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Sherriff Launches E2 Pro Elicitor

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Sherriff Launches E2 Pro Elicitor: Sherriff Amenity has announced the launch of E2 Pro Elicitor, a new and unique soluble plant biostimulant containing Harpin aβ. E2 Pro is a brand of turf care products which is viewed as being synonymous with quality, and the ever-growing portfolio includes a range of both high performing water soluble and liquid fertilisers.

There are currently five different analyses within the water soluble range and eight in the liquid portfolio, ensuring that there is a solution to suit a wide range of nutrient requirements throughout the year.

Sherriff Launches E2 Pro Elicitor

Elicitor is the latest product to be welcomed to the E2 Pro family and by all accounts it appears that turf managers will be more than pleased with addition.

This unique soluble biostimulant contains an elicitor that stimulates gene expression in plants, delivering improved abiotic stress tolerance and better plant growth. Elicitors are known to activate a variety of biosynthetic pathways within the plant and the inclusion of Harpin aβ can significantly enhance results. Rigorous trial work has concluded that Harpin aβ specifically stimulates plant growth (above and below ground), nutrient absorption and tolerance to abiotic stress, including drought, temperature stress and pesticide detoxification. Further benefits include increased photosynthesis and enhanced root development.

Harpins are acidic, heat-stable, glycine-rich proteins produced by Gram-negative bacteria, which trigger defence responses in diverse plant species. When applied as a foliar spray, the Harpin proteins bind to plant receptors, initiating jasmonic acid and ethylene dependent signalling pathways; known as a Hypersensitive Response (HR). Harpins induce the expression of genes involved in cell wall development, cellular communication, and signalling and defence responses.

Harpin aβ proteins can be applied as either a seed treatment, or as a foliar spray. When used as a foliar spray, application every 3-4 weeks during growth is recommended. As Harpin aβ activates genes within the plant, there is no requirement for full coverage at the time of application. Once the genes are activated, the plant response is initiated within 24 hours.

For further information, please contact Sherriff Amenity on 01638 721 888 or visit www.sherriffamenity.com

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Le Golf National Remains GEO Certified

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Le Golf National Remains GEO Certified: Le Golf National is preparing to host the 2018 Ryder Cup and 2024 Summer Olympics, and has retained GEO certification, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable business management.

Having completed the new and improved OnCourse® programme, the venue was recently visited by independent verifier Pablo Munoz Vega, who confirmed demonstrable results and continual improvement actions over the previous three-year period.

Le Golf National Remains GEO Certified

Paul Armitage, General Manager – Le Golf National, said: “By proudly flying the GEO flag every day we are showing our customers, whether they be local residents, international visitors or corporate groups that we care about the same things that they do. We also want our staff to feel engaged and proud of the fact that Le Golf National provides great golf and much more for our community.

“Thanks to our Environmental Co-ordinator Artur Lecomte and the staff out on the course and in the clubhouse, the work we have done on waste separation, with increased reuse and recycling is particularly rewarding for all involved. All the team have found OnCourse® to be very easy to use and helpful in guiding and tracking the work and GEO Certified® is a tremendous reward.”

Le Golf National continues to show how an approach to fostering nature, conserving resources and supporting the community is part and parcel of running a profitable and highly respected golf facility.

The venues efforts are also contributing to The Ryder Cup Green Drive – the event’s sustainability programme – with partners Ryder Cup Europe and The Ryder Cup Organising Committee in France aiming to deliver the cleanest, greenest and most sustainable Ryder Cup yet.

Ryder Cup Europe Director, Richard Hills, said: “Le Golf National is a world-class golf course and we commend Paul and his team for their commitment to sustainable business management. It is vitally important that along with delivering one of the greatest sporting events in the world, that we also address these important issues and continue to work on maximising the social and environmental contribution of golf in the communities in which we play.”

Alejandro Reyes, Golf Course Superintendent added: “In the last three years sustainability has really become a facility-wide effort – moving from the golf course and maintenance facility into the clubhouse and now into marketing and communications. OnCourse® has helped a lot in that process and gives us a consistent way to make sure our practices are delivered and extended, our key data is in one place and our highlights are communicated and shared.”

Julie Duffus, Olympic Movement Sustainability Manager at the International Olympic Committee added: “Le Golf National is an excellent example of how a sustainable and successful Olympic Venue can be planned, designed, constructed and operated.  Our Congratulations to the team for their efforts and success on retaining GEO Certified Status.  We look forward to working together in the lead up to the Olympic Games in 2024”.

Richard Allison, Certification Manager at GEO Foundation, said: “We congratulate Le Golf National on this excellent and thoroughly deserved achievement. With the eyes of the sporting world on the course this autumn for The 2018 Ryder Cup, Le Golf National continues to strengthen its position as an ethical leader – fostering nature, conserving resources and supporting the community.”

Munoz Vega added: “It has been tremendous to witness the development of Le Golf National since their initial certification a short time ago. Commitment to sustainability and a desire to improve and keep innovating is deeply embedded in the management culture. With performance already very high I look forward to seeing the new projects and initiatives of the future.”

Key activities and results at Le Golf National include:

Resources

  • Commissioned 19 hybrid electric Jacobsen Eclipse walking mowers
  • Reduction in irrigation consumption by almost 40% as result of new Toro irrigation system
  • 16 hectares removed from irrigation (20% of irrigated area)
  • Sprinkler heads improved water distribution by 26%
  • New storage reservoir and drainage allows recycling of rainwater (44% of total consumption)
  • 340 tons of material recycled every year including glass, plastic, paper, cardboard and organics
  • Sand from ‘Paris beach’ recycled after every summer for fairway top-dressing
  • Trialling of non-chemical pest and disease control with UV lighting unit to reducing fungicide applications

Nature

  • Partnership with Natural History Museum and French Golf Federation to evaluate, conserve and promote biodiversity
  • Interconnected management of 10 EUNIS habitats including forest, wetland, open water, meadows and mineral landscape (three of which are classed as rare including tree species, riparian reeds and willows)
  • At least 350 flora and fauna species identified to date, including 70 birds
  • 13 species identified as rare including European, French and regional ‘red list’ species
  • Eight microhabitats created including hibernaculums for amphibians, rock walls, beehives, bird nests, dead branches and standing tree remnants
  • Increase in low-maintenance ecological rough areas
  • Significant reduction of maintained turf areas, new no-spray areas and habitat buffers

Community

  • New policies and pricing to increase public access to the golf courses
  • ‘GoforGolf’ campaign to introduce new players to the game
  • Spearhead the development of new affordable short courses around the country
  • Increase in social media presence to communicate the benefits of sustainability
  • Collaboration with local government to restore the ‘Porte du Merantais’, an historic gate to Versailles Palace

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EGO Power At SALTEX

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EGO Power At SALTEX: Since its launch, EGO has emerged as a pioneer of outdoor power technology, With its 56V Arc Lithium battery, EGO has been making its mark on the industry, and heading to the NEC later this year for the SALTEX exhibition.

The ground-breaking brand will be exhibiting at leading turf management event, SALTEX in Birmingham, from 31st October to 1st November, aiming to show grounds care volunteers and professionals how you can get the power of petrol, minus the petrol.

EGO Power At SALTEX

EGO will be giving SALTEX visitors the opportunity to have a chance to look at exciting and revolutionary products, never-seen-before in the EU market. It will also allow people to view products and accessories that are included in the commercial range, such as battery backpacks.

Steve Roskell, Marketing Director EMEA at EGO, is looking forward to the event: “This will be our 4th time at SALTEX and we’re making sure this year will be the best yet. Our new products launching in 2019 will debut exclusively at the exhibition, so make sure you come down and visit our stand!

“It will also give visitors the chance to ask any question they may have about our extensive offering and how cordless outdoor power tools can shape their lives, and their businesses.”

EGO will be on stand J062 at SALTEX from 31st October to 1st November.

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AMS Expands Into Pitch Mowing

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AMS Expands Into Pitch Mowing: Automated Managed Services Ltd (AMS) is the UK’s official distributors for Belrobotics robots and offers a contract based robotic maintenance service solution for turf care. With the aim of building on its undoubted success in the golf industry, AMS is kick-starting its expansion into sport pitch/field care with upcoming installations at Barking FC and Halesowen FC.

These football clubs will be home to the new BigMow Connected Line robotic mower, released into the UK market in April of this year it will be showcased at this years SALTEX show. Its features include a large working area capacity of 24,000 m2, up from the 20,000m2 coverage offered by its predecessor the BigMow Classic. Design improvements to the shell/body design contribute to low noise level output of 52db. It has five sonars used to navigate its surroundings and to perform effective obstacle avoidance. A Belrobotics smartphone app has also been introduced to allow customers to programme mowing schedules and monitor performance.

AMS Expands Into Pitch Mowing

With 45 plus robot locations across the UK, a single BigMow robotic mower can mow a pitch 5 to 7 times per week and imposes no stress to the grass due to its lightweight design. It has 15 razor sharp blades that trim the top of the grass into tiny clippings, which then decompose quickly acting as a natural fertiliser. This in turn reduces the need for chemical fertilisers and frees up personnel to focus on other aspects of pitch care. The BigMow’s manicure style mulching also means there is no green waste to collect, store or remove.

Additionally due to a regular mowing schedule, the grass roots grip is strengthen allowing better anchoring into the soil. Creating a denser sward that is better resistant to wear and tear. This means frequent traffic areas like goalmouths become more shear resistant due natural ample continuous grass growth. With the overall quality of the pitch becoming softer and more homogenous, results in a better ball flight, shot accuracy and playing experience for users.

AMS’s automated maintenance service solution requires no capital outlay and is run on an affordable monthly service contract.  Sport facilities with limited resources can also benefit due to the availability of turf care grants, meaning cash strapped facilities can also reap the benefits robotic mowing provides. A typical robot mower installation involves the install of a docking station and a perimeter wire.  The docking station is where the robot goes to recharge and the perimeter wire emits a magnetic field acting as an underground boundary to guide the robot.

“We’ve had a lot of keen interest from grassroot sport facilities over the last few months, which have lead to installations at Hitchin Town FC and Old Halesonians RFC. With several other installs already in the pipeline, the potential benefits of redeploying personnel to other tasks, operational cost savings, overall health benefits to turf and the availability of grants offered by the FA, ECB and the RFU, are just some of the reasons robotic mowing is fast becoming a desirable turf maintenance option. “  Philip Sear Managing Director of Automated Managed Services Ltd

Visitors to Saltex 2018 at NEC Birmingham, October 31st – 1st November, can see the BigMow Connected Mower in action at Stand A090 or alternatively visit www.automatedmanagedservices.com or call 01462 676 222 for more information.

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Only The Best Nematodes In Leading Products

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Only The Best Nematodes In Leading Products: BASF is the UK’s largest producer of beneficial nematodes, and it goes to great lengths to ensure that its product is of the highest quality available on the market. It’s vital that the quality is as high as possible because low quality nematodes will either die before use or will be ineffective in hunting down prey.

Nematodes are micro-organisms that occur naturally in the soil, where they hunt down and attack pests. Each nematode species has its own specific prey, meaning that they will harm their prey, and only their prey. They are already present within the soil, but more often than not, this is at such low levels that they are ineffective at controlling major pest infestations. In order to see the benefit, you must boost the numbers of live nematodes present in the soil; this is where BASF comes in!

Only The Best Nematodes In Leading Products

BASF ensures a consistently high quality by growing them through an extremely high-tech and specialised procedure. The facilities designed by BASF are reminiscent of a cutting edge distillery or brewery, filled with stainless steel stills and white lab coats. There are endless factors considered with each stage of the process being carefully monitored by experts in the field, and the most advanced equipment specifically designed for the job is used; but whilst the growing process is technical and scientific, the application process for the gardener could not be easier!

Due to the fact out BASF’s nematodes are delivered straight to the customer’s door, as a fresh, live product, it is able to guarantee product consistency, concentration (of 90-95% pure nematodes) and the unique formulations which provide the most optimum stability and product performance for which it has established a market leading reputation. BASF is the only nematode grower to offer this type of service.

Nemasys and Nemaslug are the most effective biological product ranges that meet all environmental standards, and this continues to drive growth year on year, with the products being compatible with organic gardening and creating no resistance issues.

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