Attraxor helps refine greens and tame seed heads

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Attraxor helps refine greens and tame seed heads: At Crowborough Beacon Golf Club, Course Manager Luke Jenkins has been achieving exceptional results using BASF’s Attraxor®, a plant growth regulator supplied by Agrovista Amenity.

Containing the active ingredient prohexadione-calcium, Attraxor has become a key part of Luke’s turf management programme, helping him achieve smoother, more consistent greens and a better balance of grass species across the site.

Attraxor helps refine greens and tame seed heads

Attraxor helps refine greens and tame seed heads

Luke, who has been Course Manager at Crowborough Beacon for four and a half years, first came across Attraxor through conversations with Andrew Norman from Agrovista Amenity.

Intrigued by the dual promise of growth regulation and seed-head suppression – and the fact it blended well with the biologicals Luke already uses – he trialled it on the greens and was impressed almost immediately.

“Andrew kept mentioning Attraxor for both growth control and seed-head suppression, and it really ticked a lot of boxes. I started using it and instantly started seeing a difference,” Luke explains.

Seed-head suppression that improves consistency

One of the most obvious benefits for Luke has been the dramatic reduction in seed-head size and frequency – a critical improvement for green speed and consistency.

“You don’t get the big, juicy seed heads you used to get – they’re much smaller,” he says. “We don’t get the white, bobbly greens in the spring that affect roll and speed. Even in a tough seed-head year we had minimal issues compared with other courses nearby.”

Attraxor inhibits a key growth hormone, gibberellic acid, leading to consistent reductions in both shoot growth and flowering. This helps deliver a more consistent surface for golfers and reduces the variability that can make putting unpredictable.

Fast, flexible growth regulation

Attraxor activates on contact with water in the spray tank and begins to regulate growth in as little as four hours – a speed of action Luke values.

“It’s a two-in-one for me: growth regulation including seed-head suppression. I apply it every 21 days and try to get the first treatment on early – because the earlier you start, the better the results,” he says.

Luke typically applies Attraxor around 500 g/ha now and has found it provides consistent regulation across species and cutting heights. That flexibility makes it suitable for the fine turf demands at Crowborough Beacon’s greens, and he notes it keeps growth manageable even when granular feeds are applied.

Attraxor helps refine greens and tame seed heads

Attraxor helps refine greens and tame seed heads

Health, density and integrated use

Beyond seed-head suppression and reduced mowing, Attraxor contributes to improved sward density and healthier roots – outcomes that help turf resist both abiotic stresses and disease pressures.

Crucially for Luke’s programme, Attraxor mixes well with many of the biological products and foliar inputs he uses, allowing it to slot into an integrated strategy that emphasises plant health as well as growth management.

Practical, value-driven performance

For a club with limited resources and no fairway irrigation, reliable, low-rate chemistry that delivers predictable results is essential. Luke highlights Attraxor’s cost effectiveness at such small application rates.

“For the price and the quantity you use, it’s excellent value. I wouldn’t be without it now – 100%. Even if you only want seed-head suppression, it’s worth a trial.”

Luke encourages other course managers to test Attraxor on their sites, particularly where Poa seed heads and variable green speed are issues. For Crowborough Beacon, the product has become a key part of keeping greens consistent and playable while supporting the wider restoration and improvement programme Luke is leading.

“If it works on your site like it does on ours, it’ll earn a permanent place in your shed,” he concludes.

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

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John Deere dealers commit to strengthening link

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John Deere dealers commit to strengthening link: More John Deere dealers have signed the Armed Forces Covenant in support of service leavers who can resettle into roles within the agriculture and turf industries. 

At a ceremony held at the National Transition Event at Silverstone Circuit, Hunt Forest Group and Ripon Farm Services added their names to the covenant, which had already been adopted by Ben Burgess and Tallis Amos Group, as well as John Deere itself.

John Deere dealers commit to strengthening link

John Deere dealers commit to strengthening link

Signatories pledge to ensure that those who serve, or have served, in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly and should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.

The move complements John Deere’s Military Hiring Programme, which offers service leavers new career opportunities to work on some of the world’s most advanced machinery used by farmers and turf professionals.

Members of the armed forces have been identified as ideal candidates to bring their unique skill sets and experience to technician roles within UK and Ireland dealerships.

Those who enrol in the programme are given free, tailored training and are supported to fill vacancies within the dealership network.

“We are passionate about finding a way to give back to those who have served our country,” says Allan Cochran, John Deere Branch Training Manager.

“The armed forces produce people who are highly skilled, motivated and extremely competent, and many already have the engineering skills needed to become qualified technicians.

“It’s the perfect fit for John Deere – we are able to play our part in supporting those resettling following careers in the armed forces while also attracting a different pool of people into the business.”

Interested service members and ex-service members can learn more and fill out a contact card by visiting www.deere.com/JDMHP.

After making contact, they will be put in touch with an individual from the John Deere network who has resettled following a career in the armed forces to discuss all potential options.

Ripon Farm Services 

“We are incredibly proud to support people transitioning from military service into new careers with us,” says Phil Gregg, Director of Ripon Farm Services. “Service leaders bring exceptional skills, dedication, and technical expertise that align perfectly with the needs of our industry, and our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant reflects our belief that they deserve clear, meaningful pathways into civilian employment.

“We look forward to supporting them build successful careers with us and through the John Deere Military Hiring Programme.”

Hunt Forest Group 

“It was a privilege to represent Hunt Forest Group on the John Deere UK stand at the recent military hiring event at Silverstone,” says Nick Hill, Group Service Manager at Hunt Forest Group. “Meeting so many talented service personnel was a highlight and gave us a great opportunity to showcase our business and the career pathways available through the John Deere Military Hiring Programme.

“We were especially encouraged by the strong interest in technician roles from individuals bringing exceptional experience and technical discipline from their military careers.”

Tallis Amos Group

“After signing the Armed Forces Covenant more than a year ago, Tallis Amos Group continues to reap the benefits of offering resettlement pathways to service leavers who are often ready-made for our business,” says Guy Bunting, Recruitment Coordinator at Tallis Amos Group. “We are proud to offer opportunities to service leavers that include training and development further aiding their transition into civilian life.”

Ben Burgess

“Signing the Armed Forces Covenant reflects our core values as a business,” says Ben Turner, Managing Director at Ben Burgess. “We’re proud to support those who serve and have served, and we’re fortunate to have veterans already working across Ben Burgess whose skills and experience make a real difference every day.”

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Replay Strengthens Strategy with Origin Partnership

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Replay Strengthens Strategy with Origin Partnership: Replay Maintenance is stepping up its game in the natural turf sector with a new three-year supply agreement with Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-performance sports surfaces across an expanding portfolio of sites.

The agreement is a key part of Replay’s wider strategy to grow its Natural Turf Division.

Replay Strengthens Strategy with Origin Partnership

Replay Strengthens Strategy with Origin Partnership

Following a structured selection process, the partnership provides both stability and flexibility, giving Replay the confidence to plan for growth while maintaining consistent standards on every pitch. In its first year, the company expects to service over 100 natural turf surfaces, with ambitious expansion anticipated in the years ahead.

Under the deal, Replay secures a reliable supply of core OAS products, including perennial ryegrass seed mixtures, controlled-release fertilisers, herbicides, and specialist inputs designed specifically for professional sports turf. But the agreement goes beyond the basics.

Embedded technical and agronomic support means Replay teams have access to soil analysis, laboratory testing, application planning tools, seasonal guidance, and ongoing technical advice, ensuring every decision is backed by data and best-practice insight.

Commenting on the partnership, Phil Dewhurst, Regional Sales Director at Origin Amenity Solutions, said:

“Origin Amenity Solutions are proud to have won the contract with Replay Maintenance and are delighted to be working closely with the team. Together we will build a strong partnership to supply and deliver our trusted products to improve the quality and performance on newly renovated natural turf surfaces.”

Service and performance are central to the partnership. The framework incorporates clear delivery commitments, regular performance monitoring, and annual commercial reviews, helping Replay maintain quality, reliability, and operational accountability as the division grows.

The collaboration also opens opportunities for wider industry engagement. Demonstration days, technical seminars, and joint marketing initiatives are all part of the plan, giving Replay the chance to share expertise, showcase innovation, and strengthen its presence in the natural turf sector.

Matt Bartle, Group Head of Commercial Strategy at Replay Maintenance, believes the partnership will play an important role in supporting the company’s ambitions in the natural turf market.

“This partnership with Origin Amenity Solutions marks an important step forward for Replay. At our core, we’re committed to raising standards across all sports pitches, be it synthetic or natural. The opportunity to work alongside a trusted, forward-thinking supplier like Origin strengthens our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes for our clients.

By combining our national delivery capability and technical expertise with Origin’s innovative amenity solutions and product support, we can offer a more integrated approach to pitch performance, sustainability, and long-term asset care. Ultimately, this collaboration is about adding value for clubs, schools, and facility operators thereby ensuring their natural turf pitches are not only match ready, but built to perform week in, week out.”

For Replay Maintenance, this agreement is more than a supply contract. It’s a strategic move to build a robust Natural Turf Division capable of delivering consistently high standards across an increasing number of sites.

For more information, visit www.replaymaintenance.co.uk

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Tubex Shelters in The Carbon Community Project

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Tubex Shelters in The Carbon Community Project: One of the UK’s most significant long-term forestry research projects has used Tubex tree shelters to protect thousands of young saplings while allowing scientists easy access to measure growth.

The Carbon Community’s Glandwr Forest Carbon Study examines how trees and soil store carbon.  The project, now in its fifth year, aims to build a stronger evidence base for nature-based solutions that can increase carbon capture and improve woodland resilience.

Tubex Shelters in The Carbon Community Project

Tubex Shelters in The Carbon Community Project

Established in 2020, the 11.5-hectare study brings together scientists, forestry partners and volunteers to investigate how different tree species and soil treatments influence long-term carbon storage. More than 25,600 trees have been planted across 72 test cells, including oak, birch, cherry, alder and Sitka spruce, allowing researchers to compare growth and soil behaviours under controlled conditions.

The project focuses on approaches such as enhanced rock weathering, where crushed basalt releases nutrients and supports carbon capture, and soil microbiome inoculation, which introduces beneficial fungi from nearby healthy woodland to help young trees access nutrients more effectively. These methods together provide a growing dataset that will help clarify the role of soils and species selection in carbon sequestration.

Before the trial “we planted a few oaks grown from seed collected on site and they were eaten by rabbits within weeks,” said Heather Allen, Trustee at The Carbon Community. “When the trial was established, our forestry partner, Tilhill Forestry, strongly advised using shelters – and we agreed they were essential.”

Tubex Easywrap shelters were selected as a practical way to protect vulnerable saplings while still allowing researchers and volunteers to access each tree for measurement and monitoring. All the broadleaf trees planted use the shelters, helping maintain consistent establishment across the test cells and supporting long-term data collection.

As an environmental charity, The Carbon Community also considered the long-term implications of introducing material onto the site. The ability to collect and return the shelters for recycling once they were no longer needed was an important factor, ensuring the project could minimise waste. Each spring, volunteers remove shelters from trees that have outgrown them and collect any that have loosened during winter weather. These are returned through the Tubex recycling network, supporting a circular approach to material use. “We made a commitment to collect every single shelter when the trees were big enough,” Heather said. “We’ve been running volunteer removal days for the past couple of years – and those shelters have already made their way back for recycling.”

Community involvement has remained central throughout the project, with volunteers supporting planting, maintenance and data gathering to help researchers monitor conditions consistently across the site. “This is a long-term project,” Heather said. “We’re looking at how ecosystems can help solve the climate crisis. Good early protection has supported the research and helped us manage the site sustainably.”

Now in its fifth year, the study is beginning to analyse above-ground and below-ground data on how the treatments affect carbon capture. Strong early establishment across the site has created a stable foundation for long-term scientific assessment, with findings expected to support future woodland creation.

For Tubex, involvement in the project has centred on supplying shelters that meet the specific needs of the study. The Easywrap design has supported repeated access for measurements, helped maintain consistent establishment conditions and ensured that all used shelters could be collected and returned for recycling once no longer required. This combination of protection, practicality and material recovery has allowed the research team to manage the site effectively while maintaining the project’s sustainability commitments.

For more information about The Carbon Community and the Glandwr Forest Carbon Study, visit https://thecarboncommunity.org

For information on Tubex tree protection, visit https://tubex.com  

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