liked the versatility of it and could see it had real mileage – it’s probably one of only a handful of innovations that have come along and really changed the market.”

Foamstream redefines weed control for DB Premier Solutions

Foamstream redefines weed control for DB Premier Solutions

“In wanting to pursue something different, and take life a little gentler, I purchased an L12 from Campey Turfcare Systems in November 2023 and established DB Premier Solutions in the new year. It’s proving itself day after day, gaining interest from new and retuning customers and now means I’m just as busy as ever!”

As the worlds leading herbicide-free weed control solution, Foamstream kills weeds, moss and algae using the precise application of hot water insulated by a specially-formulated, biodegradable and organic foam. Available in the UK via Campey Turfcare Systems, Foamstream targets unwanted vegetation as well as the surrounding spores, delivering control comparable to traditional chemical alternatives in a range of applications and environments.

“Its versatility means that one day I can be in a football club, treating weeds in areas that are environmentally sensitive that would have relied on labour-intensive hand-weeding as a previous method of control. The next, I might be in an equestrian facility working around stable blocks. Being safe to use around animals and pets makes Foamstream perfect for the domestic market, which has resulted in a wealth of new work with residential customers and council-owned facilities.”

He adds, “Being able to use the L12 as a commercial cleaning unit is just another string to its bow, along with being effective on moss – within two hours you’ll see a change in colour, making it easy then to brush out and remove. I’m genuinely excited for the coming months to just keep finding more and more things this system can do!”

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