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Bionema appoints new Chairman

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Bionema appoints new Chairman: Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE has been appointed to lead strategic growth for Bionema in the global biocontrol industry, a move that promises significant developments in the near future.

Bionema Group, a leader in biocontrol technology developer and recipient of the prestigious King’s Award for Innovation in 2024, proudly announces the appointment of Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE as the new Chairman of its Board of Directors. This appointment is a significant step in Bionema’s journey with Professor Jones-Evans, having a background in entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialisation and is poised to help drive Bionema’s mission to deliver cutting-edge biological solutions for sustainable plant health management and significantly expand the company’s presence in the global market.

Bionema appoints new Chairman

Bionema appoints new Chairman

As the harmful impacts of chemical pesticides on human health, biodiversity, and the environment become increasingly apparent, the demand for effective, eco-friendly alternatives is more urgent than ever. Bionema, recognised for its pioneering biocontrol technologies across the horticulture, sports turf, forestry, and agriculture sectors, recently expanded its portfolio with a new line of microbial biocontrol solutions designed to enhance soil health and increase yield by 20%.

According to Markets and Markets, the biocontrol market is projected to reach USD 27.8 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.8%. Bionema’s strategic expansion is significant and has the potential to revolutionise the agricultural biological industry, bringing about a new era of sustainable plant health management.

While the science behind biocontrol is essential, the successful commercialisation of innovative products is crucial to ensure they meet farmers’ and growers’ expectations. Professor Jones-Evans brings a wealth of experience in this area that will be invaluable in guiding Bionema through its next growth phase. His deep knowledge of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and strategic vision will ensure the successful commercialisation of Bionema’s products and pave the way for the company to meet and exceed the expectations of its end-users.

Professor Jones-Evans is celebrated as the founder of the UK Start-Up Awards and the UK Fast Growth Index, both of which recognise and promote high-potential enterprises. He is a visiting professor at Turku University in Finland and at Aston University in the UK. He has authored over 100 academic articles and the best-selling textbook ‘Enterprise and Small Business.’ Having generated over £50 million for innovation and commercialisation projects in the university sector,

his influence extends beyond academia with leadership roles, including chairing the fast-growth co-working firm Town Square and spearheading the establishment of the Development Bank of Wales. A respected authority on economics and business, Professor Jones-Evans regularly contributes to the BBC, Western Mail, and Daily Post and was honoured with an OBE in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. He has recently announced the development of a new entrepreneurship hub in North Wales that will support young people in starting and growing innovative businesses across that region.

“We are thrilled to welcome Professor Jones-Evans to Bionema,” said Dr. Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema. His considerable experience in entrepreneurship and high-growth firms will be instrumental as we navigate the challenges of a competitive market. With his guidance, we are poised to achieve significant milestones in our journey, driving the development of new technologies to enhance our biocontrol products and solidifying Bionema’s position as a global leader in sustainable pest and plant health solutions.”

Professor Jones-Evans expressed his delight in joining Bionema at this pivotal moment. “I am excited to support a visionary company like Bionema, which is poised to become a leading global player in biocontrol. Its early technological successes, including acquisitions by industry giants like Syngenta in late 2021, reflect a solid foundation and a clear vision for making the environment safer and food production more sustainable. Innovative companies like Bionema must lead the way in an era where sustainability is paramount. I look forward to working closely with the executive team to maximise the company’s potential and accelerate its growth.”

Bionema, headquartered at Swansea University in Wales, benefits from its location within a world-class academic environment. This unique setting enables the company to drive innovation in biocontrol technologies while providing comprehensive solutions to research partners, including technology licensing, transfer, and global registration.

For more information, visit www.bionema.com.

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Innovations and Solutions at Turf Science Live

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Innovations and Solutions at Turf Science Live: The recent Turf Science Live event, held at North Hants Golf Club in Fleet, Hampshire, brought together golf course mangers and turf managers for a day of immersive learning and networking. Organised by ICL and Syngenta, the event, now in its fifteenth year, has consistently provided valuable insights and practical knowledge in the field of turf management.

The event featured several interactive stations designed to tackle the key challenges faced by turf managers. Ed Carter, ICL Business Manager, highlighted the importance of these hands-on experiences, stating, “Turf Science Live showcases what ICL and Syngenta are developing in terms of research and development.  It provides a platform for customers to share their challenges and feedback, enabling us to explore potential solutions that can help them in their pursuit of performance.”

Innovations and Solutions at Turf Science Live

Innovations and Solutions at Turf Science Live

The stations covered a variety of topics, including moisture management, Dollar spot, organic fertilisers, and precision nutrition. Eric Chen, Syngenta Technical Manager for biologicals research, led a station focused on water management.

He underscored the importance of understanding effective irrigation practices, explaining, “With climate change, turf grass can lose a lot of water due to sun radiation and wind. However. over-irrigating can be just as detrimental as not irrigating at all. Our goal is to educate attendees on why, how, and when to apply wetting agents and new technologies for effective water resource utilisation.”

The event provided a platform for industry professionals to discuss the latest developments in turf management. Dr Andy Owen, International Technical Manager for ICL, presented on the benefits and considerations of soil organic matter, the sustainability of organic fertilisers and their performance and marketing strategies.

Phil Collinson, Sales & Business Development Manager emphasised the importance of precision nutrition and showcased ICL’s latest research and development advancements in fertiliser and application technology, aimed at helping end users achieve optimal results.

Another highlight was the station on Dollar spot, a fungal disease increasingly affecting golf courses due to changing weather patterns. Sean Loakes, Technical Manager for Syngenta, shared his expertise on managing the disease, stating, “Dollar spot is on the rise, and our trials this year have focused on how we can control it. It’s really valuable to discuss these challenges face-to-face with turf managers, hearing their concerns and sharing solutions.”

Attendee Jack McKay from Wickham Golf Club found the sessions particularly useful, saying, “I came because I was looking for some education on ICL and Syngenta products, but also to network and meet other people. The Dollar spot station stood out for me. It was good to find out a few different ways of attacking the problem and brainstorming ideas.”

Kevin Glazier of Pine Ridge Golf Club echoed this sentiment, appreciating the opportunity to stay ahead of industry trends. “I came to see where the future of greenkeeping is going and what new products are on the horizon. Just yesterday, I had some Dollar spot appear on my greens, so that station was very helpful in terms of understanding how to manage it.”

Stefan Carter from Wentworth Golf Club found the organic fertiliser station beneficial, “I very much enjoyed listening to Andy Owen talking about organic fertilisers; he is someone I could listen to for hours, so it was good to get that insight and pick up some tricks and tips.”

The networking aspect of Turf Science Live was equally valuable. Barry West from Royal Winchester Golf Club appreciated the interactive format, noting, “Turf Science Live is always engaging, interactive, and excellent for career development. Everyone has been really enthusiastic about the topics, and it’s great to see both new and familiar faces.”

Sarah Hughes, Syngenta Business Manager Turf & Landscape, summed up the event’s success, saying, “It has been a fantastic day with a lot of pertinent discussion around some hot topics. The feedback has been excellent, and it encourages us to continue these events.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.uk and 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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FSI B31-980 launches

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FSI B31-980 launches: Last year, the FSI B31-749 stump grinder took the arboricultural market by storm, with its 26.5hp engine combined with a compact, manoeuvrable design.

While the B31-749 quickly became a favourite with professionals, FSI listened to industry feedback and recognised the appetite for even more power. In direct response to this demand, FSI are pleased to introduce the new, higher horsepower, FSI B31-980.

FSI B31-980 launches

FSI B31-980 launches

As the world’s only dedicated stump grinder manufacturer, FSI have a long and proven history of industry firsts. FSI were the first to introduce a pivot point design on pedestrian stump grinders, and continued innovation has seen features like the FSI power-clutch, safety bar and hill hold brake system going on to set the industry standards. “The market is constantly evolving, and we strive to always stay ahead of the curve” explains FSI Managing Director Kim Schmidt. “By actively listening to our customers, we can identify emerging trends and develop products that truly meet their needs.”

Responding to customer feedback has driven the introduction of the FSI B31-980. Building on the success of the B31-749, the new model retains the same narrow design (74cm), reliable performance, stability and manoeuvrability operators have come to expect from FSI. However, the increase from a 26.5hp to 38hp engine, delivers the additional power users require to quickly and effectively tackle stumps and navigate challenging terrain.

The compact build, combined with counter-rotating tracks and low centre of gravity, optimise manoeuvrability of the FSI B31-980 making it ideal for a diverse range of working environments. When navigating tough terrain, or cutting on slopes, the built-in hydraulic motor brakes and counterbalance valve found on the B31 range ensures stability during intensive operations.

Efficiency is assured thanks to two hydraulic cylinders which enable it to cover 120cm in a single sweep, while the ergonomic operator panel offers an exceptional view of the working area and conveniently places all necessary controls at your fingertips. Like the FSI B31-749, routine maintenance also remains simple. The hydraulically-driven cutter wheel on the FSI B31 eliminates the need for daily maintenance, minimising operating costs and reducing time spent in the workshop.

“At FSI we are always listening and are proud to respond to what the market needs – whether it’s a completely new feature or a request for more power. We are committed to delivering the solutions our customer’s demand.” Kim continues, “We are delighted to be showcasing the FSI B31-980 at a number of events with our FSI partners throughout Europe over the next few months, including GaLaBau in Germany, Groen Techniek in The Netherlands, Salon Vert in France and APF in the United Kingdom.”

Visitors to APF looking to see the new FSI B31-980 or wishing to discuss their stump grinder requirements with the team can do so on stand 1560/1580.

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Corvus appoints Ark ATV

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Corvus appoints Ark ATV: Somerset ATV dealer Ark ATV has joined the Corvus Off-Road-Vehicle network. The announcement was made by BOSS ORV, the UK Corvus distributor, whose Managing Director, Phil Everett, has previously worked with Ark director Rob Blomfield-Richards.

“I am delighted to be reunited with him and his team, as I know how professional they are and what fantastic support they offer to their customers,” says Phil.

Corvus appoints Ark ATV

Corvus appoints Ark ATV

ARK ATV Ltd has been family-owned and operated since 1997, supplying farmers and other workers with high-quality ATVs from their Minehead area base. BOSS ORV’s National Sales Manager, Neil Everett, has also known Rob and the team for many years and says he has seen them demonstrate extremely high customer service levels and a great understanding of the working ATV/UTV market. They will cover the area across Somerset and North Devon.

Neil says, “with their current line-up lacking a UTV and us requiring coverage in such a strong area for UTV sales, it seemed almost natural for us to open up discussions regarding the Corvus franchise.”

Ark will sell and support the Corvus Terrain ranges of diesel and electric UTVs. BOSS say they are extremely pleased to have such a longstanding, credible ATV/UTV specialist added to their dealer network. They believe Ark ATV will provide the highest standard of sales and aftercare support for all new and existing customers within the area. For Ark, becoming Corvus dealers gives them access to the full Corvus range, and allows them to cater to their customers’ needs by providing true commercial work ATVs, both diesel and electric. BOSS add that not only are they extremely pleased to have them on board, but they are also very much looking forward to working with Rob and Ark MD, James Westwood, in the coming years.

For more information about the Corvus Terrain range, you can call 01785 561046

E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk Web: www.bossorv.co.uk

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Agrovista Amenity Partners with Worcestershire FA

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Agrovista Amenity Partners with Worcestershire FA: Agrovista Amenity is proud to announce a new 12-month partnership with Worcestershire Football Association (FA) aimed at supporting the grassroots football community by providing comprehensive grass pitch care solutions.

As a recommended provider for all Worcestershire FA clubs and organisations, Agrovista Amenity will deliver a range of services designed to improve grass pitch care and maintenance. This includes detailed soil agronomy work, which involves testing soil content in Agrovista’s state-of-the-art laboratory. Based on these insights, tailored pitch care packages will be recommended to optimise turf health and pitch presentation.

Agrovista Amenity Partners with Worcestershire FA

Agrovista Amenity Partners with Worcestershire FA

Agrovista Amenity offers a wide array of expertise and products, including fertilisers, grass seed, and soil agronomy services. These resources are designed to address the unique needs of each pitch, ensuring that every club benefits from superior playing surfaces.

Jack Handsaker, the Lead Football Development Officer for Facilities and Partnerships at Worcestershire FA, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: “I am delighted to work with Agrovista to further enhance our offering to improve Worcestershire’s grass pitches. Our clubs and organisations will benefit from the great products and services offered this season.”

Dan Hughes, Head of Commercial for Agrovista Amenity, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: “Partnering with Worcestershire FA perfectly complements our #ForOurSports campaign, reflecting our dedication to supporting our customers at every stage. This collaboration is focused on improving football pitch standards throughout the county, ensuring clubs have access to top-quality agronomic advice and products for their players and communities.”

Worcestershire FA’s Chief Operating Officer, Ollie Williams, emphasised the strategic importance of partnering with local companies: “We want to work with Worcestershire companies to support Worcestershire football. This is a key part of our new 4-year strategy for 2024-28, and we would love to hear from organisations who can contribute to the growth and development of local football.”

Through this partnership, Agrovista Amenity and Worcestershire FA are committed to driving the growth of grassroots football by ensuring that clubs have the resources and support they need to maintain outstanding playing surfaces.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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