New airter® models revolutionise active aeration

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New airter® models revolutionise active aeration: Lister Wilder have reached an agreement with Novokraft AG to become the new exclusive UK importer for airter® – the world’s only continuous and homogenously operating pneumatic soil aerator.

In an exciting time for the partnership, two brand new airter® machines are set to be unveiled to the UK market at BTME 2025, with the airter® neo and airter® trike on show on stand 642.

New airter® models revolutionise active aeration

New airter® models revolutionise active aeration

After more than three years in development, the airter® neo and airter® trike are set to revolutionise sports turf aeration, utilising high compressed air to not only break through surface compaction, but provide 100% biological and effective control of pests, root-damaging grubs and Tipula larvae (Leather Jackets).

The new airter® neo 12140 is equipped with 12 lances making it ideal for large golf greens and football pitches, which can be covered in less than three and a half hours. One of the largest models in the airter® range, it’s set to deliver high productivity without excess weight preventing any further, unnecessary compaction.

Designed for smaller areas such as golf greens, the airter® trike 8140 is an electrically driven, self-propelled unit featuring 8 lances for impressive aeration. Work is also underway which will see the airter® trike become the first autonomous model in the range.

The working depth on both machines can also now be quickly and easily adjusted, tool-free, directly on the unit to suit operations between 8cm and 20cm in the ground.

Commenting on their appointment, Sales & Hire Director for Lister Wilder Phill Hughes said, “We’re delighted to be partnering with Novokraft to bring the airter® to the UK. The benefits that the machines offer for aeration and water filtration are exceptional but add to that the reported reduction of Chafer grubs and Leather Jackets through regular use, we believe these machines will play a vital part for the future of sports turf management.”

“In Lister Wilder, Novokraft AG has a strong and trustworthy partner for the distribution and sale of our newly developed airter® machines, which will redefine the market for active, deep compaction relief” adds Eric Hardman, CEO of Novokraft AG.

More information on the new additions, and the full airter® range can be found at airter.com or by speaking to the Lister Wilder team at BTME 2025 in January, on stand 642.

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The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner

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The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner: Designed for tree care, the GTA 40 is the first professional pruner available in the STIHL AS System of battery-powered tools. Combining low weight and compact design with high cutting performance, the GTA 40 excels at pruning on the ground as well as maintenance and corrective pruning in trees by trained climbing arborists.

Thanks to the low weight, excellent balance and impressive cutting speed, the GTA 40 is a viable alternative to using top handled chainsaws for tree canopy maintenance. In areas of overgrown and dense foliage, the compact and slim design of the GTA 40 is a particular advantage.

The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner

The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner

Two AS System batteries provide enough charge for up to 190 cuts when cutting spruce with a diameter of 5×5 cm. Like all STIHL professional battery-powered tools, the batteries and the pruner are IPX4 certified, resulting in reliable use in rain and wet conditions.

Equipped with a 6” STIHL Light 01 guide bar with low-friction sprocket nose and a narrow STIHL 1/4″ Picco saw chain, the GTA 40 ensures fast cutting performance and a smooth cutting result. The partially transparent chain oil tank ensures the operator is always aware of when the tank needs to be refilled.

Like many battery-powered tools, the GTA 40 is so quiet that no hearing protection is required, and to ensure the tool fits comfortably in your hand, the grip points are coated with a durable non-slip soft material. Features such as the lateral chain tensioner and charge level indicator also help to ensure effortless operation.

Suspension eyelets on both sides allow a lanyard to be attached. Alternatively, a holster is available as part of STIHL’s X-Flex Harness System, for even greater ease of use. A heavy-duty storage and transport case is included with all GTA 40 sets, with ample room for the AL 5-2 multi-charger and up to 6 AS 2 batteries.

The GTA 40 pruner can be integrated into the cloud-based STIHL Connected system solution via a Smart Connector attached to the motor housing. This digital fleet management system offers professional users a detailed overview of the operating time of the tool, as well as upcoming maintenance tasks and maintenance history records.

For more information on the GTA 40 and STIHL’s wide range of professional battery tools, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

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Bionema Unveils NemaGen™: Bionema Group, a leading developer of biocontrol technologies for crop protection and plant health management, announces the launch of NemaGen™, a next-generation range of native beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes.

Featuring species like Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, NemaGen™ is designed for superior adaptability and efficacy, tailored to increase local ecosystems. This innovative technology addresses critical pest challenges in agriculture, horticulture, sports turf, and forestry, achieving up to 20-30% improved pest control compared to conventional bioinsecticides or biopesticides, significantly reducing environmental impact.

Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

“NemaGen™ is a groundbreaking solution for biological pest control,” said Dr Minshad Ansari, CEO and Founder of Bionema. “By utilising native beneficial nematode strains, we provide highly effective solutions and adaptable to our customers’ environmental conditions. This innovation underscores our commitment to sustainable practices that protect ecosystems while enhancing productivity in the industry.”

Building on the success of NemaTrident® and Nemaspreader®—technologies acquired by Syngenta in 2021—NemaGen™ introduces improved adaptability and effectiveness through locally sourced nematodes. Honoured with the King’s Award for Innovation in 2024 for NemaTrident® innovation, NemaGen™ cutting-edge product has shown exceptional performance against pests like leatherjackets and chafer grubs, which cause over £70 million in annual turf damage.

Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

“Our NemaGen™ products go beyond pest control,” added Dr Ansari. “They empower growers, farmers, turf professionals, and foresters with sustainable tools to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides while safeguarding essential non-target species like pollinators and earthworms, vital for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem balance. This aligns with global efforts toward sustainable agriculture and food security.”

The NemaGen™ range integrates seamlessly with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, which combine biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods to manage pests sustainably. With its selective action against harmful insect pests, NemaGen™ minimises impact on non-target species and ecosystems, making it an environmentally friendly and practical solution for pest management.

Field trials conducted in 2022, 2023, and 2024 across several UK golf courses, soft fruits, forestry, and agriculture demonstrated over 90% control of leatherjackets and chafer grubs, supplemented by enhanced turf health with RootVita® biostimulants. These trials provided a practical programme for turf professionals.

Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

Bionema’s launch of NemaGen™ reinforces its position as a pioneer in sustainable pest control. By delivering reliable and effective biocontrol solutions, the company continues to drive innovation for a safer, greener future in food production and natural resource protection.

For more information, visit: www.bionema.com

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It’s tried and trusted Trilo’s

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It’s tried and trusted Trilo’s: With a remit of defence and public open spaces, Gavin Jones is one of five companies that make up the wider Nurture Group.

Helping the team to deliver maintenance contracts on Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites across the southwest are a fleet of multi-functional units from Trilo – the current compliment of three M8’s, one M10 and one S12 adding to a long list of reliable performance delivered by Trilo machines for over a decade.

It’s tried and trusted Trilo’s

It’s tried and trusted Trilo’s

Andy Mighall has been the Regional Manager for the southwest for the last 14 years and explains why the company comes back to Trilo time and time again. “We’ve run blowers, SG400’s and SU40’s in the past and where they would have primarily been purchased for leaf clearance, the newer units give us the multi-functionality to conduct tasks year-round” he explains. “In our experience, there’s no other machines out there that combine the versatility and reliability we get from Trilo.”

The current fleet was procured over a two-year period from supporting dealers Lister Wilder, and now reside with teams based at five of the largest MOD sites across the region. “From October to March they’re utilised for leaf clearance, which is incredibly quick and efficient compared to alternative methods. Our new units offer the ability to control the Wanderhose from the cab which saves someone having to operate it manually and now frees that person up to do other tasks.”

Trilo’s Multipurpose (M) range enables the swift switching between shafts to conduct multiple maintenance tasks, all with one machine, a feature which Gavin Jones utilise to the full! Andy continues, “We additionally purchased the scarifier and flail shafts which means that come the summer we can use the Trilo’s not only for site clearance and collection of arisings from large area grass cutting, but also to conduct those cut and collection tasks and/or scarification on areas such as the airfields.”

“Together with great efficiency and build quality, something we’ve also always had with Trilo is great back-up support from Listers and Vanmac’s Jeremy Vincent. On the delivery of the newest machine, Jeremy delivered full installation and familiarity training which means every operator has the knowledge and confidence to get the very best out of each machine.”

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Bernhard Academy appoints new programme leader

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Bernhard Academy appoints new programme leader: The Bernhard Academy, a global leader in turf care education, has announced the appointment of Barry Drennan as Programme Leader for Technical and Equipment Management workshops.

Coinciding with Drennan’s appointment, the Bernhard Academy has unveiled its new, innovative ‘Bernhard Academy Pathways’ for 2025. These structured learning tracks are designed to empower turf professionals by enhancing their skills across technical, agronomic, and managerial disciplines.

Bernhard Academy appoints new programme leader

Bernhard Academy appoints new programme leader

Barry Drennan joins the Bernhard Academy with more than 35 years of global experience in turf management, having started his career as a greenkeeper in 1987 and qualified as a golf course mechanic in 1991. He has since worked with leading brands such as Toro and Bernhard and Company, operated businesses specialising in golf equipment sales, hire, training, and service, and supported major tournaments including the Ryder Cup and Walker Cup.

Under Drennan’s leadership, the Bernhard Academy is introducing a range of new technical workshops for 2025 to form the core of its Technical and Equipment Management Pathway:

  • Basic Machinery Maintenance for Turf Professionals (NEW)
  • Fundamentals of Turfcare Mechanics Part 1 & Part 2 (NEW)
  • Grinder Refresher and Abrasive Wheels Training (NEW)
  • Cutting Unit Setup and Sharpening Techniques

The Bernhard Academy Pathways for 2025 offer comprehensive development opportunities, by combining numerous different workshops to create dedicated pathways for four different end goals:

  1. Leadership and Management Pathway
    1. Aspiring Manager
    2. Confident Manager
    3. Successful Manager Part 1 & 2
    4. Inspirational Leader
  2. Technical and Equipment Management Pathway
    1. Abrasive Wheel Safety Certificate
    2. Cutting Unit Setup and Sharpening Techniques
    3. Basic Machinery Maintenance
    4. Fundamentals of Turfcare Mechanics Level 1 & 2
  3. Agronomy Pathway
    1. Basic Agronomy
  4. Bespoke Programmes
    1. Golf Course Management for Golf Club Managers
    2. Customised training solutions tailored to client needs

Commenting on his new role, Barry Drennan said: “I’m delighted to join the Bernhard Academy at such an exciting time. I look forward to contributing my experience to provide valuable training in technical and equipment management skills to the industry.”

Sami Strutt, Education Director added: “We are delighted at the appointment of Barry Drennan. His knowledge, experience and skills have been fundamental in the development of the Technical and Equipment Management Pathway, which forms one of the three pillars of the Bernhard Academy. Barry’s enthusiasm and boundless energy will create an enjoyable and productive learning experience. The new pathways and workshops we are introducing will provide amazing opportunities for turf professionals to advance their careers and to shape the next generation of industry leaders.”

To find out more about the Bernhard Academy, visit www.bernhardacademy.co.uk, where you can view more information about workshops and educational pathways.

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