TGA Warns of Further Turf Price Increases in 2025

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TGA Warns of Further Turf Price Increases in 2025: The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) has issued a warning about anticipated price increases for turf products in 2025.

Following another year of challenging weather conditions and ever increasing operational costs, TGA members have reported mounting pressures that will inevitably drive up the overall cost of production, and therefore the sale price of turf.

TGA Warns of Further Turf Price Increases in 2025

TGA Warns of Further Turf Price Increases in 2025

This continues a trend in recent years, as the industry grapples with the ongoing effects of extreme and variable weather patterns. In 2024, further widespread wet weather, increased disease management programmes, and in many cases the legacy of the previous winter’s adverse weather have once again driven up production costs across the whole supply chain.

Impact of National Insurance Contribution Changes

Adding to these challenges, the government’s increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions, effective from April 2025, will significantly affect turfgrass producers. Contributions are set to rise from 13.8% to 15%, while the threshold at which employers begin paying contributions will drop from £9,100 to £5,000. These changes will substantially increase payroll costs for labour-intensive industries including turfgrass production.

Richard Owens, Chair of the TGA, commented: “2024 was another particularly challenging year for the turfgrass industry. Alongside continued weather-related disruptions and increasing operational costs, government-mandated fiscal changes are adding further pressures. Price adjustments are essential to ensure the industry’s viability and ability to meet future demand.”

Building on Previous Challenges

The anticipated price rises for 2025 build on the challenges highlighted at the start of 2024, when the TGA warned of price increases driven by extreme weather, rising fertiliser and fuel costs, and supply chain issues.

Looking Ahead

The TGA remains committed to supporting its members by promoting best practices, advocating for industry needs, and exploring innovative solutions to mitigate future challenges. However, with the effects of climate change continuing to impact growing conditions and economic pressures mounting, the association urges stakeholders to anticipate price volatility and plan accordingly for upcoming projects.

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Adapted vehicle restores Cornishman’s independence

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Adapted vehicle restores Cornishman’s independence: An adapted John Deere Gator has enhanced the mobility and independence of a St Austell resident with an enthusiasm for outdoor life. 

Regional agricultural and turf machinery dealer, Masons Kings, worked in collaboration with Adaptacar to restore Paul Clemes’ ability to doing what he loves best.

Adapted all-terrain vehicle restores Cornishman’s independence

Adapted all-terrain vehicle restores Cornishman’s independence

Mobility challenges have made it difficult for Paul, who is paralysed from the chest down, to access certain areas, so he approached Masons Kings for help.

A John Deere XUV865M Gator was adapted to meet Paul’s specific needs with modifications providing increased accessibility and usability, enabling him to operate the vehicle safely and navigate varied terrain.

The modifications that were made include Adaptacar’s left hand push/pull driving controls and quick release steering wheel aid, a winch to lift Paul’s powerchair into the vehicle, a Perspex screen on the front and rear cage, a person lift, a four-point harness and single folding ramps for the powerchair when using the winch.

“This adapted John Deere machine will change parts of my life,” said Paul. “I now have the freedom to go where I want, and it shows that there are solutions for people with disabilities. Just because you’re disabled, you’re not isolated.

“We were committed to delivering a solution that would make a real difference for Paul,” said David Barnes, Commercial Sales Consultant at Masons King. “It has been a privilege to provide Paul with a vehicle that regains independency.”

Masons Kings is a leading agricultural and turf dealership operating across Devon and Cornwall, providing specialist service and support for 40 years.

A video interview with Paul and David can be watched online.

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Carr’s Billington Expands Dealer Territory

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Carr’s Billington Expands Dealer Territory: T H WHITE Machinery Imports is pleased to announce that Carr’s Billington, a trusted supplier of groundcare and agricultural equipment, is expanding its dealer territory to cover Northern England and Southwest Scotland.

This strategic expansion enhances access to premium groundcare solutions, including Ferris commercial mowers, Spider remote-controlled slope mowers and Ohashi compact tracked chippers for customers in these regions.

Carr’s Billington Expands Dealer Territory

Carr’s Billington Expands Dealer Territory

The inclusion of Ferris mowers, known for their innovative suspension technology and superior comfort, will enhance productivity for commercial users tackling demanding terrains. Spider’s world-renowned remote-controlled slope mowers provide a safe and efficient solution for maintaining steep and hazardous landscapes. Meanwhile, Ohashi’s compact tracked chippers offer powerful, high-performance solutions for forestry, landscaping and local authority applications.

“We are thrilled to expand our dealer territory for these premium groundcare brands,” said Amanda Smith, Branch Manager at Carr’s Billington, Byers Green, Spennymoor. “At Carr’s Billington, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality products and expert service to our customers. With Ferris, Spider and Ohashi, we can offer even more solutions to meet the diverse needs of professionals working in groundcare, forestry and landscaping across Northern England and Southwest Scotland.”

“We are excited to support Carr’s Billington in expanding its dealer area for Ferris, Spider and Ohashi brands,” said Douglas Jeffrey, Area Sales Manager at T H WHITE Machinery Imports. “Their expertise and strong local presence ensure that more customers will have access to industry-leading groundcare equipment, backed by exceptional service and support.”

Carr’s Billington’s expanded coverage area will provide enhanced sales, service, and support to new and existing customers, reinforcing its mission to deliver top-tier products and customer satisfaction. Customers in Northern England and Scotland can now benefit from Carr’s Billington’s extensive knowledge and high-quality service for these premium groundcare brands.

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Mowing steep slopes even more comfortably

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Mowing steep slopes even more comfortably: The remote-controlled AS 1000 Ovis RC is in use on steep slopes throughout Europe. The tracked flail mower with maximum mowing performance and extreme slope capability has become an integral part of the AS-Motor product portfolio.

Series production of the next development stage of the mower started at the beginning of February: the AS 1000 Ovis Evo RC offers extended RC functions and even more user comfort.

Mowing steep slopes even more comfortably

Mowing steep slopes even more comfortably

Electric cutting height adjustment from a distance

The cutting height of the AS 1000 Ovis Evo RC can be conveniently adjusted between 40 and 110 mm by remote control. Two electric servomotors move the mowing deck to the desired height.  The advantage of being able to raise the flail mower remotely is particularly useful for uneven ground or dense vegetation. This also makes it easier to drive over edges or cross roads and ditches. When approaching steep slopes directly from the front, the angle of the slope can also be better adjusted. The mechanical cutting height indicator is simple and robust. The set height can be read off in five stages via a scale on the device. The transport and service position is reached in the usual way via the hand spindle. The mowing deck continues to be mounted on a surfing bearing and thus adapts optimally to uneven ground in difficult terrain with its large pendulum path.

Remote-controlled blade clutch

The electromechanical blade clutch on the new AS 1000 Ovis Evo RC can also be operated remotely. An electric actuator switches the blade clutch. This allows the user to conveniently stop the blades with the remote control or restart the engine when crossing paths or obstacles. The developers at AS-Motor have deliberately opted for a mechanical function of the clutch itself. This is characterised by a significantly higher durability compared to purely electric variants.

Brake and hydrostatic bypass

On the new AS 1000 Ovis Evo RC, two easily accessible levers enable the mechanical unlocking of the hydrostats and the release of the brake. This makes it much easier to free the machine if it gets stuck. The mower can be towed slowly and with free-running chains. The bypass for the brake and hydrostats can be operated easily, quickly and without tools.

Technical simplicity is retained

The remote control of the new AS 1000 Ovis Evo RC differs from the basic model only by three additional toggle switches. This means that the machine can still be controlled intuitively. One of the most important objectives in the development of the basic model AS 1000 Ovis RC was technical simplicity right from the start. This also applies to the new AS 1000 Ovis Evo RC. It is also characterised by the particular simplicity of its design, easy handling and uncomplicated maintenance. Too many electrical components in a single machine can lead to complexity, which is also consistently dispensed with in the expansion model.

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Terrain Aeration’s deep penetration to relieve waterlogging

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Terrain Aeration’s deep penetration to relieve waterlogging: Over many years, major house-building companies have called on Terrain Aeration to decompact back gardens and community areas of new-build developments.

During the building, the unavoidable combination of diggers, dumper trucks, bulldozers, concrete mixer lorries and parked vehicles take their toll on the soil, flattening the air out of it. Eventually, the areas that become the gardens and shared grass areas can become overly compacted. They may already have a sub-soil layer of rubble, old bricks and general landfill waste contributing to the problem. The result is waterlogging and panning requiring very deep aeration as a cure.

Terrain Aeration’s deep penetration to relieve waterlogging

Terrain Aeration’s deep penetration to relieve waterlogging

Terrain Aeration’s Terralift system reaches a depth of one metre using a JCB hammer and probe to break through the compaction. At this depth, compressed air is released, creating multiple fissures in the soil. This fracturing is done working to a grid system with two-metre spacing between each injection of air. As can be seen in the picture, there can be a massive amount of water trapped beneath the surface, causing the waterlogging in the garden. The spouts of water give a clear indication of the need to penetrate far deeper than normal turf aeration. As the probe exits, dried seaweed is injected which expands and contracts, keeping the interlinking fissures open and ensuring maximum drainage to the area.

Terrain Aeration has provided the solution to this for some of the UK’s biggest builders, including Taylor-Wimpey, Barratt, and Persimmon. The Terralift machine has proven itself over the last 30 years in aerating and decompacting soils. It is the ideal way of getting oxygen back into the soil structure, is non-invasive and leaves no mess. Once a garden has been aerated using Terrain Aeration’s machinery, nature will be able to help with the rejuvenation of the soil structure – so this treatment would not be required again. Different types of machine have been built to enable access to the gardens through single gates and garages.

Terrain Aeration works nationwide, providing deep aeration relief for waterlogging and flooding for house builders, sports grounds, amenity areas, golf courses and public spaces.

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