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BASF Support World Pest Day

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BASF Support World Pest Day: World Pest Day is coming up on June 6, and BASF, producers of the Nemasys range of pest control products, will be promoting the importance of pest management to gardeners, highlighting its value in protecting human and garden health, food quality and the environment.

Nemasys grow five different nematodes at its UK facility, which is the largest in Europe. Nematodes are micro organisms that occur naturally in garden soil. Each of the five different species BASF grows each target just one specific prey species.

BASF Support World Pest Day

Nemasys pest control replicate nature by increasing the amount of these microscopic organisms that are already present in the soil to give nature a helping hand in fighting pests in your garden, without upsetting the delicate eco-system. Once the pests are eliminated, nematodes die back to their natural level. They are a sophisticated, yet simple, biological method of ridding gardens and allotments of pests, and can be applied by simply watering them on!

Nematodes are produced to control slugs, leatherjackets, ants, vine weevils and chafer grubs, as well as a product containing a number of different nematode species which will protect against a range of pests that attack various fruit and vegetables.

BASF, producers of Nemasys and Nemaslug products have made them easily accessible online and user friendly; perfect for the domestic gardener who demands an effortless product that is non-toxic and extremely effective. Their online website makes gardeners lives easier as an entire season’s worth of pest control can be purchased and delivered. They are passionate about supplying its nematodes alive and fresh, rather than dried, as this ensures the quality of the product remains high and consistently effective. Customers can order a season’s worth of products and they will be delivered fresh each month.

To use nematodes, simply select the appropriate product, mix with water and either pour from a watering can or spray onto the foliage and soil, depending on the variety. This process is repeated throughout the season, from the moment that the first signs of pests occur and can be easily slotted into your regular watering routine. There is no need to keep children or pets away from treated areas and the whole programme is entirely biological, so all the Nemasys products can be used by organic gardeners.

An entire season’s worth of pest control can be purchased via online stockists at www.nemasysinfo.co.uk/en/Products/Overview/index.html and will be delivered fresh, straight to your door throughout the season.

BASF is the only nematode producer to supply fresh nematodes, rather than dehydrated, and is passionate about doing so as this ensures the quality of the product remains high and consistently effective.

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Cub Cadet Launch XR Robotic Mowers

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Cub Cadet Launch XR Robotic Mowers: Leading lawnmower manufacturer Cub Cadet has launched a ground-breaking new range of robotic mowers, the XR Enduro Series.

Built with innovation and convenience in mind, the new robots – XR1, XR2 and XR3 – mow up to 10 percent faster than similar models on the market due to the patented blade technology and strong mowing system, producing a perfectly trimmed lawn in no time.

Cub Cadet Launch XR Robotic Mowers

The robots have been developed with state-of-the-art technology and features that meet both consumer and professional needs to save the time and effort of mowing.

The XR1 500 features a strong, floating, self-cleaning mowing deck that handles challenging terrain with incredible accuracy and produces clippings fine enough to mulch into the soil. This process acts as a natural fertiliser resulting in a better-looking lawn, improved performance and reduced maintenance.

The XR2 and XR3 robots in the range have the unique ability to trim right up to the edge of the lawn thanks to the patented steel blades which cut beyond the wheelbase. Therefore, there is no need for a lawn edge cutter or strimmer, saving space on storage. Also, the robots will mow areas of up to 5000m².

By utilising state-of-the-art technology, gardeners will have complete control of their robot, any place, any time, using their smartphone or home computer to view reports and change mowing schedules. As well as being Alexa compatible, they have pin code security, and some models come with Bluetooth remote control capability and GPS, which allows the mower to be tracked.

The ever-changing British weather needn’t be a problem either as the integrated rain sensor alerts the robot to return to its home when it starts raining. It can then start cutting again when the weather improves.

Phil Noble, field sales and technical manager for Cub Cadet, said: “We have waited for the right time to join this competitive market to ensure our robotic mowers have all the features that a gardener could want. Customers are now starting to see robotics as a viable option to a traditional walk-behind mower or a lawn tractor, so by creating a range which is smart, innovative, cost-effective and convenient to use, we are showing that a robotic mower is the future of mowing.”

The XR mowers are equipped with Smart Mow which instead of stopping and turning when the robot reaches the perimeter wire, turns in a continuously smooth arc, saving time and ensuring a better-quality cut.

Deciding when to mow isn’t an issue as the robots can be programmed to run at any time of the day, even when the user is away on holiday. The robotic mowers run between 68 and 74 decibels, depending on the model, meaning even during the night gardeners can be assured the lawn will still be cut to a high standard, without disrupting neighbours or wildlife.

For this range, Cub Cadet has also introduced the exclusive Robozone. This innovative feature works either via a battery or mains power and is a signal transmitter, which means that the robotic mower can be used in another garden without having to buy a second charging station – ideal for when a gardener needs to go round to mow the parent’s lawn. It also enables the robot to be used in difficult and hard-to-reach areas where there is no mains power. This cutting-edge product from Cub Cadet means the robot can be utilised for more than one job.

Phil added: “A robotic mower will give you back the time spent mowing the lawn to use doing other things whilst still have a perfectly trimmed lawn. Also, robots mulch the grass exceptionally well, which helps put nutrients back into the lawn, keeping it green and healthy – even in drought conditions like last year, it’s a win-win situation.”

For more information and to find your local dealer please visit www.cubcadet.co.uk

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New Home For Toro At Royal Norwich

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New Home For Toro At Royal Norwich: The state-of-the-art greenkeeping facilities and workshop at Royal Norwich are complete, meaning Toro now has a home at the new site to work and live.

Only the second all air-conditioned facility in the country, the building was reclaimed from an old refrigeration warehouse and now houses a team room with pool table, stylish meeting rooms for business meetings, state-of-the-art workshop and parts storage, a ‘boot room’ with washing machine and dehumidifier, showers, every convenience has been thought of, confirms Peter Todd, director and estates manager, including its green credentials:

New Home For Toro At Royal Norwich

“It’s completely insulated, so will be highly efficient. 100 percent of its daytime power is generated from the solar panels on the roof as well as supplying 40 percent of the clubhouse electricity needs.”

The facility has been home to a loan fleet of used Toro equipment, compiled to accommodate the growing-in phase of the courses, but now it welcomes the beginning of Peter’s Toro fleet.

Reesink’s Trevor Chard who has worked with Peter for more than 18 years, first at The London Club where they introduced of a new Toro fleet of machinery and now at Royal Norwich, says: “There are so many different requirements when tending new and growing-in turf. For example, it’s pedestrian mowing to start with to prevent bruising the grass and only once the grass is more established that ride-ons will be required. It’s tough, unforgiving work for the fleet, there’s a lot of dust and stones to contend with as the earth moves and settles into its new formation.”

Here, Peter takes over again: “If my time in construction at Gleneagles taught me anything, it’s that you can never predict what a new course will throw at you. One thing I didn’t envisage was using rotary mowers on the tees for example! But dwarf perennial rye grass in a blend with fescue took hold and grew so quickly in those early days, we needed to get on top of it fast and only a rotary would do.”

It’s clear to see then, why a loan fleet of used equipment made economic sense! Now joining that loan fleet which has worked so hard in the early stages are four Flex 2120 pedestrian mowers for hand cutting the greens, the Greensmaster 1600 is Peter’s top choice for the tees and the Groundsmaster 4500-D and Groundsmaster 3500-D are taking on the initial mowing of the fairways and semi-roughs.

It’s a partnership for the long-term and Peter concludes by saying: “With things on a new course moving so fast and so many different requirements at each stage, I knew I needed a machinery partner that would be flexible and accommodating. I respect the Toro brand and have enjoyed working with Trevor for all these years, but I needed to know I had flexible and immediate support, Reesink’s East Anglia service division gave me that.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Campey Award-winning Dealers

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Campey Turf Care Award-winning Dealers for 2018: Campey Turf Care Systems has announced their award-winning dealers for 2018 with George Browns named as Dealership of the Year.

The Bedfordshire company are joined by Finish dealer, NH Koneet, who was awarded Most Improved Dealer whilst German company Rasenwelt won European Dealer of the Year 2018.

George Browns has been selling Campey products from their six depots since 2002 and now offer the entire range from Dakota and Imants through to Raycam and Vredo. For Browns, Campey products lend themselves to the hire market as much as they do retail sales, making them very popular with customers who recognise the impact they can have.

Jon Ryan, a member of the professional grass machinery sales team, collected the award on behalf of George Brown’s at BTME 2019 and appreciated the work of everyone at the dealership had been recognised.

“We were delighted to be named the Campey UK Dealer of the Year,” he said. “It recognises the work of everyone in our six depots and the combined efforts of the sales and hire side of the business who have come together to make a successful team.

“We started with Dakota TopDressers in 2002 following on with Vredo Seeders, Imants, Koro  and Raycam. To be honest there aren’t many Campeyô products that we haven’t sold which says a lot about their products and us a dealership.

“It’s a balance between us and Campey as we go out and offer the products to our customers but Campey themselves bring enquires to us and that’s the bond between the dealership and the manufacturer, we also see that in their product support and knowledge.

“Campeyô offers a wide range of machines like the Koro FTM, Air2G2, ShockWave, and the Raycam SPEEDRESSER. All of the ranges are popular with our customers because they’ve come from an innovative and forward-thinking company that have seen the challenges faced by turf professionals and made a point of providing a solution.

“Because of that they are now a company that sets the trend of the industry rather than following it.”

Managing director of NH Koneet, Teemu Hakkinen, hopes the successful relationship with Campey will continue as new customers in Finland continue to adopt the exclusive range of machines.

“It is an honour to receive this award. It reflects the successful relationship we have had with Campeys over many years and this is down to them supplying quality products with an excellent back-up service from a very reliable company, with excellent personnel in the field and at head office. ”

Rasenwelt’s impressive performance in 2018 also saw them named the European Dealer of the Year with the award received by Sales manager Armin Langenmair and his team.

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Second Toro Signing At Trentham

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Second Signing For Toro At Trentham: North Staffordshire’s  Trentham GC  has opted for Toro yet again, signing a second five-year agreement plan with UK distributor Reesink Turfcare. 

Within six years the club has gone from owning no Toro equipment to being a Toro ‘Total Solutions’ customer boasting a full fleet of Toro machines and Toro Lynx central control system irrigation with 170 Infinity series greens, approaches and surrounds sprinklers. 

Course manager, Ed Stant, says: “The difference using Toro has brought to the club has been huge. The grass is healthier, the surfaces are more aesthetically pleasing and playability is improved.” 

Now, with the club’s 125th anniversary coming up, the new machines couldn’t have arrived at a better time, says Ed: “The club has got events and functions planned this year for the anniversary. There’s definitely added pressure but it’s also a big motivator for the team.”

With this milestone event coming up, it was imperative the club had the best possible equipment in place to keep the 135-acre course in peak condition, and as the first five-year plan drew to a close and it came to signing a new agreement, “there wasn’t a need to look anywhere else,” says Ed. 

In fact, the machines have been such a perfect fit for the club, they are replacing them like for like: “Toro has done everything we needed it to for the last five years, so there was no reason to change that. The machinery is durable and lasts incredibly well and the irrigation system really proved its worth last summer! It paid dividends and the members have all seen the benefits.” 

In particular Ed and the team have been impressed with the Groundsmaster 4500-D: “The GM4500-D is a real beast of a machine. We have a lot of tree roots in our semi roughs which means you need a robust mower with a lot of power. It’s done the job with no problems and after five years of tough work it still hasn’t let up.”  

The traditional and beautifully kept course at Trentham attracts many keen golfers and this year will be home to the prestigious Reid Trophy, for the best in amateur under 14s golf. With the pressure on from members and visitors, Ed says he has total confidence in Toro to fulfil the course’s needs. 

“I’ve always wanted Toro at the club because simply put they are the best. The machines, the service and the communication from our local dealer Oakleys Groundcare and from Reesink Turfcare have all been great.”

He concludes: “At the end of the day, with Toro irrigation and machines for the course, I know we have the best possible equipment in place for the job.” 

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