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Biocontrol ‘kit’ now available

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Biocontrol ‘kit’ now available: Bionema Ltd, a leading biopesticide technology company, has been granted a UK patent for a unique pest control solution that provides safe and sustainable protection from larval insect pests. 

This is a particularly timely innovation, when leatherjackets and chafer grubs – both of which can be controlled by beneficial nematodes in spring and autumn– are currently devastating golf courses, racecourses, football pitches and cricket grounds, causing millions of turf damage. The leatherjacket pest population, in particular, has increased significantly in the last few years.

Biocontrol ‘kit’ now available

Biocontrol ‘kit’ now available

Chemical pesticides have traditionally been widely used to provide the crop yields necessary to feed a rapidly expanding global population, and control pests in sports turf and open green spaces. However, these toxic pesticides have poisoned our soils – impacting our own health and that of our planet.

An environmentally-friendly solution lies in bioprotectants, which are created from highly virulent strains of naturally-occurring biological control agents (Entomopathogenic nematodes). When used correctly, bioprotection products can offer effective pest control in cropping systems and sports turf management, by creating conditions for these micro-organisms to thrive. They live in soil and can be targeted at specific pests to avoid harming beneficial insects.

Bionema has now been granted a new patent (UK Patent No. 2581540) that provides a unique tri-component offering ‘in a box’. The Tri-Component Solution consists of:

  1. Specially developed, highly virulent strains of beneficial nematodes, NemaTrident®
  2. A biocompatible wetting agent that helps the nematodes to spread and thrive, Nemaspreader®
  3. Specialist training and adviceon how to optimise the effectiveness of the nematodes.

The pest control kit comprises entomopathogenic nematodes from the Heterorhabditis or Steinernema genera, a wetting agent composition (comprising a solvent and a surfactant) and comprehensive instructions for use. The kit provides biological control of immature larval insects which can act as pests to plants, including agricultural, horticultural, turf and amenities and forestry – providing safe and sustainable insect protection for turf and plants all year round.

“The technology associated with this product is both unique and cost-effective,” says Dr Minshad Ansari, CEO of Bionema. “It is simple and user-friendly when used as part of this kit. We will always be there to support our customers and provide any advice they need, but this pest control kit is now available for people confident enough to go it alone, and it equips them to get the results they need from these beneficial nematodes.”

Here are a few successful reports of the efficacy of this tri-component solution and how this can help save to millions of pounds in turf damage:

  • Neath Golf Club Head Greenkeeper Mark Tuckerused Bionema’s NemaTrident® Tri-Component solution because it was “more sustainable for the environment” and says he was thrilled with the results. “We’ve witnessed more than 85-90% control of leatherjackets in the first year. I was very sceptical about nematodes, but the results spoken for themselves. Last year we were hitting 30 leatherjackets per 20cm2 but after one year we are hitting zero.”
  • Darren Griffiths, Groundsman at Constantine Cricket Club near Falmouth, says he realised he had a leatherjacket infestation when he noticed that rooks were pecking for grubs on his cricket pitches and outfield and destroying the turf. He contacted Bionema and followed the training guidelines to properly handle and apply the NemaTrident®Tri-Component solution. Three months later, he said the turf had improved dramatically and the club members were able to enjoy a leatherjacket-free season.
  • Phillip Chiverton, Golf Course and Estate Manager, The Grove, says that the effective control of pests has been a steep learning curve for the greenkeeping team at The Grove over the past three years and included a lot of commitment by everyone. “By keeping to Bionema’s plan, the results are clear to see. I was very sceptical at the start, but we now have zero damage by chafer grubs, and how we keep this success ongoing is the next step of our journey with Bionema.”

The new kit adds to Bionema’s portfolio of products for the agriculture, horticulture, turf amenity and forestry sectors. For more information visit www.bionema.com

For advice, please contact Dr Minshad A Ansari, CEO of Bionema. +44 (0)1792 606916; m.a.ansari@bionema.com

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Book a demo with Makita

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Book a demo with Makita: Makita has relaunched its popular product demonstrations of its 40VMax and 80VMax XGT power tool range and for the first time, users are also able to get hands on with the range of cordless garden machinery products.

This fantastic opportunity allows professionals to trial a wide range of Makita tools to test how they perform when users are considering new equipment.

Book a demo with Makita

Book a demo with Makita

Professionals are now able to arrange COVID-Secure appointments locally with an experienced Makita team member to get the most out of its wide range of cordless power equipment. Demos are available for either its 40VMax or 80VMax XGT range or the cordless Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) range, with both offering guidance on tool and accessory selection, as well as hands-on testing with the tools of your choice.

OPE

With summer ahead it is the ideal time to test out Makita’s outdoor equipment. Cordless 18V and 36V LXT and 40VMax and 80VMax XGT garden tools, lawnmowers, linetrimmers, hedge trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, will all be available to test, as well as many more. With many people considering the change from petrol engine machines to cordless equivalents, this is a perfect opportunity for contractors to see first-hand how the range performs.

XGT

Launched in 2020, the 40VMax and 80VMax XGT system of cordless tools have been designed to offer the power and performance needed to tackle high-demand applications without compromising battery run times. With extensions to the range coming in 2021, these cordless tools are the most durable and powerful of the Makita line-up that are available to test. This hassle-free opportunity is the perfect time to test out the Makita tools you need before they get put to work.

The product demonstrations will be organised locally with COVID safety protocols in place, so Makita staff will arrange to visit you on a mutually convenient date where you can test selected machines. Each tool will be cleaned before and after use and our staff will be wearing masks and implementing social distancing.

On the demonstration days, Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK said: “We are pleased to reignite our hands-on product demonstration service after a year of restrictions imposed by COVID-19. As part of our ongoing commitment to training, the product demo’s offer end users the opportunity to stay up to date with the latest product innovations, put our products to the test and discover the possibilities that cordless offers.”

To book a demo, fill out the on-line form available on: www.makitauk.com.

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T H White expands operations

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T H White expands operations: T H WHITE plans to acquire the agricultural, construction and garden machinery operations of the Murley dealerships at Warwick and Stourport.

The expansion of T H WHITE’s businesses to Warwickshire and in Worcestershire is a natural one for the neighbouring dealer, supported by main suppliers, New Holland, Manitou and Doosan. All stakeholders are preparing a smooth transition, meaning continuity for staff and customers, and business as usual for trade with a name change above the door.

T H White expands operations

T H White expands operations

The deal is scheduled to complete on 30th June 2021 subject to concluding the fi nal stages of due diligence and legal processes. With this change, T H WHITE will take on the main franchises currently on offer at Stourport and Warwick, continuing to serve the farming community, construction companies, contractors, small holders and private estates. The garden machinery range available from Warwick will continue from this location, and the established construction operation in Stourport is set to expand T H WHITE’s existing construction off ering from Manitou, New Holland and Mecalac, with the introduction of the Doosan brand.

“This is a purchase which aligns with our strategic aspirations”, comments T H WHITE Director, David Rapkins, “It enables us to grow our Agricultural territory with an established business offering premium brands. It creates a sustainable business able to meet the industry demands of generating scale to fulfil our own objectives as well as those of our suppliers. As a dealer in neighbouring territories with a long history and experience in the sectors, we are well placed to meet the aspirations of Murley customers and are excited by the opportunities it presents”.

T H WHITE Group CEO, Alex Scott adds “We are acquiring a company mirroring our values and culture which will enable us to easily extend our purpose of helping customers get the best from their machinery, land and buildings for generations. We are pleased to provide continuity and maintain and grow relationships with farmers and businesses throughout the region.”

T H WHITE began trading in 1832, serving farmers from an agricultural ironmongery in Devizes. The business is well established as an agricultural machinery supplier, off ering a comprehensive product range from leading brands. The Agricultural division trades from 10 branches in Knockdown, Devizes, Frome, Huntley, Marlborough, Stockbridge, Toddington, Hereford, Warwick and Stourport following the acquisition. The Group’s Groundcare division currently operates from three branches at Knockdown, Stockbridge and Redditch and will run alongside the garden machinery business at Warwick.

The Construction operation is based at Marlborough; Stourport will be added on completion of the deal. T H WHITE Group is a family and staff owned company – a trusted brand in the industry with a culture committed to exemplary customer service.

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Dochfour House credits Husqvarna

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Dochfour House credits Husqvarna: Standing at a height overlooking the impressive views of Loch Dochfour, lies Dochfour House, home of the Baillie family for over 500 years. Featuring immaculate lawns and gardens created in the 1880s, Alexander Baillie, estate director of Dochfour, credits 15 Husqvarna Automower® robotic lawn mowers for maintaining its impressive estate. 

First fitted in 2018, Husqvarna Automower® robotic mowers now cover approximately 7 acres of the estate’s formal lawns and landscaped parkland, encompassing ground of all shapes, inclines and textures.

Dochfour House credits Husqvarna

Dochfour House credits Husqvarna

Featured on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes, the estate regularly hosts photoshoots and corporate events, requiring picture-perfect grounds and lawns throughout all seasons. During the summer months the estate experiences the quick speed of grass growth, while the winter months encounter the full force of the Scottish Highland weather, which has proved a perpetual problem over the years.

Alexander Baillie, estate director, explained Dochfour’s switch to Automower®: “For years we used the forest and groundcare department at MacGregor Industrial Supplies to service our mowers and chainsaws, and once they began selling Husqvarna Automower® we knew we wanted to test them out. In total we now have 15 robotic mowers across the Dochfour estate, including the 435X, 450X, 430X and 315X Automower® models.

“The unpredictable Highland weather was a big push into moving towards Automower®, as well as the many steep banks which have long proved a headache in terms of the health and safety issues they present.”

Ever since the first Automower® was introduced in 1995, Husqvarna has been known as the world leader in robotic mowing. With over 2 million sold worldwide, Automower® is renowned for its low energy consumption, zero emissions, low noise and high productivity. Covering everything from smaller urban gardens to challenging areas up to 5,000m2, Automower® can also handle difficult inclines up to 70%.

Alexander continued: “During our first year of using Automower® we tested it on a small area, but after seeing its remarkable results, we rapidly increased the working area and the number of mowers in our fleet. We’ve been immensely impressed by the all-wheel-drive X-Line model which have tackled our steepest banks with ease.

“Installation of the mowers has been very straightforward, and thanks to the generation of our own electricity using hydropower, our lawns require no fossil fuel-based inputs. The Husqvarna Temporary Fences have been a great help to cordon off bulbs and wildflower patches, while still achieving lush lawns on the rest of the areas.

“Automower® has made such a huge difference to the way we work, providing hours of free time to concentrate on other parts of the estate. No matter of the weather or time of day, our Automower® robots take care of the grounds without worry. We look forward to extending our fleet in the future.”

For more information on Husqvarna Automower®, visit: https://www.husqvarna.com/uk/products/robotic-lawn-mowers/

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Club Car & London GC extend relationship

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Club Car & London GC extend relationship: Club Car, the world’s largest manufacturer of small-wheel electric vehicles, has continued its long association with London Golf Club by delivering a new fleet of high-spec golf cars.

The fleet of 50 Tempo cars, famous for their industry-leading durability and premium comfort, feature Club Car’s innovative connected GPS technology which supports the maintenance of the club’s two Jack Nicklaus-designed courses as well as offering players a range of in-car services.

Club Car & London GC extend relationship

Club Car & London GC extend relationship

London Golf Club, a European Tour Destination and the host venue of this summer’s English Open, has chosen Club Car as its supplier for 22 years.

Stephen Follett, CEO of London Golf Club, said: “We decided to renew the fleet towards the end of last year following the huge amount of use the cars had last summer and with another busy season ahead. We viewed the reopening in March as if we were opening a new venue, and that meant reopening with a new fleet of cars. We also carried out renovations in various areas of our clubhouse, made upgrades in our IT and carried out refresher training with our staff.

“We wanted to show our members, guests, and visitors that we are a forward thinking venue that is committed to continuously investing in our product, services and people. This is our second fleet with the connected technology – we love it, our customers love it and it’s synonymous with London Golf Club.”

Kevin Hart, Director of Golf Sales EMEA at Club Car, added: “London Golf Club is one of the most prestigious venues in Europe and we are proud that Club Car has been its chosen supplier for so long.

“The club and its leadership are very much in tune with what the customers want and never fail to deliver an exceptional golfing experience. We look forward to this long relationship continuing in future.”

London Golf Club has hosted the European Open (2008 and 2009) and the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship (2018 and 2019), and will welcome the English Open from August 12-15 this year.

The newly installed fleet of Club Car vehicles marks the sixth that local dealer Bradshaw has delivered to London Golf Club over the duration of the 22-year relationship.

For more information about London Golf Club, visit: https://www.londongolf.co.uk

For more information about Club Car, visit: https://www.clubcar.com

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