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NEWS ARTICLES

Dr Simon Watson Joins ICL

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Dr Simon Watson Joins ICL: ICL is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Simon Watson as Senior Scientist within its AmegA Sciences business unit. Simon brings extensive experience from his previous role as Senior Agronomist at The R&A, where he was part of the Sustainable Agronomy team, leading the sustainable certification programme and working closely with golf courses across the UK.

Simon’s career in the turf industry began as an agronomist at the STRI, with a broad portfolio that includes roles at Syngenta in technical services for the Turf, Landscape, and Ornamental sectors. His time at Syngenta saw him rise to Head of Technical Services for the Asia Pacific region, based in Singapore, and he also has experience as an independent arable agronomist.

Dr Simon Watson Joins ICL

Dr Simon Watson Joins ICL

In his new role, Simon joins AmegA Sciences, a unit dedicated to the development of cutting-edge biostimulants, and water and nutrient use efficiency technologies for ICL. Mike Finney, Business Manager at AmegA Sciences, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Simon to our R&D team. His extensive technical expertise will be invaluable as we continue to lead the way in developing innovative solutions for the turf and ornamental markets. With an exciting pipeline of technologies in the works, Simon will play a key role in ensuring that our products deliver on performance, with claims backed by rigorous research.”

Simon Watson expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “The opportunity to contribute to the development of biostimulants and technologies for water and nutrient use efficiency is something I find truly exciting. I look forward to working with the teams at AmegA Sciences and across the broader ICL business to develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of our industry.”

In his position, Simon will collaborate with global ICL technical teams, independent research stations, and universities to drive innovation and product development. Outside of his professional life, Simon enjoys spending time outdoors with his family. He is an avid football fan and supporter of Aston Villa, often attending matches with his son.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.uk or www.icl-growingsolutions.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium

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Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium: In a first-of-its-kind event, the Grounds Management Association (GMA), Hull City FC and East Riding FA have come together to welcome over 60 local grassroots volunteers to the MKM Stadium.

This behind-the-scenes experience offered participants a unique insight into professional grounds management and enabled grassroots volunteers the opportunity to learn more about the skill and techniques utilised to maintain an elite playing surface.

Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium

Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium

Attendees, who are all part of East Riding’s ‘Pitch Partners’ programme, were given a guided tour of the stadium, oversaw different aspects of pitch testing and were provided insight into the science behind pitch care. There was also the opportunity to learn about the GMA’s Pitch Advisory Service and how it supports grassroots organisations such as clubs, local authorities and educational institutions to ensure that playing surfaces meet the highest standards possible.

Chris Hunter, GMA Regional Pitch Advisor said: “This event really shows how important it is for everyone involved in sport, from volunteers to professionals, to come together and share ideas. To see so many grassroots volunteers here today has been fantastic. An event of this scale would not have been possible without the work of all the stakeholders involved.

“It’s not often that these individuals, who work so hard behind the scenes to make sport possible, get to experience the professional side of grounds management. We’re grateful to Hull City and all the partners for providing such an enriching experience and showcasing the importance of community.”

The ‘Day in the Life of Hull City’s Head Grounds Manager’ not only highlighted the practicalities of maintaining grass surfaces but also enabled the community-focused attendees to network with like-minded volunteers as well as professional grounds people and grounds care experts.

Representatives from the Football Foundation were on hand to provide information about potential funding grants and further avenues of support that could be taken away to help community clubs across the region.

Adam Lowthorpe, East Riding County Football Association Chief Executive Officer said: “It is with great delight that we have been able to welcome so many volunteers from across the breadth of our county to this fantastic workshop today. Our collaboration with the Grounds Management Association and Hull City AFC is another significant step in our attempts to provide more high-quality grass football pitches for people to play on and enjoy grassroots football in East Riding.”

Aaron Tong, Head Groundsman at Hull City, said: “Grassroots football is close to my heart, and it was a pleasure to host the event at our stadium and give something back to grassroots in the community. We showed them our equipment and a few of the jobs we do on the pitch, shared our matchday operations and post-match procedures, as well as giving them a stadium tour. They asked questions on what to do in different scenarios and asked for our advice on their pitches. We hope they found our outside perspective useful and that everyone left having learned something new.”

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Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem

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Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem: Formally part of the Bishops of London hunting estate, the 83 acres of leafy, parkland that make up Highgate Golf Club are proving no match for the quick and effective leaf clearance offered by a GKB Leaf Reducer.

Course Manager Russell Ling was looking for a sustainable solution to the time-consuming task when he discovered the GKB machine – which has eliminated the need to collect and dispose of the waste in exchange for delivering all-important nutrients back into their roughs.

Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem

Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem

 

Managing the leaf fall from the many large oak trees which line the Highgate course has been a mammoth annual task for Russell, who has been at the club for 33 years, and his team of eight. Compact in design, areas once designated for leaf piles were either being re-allocated for new purposes or becoming increasingly inaccessible due to the wetter winters. “I saw the Leaf Reducer on the GKB stand at BTME and could immediately see how it could solve multiple problems for us” he explains.

“After a demonstration I had no doubt it was the way to go.” The unit was delivered by GKB’s Tom Shinkins and local dealer Ernest Doe at the beginning of September – in time for the new leaf fall season!

“We have a blower working out in front, moving the leaves into the roughs. We then pass over with the Leaf Reducer which mulches the leaves into such fine particles that you can hardly see where the leaves had been. In addition to leaving a clean and tidy finish, it also provides some additional nutrients back into areas which we wouldn’t usually feed.”

A unique circular system, the Leaf Reducer uses paddles to lift the leaves and a combination of turbines and milling blades to finely process the leaf waste, converting it into fine mulch before redistributing it back to the surface. Eliminating landfill costs and significantly reducing C02 emissions, it offers a sustainable alternative to leaf collection for local authorities, parks managers and greenkeepers maintaining off-play areas around the golf course.

“Tom has been brilliant throughout the purchase process and spent the time to ensure the whole team got to grips with the machine. A few weeks in and it’s already proving itself to be a great purchase! As we move through the season, it’ll be out everyday to keep on top of all the leaves.” Russell concludes, “It’ll become one of our most used machines and one of the most important for retaining both presentation and playability as we host more and more golf through the autumn and winter months.”

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Soil Scout launches Happi100

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Soil Scout launches Happi100: Soil Scout, a global leader in underground wireless soil monitoring, has announced the launch of its newest product, the Happi100 oxygen sensor. Commercially available for the first time anywhere, this wireless, real-time monitoring solution allows turf professionals to see the true impact of soil oxygen levels on plant root health.

Bernhard and Company is the industry-leader in fine turf management solutions, with expertise across multiple disciplines including engineering, agronomy and product design. Bernhard and Company is already synonymous with the Soil Scout brand, having installed the solution worldwide on numerous occasions, leading subsurface and moisture management solution, SubAir Systems. Bernhard and Company remains the official, exclusive distributor of Soil Scout products throughout the United Kingdom, which will prove influential in the launch of the Happi100 sensor.

Soil Scout launches Happi100

Soil Scout launches Happi100

“Healthy plant roots are not achievable without the presence of sufficient oxygen,” said Jalmari Talola, CEO of Soil Scout. “They can tolerate drought, they can cope in nutrient-poor soils, but oxygen uptake by roots is vital for plant respiration. Until now, we had no way to see if this process was under attack. Happi100 ends this today.”

Pairing soil moisture balance with oxygen readings enables precise irrigation adjustments, helping to maintain root health in environments where aeration is limited.

“When soil oxygen levels dip below 10% for just four hours, plant root hair death occurs,” said Soil Scout Head of Agronomy Johannes Tiusanen. “Happi100 gives early warning of this happening, making it easier to prepare for, monitor, and mitigate impact from events like adverse weather and over irrigation.”

Happi100 reads soil oxygen, moisture, and temperature from the same measurement point and seamlessly integrates with Soil Scout’s existing platform for a complete suite of underground trend data. This comprehensive approach allows professionals in sports turf management to make more prescriptive interventions.

“Initial readings have shown that parts of my green quickly rebound to optimal oxygen levels within hours of heavy rain, whereas other parts can take up to a week to recover,” said Winston Golf Head Greenkeeper Erwan LeCocq.

“I can now be more prescriptive in my aeration approach, significantly cutting down on the work needed to keep all my surfaces optimal.”

As part of Soil Scout’s larger vision to make previously unforeseen data available to everyone who works with soil, the company plans to continue developing innovative solutions that help professionals better understand and manage the soil beneath their feet.

To find out more, visit www.soilscout.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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