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Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour

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Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour: A superintendent at a historic, Limerick golf club has been using Green Lawnger for vibrant and healthy greens on the course which was voted as ‘Best Hidden Gem in Ireland’ in the Golfers Guide to Ireland Awards, 2013.

Brian Dunne, Golf Course Superintendent at Adare Manor Old Golf Course, has been using BASF’s Green Lawnger for over two years alongside a topical fungicide or liquid feed for optimal lawn health and colour.

Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour

Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour

The club’s history dates to the late 1890s when the 4th Earl of Dunraven employed Scottish professional, Ben Sayers to design a 9-hole golf course on the estate in Adare. The club went on to many successes including winning the All-Ireland Final of the Pierce Purcell shield in 1985 and producing one of the most accomplished Irish amateur golfers, Jackie Harrington. In 1992, the club reopened as an 18-hole course, designed by Eddie Hackett and went on to celebrate its centenary year in 2000, but still boasts relics of its original layout.

The remains of Desmond Castle (1200AD) create a magnificent backdrop for golfers, as well as the ruins of the Franciscan Abbey (1464AD) which dominates the centre of the challenging, but scenic course. The quality and vibrancy of the turf complements the historic parkland course, so colour management and upkeep are vital.

Brian said: “I apply Green Lawnger to the course twice a month, either alongside a fungicide or a liquid feed to maintain the colour and quality of the course. The turf pigment contains a high concentration of pigments based on turfgrass colourants, as well as Colourlock technology to ensure a long-lasting effect.”

Brian believes that his use of Green Lawnger at Adare Manor Golf Course has vastly improved the appearance of the course, saying: “Opposed to other dyes I have tried, Green Lawnger holds the colour for a long time after application and the greens look fantastic afterwards. I have also found it aids recovery from disease.”

Green Lawnger contains agronomic colourants to improve the quality of the turf as well as a resin technology to ensure strong leaf adhesion, meaning each application sticks directly to the leaf and is not transferred to skin or clothing, ensuring an even and vibrant green coverage.

The additional benefits of Green Lawnger include an instant green up, a flexible rate to achieve the required colour and a long-lasting effect. Green Lawnger can be used on any type of turfgrass and as a divot mix or sand colourant. It is the only choice turf colourant for use on stadia sports turf or for areas of use where an instant green up is required, and impact sports are played.

Brian concluded: “Green Lawnger is an effective and great product for turf colour and longevity, I highly recommend it to everyone within turf management for effective and long-lasting results.”

To find out more about Green Lawnger or to view the wider range of turf colourants, please visit: https://www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Overview/Turf-Colourant/index.html

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New Cramer mower at GroundsFest

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New Cramer mower at GroundsFest: Cramer will be launching two new Optimus Z zero-turn battery-powered mowers specifically designed for professionals who demand the ultimate in performance and durability at GroundFest.  The ride-on model boasts a mowing speed of 25.6KM/H – the fastest in the market – and a battery that allows for a full day’s operation, whereas the stand-on model has been designed for use in narrow, awkward spaces. 

Both Optimus Z zero-turn mowers have been designed for durability and longevity, and come with a host of invaluable features.   

New Cramer mower at GroundsFest

New Cramer mower at GroundsFest

The ride on model has individual rear wheel hub motors which integrate transmission for fast drive as well as park brake.  It benefits from a large 18 or 24 kWh battery with a run time up to 8.5 hours per charge. Features include a water-resistant storage unit to cope with our changeable weather together with cup holder and mobile phone charger.  A new high level LED bar in white and amber, with flash function, make for high visibility and therefore improved safety. 

The Optimus Z stand on zero turn mower measures just 92cm in width to enable it to be driven through smaller gates and around tighter obstacles.  It comes with a premium leg pad for driver comfort. 

In addition to the two new mowers, Cramer will be exhibiting a selection of its existing cordless professional outdoor power equipment tools, all of which are powered by an 82V battery system, and benefit from innovative features such as Magnesium components, fleet connectivity, and ultra-high torque motors to rival petrol performance.   

Cramer products on show at GroundFest will include handheld equipment such as chainsaws, blowers, hedge trimmers, grass trimmers, brush cutters, multi-tools, and power cutters. Walk-behind products will also be featured, such as utility carts and lawnmowers up to 61cm (twin blade). 

Cramer battery-powered products have become an increasingly popular alternative to petrol-powered products for ground care and maintenance of large parks and recreational areas in recent years.  Cramer’s 82V battery system delivers the power required from commercial equipment without the negative effects that come with petrol-powered tools.  They generate less heat and are significantly quieter than traditional petrol machinery, as well as safer as the risk of fuel spillage is eliminated.  Ownership and running costs of tools are significantly lowered as the 82V battery system is interchangeable with other 82V products in the Cramer range and maintenance is low.  What’s more, with no direct carbon emissions, they are the more environmentally friendly option for Local Authorities.   

For more information, visit Cramer at GroundFest Stand  OSA100, or go to https://cramertools.com/.  You can also email on Sales@handys.co.uk or call 01793 333220. 

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Terrain Aeration hitches a lift

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Terrain Aeration hitches a lift: Devonshire Homes has been committed to building high quality new homes across the West Country for more than thirty years. As a wholly owned subsidiary of London and Devonshire Trust, they have built over 1500 new homes and created over thirty new communities.

One such development at Gwallon Keas, St Austell, is built on clay laden soil and they encountered a common problem facing new build developers. During construction, the use of heavy machinery can unavoidably cause compaction panning in areas designated to be the gardens of new houses. Even with land drainage installed and soil ripped, the compaction can reach such a depth normal treatment will not relieve it and provide the natural drainage needed. Consequently, with seven gardens of the new houses, severe waterlogging was occurring. To rectify it, they were given what they called ‘some silly quotes’ with no guarantee the solutions would work. A ground works contractor recommended compaction specialists Terrain Aeration and Devonshire Homes decided to proceed with them. However, there was just one further problem, how to get the Terrain Aeration’s Tracker Terralift machine, compressor and aggregate backfill material into the gardens with limited access.

Terrain Aeration hitches a lift

Terrain Aeration hitches a lift

The solution was a crane presented itself with the arrival of a crane to lift bags of topsoil into the gardens. Whilst Terrain Aeration has had machines lifted before, they have never been this high. The fences between the seven gardens had been taken down, so the Tracker Terralift could move along the gardens to do its work. This comprises the machine’s JCB road hammer and probe driving down to a depth of one metre. At this depth, a blast of compressed air is released to a maximum of 20Bar (280psi). This has the effect of fracturing the compacted soil and creating fissures. The treatment is worked on a grid system at two metre spacings so the fissures interlink. As the probe withdraws, dried seaweed is injected which expands when it rains and keeps the fissure open to allow normal drainage. The probe holes are then backfilled with aggregate It is a solution Terrain Aeration has specialised in for over thirty years, treating areas ranging from back gardens to sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens, race courses, parks, trees and public spaces. For Devonshire Homes, it provided a timely solution, albeit one which, on this occasion, needed a crane to carry it out.

Terrain Aeration 01449 673783 www.terrainaeration.co.uk

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Ladies European Tour and John Deere partnership

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Ladies European Tour and John Deere partnership: Dénia, Spain, July. 19, 2023 – John Deere and the Ladies European Tour (LET) have extended their longstanding relaDonship with an upgraded three-year partner agreement.

The renewal will elevate the partnership with increased support services and addiDonal investment into the Tour.

Ladies European Tour and John Deere partnership

Ladies European Tour and John Deere partnership

John Deere will provide the LET with agronomy and consultation services, as well as equipment optimisation to ensure the best available services are delivered to the LET players, Tour venues and tournaments.

John Deere and the LET have been partners since 2007 and this renewal means that John Deere will conDnue to be the designated Golf Course Machinery partner of the Tour. The announcement was made on the eve of a brand new 1-million-euro tournament: La Sella Open at the award-winning La Sella Golf Resort & Spa in Denia, Alicante, Spain, where John Deere equipment was used to prepare and maintain the tournament course.

“This new agreement with John Deere will see our global brands working together more closely to further increase the quality and consistency of our championship courses internaDonally,” said LET Commercial Director Fiona Harold. “The commitment from John

Deere builds on our enduring 17-year partnership and highlights our joint objecDve to elevate the women’s game at an exciDng Dme for our industry and our Tour.”

John Deere’s Sales & Marketing Director – Turf & Golf, Carlos Aragonés, commented: “We are incredibly proud to extend our valued collaboration with the Ladies European Tour until 2026. Having John Deere as the preferred equipment supplier of the Ladies European Tour is a great honour and a major opportunity to continue supplying our latest technology and innovations, ensuring we continue to produce the best quality playing surfaces for competitive golf. It has been an exceptional association since its very first day, and we are looking forward to continuing working together and supporting the values we share around the game of golf, including celebrating women in the golf industry as well as those who play the game, sustainability and much more.”

For more information on John Deere visit www.deere.com

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Bionema launches new range of biofertilisers

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Bionema launches new range of biofertilisers: Bionema Group Ltd, a leading UK-based biocontrol technology developer and manufacturer of biocontrol, biostimulants and biofertilisers, has announced the launch of a new range of biofertiliser products in the UK for use in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, sport turf and amenities.

Bionema Group Ltd is launching four biofertilisers comprising living microbes that enhance plant nutrition by mobilising or increasing nutrient availability in soils and substrates. The BioNFix™ range and Rhizosafe™ include Paenibacillus azotofixans BNL1913, Azospirillum lipoferum BNL714, Bradyrhizobium japonicum BNL1061, and Rhizophagus irregularis BNL2414 encapsulated in a novel Incapsulex™ technology platform. This technology effectively encapsulates naturally derived microorganisms and delivers them on target, safely and effectively.

Bionema launches new range of biofertilisers

Bionema launches new range of biofertilisers

These biofertilisers restore the soil’s natural nutrient cycle and build soil organic matter, enhancing plant growth while avoiding the use of synthetic fertilisers that can pollute the world’s waters and its atmosphere.

Field trials conducted by Bionema in different parts of world demonstrated significantly enhanced growth in agricultural crops grown with biofertilisers, and positive changes in soil organic matter content and pH, soil type and agroecological condition. These effects resulted in yield improvements as well a 40–50% reduction in synthetic fertiliser use.

As the benefits of these products have become more recognised, and consumer preference for organic foods has intensified, there has been growing interest in biofertilisers. The biofertilisers market was valued at $2.6 billion in 2021 and projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2026 at 11.9% CGAR (Markets and Markets, 2022). In particular, the mycorrhizae-based biofertilisers market is projected to reach $1.087 billion by 2027, and the use of mycorrhizal biofertilizers (especially arbuscular mycorrhizae species for agriculture crops) is expanding thanks to their numerous benefits: (i) increased nutrient intake and water; (ii) reduced soil erosion; (iii) reduced need for phosphorus application; (iv) better tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Speaking on the launch, Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema Group Ltd said “Bionema’s collection of exclusive microorganisms and its novel delivery system provides a unique solution to soil fertility and crop health improvement. With a wide range of microbes that support Nitrogen fixation, Phosphorus solubilisation, Potassium mobilisation, and more, these biofertilisers are the ideal choice for anyone seeking to boost their soil’s health and vitality.”

Dr Sarah Harding, Global Head of Innovation at Bionema said, “These new products are the results of many years of research, not just into the microbes used for promoting and protecting plant growth, but also into the technology used for formulating these products in a way that ensures their survival and efficacy in the field.”

Mrs Meraj Syeda, Operations Director & Co-founder of Bionema Group Ltd said, “We believe in strict loyalty to ‘Innovation’ and in building value by supplying products and services that conform to global standards, ensuring consistent availability of world class products”.

The Bionema team would be delighted to explain the best application processes for each product to potential customers to make sure optimal results are achieved with these biofertilisers, all of which use advanced micronutrient technology to promote healthy plant growth. Bionema is focused on achieving customer success with biofertilisers and will be employing a variety of newly created technical training programmes for customers in the UK market.

Bionema’s expanded portfolio reflects Bionema’s evolution in focus and strategy, announced in 2022 following the company’s deal with Syngenta that secured Bionema’s position as a top 20 world-leading biocontrol company.

“Our vision is to be a leading BioAg technology developer and manufacturer, reducing the need for chemicals in modern-day farming,” added Dr Ansari. “We are part of the real green revolution, which is happening right now, and we are investing in our planet’s future by putting a stake in fertile ground, the BioAg way!”

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