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NEWS ARTICLES

New Turf Advisor app to support management decisions

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New Turf Advisor app to support management decisions: The new Turf Advisor app from Syngenta will now give greenkeepers, turf managers and agronomists instant access to a wealth of key information and advice to help make better decisions for day-to-day actions and planning.

Fully customisable for any location and situation, the revolutionary Turf Advisor app provides essential weather data and turf management models, presented in a clear dashboard that can be tailored and adapted through the season to focus on imminent issues and challenges faced.

New Turf Advisor app to support management decisions

New Turf Advisor app to support management decisions

UK & Ireland turf managers will be the first to have access to the immense global Syngenta investment in supporting turf managers and agronomists to make more effective sustainable turf management decisions.

The displayed data sets in Turf Advisor have been specifically selected as factors that influence turf health and management, including rainfall, leaf wetness, humidity, soil temperatures, Day length and evapotranspiration, for example.

Uniquely, it displays both the historic weather data for recent days that will have impacted on current turf health and quality, along with the forecast information for the coming days helping turf managers understand where they sit in a weather pattern, helping them to make management decisions.

Furthermore, the app makes many of the renowned Syngenta turf disease forecasting models more accessible and easier to use – enabling turf mangers to instantly assess risks, set risk thresholds tailored to their site and plan their actions. GreenCast disease models available include microdochium patch, anthracnose, grey leaf spot and a new for Syngenta UK & Ireland specific Smith-Kerns model for Dollar spot pressure forecasting.

Registered users can select and change which of the data sets they have showing on their personalised dashboard, and the order they display. That will enable their dashboard to be tailored through the year – to focus on microdochium patch factors coming into autumn high risk periods, for example, then adapted to better cope with managing grass growth rates in the spring.

Turf Advisor incorporates the Growing Degree Day calculator that has proven the most favoured digital support tool on the Syngenta Turf website, along with an exciting new Growth Potential model. The two can be used in conjunction to more accurately predict growth patterns and product application timings. Importantly, users can now see their cumulative GDD tally in real time, to plan actions and application timings on the move.

Also built into the app is a clear spray window forecast, which can prove crucial in ensuring applications are made at the most appropriate timing and in the optimum conditions to improve efficacy and accuracy.

Syngenta EAME Technical manager, Glenn Kirby, has been instrumental in developing the Turf Advisor app. As a former course manager, his practical experience has ensured the app delivers the information he would use in making turf management decisions every day.

“The app has been entirely designed from the viewpoint of a practical greenkeeper or turf manager,” he reported. “We all know that subjectively we are using data around the weather and our own experience of the course to make decisions.”

“With Turf Advisor we now have objective data and records that can help support stronger practical turf management decisions. It in no way replaces the turf manager’s experience, but helps to support and validate their decsions,” he pointed out.

It has taken many of the aspects of the pioneering and globally renowned GreenCast website and added a whole raft of new elements selected to support turf management – and made it readily accessible and easy to use in an app.

“Microdochium attacks are influenced by a multitude of factors, for example,” he advised. “The GreenCast microdochium model will pinpoint when there is the highest risk of outbreaks according to rain and temperatures, but for the most effective proactive strategies it should be used in conjunction with leaf wetness, humidity, GDD and Growth Potential to assess how it will impact on the turf and immediate implications.

“All those factors can be instantly viewed on the dashboard in the Turf Advisor app.” Users can set two profiles within the app enabling them to truly customize for their needs.

Syngenta trials of new fungicides and biocontrols will now include a Turf Advisor led programme, so that the launch of new products can be supported by the digital tools and recommendations.

Turf Advisor app is now available to download free for Apple and android devices, from the app Store or Google Play, with direct links from the Syngenta website:

https://www.syngentaturf.co.uk/turf-advisor-app

Users can follow a series of YouTube videos with suggestions of how to set up their dashboard and useful factors to focus on for potential challenges over the coming months. Further seasonal advice will be provided through the GreenCast Advisory Blog and On the horizon podcast.

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Power up your tools

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Power up your tools: Leading power tool manufacturer Makita has launched a new redemption promotion for its XGT Power Source Kit range. Running from the 1st October until the 31st December 2023, end users can claim a free 40VMax XGT 2.5Ah battery when they purchase a selected XGT Power Source Kit.

Makita Power Source Kits are an ideal way for end users to start or expand a cordless system of XGT 40VMax tools. There are six qualifying Power Source Kits available in total as part of Makita’s latest promotion: Four kits with two batteries (2.5Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, and 8.0Ah options) and fast charger, and two kits with four batteries (5.0Ah and 8.0Ah options) and a twin-port fast charger. All are supplied in a robust Makpac carry case.

Power up your tools

Power up your tools

Purchasing a Makita Power Source Kit enables you to select your preferred battery options, and then select your XGT tools from a wide range of body only models as a cost-effective option. The Power Source Kit and body only products enables customers to build their own kit of XGT products specific to their job requirements.

With a high number of XGT models also available in Makpac cases, you can simply connect the Makpac tool cases to your Power Source Kits for improved storage and safe transport.

Makita’s latest promotion allows end users to claim a free BL4025 2.5Ah XGT Battery (retail value of over £100) with qualifying XGT Power Source Kits. This Li-ion battery is a powerful general use battery with an LED charge level indicator for use with Makita’s range of 40VMax and 80VMax XGT tools. The heavy-duty battery can be charged in just 28 minutes with a rapid charger, for optimum performance and productivity on site.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK, said: “Our XGT range is designed to help our customers work faster, more efficiently and safely with cordless technology that offers optimum power, high performance and exceptional run time. Batteries can be easily changed between tools, depending on the task and with our latest promotion, we’re helping end users enhance their cordless experience with a free battery.”

Makita’s latest redemption will run until the 31st December 2023. Customers who purchase any qualifying XGT Power Source Kit from an authorised dealer between 01.10.23 and 31.12.23 must register their purchase online via the redemption promotion website within 28 days of purchase to claim their free product (see website for full Terms & Conditions and qualifying criteria). Customers will receive their free 2.5Ah (BL4025) 40VMax XGT Battery on successful application.

For more information about Makita’s redemption promotion, visit: www.makitauk.com/redemptions

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First SALTEX for Boss ORV and Corvus

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First SALTEX for Boss ORV and Corvus: BOSS ORV, the UK distributor of the Corvus range of off-road utility vehicles, is to exhibit at Saltex 2023. It is the first time at the show for BOSS and they will also be showing the new Faunamaster seeder for which they were recently appointed for sole UK distribution.

The Corvus models on display will be two of the Terrain range 4×4 UTVs, the DX4 and EX4. Corvus is Europe’s first manufacturer of off-road UTVs and designed the DX4 from the ground up for heavy-duty work in agriculture, livestock, forestry, turf care and construction. The DX4 is described as powerful and robust, with an efficient Yanmar 24 hp diesel engine and market-leading onboard storage capacity. The Corvus Terrain EX4 is a 100% electric 4×4 utility vehicle, with all the benefits of no emissions. It can tackle the toughest working days thanks to its off-road capabilities and precise power. The EX4 offers high load capacity, lower maintenance cost and high vehicle durability. The Faunamaster seeders come from the Danish company Faunamaster ApS.

First SALTEX for Boss ORV and Corvus

First SALTEX for Boss ORV and Corvus

They are multifunctional, timesaving seed drills designed for use with an ATV, UTV or tractor. Ideal for sowing into existing grass fields, tilled soil, wildflower meadows and paddocks, the Faunamaster sows seeds of virtually any size to a depth of 80mm. The compact size makes it of great benefit working in parks, gardens and any area where normal planter equipment is too large. BOSS ORV welcomes visitors and dealers to their stand at Saltex Hall 1 stand EO45.

For more information about Corvus Off-Road Vehicles and the Faunamaster you can call 01785 561046 E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk Web: www.bossorv.co.uk

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Greenkeepers praised after saving Dunhill Links

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Greenkeepers praised after saving Dunhill Links: Play at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship hung in the balance on Sunday night, until greenskeepers performed a miracle.

Read the full article from Bunkered here

Greenkeepers praised after saving Dunhill Links

Greenkeepers praised after saving Dunhill Links

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Q&A with Sophie Allen

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Q&A with Sophie Allen: Sophie Allen started her apprenticeship with Agrovista Amenity as a Trainee Business Support Administrator 17 months ago.  As a keen cricketer and a volunteer groundsperson at her local cricket club, Sophie was already aware of Agrovista before applying for the position.  

In this Q&A Sophie reveals her love of the sport and how she’s developing into her role within the company.

Q&A with Sophie Allen

Q&A with Sophie Allen

Before you started your apprenticeship you worked as a volunteer groundsperson at your local cricket club – are you still doing this?

Yes, I’m still currently at my local Cricket Club, Allscott, where I am captain and organiser of our ladies’ team. There’s a lot of development going on over at the club, with a new clubhouse being built to improve our facilities. This year we are having a big push on bringing new players into all our teams and building the foundations of the club with our junior teams. With this new development, I am also due to become treasurer of our cricket section starting the 2024 season.

With regards to the maintenance of the ground, I work alongside my dad Jason who is the Head Groundsperson and has recently become a county pitch advisor for Shropshire.

Working alongside him is really eye opening due to the knowledge he has, and I am always learning something new. I tend to help him out as and when I can, whether it be after work for a couple of hours in the week or possibly a Saturday morning before the match. I would say that my favourite maintenance task is either marking out the wicket or using the roller to roll the wickets out.

What are your main responsibilities as a Business Support Administrator?

I work within the customer support team, so my main responsibilities are confirming orders from our Ecommerce platforms and our account managed customers, telephone communication with customers through our customer support call centre, dealing with customer support tickets, assisting the sales team, and answering the door to customers.

What does a typical day at work look like?

My average day can be very different but usually consists of opening everything up in the morning and checking if there is anything urgent that requires my attention. If there is, then I will deal with it straight away. If not, then I will get all the orders allocated to me confirmed.

After this, I will check my tickets and emails and deal with enquiries on these. We will usually have a few calls whilst doing these jobs, so if I’m free, I will take as many calls as I can. Then for the rest of the day, I will flick between confirming any new orders that are placed on the system and new enquiries, along with dealing with any issues that I may be chasing with a supplier or courier.

Did you enjoy completing your NVQ and how did you manage to fit your studies in alongside working?

I have recently completed an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration. Within this, I learned about a variety of things, such as IT packages, personal development, project management, organisation, stakeholders, building a project, communication, personal skills, teamwork and many more topics. We were given a certain number of hours that they call ‘off the job hours’ to complete the relevant tasks and coursework. So, I found it manageable to balance this work along with my day-to-day work within the customer support team to complete my apprenticeship.

Learning new skills through my apprenticeship programme has really helped in the development of my skills within my role in the customer support team. One key skill I feel I have developed through my apprenticeship is confidence.

The support from Agrovista Amenity has been really good. If there has ever been an issue, then it has been sorted instantly and I couldn’t ask for a better company to work for.

What are your goals now you have completed the apprenticeship?

Now that I have completed my NVQ I am hoping to progress my responsibilities within the customer support team. I would really like to carry on developing new skills and hopefully gain new qualifications.

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

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

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