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Total Approach to leatherjacket control

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Total Approach to leatherjacket control: The new Syngenta Leatherjacket Total Approach Pack will provide turf managers with a comprehensive one-box solution to tackle the damaging pest on turf surfaces. The fully integrated approach will optimise the potential of chemical, biocontrol and cultural measures.

The Leatherjacket Total Approach Pack includes Acelepryn insecticide and Syngenta NemaTrident beneficial nematodes, along with NemaSpreader designed to enhance nematode efficacy. The one-hectare pack also includes a set of Syngenta XC Soil Nozzles to optimise all applications of Acelepryn and NemaTrident.

Total Approach to leatherjacket control

Total Approach to leatherjacket control

Speaking during the industry Leatherjacket Total Approach launch, at the company’s Jealott’s Hill International Research Centre in Berkshire (20-21 July 2023), Syngenta UK & Ireland Business Manager, Sarah Hughes, warned increasing issues of leatherjacket damage is a key challenge for sports turf and amenity turf managers across the UK.

“Leatherjacket larvae pose one of the most severe threats to turf quality on affected sports and amenity surfaces. Not only does their feeding action restrict roots and disrupt surface smoothness, but the foraging of predators for larvae can cause catastrophic damage.

“Now, greenkeepers and agronomists can develop a sustainable ITM strategy that focuses Acelepryn in combination with Syngenta NemaTrident beneficial nematodes on surfaces where they will have the greatest gain, along with a full package of cultural controls and agronomy practices that will best mitigate pest damage on all areas.”

Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes, highlighted how an integrated strategy of Acelepryn followed by NemaTrident F beneficial nematodes enhances the overall consistency and reliability of leatherjacket control.

Leatherjacket Integrated Turf Management (ITM) research in 2022 – in a relatively high-pressure situation with 100 larvae per m2 in the untreated – showed 89% control from Acelepryn alone, with a 65% reduction in larvae population where just NemaTrident F plus NemaSpreader was used; where the two components were used in sequence the trial resulted in complete larvae control.

The Syngenta recommendation for this integrated approach is for one application of Acelepryn at 0.6 l/ha, followed by NemaTrident F within seven days, at a rate of 2.5 billion nematodes per hectare.

The Total Approach can help turf managers cope with the Acelepryn label limitations on the maximum area that can be treated each year, he added. “For most sports turf, Acelepryn is restricted to a maximum of 10% of the treated surface area. On golf courses, for example, that might cover the most important greens and key areas that have previously attacked, for example.

“For other areas of the course subjected to less pressure or with higher tolerance to limited leatherjacket damage, however, the use of nematodes and a range of cultural controls could offer sufficient leatherjacket control and turf enhancement to effectively manage the pest.

“Key is a better understanding of all the ITM options available, and best matching the strategy to the leatherjacket pressure on any given area,” he advocated.

NemaTrident F is the nematode species Steinernema feltiae, selected specifically contain and transmit a fatal bacteria into infested leatherjackets. It is also a nematode species that is active at soil temperatures above 8⁰C, which makes it particularly suitable for autumn applications in the UK, but must be utilised before soil temperatures fall too far.

“Research in the laboratory confirms that NemaTrident F nematodes can be highly effective in controlling leatherjacket larvae,” reported Sean. “However, they can quickly be adversely affected if conditions are not suitable for their survival and activity in the soil.”

Nematode research has highlighted soil moisture is necessary for nematodes to survive and to move through the surface film to seek out leatherjackets, along with creating conditions where leatherjacket larvae will move and come into contact with more nematodes.

“That can be specifically aided with the use of NemaSpreader, which should always be applied with NemaTrident and has been shown to enhance results by 30%, compared to the nematodes alone,” he reported. Furthermore, wetting agent strategies and irrigation can help to create the optimum conditions for nematodes to perform.

Sean pointed out that other cultural measures that will help the resilience of turf to withstand leatherjacket damage and maintain surface quality includes Primo Maxx II programmes to enhance rooting and plant vigour, wetting agent programmes and ensuring adequate balanced nutrition. Along with potential for biostimulants and other new bioproducts to protect plant health and improve quality. The timing and intensity of aeration practices may also need to be tailored according to pest pressure, he suggested.

However, while these cultural measures can help plants to better withstand leatherjacket activity, it is primarily through the controls of Acelepryn and NemaTrident F that the numbers can be physically reduced.

The introduction of the Leatherjacket Total Approach Pack provides a cost effective and structured strategy for turf surfaces. It provides two modes of action on leatherjacket pests, for a more sustainable long-term solution.

Acelepryn, NemaTrident and NemaSpreader, along with the Leatherjacket Total Approach Pack, are distributed in the UK and Ireland by ICL Ltd: www.icl-growingsolutions.uk Full details and recommendations for its implementation on turf surfaces will be available in time for the autumn control programmes.

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TurfKeeper keeps things easy at Warrington GC

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TurfKeeper keeps things easy at Warrington GC: The TurfKeeper platform from Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) has been praised for delivering new efficiencies to task allocation and stock management for the team at Warrington Golf Club.

The more that Course Manager Ben Goodchild explores the cloud-based software, the more time-savings he finds – with holidays, consumables and labour-hours now all logged in double-quick time and reports available at the touch of a button.

TurfKeeper keeps things easy at Warrington GC

TurfKeeper keeps things easy at Warrington GC

Ben has held the role of Course Manager for the last three years and heads up the maintenance of the 18-hole James Braid designed site alongside a team of seven greenkeepers, technicians and mechanics. “I originally saw TurfKeeper demonstrated at an event in the States” he explains, “so on my return, I spoke with Kevin Scarce of OAS and we quickly introduced in here at Warrington GC as a great way to allocate the jobs. We have a large TV on which we can project TurfKeeper so during our morning meeting we can all easily see and discuss the tasks for the day and week ahead.”

“While this in itself was a much more efficient way of working, it was clear that there was so much more we could potentially do with the software. It’s certainly one of those tools where the more you put in, the more you get out so we’re now managing items like staff absence, orders, stock, machinery and budgets all through this one TurfKeeper platform.”

Driven by a desire for better information and knowledge to inform future decision making, TurfKeeper is the leading online software system to monitor and control all key areas of day-to-day operations. An integral part of turf operations around the world, new modules are being introduced regularly to reflect changing requirements and full data and reports are quickly and easily available to download – something Ben has found particularly useful.

“One of the functions which has proved to be very enlightening is the greens report, which gives me a breakdown of labour hours spent on different course jobs such as divoting the fairways or looking after the bunkers” he explains. “When you go to greens meetings and the condition of the bunkers is brought up, I can show them the numbers which is critical in justifying why something is looking a certain way, or what is needed to raise the standard.”

Ben concludes, “What would have previously been documented in hundreds of ExCel spreadsheets is now all safely in one place not just for the team to access, but the General Manager also has all of the information they want on the budget at their fingertips. When much of our job is getting more challenging, TurfKeeper is one tool that keeps things easy!”

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Reform Metrac H75 is in demand

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Reform Metrac H75 is in demand: The Blackburn based Stuart Taylor dealership has recently taken delivery of three Reform Metrac H75 bank mowers from UK Agent Simon Richard Ltd.

Tommy Taylor said, “ two of the Reforms are for Stoke City council for maintenance of banked grassed areas and a wide range of open spaces. The authority say they are impressed with both performance and operator safety”

Reform Metrac H75 is in demand

Reform Metrac H75 is in demand

Simon Richard added “ the 75hp Reform Metrac H75 has proven itself to be a year round workhorse for a wide range of groundcare tasks. Steering modes include front, rear, Crab and four wheel steer”

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Quick-Brush and SP230 for Marc Kerr Ltd

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Quick-Brush and SP230 for Marc Kerr Ltd: Having been put through their paces on more than 35 end of season pitch renovations, the combination of an Sandspreader and Quick-Brush from GKB Machines have emerged with high praise from contractors Marc Kerr Limited.

While the SP230 delivers large capacity for maximum efficiency, it’s the build quality that makes GKB Marc’s first port of call for machinery – with the topdresser and brush joining two GKB Sandfiller’s and a VStrong scarifier already on his fleet.

Quick-Brush and SP230 for Marc Kerr Ltd

Quick-Brush and SP230 for Marc Kerr Ltd

Marc has been offering contracting and finishing services to facilities across the North East for the last 16 years, and while the majority of his workload is comprised of fine turf maintenance, the last few years has seen more enquiries from sports turf facilities – leading Marc to review his equipment bank. “The topdresser we had was starting to struggle with age-related failures, many of which were electrical and therefore expensive to repair” explains Marc. “In replacing this, I wanted something large enough to give me a time efficient and effective solution for football, but something the remained light enough and flexible for work on the golf course.”

The SP230 offers a 2.3m3 capacity and sits in the middle of the models offered in the GKB Sandspreader range. Four balloon tyres evenly distribute ground pressure, while the hydraulically-driven belts and discs eliminate the need to hook up to a power supply. “It’s a very intuitive machine, simple to set-up and easy to adjust for different materials and different surfaces. The fact it’s hydraulic also improves reliability and makes it less expensive to run.”

Delivered alongside the SP230 in May 2022 was a GKB Quick-Brush. “This is a great complimentary tool which Tom Shinkins recommended for incorporating the sand or seed down into the ground quickly. It’s proven to be a great addition to ensure we leave a clean finish and get maximum results in the ever-tighter football renovation windows.”

When football renovations are completed, the SP230 will then be utilised for autumn golf maintenance, with the hopper capacity reduced to suit ground conditions. “We have the flexibility to just put in a lesser amount when we use the dresser on the greens to still get high efficiency without risk of any damage.”

Marc adds, “Like all of our GKB equipment, these latest additions are incredibly well built and work exactly like they say they do. With the Quick-Brush and SP230 alongside our Sandfiller’s and VStrong we are now perfectly placed to tackle all maintenance tasks, reliably, across the maintenance calendar.”

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Only Johnsons can manage the microclimate at Maesteg

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Only Johnsons can manage the microclimate at Maesteg: The unique hilltop location of Maesteg Golf Club in Wales provides a challenge to golfers and greenkeepers alike, the picturesque playing surfaces nestled in a valley with its very own microclimate!

These conditions demand flexibility and durability from the grass seed, to cope with extremes of both moisture and temperature, and its mixtures from Johnsons Sports Seed that deliver just that. Deputy Head Greenkeeper James Matthewman explains how the combination of J Fescue, J All Bent and J 4Turf from DLF are retaining better coverage and plant health than ever, keeping them fungicide free for over four years.

Only Johnsons can manage the microclimate at Maesteg

Only Johnsons can manage the microclimate at Maesteg

“We first trialled Johnsons mixtures a good few years ago and right from the off, were impressed with the speed in which is germinated and established” explains James, who works alongside a team of three on the 18-hole James Braid designed course. “We wanted to go down the route of fescue, to fit with our sustainable maintenance approach and put us in a better position to cope with drought as our irrigation here isn’t the best.”

James and the team sought advice from their DLF Regional Technical Manager Ian Barnett, along with Zak Thackeray at Indigrow, who suggested they trial J Fescue from the Johnsons Sports Seed range. J Fescue is a 100% fine fescue mix, providing a blend of cultivars with high drought and salt tolerance and resistance to disease, resulting in a sward that requires lower inputs of water and fertiliser. “We overseed with J Fescue in the spring, and have used this for a couple of years now with excellent results. We were especially impressed with how the fescue coped with the drought last summer, and how we emerged with good grass!”

To provide additional sward strength, the team switch to the equally sustainable Johnsons J All Bent for renovations. “Because this likes the wetter conditions, we find we get great take and then retain this coverage through the winter months. These two mixtures combined have definitely helped to keep disease and weed ingress at bay which means we haven’t applied a fungicide for over four and a half years and any scarring is easy to treat with a spot of overseeding.”

On the back of advice from Ian, the team are also employing DLF’s 4Turf tetraploid ryegrass technology within the J 4Turf 50 mix to provide additional wear tolerance on tees and approaches. “We’ll aim to do a single or double pass at the start of the season, when the weather is right, and divot the tees with J 4Turf 50 throughout the year as and when needed. The germination we get with this is incredible!”

He concludes, “We are very unique, the course is unique and our climate is awkward to say the least. With our grass it’s very much survival of the fittest and so far, with Johnsons, it’s so good.”

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