BTME Registration Opening

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BTME Registration Opening: With registration for BTME 2019 due to open on Monday 8 October, details have been released about what will be on offer at the largest turf management exhibition in Europe.

Click here to register now for BTME 2019.

During BTME 2018 last January, the event hosts, the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association, revealed that the annual exhibition would be drastically transformed for 2019. A whole host of innovations and exciting new offerings will further evolve what amounts to the most influential event in the calendar for the golf industry in the UK.

BTME Registration Opening

And with registration for the event imminent, BIGGA is delighted to reveal that it has lived up to this promise, with an event that has expanded by 25% and that will feature a host of new conferences, forums, exhibition platforms and more opportunities than ever to network and gain valuable knowledge and experience.

Utilising a new hall layout at the Harrogate Convention Centre, BTME will feature 4,800sqm of exhibition space and feature Golf Course Construction Live!, a golf simulator competition, a new product and innovation area and a TED Talk-style theatre, where short presentations will be delivered by some of the leading names in the industry.

As always, Continue to Learn will kick off the week, with the education programme evolving to better suit the needs of BIGGA members. Taking place from Sunday 20 to Wednesday 23 January, the association’s Learning & Development team has put together its largest-ever package of education with more than 250 hours of education.

There will be a Deputies’ Conference, a Links Forum, an Ecology and the Environment Forum and a panel discussion looking at The R&A’s Golf Course 2030 plan.

Other workshops will discuss Gadgets & Gizmos, The Disturbance Theory: 10 years on, Work-Related Stress, while regular favourites such as the Turf Managers’ Conference and the Young Greenkeepers’ Conference will also return.

Last year, 50% of Continue to Learn workshops and seminars sold out within five weeks of registration opening, so BIGGA members have been encouraged to get their places booked soon to avoid missing out.

BTME 2019 itself begins on Tuesday 22 January with the ever-popular Welcome Celebration taking place on the opening evening. Housed in a new location in the HCC’s main auditorium, television presenter Naga Munchetty will once again host the event, which will see a number of BIGGA members recognised for their achievements throughout the year, including the announcement of the winners of the annual BIGGA Awards, revamped to coincide with the new, expanded BTME offering.

Throughout the show itself, which runs from Tuesday until Thursday 22 January, there has been an increased offering for members, including more social space for networking and a larger BIGGA stand featuring a Wellness Area where skin cancer screening, hearing screening and mental health advice will all take place.

Also on the stand will be a Membership Benefits advisory service, where experts will provide information for members regarding legal advice, HR, health & safety, volunteering and member opportunities.

BIGGA Chief Executive Officer Jim Croxton said: “The expansion of BTME arose due to the exhibition’s incredible popularity among our exhibitors, of which in 2018 there were more than 140 and we’re due to expand on that number this year. In providing more space, we were presented with an incredible opportunity to create a greatly improved visitor experience, further enhancing BTME’s position as the premier turf management exhibition in Europe.

“We anticipate BTME 2019 being our most popular event ever. By registering early for BTME, you can ensure you skip to the front of the line and increase your BTME experience to the limit, ensuring you won’t miss a single part of what promises to be a historic event for the greenkeeping industry.”

Click here to register now for BTME 2019.

Visit www.btme.org.uk for more information.

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First SALTEX For Consolidate Turf

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First SALTEX For Consolidate Turf: Exhibiting at Saltex for the first time this year, Consolidate Turf is giving every turf professional the opportunity to come to stand E195/E196 at the NEC in Birmingham and discover an exclusive range of balanced, energy efficient, liquid nutritional products for the perfect turf maintenance programme.

The Chorley based company manufactures bespoke nutritional programmes including core products Consolidate Plus+ and Consolidate Winter Turf Hardener, that provide the maximum benefit for individual customer needs.

First SALTEX For Consolidate Turf

Working closely with groundsmen and greenkeepers across the amenity sector has led to Consolidate Turf products being incorporated in the turf maintenance programmes at the majority of the UK’s and Europe’s most renowned venues including many Premier League facilities as well as Universities and Non-League and National League football teams.

Renowned Head Groundsman Steve Braddock said: “Following the successful trial last winter on one of our pitches I have decided to extend the use of Consolidate Plus and Consolidate Winter Turf Hardener onto our other pitches this winter.”

As well as these core products, the varied catalogue of the Anti-Stress Turf Range, Consolidate Range and the Renovation Seed Pack have enabled users to adjust rates to suit their specific requirements. This has been customary practice in the case of Links manager, Chris Ball, who has used the products to adapt to ever-changing conditions on golf courses.

“I have been involved in the turf industry for over 25 years,” Chris explained. “During this time, I have experienced various management techniques and practices at both Parkland and Links venues.

“I have regularly used the full range of Consolidate Turf products due to their diverse flexibility that subtly adapts and compliments our ever challenging and changing environment.”

By creating tailored programmes for customers any issues their turf is facing can be directly met. At Glamorgan Cricket Club, Head Groundsman, Robin Saxton, wanted to improve plant health and colour and did so through the use of a unique Consolidate programme.

“From the first meeting we have made tremendous progress and as things advanced through meetings we have designed and developed a completely bespoke and unique package for our exact needs,” he said.

“We have had great results with the renovation package. We have managed to integrate the programme on our cricket square and the results have been fantastic.

“Using Consolidate Plus+ on a fortnightly basis has helped us keep a more even colour and growth rate across the square without the peaks and troughs a monthly programme can give you. The addition of extra copper in the mix has kept us disease free even when we have had to cover the square for an extended period of time.”

Producing a range of nutritional products that are the catalyst for turf improvements for groundsmen on every budget is an important factor for Consolidate Turf. They strive to improve pitches for customers such as Chorley Football Club in the National League North with a natural pitch, as much as they do for Fulham Football Club in the Premier League playing on an SIS Grass hybrid pitch. “We are successfully using the full range of Consolidate Turf products on all SIS pitches at both The Cottage and training grounds. Right from the renovation through the season, the bespoke product range is aiding us to achieve optimum pitch performance across the board,” said Grounds Manager David Tatnell.

This has been achieved by listening to customers and refining individual choices that have become integral components in maintenance programmes across the entire spectrum of amateur and professional sport.

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SALTEX Innovation Award Entries

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SALTEX Innovation Award Entries: SALTEX plays host to the most technologically advanced-equipment showcase in grounds management. After a successful first outing at last years show, the SALTEX Innovation Award returns for 2018 and visitors will get the chance to cast their eye over every entry at the show.

Here is a snapshot of some of the exciting entries:

SALTEX Innovation Award Entries

Sherriff Amenity – PrecisionPro; a dedicated spots turf app designed to help users measure, calibrate and apply granular products.

Lantra – Integrated Weed Management is the latest training course added to Lantra’s Pest & Weed Management suite of training and qualifications.

Trimax Mowing Systems – the Snake S2; a rotary, roller mower designed for sports turf and golf courses.

Trimax Mowing Systems – the QuikLIFT; a new feature for the PegasusS4 which allows all three decks to be lifted with the blades still engaged.

Trimax Mowing Systems – the LocTEK; a patent pending stubless roller bearing system for increased retention, bearing life and replacement ease.

PSD Groundscare – ELIET Turfaway 600; with a 60 cm-wide cutter the Turfaway 600 has been designed for major lawn renovation that requires complete reconstruction.

PSD Groundscare – TS Industrie GS/Puma Tracked Remote Controlled Shredder is a remote controlled tracked green waste shredder.

Net World Sports – FORZA Alu110 Football Goals; are available in eight sizes and can be purchased as both freestanding and socketed.

Reesink Turfcare – Toro Outcross 9060; a super-duty utility vehicle, designed specifically to simplify the groundsman’s day-to-day turf maintenance jobs.

Reesink Turfcare – Toro Groundsmaster 1200; a robust pull-behind rotary mower for sports and groundscare turf maintenance applications.

T H White Machinery Imports – Spider X Line; a new remote-controlled slope mower which can climb slopes of up to 40 degrees independently.

T H White Machinery Imports – Ferris 400S; a zero-turn mower with a 48 inch cutting width developed for light commercial or large domestic mowing customers.

Allett Mowers – c34 Evolution; a new electric, large area, walk-behind cylinder mower with inter-changeable cartridges.

McConnel – ROBOCUT; an all-terrain remote-control work platform that boosts safety, productivity and efficiency.

Bulldog Tools – Mini Shovels; two brand new shovels (a square mouth version and a round mouth version) that are lightweight and very easy to carry in any transport.

Helping Hand Environmental – Street Boss; a multi-functional sustainable litter collection system which allows the operative to undertake a range of cleansing tasks.

Briggs & Stratton UK – Vanguard 200 engine; a commercial grade air-cooled petrol engine designed from the ground up which delivers significant performance enhancements.

Evopos – Evopos; a modern dealer management system providing stock control, EPOS, workshop, whole goods control, accounts, CRM, Ebay, Web and e-commerce modules.

Etesia UK – Pellenc ULiB 1200 battery; lightweight and offers increased autonomy of up to 20% – up to five hours of work with the most energy-consuming Pellenc tools in the range.

Hayter/Toro – ProStripe 560; a professional walk-behind rear-roller rotary mower, designed primarily for sports playing surfaces, to cut and collect grass, or to remove debris and divots.

EGO – POWERLOAD™ Line Trimmer; a new line trimmer with a fully automatic line re-loading system.

Block Blitz – Paving Sand; to keep paving joints clean and deter weeds and moss.

Block Blitz – Big Blitz; a jumbo dust pan and brush which is oversized, light-weight and super strong.

Block Blitz – Block Blitz Shield; new paving treatment which protects new and recently laid paved surfaces.

A panel of expert judges will select the winning product and the winners will be announced on the first day of SALTEX at a ceremony to be held on the show floor in the all new Innovation Hub.

For more information visit www.iogsaltex.com

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Successful APF For Jensen

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Successful APF For Jensen: The UK’s largest forestry, woodland, arboriculture and biomass show came to Ragley Estate near Alcester, Warwickshire, again this weekend, with great success. The APF Exhibition, which takes place biennially in September, hosted 320 exhibitors over 3 days at the 6,000-acre estate, welcoming 18,500 visitors this year despite heavy rain and wind as a result of Storm Ali which pounded the site but not the spirits of visitors and exhibitors.

The Machinery Imports team were pleased to hold a large demonstration stand at the event this year, with Jensen woodchippers leading the charge complemented by the array of Groundcare machinery available from brands Ferris, Wright and Spider.

Successful APF For Jensen

With over 800m2 of stand space, the team were able to showcase a large range of machines including the ever-popular Jensen A530 and A530L towed woodchippers, with sub-750kg towing weights and 6-inch chipping capacity. Representing the range of PTO chippers were the A530XL and A540 models, with the A540 model boasting a 190mm capacity and 18m3/h output for powerful chipping with only a 40hp requirement.

For off-road, sloping or unstable terrain, Jensen presented the A540 Spider, a tracked woodchipper offering superb stability with independently controlled hydraulic tracks both vertically and horizontally, making it the most versatile machine of its type in the market.

Jensen are the only manufacturer of woodchippers in the industry to offer the option of a turntable chassis for all their woodchippers between 8” and 12” capacity, and to highlight this at the APF visitors to the stand could see an A540 turntable road-towable chipper. The 270° turning ability offers the perfect solution for anybody working alongside highways and paths where safety is paramount and space is limited, enabling the users to turn the woodchipper to face an alternative, safe direction.

As well as static displays of the models on offer, the Jensen team were able to practically demonstrate the power and versatility of the range including the huge A231 model, the second largest disc chipper in the Jensen line-up and the largest feed roller aperture available of any brand in the market. With a 310 x 240mm aperture, 30m2/h chipping capacity and 75hp engine the A231 is truly one of the most powerful and robust chippers on offer today.

Complementing the Jensen line up at the APF Exhibition were a range of Ferris, Wright and Spider mowers, including the Wright Stander I and Sport I models – the original zero-turn stander mowers in the industry, and Spider Mini, ILD01 and ILD02 remote-controlled, robotic slope mowers.

From Ferris, visitors could see a variety of pedestrian, ride-on and stand-on mowers including the new-for-2018 Ferris 400S with 4-way deck discharge options; larger models including the stand-on SRS™ Z1 and ride-on, zero-turn IS®700Z, IS®2600Z and IS®3200Z models. For those who prefer walk-behind grass cutting, the popular pedestrian mowers, FW25, FW35 and FW35 Flail were available to view, offering 18.5hp and 26hp petrol engines respectively and deck sizes from 36” to 52” for all mowing situations.

Bill Johnson, Business Manager for Jensen in the UK, found the show to be hugely successful for Jensen, commenting “I am delighted with the enthusiasm and loyalty shown by the Jensen users from around the UK and abroad who visited our stand and shared their Jensen stories with us. A particular highlight was meeting a terrific Jensen owner who happily uses his 31-year old Jensen A111Z woodchipper almost daily with no problems – a testament to not only his care for the machine but the durability and longevity of our premium chippers.”

“The 2018 APF Exhibition was hugely successful for us, giving us the opportunity to speak to industry professionals about the USPs of the Jensen brand as well as offering demonstrations to see the machines in action again on home-turf and welcoming visitors to enter our competition to win £1000 of arboricultural equipment, a great talking point with which to further engage customers.”

Clive Carter, General Manager for the Ferris, Wright and Spider brands in the UK, was also happy with the outcome of the event, adding “As an arboricultural-focused event we knew that the principal brand of interest would be Jensen however we were delighted to not only showcase our range of groundcare machinery which may be of interest to many woodchipper users too, but also to show our support for the Jensen brand which is growing ever more popular in the UK. We’re looking forward to seeing many visitors again at demonstrations and site visits which were organised as a result of attending the exhibition.”

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STRI Scoops Award At Bradford Uni

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STRI Scoops Award At Bradford Uni: STRI has picked up two gongs at the University of Bradford’s Summer Experience Awards, as the Bingley-based business won the Outstanding Placement Provider (SME) for its work experience internships. It also helped STRI intern, Samuel Birch, claim the Outstanding Placement Student award.

Samuel (Chemical Engineering), Malika Zahedi (Biomedical Sciences), and Steven Hopkinson (Chemistry), joined STRI as part of the Summer Experience Placement programme for six-weeks where they provided invaluable support within STRI’s research team at its world class facilities in West Yorkshire.

STRI Scoops Award At Bradford Uni

Over the course of the summer internship, the students gained knowledge on conducting scientific trials, project management and data analysis.

STRI has been running Summer Experience placements for a number of years. Former intern Sam Swires, who graduated this year, has now joined STRI in a full-time position as Trials Officer.

STRI Research operations manager, Dr Christian Spring, said: “It was a very successful night for STRI at Bradford University. It has been a great opportunity for STRI to mentor and support the next generation of turf scientists.

“I am delighted that our intern students fitted seamlessly into the research team, and that they gained such a large amount from their research experience, and that both STRI and the students have been recognised in the Summer Experience Awards. We would encourage all businesses engage with work experience students, as we have benefitted enormously from our involvement over the last few years.”

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