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Kubota UK and Redwings

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Kubota’s M5001 Series the pack horse for Redwings: Kubota UK is working in partnership with Redwings, the largest horse sanctuary in the UK, to support the charity’s work in providing essential welfare and care for rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules nationwide.

Five of Kubota’s innovative M5001 Series tractors have been supplied to Redwings by Norfolk-based agricultural dealer N Richardson Ltd.  The tractors have been delivered to a number of Redwings’ centres across Norfolk and are being used to help undertake critical day-to-day farm work.

Kubota’s M5001 Series the pack horse for Redwings

Justin Pendrill, Redwings’ Maintenance, Security and Transport Manager, said: “The most important factor in our decision making process when choosing our new tractor fleet was the added value they could offer to our on-site and farm operations.  As a registered charity and publically funded, it’s absolutely vital we maximise our return on investment, and the Kubota M5091 was the right choice for us”.

Powered by a four cylinder Kubota V3800 diesel engine, the M5091 (95HP) features SCR and DPF under the bonnet for unobstructed forward visibility.  As well as SCR and DPF, the tractor also incorporates a common rail system (CRS), a system to recirculate exhaust gases (EGR) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC).  The combination of these technologies optimise the individual operation of each, reducing power consumption and lowering emissions.

In addition, a finger tip electro-hydraulic shuttle fitted as standard ensures smooth operation and simple handling, whilst the 40-ECO transmission with six synchronised gears and dual speed High-Lo technology allows operators to efficiently select the correct gear, optimising performance further.  The electro-hydraulic shuttle, which avoids using the clutch, provides a fast and gradual change in direction that reduces emissions and increases user comfort and control.

The cab is designed to provide maximum operator control and comfort for jobs that demand excellent manoeuvrability, whilst the continuous glass creates almost 360o panoramic visibility, with reduced internal noise for greater safety.  A sleek, down-sloping bonnet also optimises visibility and safety.

Justin continued: “The tractors we use are worked hard every day, so reliability is critical. Our vehicles, including the Kubota M5091 and the numerous Kubota RTV utility vehicles, are the lifeblood of our farms.  We rely on them day in, day out.”

Phill Brooks, one of Kubota’s agricultural dealer managers, concluded: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Redwings Horse Sanctuary, one of the leading equine charities in the UK.   The work and commitment its staff and volunteers put in to save and care for horses whose future would otherwise be bleak due to a number of factors like neglect, is second to none.

“The fact that Redwings chose five M5091’s following extensive tractor trials demonstrates the in-roads we are making into the industry.  The market wants solutions that are simple to use and that can add value to farming operations.  The M5001 Series, at the forefront of innovation, delivers exactly that.”

Kubota’s independent agricultural dealer, N Richardson Ltd, provide Redwings with first class aftersales support.  This includes having five service engineers on call 24/7, plus access to genuine Kubota parts, should they be needed.

For more information on Kubota UK call 01844 268000 or visit Kubota-eu.com

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Wildflowers at University of York

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Wildflowers embraced by the University of York: Leading wildflower experts, Wildflower Turf, have made the grade by providing the University of York with a biodiverse boost to newly-built campus facilities.

Based in Hampshire but having recently expanded operations to include a new growing site in Yorkshire, Wildflower Turf worked closely with the University’s landscape partners to enhance the area around the recently completed Piazza Learning Centre.

Situated within a picturesque lakeside setting, the Piazza Learning Centre is both sympathetic to the natural landscape while also being fully accessible to the University of York’s student population. The new building contains a range of high-quality learning spaces and facilities for those living and studying on the University’s Campus East.

At the outset of the project the University developed a very clear and practical biodiversity plan and Wildflower Turf was commissioned by the project’s landscape contractors, J Palmer Landscapes, to provide a wildflower solution that would enhance the existing natural environment.

Over 1,800m² of Wildflower Turf’s unique Native Enriched Turf product was installed in November 2017 and the addition of wildflowers has provided the University with a wonderful and aesthetically pleasing space.  As well as requiring little maintenance, the Native Enriched Wildflower Turf contains over 50 different native and naturalised species and will help the project to qualify for excellent BREEAM standards.

Other key parties involved with this project include Interserve Construction Ltd (Design & Build contractors), Race Cottam Associates, (Architects), J Palmer Landscapes (Landscape contractors), and Martin Woolley Landscape Architects.

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Abergele GC Green Keeper Awarded

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Abergele GC Green Keeper Awarded: An Abergele green keeper has beaten competition from all over the UK to win the Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year 2018.

Darren Anderson, master green keeper at Abergele Golf Club clinched the win at The Golf Environment Awards ceremony in Harrogate, Yorkshire for his Tir Gwyllt project near the 3rd hole at the course near Gwrych castle.

Mr Anderson, 41 , said: “Firstly it was about us building an ecology area, the awards obviously encouraged us and we were still entering even though we thought we didn’t have a chance.

Green Keeper Wins Outstanding Environmental Project Of The Year

“I felt immensely proud when it was announced we won, I just couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know what to say, apart from thank you to everyone.”

The project created a wildlife haven on the overgrown site of the former 9th hole, and was a combined effort spearheaded by Mr Anderson with his team including Gareth Jones, Rob Myatt and Greg Howsam, with his wife Sali supplying the name Tir Gwyllt, or ‘wild land’.

The team created owl and bat boxes, a fruit table for butterflies, habitats for door mice and hotels for bees, ladybirds and other beneficial insects with recycled materials.

They also removed overgrown rye grass which allowed native species of orchid to return and planted wildflower gardens to encourage pollination.

After receiving the nomination along with clubs in Scotland and England, Mr Anderson was joined by club directors Terry Hughes, Martin Thomas, and Dewi Roberts for the awards ceremony organised by international sports pitch consultants the STRI Group and organisers of The Open the R & A .

Mr Anderson, a former pupil at Emrys ap Iwan, said: “The whole idea was we wanted to improve our environmental standing and encourage ecology with the resources we had really as we didn’t have money to spend.

“When we found out we made it to the final, we were over the moon and the club directors automatically said they were going along to support the awards, however when I saw the fantastic work the other finalist had done, I warned the directors, please don’t get your hopes up.”

As part of the award, Mr Anderson – a third generation green keeper, originally from Edinburgh – has will visit to Portugal in April for a showcase in environmental approaches to managing golf courses.

A spokesman for Abergele Golf Club said: “It goes without saying that we are extremely lucky to have Darren, the work he has put in to enter for this award and continues to do to maintain these standards makes Abergele Golf Club a Golf Course to be proud of.”

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Soil Biology Brings Rewards

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Soil Biology Brings Rewards: A greens team has seen its maintenance budget double and recruitment increase having introduced a range of soil biology methods across the course.

Harpenden Common Golf Club swept aside its existing greens renovation programme in favour of a less intrusive, environmental one based on applying compost teas, fertilisers, trace elements and zeolites.

Soil Biology Brings Rewards

“The old system of digging up our waterlogged greens twice a year to try to improve drainage had failed,” reports head greenkeeper Sean Brocklehurst, “so we invited an agronomist specialising in soil biology to take a look at the problem.”

Soil Biology Ltd’s Hillery Murphy recommended an extensive programme of boosting the microbial count across the 18-hole private members parkland course in a bid to reduce thatch and strengthen the rootzone.

Now in its fourth year of the soil biology strategy, Harpenden Common is reaping the benefits inside and outside the clubhouse, states Sean. “Poor drainage on the greens made them unplayable sometimes, forcing us to close the course and risking loss of members. Playing surfaces have improved so much that we can stay open year-round, which is great news for everyone here.”

General manager Terry Crump said: “Our key priority is to deliver the best possible course conditions and clubhouse facilities for our members. They will go elsewhere if we cannot provide golf whenever they want it.

“It’s no exaggeration to state that the club might have struggled if we had persisted with our existing maintenance strategy, which relied heavily on chemical and physical treatments.”

Year-round course playability has helped the club double the greens team’s maintenance budget, allowing it to introduce improvements across the site.

Soil Biology Brings Rewards

“We are raising standards off course as well as on to boost presentation around the playing areas,” says Sean, “and we have been able to recruit an apprentice greenkeeper to increase the team to seven. “

Harpenden Common applies Soil Biology products right across the course to raise quality throughout. “The zeolites add structural integrity to the turf and retain then release nutrients over time,” Sean explains, “also encouraging a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the rootzone. Members agree the state of the course is the best it has ever been.”

Hillery Murphy says: “Harpenden Common is a great testimony to soil biology.  Zeolites deliver more consistent results, creating a honeycomb in which beneficial microbes can thrive and metabolise nutrients for the grass plant to take up. This is the future for course maintenance practices.”

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MM50 Chosen For Cricket Squares

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MM50 Chosen For Cricket Squares: After a successful trial, Jamie Foyster – owner of Sportsturf Management, has taken the decision to exclusively use Limagrain’s MM50 grass seed across each cricket square he tends to.

It is safe to say that Jamie Foyster knows a thing or two about cricket squares – he was introduced to the sport at the age of 10 as a player and was then helping to prepare and maintaining pitches by 15 at his local club. This continued over two decades and even though he was working in another job he still continued to work voluntarily on cricket pitches until he had an opportunity to join Sportsturf Management in 2008.

MM50 Chosen For Cricket Squares

Jamie took over the sole ownership of the business in 2012 and it was also at this stage that he first became acquainted with Limagrain UK.

“I wasn’t happy with my existing supplier – the seed just wasn’t performing as I wanted it to. We had an incredibly wet season that year and in the autumn I trialled MM50 on two cricket squares. Very soon it was apparent that the germination rate, the development and the root density was fantastic.

“However, the real test came in the summer of the following year, and for me the wear tolerance and the recovery rate was just superb. That sealed the deal for me and since then I have converted all my squares to MM50.”

MM50 possesses exceptional shoot density along with tolerance to close mowing making it particularly suitable for cricket squares. This superior mix contains the perennial ryegrass cultivars, Venice, Alison and Malibu, which are renowned for providing a great sward for cricket use. As Jamie reports, other key features of MM50 include fast recovery from wear and damage and high disease resistance.

It is products such as MM50 which is a direct result of Limagrain’s continual investment into research and development. The company is a major supporter of research partnerships with universities and institutes which will continue to help provide new varieties through plant breeding giving groundsmen and greenkeepers solutions in future turf management.

“Products and technology have come such a long way in the past decade,” says Jamie. “Machinery, seeds, fertilisers, you name it – they have all advanced massively. For example you just have to look at germination rates now compared to a few years ago. In this respect I would have to single out HEADSTART® GOLD seed coating.”

MM50 Chosen For Cricket Squares

MM50 is treated with HEADSTART® GOLD – Limagrain’s unique seaweed based seed treatment which helps to ensure rapid and even germination. This tried and tested grass seed treatment helps the seed get off to the best possible start – making it ideal to use in the less than favourable conditions that can sometimes be found on cricket pitches during renovations.

HEADSTART® GOLD is perhaps at its most beneficial when it comes to the fourteen squares that Jamie and his team carry out renovations on each year. In addition, they maintain a further eight squares all year round  – Jamie’s work has quickly caught the eye.

“Others have seen how well MM50 has performed on our squares and they have since started using it. To be honest, I recommend MM50 all the time now and quite a lot of clubs and schools I know of have switched to it.

“It’s just a tremendous package all round from Limagrain. Richard Sheppard (Amenity Seed Sales Specialist) will often come and see me, to see how everything is going and offer advice and support. I don’t even have to ask for that but it is a great service to have.”

For further information, please contact Limagrain UK on 01472 371471 or visit the company’s website www.lgseeds.co.uk/amenity

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