Turf News is the perfect place for professionals working within the UK’s vibrant turf industry – keeping you up-to-date with topical news, latest market developments and much more across all areas of the industry.
NEWS ARTICLES

Foley’s Reel Science Technology Seminar

/in /by

Renowned grinder manufacturer Foley United UK held a successful Reel Science and Optimum Cut Technology seminar at The Grove Golf Club last month.

The day was organised by ProSport UK Ltd Managing Director Ian Robson and Regional BIGGA committee member; Adam McColl course superintendent of Gerards Cross Golf Club. The event was hosted by The Grove course superintendent Phil Chiverton.

Greg Turner, Global Sales Manager for Foley United with support from Arjen Spek Foley’s European Manager, delivered the seminar which is designed for course managers, head greenkeepers and technicians and centres on providing critical knowledge, backed up with technical studies and verified data on grinding research at the highest level.

Greg explains the thinking behind the presentation. “Investment in cutting equipment ranges from £15K to in excess of £40k, so we look at evaluating the grinding practices that will protect your investment and provide optimum returns. We evaluate the best grinding techniques for new grass strains and how minor changes in workshop grinding practices can have a direct impact on your machinery and agronomic investment decisions.

The Reel Science and Optimum Cut Technology seminar is approved for BIGGA CPDs and GCSAA CEUs. Foley United has conducted these accredited training sessions worldwide.

The Grove was the first club in the UK to have the top of the range Foley 653 fully automatic reel grinder and the 673 bed knife grinder the first in the UK. Both were installed in time for the recent British Masters and provided the seminar attendees with an excellent opportunity to see the latest technology in action. Jonathan Taylor Head Greenkeeper was on hand while Head Mechanic Neil Corley and Assistant Chris Sudeka put the machines through their paces.

Reaction to the seminar from attendees was enthusiastic across the board and as Sam Evans representing Fullwell GC said “We have been given a different perspective on grinding today, particularly in relation to increasing the longevity of staying on cut. It was impressive. I can really relate what I have seen and heard to our own practices and can see some definite benefits.”

Jason Horwood from West Hertfordshire GC agreed “It has been very worthwhile and given us some excellent information which we can incorporate into our current grinding schedules to improve the performance of our cutting equipment.”

“It has been a fantastic day” concluded Adam McColl “A brilliant venue and the seminar delivered factual content with scientific data to back it up. I have always been a fan of relief grinding, and the facts as they have been presented, confirm that to be the right choice. I would like to thank all those who attended and Greg Turner in particular for taking time to travel to the UK to deliver an excellent seminar.”

Invasive Species Conference Tackles Property Concerns Head On

/in /by

The third annual INNSA Conference has taken place with a full agenda on the biodiversity, property and legal issues surrounding invasive species.

Held by the Invasive Non-Native Specialists Association (INNSA), the event is normally aimed at attendees from within the non-native species remediation industry.

This year, there was a particular focus on Japanese knotweed, which is believed to be the biggest unmanaged risk in the UK property market. This year’s conference also included all those affected by the invasive plant, such as local authorities, property owners and developers, surveyors, conveyancing lawyers and mortgage lenders.

It was the first of these conferences with new INNSA chairperson James Sherwood-Rogers at the helm. Sherwood-Rogers, who has a wealth of experience in property and environmental roles, opened the conference by explaining his role in the association outlining his plans to further INNSA’s important work in the invasives industry and acquire new members.

He said afterwards: “It was fantastic to welcome such a wide range of exhibitors, delegates, and expert speakers to the 2017 INNSA Conference. There are a lot of myths surrounding invasive species, especially Japanese knotweed, so it is key that we provide opportunities for property professionals to receive up-to-date, relevant information from the experts.”

The property focus was particularly topical following the recent court case involving a homeowner and Network Rail. The legal implications of the recent four-year legal battle were discussed by Roger Burnett, the lawyer who won the landmark ruling. Burnett gave the latest updates on the case, explaining issues such as the property value halving due to the infestation, dehydration damage caused to the soil, and the interference with “quiet enjoyment” of the property causing a legal nuisance.

The wide range of speakers also included Sean Hathaway, Environment Officer for the City and County of Swansea, and the UK’s first dedicated Japanese knotweed council officer. He outlined how Swansea undertook an Urban Knotweed Survey and first large scale treatment programme in the early nineties.

It was the first local authority to adopt a knotweed plan, showing how to deal with the invasive plant even with limited resources,

Much of the conference was focused on raising standards across the remediation industry, through comprehensive insurance for works, accreditation, and the Invasives Code. Kate Faulkner, PCCB Board member and consumer advocate, gave a presentation on the importance of using accredited and audited contractors, alongside how the Invasives Code protects property owners, buyers and sellers. The standards, insurance and guarantees that are in place for INNSA member companies are important to give clients peace of mind.

David Layland, founding member of INNSA and co-founder of Japanese Knotweed Control, one of the UK’s first remediation specialists, addressed delegates with a presentation on improving standards in an unregulated industry. He explained that the handful of remediation companies that existed in 2006 has now turned into closer to 400, making it increasingly important for companies to have accreditation, insurance and warranties, and a long-term remediation strategy. He added: “Any property professional affected by the plant can have peace of mind knowing legal guarantees are in place and they are working with a reputable remediation firm to control the problem.”

Barrie Hunt, technical development manager at Monsanto, gave an update on the ongoing EU re-approval process of Glyphosate, used to treat Japanese Knotweed. He called for the remediation and property industries to get involved in lobbying for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to highlight the importance of Glyphosate in controlling invasive weeds.

The ongoing use of Glyphosate is still in the balance with a vote at the European Parliament expected in July 2017.

The soft launch of a new INNSA Code of Practice was also announced, which will replace the recently withdrawn Environment Agency Code of Practice. The new Code will be the definitive best practice guide for dealing with knotweed infestations, updated inline with the most recent legislation.

Full list of speakers in appearance order:

· James Sherwood-Rogers, INNSA – Welcome by Chairman

· Nick Hartley, Ebsford – An introduction to invasives

· Sean Hathaway, City and County of Swansea – How has Swansea applied the law?

· Rodger Burnett, Japanese Knotweed Claims Ltd – Successful claims for compensation

· Kate Faulkner, PCCB – The Invasives Code for INNSA clients and its regulation

· David Layland, Japanese Knotweed Control – How has an unregulated remediation industry reacted to exponential growth?

· Conor Leyden, LK Group – What are the industry standards?

· Chris Oliver, Japanese Knotweed Solutions – Launch of the INNSA Code of Practice – managing Japanese Knotweed

· Barrie Hunt, Monsanto – What is the real position with Glysophate?

· Prof John Moverly OBE, Amenity Forum – Weed, Pest & Disease Management – challenges opportunities, assurance and being proud of what we do

· Graham Ellis, RICS and Greenhouse Surveyors – Property surveying – the wider perspective

· Richard Stow, Lloyds Bank – The Lender’s Perspective

· Paul Denny, Insure Risk – The peace of mind afforded by insurance

· Mike Ockenden, INNSA – Closing summary

New Disc-Blade Sharpener From GreenMech Reduces Downtime

/in /by

British woodchipper manufacturers GreenMech have introduced their own disc-blade sharpening unit for users to quickly sharpen their GreenMech blades and minimise machinery downtime. Being non product specific, the unit will be of particular interest to hire companies and contractors with multi-machines in their portfolios.

Commenting on the introduction of the sharpening unit Sales Director Martin Lucas said, “This is a great add-on to have in the GreenMech range. Giving users the autonomy to sharpen their own blades as and when it’s required speeds up the sharpening process for the customer whilst also improving the efficiency of the chipper, helping it to perform at its best.” For those who wish to return their blades to the manufacturer, GreenMech will continue to offer their factory disc-blade sharpening service.

Introduced in 1995, GreenMech’s unique disc-blade system already offers significant cost-savings over conventional straight chipper blades. In operation, only 30% of the disc-blades circumference comes into contact with the woody material. This means that when these edges become worn or damaged by contaminates, the blades can be turned to the next sharp section, before the need to sharpen. This equates to 600% more blade life and up to 150 hours of chipping before requiring re-sharpening.

These pioneering round blades are now the preferred choice with many contractors and come fitted as standard on all GreenMech hydraulic chippers.

Groundsman Swaps Mower For Kit

/in /by

Rhys Cleverly was on the pitch for Wales’ 2012 Grand Slam and the 2014 Heineken Cup final – but he’s never played a minute of rugby at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Why? Because he’s a groundsman at the home of Welsh rugby.

However, that is set to change with Cleverly set to pack down at hooker for Caerphilly against Amman United in the National Bowl final on 16 April.

The Bowl is one of three games on the WRU finals day, 24 hours after the four regions take each other on for Judgement Day.

So Cleverly, a groundsman at the national stadium for the past eight years, has to worry about keeping the pitch in tip-top condition as well as playing in one of the matches.

“We’ve got five games here over two days,” he said.

“On Judgement Day I’ll be there at eight o’clock preparing the pitches.

“As soon as those game finish I’ll be straight back on the pitch preparing it for ours. Luckily I’ve got the Sunday off to play.”

Cleverly says it will be strange mixing business with pleasure.

“I’ve got mixed emotions; I’ll be asking myself am I coming to work or playing rugby? It will be a weird one,” he said.

Another headache for Cleverly and his team-mates will be one of the players lining up against them for Amman United – Wales’ top try scorer Shane Williams.

Williams, 40, has not played at the stadium since June 2012 – when Cleverly was among the team looking after the pitch for Wales’ 30-21 win over the Barbarians.

The ex-British Lion may have scored 60 international tries, but has yet to score a try for his local side this season.

“He’s won world player of the year and class is permanent, form is temporary,” said Caerphilly captain Gareth England. “We’ll have to see what happens on Sunday”.

Neither team has reached the final of the bowl since its introduction in 2009. All of the Division Three teams and Division Two north sides in the Welsh national league compete for the trophy.

To read the original article, click here

Pitches Go ‘Pro’ At St Joseph’s College Thanks To Toro

/in /by

Toro machinery is trusted to maintain many premier-league quality pitches, from those at Leeds Rhinos Rugby Club’s Headingley Stadium to West Ham United FC’s London Stadium, and has now been brought onto the superb sporting facilities at St Joseph’s College. The Ipswich-based school purchased two Toros, a Groundsmaster 3280-D and a Reelmaster 5510-D, as well as a TYM T433 compact tractor to cover the 60-acre site and make the pitches look “professional” for its annual rugby festival.

St Joseph’s College Rugby Festival is a 30-year-old event, which brings the country’s top 16 rugby playing schools and colleges together every October in one of the biggest school tournaments of its kind. The event will be streamed live and, with all eyes on the pitch, there is pressure to get the turf “spot on”, says head groundsman Peter Hamilton. “We’ll be cutting the pitches every day in the lead-up to the Rugby Festival, and with the 5510 I can even cut the pitches in two directions the day before so they look as good as a professional rugby pitch.”

The Reelmaster 5510-D was chosen to perfect the pitches and stands out as the true “favourite”: “The machine is so fast, but also delivers beautiful results. The 5510 cuts the rugby pitches at 30mm and always gives a clean, professional finish,” Peter enthuses.

St Joseph’s rugby first team train and play hard – four times a week to be exact – and up to 70 cricket games take place in a season on the school’s grounds. With such heavy and frequent use, it’s important to maintain the sports surfaces with an efficient machine, which the 5510-D is, according to Peter: “The 5510 has seen us halve our cutting time, and setting it up for cutting is easy with its quick click-in system. Another thing I love is its low fuel consumption, which I didn’t expect from such a large machine.”

The grounds at St Joseph’s College include four rugby pitches, three cricket outfields, and many other sports surfaces that cater to a wide range of sports on offer – from netball, hockey and rounders to tennis, athletics, and cross-country.

Peter says: “We are a big sporting college and require machines which can keep up with it all. When we looked at what was out there, we felt Toro was more than up to the challenge and its competitive prices were the icing on the cake.”

The school chose Toro’s Groundsmaster 3280-D in particular to mow the amenity grass surrounding the college and collect leaves across the entire site, and it’s already making a difference to the grounds team’s daily routine, saving both labour and maintenance time. “Before we had a machine for each job, but now the GM3280 can do both operations and we have more space in the shed,” says Peter.

“With our previous outfront mowers you had to remove grass cuttings manually, but with this one you just reverse, press a button, it tips out the offcuts, and off we go again without even having to get off the machine! Simple things like that, and only having to swap out individual blades instead of an entire cutting deck, are proving to be real time savers.”

Meanwhile, the TYM T433 tractor is the perfect choice for aerating the pitches and relieving compaction. It is powerful enough to pull attachments such as a deep tine aerator without damaging the turf.

Peter is confident that the new machines will “help create surfaces that the girls and boys will continue to enjoy their sport on.” He comments: “Given how they’ve performed already, I’ll definitely be looking at Toro if we decide to expand our kit again in the future.”

Learn more about the products included in this story by visiting http://www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk