Polymer injection for healthier trees

Polymer injection for healthier trees

/in , /by

Polymer injection for healthier trees

The summer months have not been kind for trees and turf. Increasingly, year on year, we are seeing the effects of climate change across our landscape as droughts persist. Trees in parks, golf courses, public and amenity areas, turf on sports pitches through to lawns in private gardens have all suffered from the lack of rainfall. The ground becomes hard and compacted to a considerable depth, and when the rains do come, this often leads to standing surface water and waterlogging.

Polymer injection for healthier trees

Polymer injection for healthier trees

Suffolk-based Terrain Aeration has specialised in one-metre deep soil aeration to relieve compaction, panning, and waterlogging nationally for over thirty years. In addition to underground fracturing to allow drainage, Terrain Aeration’s Terralift system also releases dried seaweed into the fissures it creates. This swells in the wet to keep them open. While that takes care of the drainage and aeration when it’s very wet, there remains the opposite problem of grass and tree roots not getting enough water in periods of drought. It’s a problem addressed by the same machine, the Terralift system, that aerates the soil at depth by releasing compressed air via its one-metre depth probe. As that fragments the soil to create the fissures and cracks, the probe can also inject water-storing polymer. Once in place, the polymer will expand one-hundredfold with rainwater or irrigation water, which it stores for the turf or tree roots to take up as needed. It’s a one-way system, so the polymer does not take water from the roots.

In this way, we will be able to make better use of what water we have, and it’s a very long-term process as the polymer takes a long time to degrade. Spreading the polymer on the surface is not practical, as when it rains it turns into a gel, making the area dangerous to walk and play on. Injecting it into the ground using the Terralift machine offers the best, most beneficial, and wholly cost-effective method, says the company. Terrain Aeration is the only operator of the Terralift in the UK, and the treatment has proved itself since 1985. In 2026 The Terralift system celebrated 50 years of operation. Today, there are different versions of the machine to treat large open spaces such as sports grounds, golf courses, and avenues of trees, and to negotiate narrow accesses onto bowling greens and gardens. Anywhere from airports to zoos.

Terrain Aeration www.terrainaeration.co.uk  01449 673783

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

John Deere apprentices far outperform national average

John Deere apprentices far outperform national average

/in , /by

John Deere apprentices far outperform national average

Apprentices on John Deere’s agriculture, turf and parts engineering programmes are completing their training at a rate well above the national average.

John Deere apprentices far outperform national average

John Deere apprentices far outperform national average

More than 90% of those who start their course go on to successfully complete it, compared with around 60% nationally.

The level of achievement is also extremely high with 74% of apprentices receiving a merit or distinction from their End Point Assessment (EPA) – the final, independent evaluation that an apprentice must pass to prove they are fully competent in their job role.

A merit or distinction is only awarded to those who score 75% or above, which is broadly equivalent to an A grade at A-level.

On top of this, every apprentice completing the programme has passed their EPA for the fourth consecutive year, marking another significant milestone in the manufacturer’s long-running commitment to developing skilled technicians for its UK and Ireland dealer network.

“Achieving a 91% programme achievement rate is something we are extremely proud of, particularly when considering where the national average stands,” says John Deere Branch Training Manager Allan Cochran.

“To see almost three-quarters of our Level 3 apprentices achieving a merit or distinction shows they are not only completing the course, but performing at the very highest level.

“These results are a fantastic reflection of the commitment shown by our apprentices, their dealers and mentors, and everyone involved in delivering the programme.

“Our core values of commitment, quality and integrity are central to everything we do, and these results demonstrate those values in action. We would like to congratulate every apprentice who has reached this milestone and thank the dealers, mentors and training staff who have played such an important part in their success.”

John Deere’s pioneering apprenticeship programme combines training with paid employment, leading to nationally recognised and valued qualifications. The apprentices are trained in partnership with ProVQ at the John Deere Apprentice Training Centre in Upper Saxondale, Nottinghamshire.

The apprenticeship programme has been running for more than 30 years, and in that time has produced over 1,400 talented individuals who have gone on to have exciting careers across the John Deere dealership network. The aim remains to help young people take their first step on the career ladder, and to mould and nurture those with the skills and the desire to work in this industry.

In partaking in one of the most prestigious courses that John Deere provides, an apprentice will learn the valuable knowledge and skills for them to work their way into a career anywhere across John Deere’s worldwide dealership network.

Candidates interesting in applying for an apprenticeship can do so via the John Deere Apprenticeship Findertool.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

JCB invests for the future after Hydromax world record

JCB invests for the future after Hydromax world record

/in , /by

JCB invests for the future after Hydromax world record

Fresh from setting a new world land speed record of 406.320mph powered by its pioneering hydrogen technology, JCB is accelerating investment in its future, with major commitments to British manufacturing and new production capacity in the United States.

JCB invests for the future after Hydromax world record

JCB invests for the future after Hydromax world record

The manufacturer is investing heavily in the transformation of its Staffordshire World HQ, while in the USA, JCB’s new factory in San Antonio, Texas – its largest in the world – opens next month, creating 1,500 jobs over the next five years.

As JCB invests for its next chapter, George Bamford is to become Joint Chairman of the family company alongside his father, Lord Bamford. It is the first change at the top of JCB in more than 50 years, during which the business has grown from its Staffordshire roots into one of Britain’s largest privately owned manufacturers, with 23 factories and more than 20,000 employees worldwide.

The announcement coincides with JCB reporting a resilient performance in 2025, despite mixed market conditions and geopolitical headwinds around the world. Sales turnover totalled £5.7 billion, profit before tax was £642 million and machine sales reached 113,498 units, while the business remained debt-free with no net borrowings. JCB also increased its global market share, despite flat demand in North America and a 12% market contraction in India.

At the heart of JCB’s investment in Britain is the £100 million transformation of its Staffordshire headquarters – JCB’s home since 1950, when Joseph Cyril Bamford moved production into a former cheese factory in Rocester. A £60 million fully automated powder paint plant and a comprehensively modernised shop floor are part of the transformation, helping to secure the future of more than 8,000 UK jobs.

In the USA, JCB’s new $1 billion factory in San Antonio, Texas – at one million square feet, JCB’s largest factory in the world – opens next month. It will build Loadall telescopic handlers and access equipment for North America, the world’s biggest construction equipment market.

Investment in factories is being matched by investment in innovation. Hydrogen-powered machines are now in production following JCB’s £100 million programme to develop hydrogen combustion technology, making it the first construction equipment company in the world to bring a fully approved hydrogen-fuelled combustion engine to market.

Last month, those engines powered JCB into the record books at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The JCB Hydromax, driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, recorded 406.320mph (653.909km/h) on the Salt Flats to become the fastest ever hydrogen-powered vehicle – more than doubling the previous hydrogen combustion record and beating JCB’s own Dieselmax diesel record, set 20 years earlier. JCB Hydromax was powered by two production-based hydrogen engines manufactured at JCB’s factory in Foston, Derbyshire, and went from idea to world record in just 18 months.

Meanwhile, the JCB Academy, a pioneering project championed by Anthony Bamford to address the UK’s engineering skills shortage, goes from strength to strength. This year 708 students applied for 314 places available this September, maintaining the Academy’s long-standing reputation for being heavily oversubscribed. Since opening in 2010, it has educated around 3,750 young people and boasts a 100% record of leavers progressing into employment or further education. This month a total of 116 new apprentices, undergraduates and graduates, selected from more than 6,300 applicants, also joined JCB.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “Last year JCB celebrated its 80th birthday and, as we look ahead, we are investing heavily in the future of the business – from the transformation of our Staffordshire headquarters and pioneering hydrogen technology, to our new factory in Texas. As part of that next chapter, I’m delighted that my son George will become Joint Chairman of JCB. We have never been a company that stands still, and these investments will ensure JCB is well placed to seize the opportunities ahead.”

George Bamford said: “From the day my grandfather founded JCB in 1945, innovation and investment in Great Britain has been at the heart of everything we do. JCB Hydromax showed the world what British engineering can achieve. That same spirit is in every machine we build. While JCB has expanded globally over the years, our home has always been here, and the record investment we are making in our facilities and in new products is good news for Britain and good news for JCB.”

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “While 2025 was a more challenging year with mixed market conditions around the world, JCB delivered a robust performance overall. Machine sales were down by around 5%, but turnover remained broadly stable due to a more favourable market and product mix. Despite nil market growth in North America and a 12% market contraction in India – both important markets for JCB – we increased our global market share during 2025, which is an encouraging result. The overall outlook for 2026 is for moderate growth, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, and with new capacity coming on stream in Texas and Staffordshire we are well placed to take advantage of it.”

JCB 2025 annual results at a glance:

2025

(in £s Sterling)

 2025

(in US$)

  

 

 2024

(£)
Turnover £5.7 billion $7.64 billion  

 

 £5.8 billion
Profit before tax £642.0 million $860.2 million  

 

 £687.3 million

 
Machine sales (units) 113,498 $1.34/£1 119,848

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

Carl Sharp takes the lead on Golf at KAR UK

Carl Sharp takes the lead on Golf at KAR UK

/in , , /by

Carl Sharp takes the lead on Golf at KAR UK

KAR UK has announced that Carl Sharp will now be leading its Golf division, becoming the main point of contact for golf customers across the UK and Ireland.

Carl Sharp takes the lead on Golf at KAR UK

Carl Sharp takes the lead on Golf at KAR UK

Carl brings extensive hands-on experience from within the golf industry, having worked in greenkeeping and golf course management roles both in the UK and overseas. His practical understanding of the day-to-day challenges faced by Course Managers and greenkeeping teams, combined with his technical knowledge of irrigation systems, places him in an ideal position to support golf clubs and contractors throughout the region.

Since joining KAR UK, Carl has worked closely with customers on a wide range of Hunter Golf irrigation projects, providing technical expertise, product advice and on-site support. In his new role, he will continue to help clubs with everything from new irrigation installations and system upgrades to fault finding, training and ongoing technical support.

The appointment reflects KAR UK’s continued commitment to providing practical, knowledgeable support to the golf industry. Customers can expect the same personal service, with Carl continuing to spend time out on golf courses, working directly alongside Course Managers, Head Greenkeepers and contractors to deliver tailored irrigation solutions.

Commenting on his new role, Carl said: “I’m delighted to be leading Golf at KAR UK and look forward to continuing to build relationships with golf clubs and contractors across the UK and Ireland. Having worked in greenkeeping myself, I understand the importance of reliable irrigation and responsive support. I’m excited to help customers get the very best from their systems and support them with both existing installations and future projects.”

With a number of exciting projects and developments planned over the coming months, KAR UK remains focused on helping golf facilities maximise the performance and efficiency of their irrigation systems.

For advice on Hunter Golf irrigation systems, new projects, upgrades, technical support or training, customers are encouraged to contact Carl Sharp and the KAR UK team.

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on X and Instagram @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters