Irrigation and water management expert launches advisory practice

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Irrigation and water management expert launches advisory practice: Stuart Tate, one of the golf industry’s leading irrigation and water management experts, has launched a design engineering and technical advisory practice, Irrigation Professionals Limited.

Based in Ringwood, UK, Stuart and a number of specialist associates will assist clients with strategic planning for water usage, provide water sourcing and water engineering solutions, and deliver practical support and education for those operating, maintaining, upgrading and replacing golf course and sports turf irrigation systems.

Irrigation and water management expert launches advisory practice

Irrigation and water management expert launches advisory practice

Stuart has 35 years’ design engineering and specification expertise. In a career dedicated to the golf sector, he has led the way in the design of total system solutions and the implementation of new technologies. With a focus on sustainability and a hands-on approach to the management of individual projects, he is a trusted resource for golf course operators, architects, irrigation consultants, contractors, distributors, agronomists, and course managers around the world. In his most recent role as European Golf Specification Manager for Rain Bird, he also delivered greenkeeper education for a number of membership organisations, ensuring end-users’ knowledge keeps pace with technological developments and best practice in irrigation management.

Speaking about his new venture, Stuart says there is a need for specialist support in the sector.

“Water is essential for turfgrass health and performance and water scarcity is a pressing issue, yet irrigation remains a grey area in the golf and sports turf industry’s understanding. We will provide the links between water sourcing, efficient design, the latest water saving technologies and education, to give organisations and turf professionals clarity and confidence in their approach to managing this precious resource.”

To contact Stuart and to find out more about the services available, call +44(0)7956 497999, email info@irriprof.com or connect with Stuart on LinkedIn.

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New Leguan 195 delivers powerful performance

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New Leguan 195 delivers powerful performance: Taking advanced features and design cues from their flagship model, the next-generation Leguan 195 is the perfect combination of agility and robust performance.

Key features:

  • Premium working height of up to 19.7 meters
  • Advanced boom design delivering fast and smooth movements
  • Up to 9.9 meters of side reach and 250 kg maximum lift capacity
  • Market-leading all-terrain capabilities and sturdy track platform
  • Intuitive and user-friendly joystick control

What do you get when you combine the speed and versatility of the Leguan 190 with the smart controls and market-leading performance features of the Leguan 225?

You get the new Leguan 195 – a brand-new model that redefines excellence with its unmatched all-terrain capabilities, robust track platform, and impressive driving speeds.

Designed to conquer even the toughest environments, the 195’s redesigned and shielded boom structure delivers maximum side reach even at greater heights, while the cutting-edge smart control interface guarantees seamless, precise and safe movements.

Compared to the Leguan 190, the all-new 195 features Leguan’s highly praised, user-friendly, joystick controls plus quick one-button access to home and back-to-work positions.

New features also include a shielded boom structure that protects components from external blows, falling branches and sawdust, making the 195 a great choice for arborists and construction professionals alike.

Leguan spider lifts are known for their premium performance in slopes, hard-to-reach areas and uneven work sites thanks to their automatic levelling, advanced track design and low center of gravity, and naturally the new Leguan 195 is no different.

“Our users have been requesting a Leguan model that retains the 190’s agility, compact size and speed but adds the intuitive controls and smart features of our flagship model. I believe we’ve succeeded in designing a machine that truly meets their needs,” Leguan’s Sales and Marketing Vice President Jori Mylläri says.

Standard features:

  • 21 hp Kubota diesel engine + 230 / 110 V electric motor
  • 230 / 110 V and USB power outlets on platform
  • Automatic engine RPM control and outrigger levelling
  • Proportional outreach monitoring system
  • Battery powered emergency lowering system
  • Lower controls with integrated service display

For more information, please visit www.avant.co.uk 

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe: The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has agreed a strategic partnership with SURTEC – a multi-disciplinary agronomy team offering consultancy across the maintenance and development of golf courses – to expand its operations in Europe, with Spain and Portugal regions now benefiting from its expertise.

The new partnership will offer knowledge and experience to facilities in the continental European market, providing support in relation to sustainable agronomic practices to golf clubs.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe

“The development of The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service and Sustainable Championship Agronomy is supported by our Research and Education initiatives, which are the foundations of our work” said Daniel Lightfoot, Director – Sustainability at The R&A.

“The partnership with SURTEC allows us to expand our operation into Europe alongside a team which has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the market, our goals and golf course agronomy. We look forward to bringing our collective expertise and guidance to European golf clubs and resorts together with local insight to help educate, support, and encourage their commitment to a more sustainable future for the game of golf.”

SURTEC, based in Seville, consists of a team with over 15 years of independent experience within the industry in Spain, Portugal and further afield. Its team provides golf course agronomy consultancy to over 30 clubs, offering a broad range of services for golf courses covering consultancy, project engineering, irrigation, and project management.

Pablo Munoz, co-founder of SURTEC, commented, “Collaborating with The R&A undoubtedly represents our most significant step forward since the foundation of SURTEC. We believe that with the knowledge and support of The R&A’s qualified and experienced agronomists and with the help of the latest technology, we can reach more clubs and people within the industry, share our know-how, broadcast our message for sustainable agronomy widely, and truly fulfil our commitment to the golf industry in our region. This commitment is based on responsible use of resources and the conservation and enhancement of the environment.

“Our mission alongside The R&A, is to achieve the best playing surfaces with minimal labour and sustainable use of material and water resources.”

Whilst this partnership first sees the offering expand into Spanish and Portuguese territories, it marks the start of the continental European operation for The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service.

To find out more about the Sustainable Agronomy Service, please contact sustainableagronomy@randa.org or head to https://www.randa.org/en/sustainability/agronomy

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Bionema appoints new Chairman

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Bionema appoints new Chairman: Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE has been appointed to lead strategic growth for Bionema in the global biocontrol industry, a move that promises significant developments in the near future.

Bionema Group, a leader in biocontrol technology developer and recipient of the prestigious King’s Award for Innovation in 2024, proudly announces the appointment of Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE as the new Chairman of its Board of Directors. This appointment is a significant step in Bionema’s journey with Professor Jones-Evans, having a background in entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialisation and is poised to help drive Bionema’s mission to deliver cutting-edge biological solutions for sustainable plant health management and significantly expand the company’s presence in the global market.

Bionema appoints new Chairman

Bionema appoints new Chairman

As the harmful impacts of chemical pesticides on human health, biodiversity, and the environment become increasingly apparent, the demand for effective, eco-friendly alternatives is more urgent than ever. Bionema, recognised for its pioneering biocontrol technologies across the horticulture, sports turf, forestry, and agriculture sectors, recently expanded its portfolio with a new line of microbial biocontrol solutions designed to enhance soil health and increase yield by 20%.

According to Markets and Markets, the biocontrol market is projected to reach USD 27.8 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.8%. Bionema’s strategic expansion is significant and has the potential to revolutionise the agricultural biological industry, bringing about a new era of sustainable plant health management.

While the science behind biocontrol is essential, the successful commercialisation of innovative products is crucial to ensure they meet farmers’ and growers’ expectations. Professor Jones-Evans brings a wealth of experience in this area that will be invaluable in guiding Bionema through its next growth phase. His deep knowledge of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and strategic vision will ensure the successful commercialisation of Bionema’s products and pave the way for the company to meet and exceed the expectations of its end-users.

Professor Jones-Evans is celebrated as the founder of the UK Start-Up Awards and the UK Fast Growth Index, both of which recognise and promote high-potential enterprises. He is a visiting professor at Turku University in Finland and at Aston University in the UK. He has authored over 100 academic articles and the best-selling textbook ‘Enterprise and Small Business.’ Having generated over £50 million for innovation and commercialisation projects in the university sector,

his influence extends beyond academia with leadership roles, including chairing the fast-growth co-working firm Town Square and spearheading the establishment of the Development Bank of Wales. A respected authority on economics and business, Professor Jones-Evans regularly contributes to the BBC, Western Mail, and Daily Post and was honoured with an OBE in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. He has recently announced the development of a new entrepreneurship hub in North Wales that will support young people in starting and growing innovative businesses across that region.

“We are thrilled to welcome Professor Jones-Evans to Bionema,” said Dr. Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema. His considerable experience in entrepreneurship and high-growth firms will be instrumental as we navigate the challenges of a competitive market. With his guidance, we are poised to achieve significant milestones in our journey, driving the development of new technologies to enhance our biocontrol products and solidifying Bionema’s position as a global leader in sustainable pest and plant health solutions.”

Professor Jones-Evans expressed his delight in joining Bionema at this pivotal moment. “I am excited to support a visionary company like Bionema, which is poised to become a leading global player in biocontrol. Its early technological successes, including acquisitions by industry giants like Syngenta in late 2021, reflect a solid foundation and a clear vision for making the environment safer and food production more sustainable. Innovative companies like Bionema must lead the way in an era where sustainability is paramount. I look forward to working closely with the executive team to maximise the company’s potential and accelerate its growth.”

Bionema, headquartered at Swansea University in Wales, benefits from its location within a world-class academic environment. This unique setting enables the company to drive innovation in biocontrol technologies while providing comprehensive solutions to research partners, including technology licensing, transfer, and global registration.

For more information, visit www.bionema.com.

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