Turf News is the perfect place for professionals working within the UK’s vibrant turf industry – keeping you up-to-date with topical news, latest market developments and much more across all areas of the industry.
NEWS ARTICLES

Husqvarna Living City

/in , /by

Husqvarna Living City: This week, Husqvarna, one of the world’s leading producers of forest, park and garden products, invited guests to its Living City event, to share its knowledge on how to positively impact the future of sustainable grounds maintenance.

In the online hour event, Husqvarna’s key speakers focused on how ground-breaking developments within turf management in sports and golf are changing the game forever. In addition, Husqvarna shared unique details of CEORA, Husqvarna’s next generation in large-scale robotic mowing.

Husqvarna Living City

Husqvarna Living City

Stephen Ohlson, vice president of product development at GreenSight provided insight on how data collection can improve turf quality on golf sites. Using drone intelligence, soil sensors, thermal imaging, and autonomous robotic mowers, GreenSight can transform the way golf courses maintain their grounds.

Using Meadow Club golf course in Fairfax, California as an example, GreenSight explained that by using their technology combined with Husqvarna Automower®, the 66-acre course, which cuts its grounds three times per week, could switch their large format diesel mowers for electric robotic mowers. This would reduce their CO2 emissions by 99.5%, the equivalent of taking an additional 11 cars off the road. Looking to the future GreenSight explained that if just 10% of all US golf courses adopted the GreenSight and Husqvarna solution, 79,000 MT CO2e would be reduced, equivalent to taking 17,000 cars off the road.

Next, viewers heard from Karin Juul Hesselsøe, researcher at the NIBIO research centre in Norway. Karin explained the impact on quality of turf following testing using Husqvarna Automower® on golf courses in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland. Using Husqvarna Automower® 550 and comparing it against their usual reel mowers, the courses monitored turf quality, percentage of weeds and diseases, and diesel and time consumption.

From preliminary results, observations from Iceland noticed no dew in the mornings where the Automower® had cut, as well as zero distinct lines left in the turf, unlike their usual cutting methods. On top of this, they observed reduced seed heads of annual bluegrass on the robotic mown fairway.

Husqvarna’s final guest speaker was Kristoffer Palmlund, CEO at GML Sport AB, who discussed new innovative partnerships within sport field maintenance. Partnering with IFK Gothenburg training pitch in 2020, GML and Husqvarna collaborated to increase productivity, free up resources, and develop new methods and technology.

The final talk came from Olle Markusson, director of product management at Husqvarna Group, who revealed new details of CEORA, Husqvarna’s next generation in large-scale robotic mowing. Expanding Husqvarna’s portfolio, CEORA targets large areas, in particular sport fields and golf courses, as they require large areas and impressive lawn quality.

CEORA is set to deliver many benefits, including great lawn quality thanks to its razor-sharp blades, frequent mowing and low-weight machine. Other benefits include labour management and the ability to overcome scarcity, cost and general management costs, safety is increased thanks to the reduced need for human interaction, and the planet benefits due to its low energy, reduced noise levels and low CO2 emissions.

Covering 50,000m2 and featuring Husqvarna’s ground-breaking EPOS technology, the satellite-based system enables the mowers to work within virtual boundaries. Controlled remotely through Husqvarna Fleet Services, customers can access real-time data and make mowing amendments through the touch of a button when required.

Inspired by Husqvarna front riders, the CEORA cutting deck has been purpose-built to ensure it can be easily raised for great accessibility, and allow for easy blade replacement, cleaning and service. Designed with a high-level of sealing to ensure hose washing is possible, the mowers also feature super smooth surfaces to reduce grass build-up and increase premium turf quality.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Campey partnership with Birmingham FA

/in , /by

Campey partnership with Birmingham FA: Campey Turf Care Systems are proud to announce a new partnership with Birmingham County Football Association (BCFA) that will see the company service grassroots football teams in the Black Country, Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire.

The push towards improving grassroots pitches in England has become a central goal for the Football Association. The overall target is to have five thousand pitches assessed as Good or Better by 2024.

Campey partnership with Birmingham FA

Campey partnership with Birmingham FA

The reform of the grading process along with new funding opportunities prompted BCFA’s Facility and Investment Lead, Oliver Hitchcox, to seek out a machinery partner to ensure clubs were well informed and getting the backup service they need.

“The vast majority of the reports that we get identify a need for new or additional maintenance kit and equipment,” Oliver explains. “We’ve signposted a lot of clubs for funding towards that equipment so often because clubs don’t have a huge amount of expertise in that area, and they tend to come to me or our Grounds Management Association (GMA) Regional Pitch Advisor, Kevin Duffill, asking for the best places to get quotes. We’d already had a fair few clubs who had engaged with Campey and were really enthusiastic about the support they had from them.

“I wanted to get a partner on board so that we had someone we could direct people towards who we knew were going to provide value for money in terms of the kit and offer a really good level of customer service and support for our clubs. So, I contacted John at Campey, and we had a conversation around what we could do.

“They had recently done something similar with Staffordshire FA, so they knew the landscape in terms of what we were looking to do and it’s a really good fit because of the customer service that they offer clubs. Campey has been going out to sites to demo products and taking clubs through that process of what the machinery and equipment can do, how to use it properly and then all the aftercare is really beneficial. So, from our perspective, we know that we can direct clubs to somewhere where they will be well looked after.

“I was speaking to a club last week who we have just supported with some funding, and they said exactly that. The local rep had been out on-site to demo all the kit and take them through that process. When they deliver the equipment, they give a good installation in terms of operation and management and then again, we have the aftercare. They are always on hand with any queries or issues that come up.

“Having someone who works locally who can actually go and visit people is definitely a benefit rather than just having people on the phone or email. That personal contact is really important.”

Every year the FA conducts the grassroots football survey, and a constant theme is the condition of pitches. Good quality surfaces are vital when it comes to attracting new players to the game and retaining them is equally important, and a challenge the Birmingham FA is actively addressing.

As well as funding from The Football Foundation, clubs can also access BCFA’s own grant that help bridge the gap of the remaining 25% cost of machinery from the 75% Football Foundation grant.

Clubs who would like further information on the funding available to them should contact the Birmingham FA or visit www.birminghamfa.com

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Can sand dressing provide a solution to worm casts?

/in , /by

Can sand dressing provide a solution to worm casts?: Mansfield Sand has revealed that an increasing number of sports turf mangers are relying on a sand dressing as a solution to earthworm casting.

“After over three decades of greenkeeping and a few years of winter sports turf management, I am fully aware of the frustration caused by worm casts,” said Gary Cunningham, Football & Golf Sales Representative for Mansfield Sand.

Can sand dressing provide a solution to worm casts?

Can sand dressing provide a solution to worm casts?

“Whilst most earthworm activity goes unnoticed and has a role to play in soil management, its activity can have a detrimental impact on managed amenity grass surfaces. Besides being unsightly, it can lead to the deterioration in playing surfaces – allowing weed infestation, less resistance to turf disease and damage to mowing equipment. All of these inevitably also lead to increased management costs.”

Historically, surface casting was controlled by various chemical solutions. However, over recent years these options have been withdrawn from the market due to environmental protection concerns. This has left turf managers looking for alternative solutions to an age-old inconvenience.

There are several great articles and studies which have been published, and in each situation, sand dressing is shown to supress casting worm activity to some extent on managed areas.

Whilst this is not a quick fix and does depend on several factors such as local climate, soil temperature and time of year, what is apparent is that a sustained programme of sand dressing problem areas does reduce casting worm activity. In turn, casts become a sandier loam which can be easily dispersed without any smearing. This will also lessen the material build-up and not cause any issues with mowing equipment.

Mansfield Sand provides two well-known grades of silica sand to the sports market, MM35 and MM40 – which are sourced directly from the company’s Two Oaks quarry in Mansfield.

“Regular topdressing with MM35 or MM40 can help to manage casting worm activity,” continued Gary. “It can certainly help to make it easier once you build up the level of sand in the rootzone.

“Furthermore, using the right grade of high-quality sand is vital to the overall health and performance of a managed sports surface. Therefore, sports facilities that regularly apply sand dressings as part of their management programme, benefit from improved rootzones leading to better drainage and plant health.

“We may never be able to supress casting earthworm activity completely, but more and more turf managers are significantly reducing them by topdressing with sand.”

From winter sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens and all amenity turf areas – Mansfield Sand has a solution for all, and the products have long been relied upon at stadium and training ground facilities; championship golf courses and world class show jumping arenas.

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Sunbelt Rentals buy 2100 JCB machines

/in , /by

Sunbelt Rentals buy 2100 JCB machines: Britain’s biggest equipment rental company is investing in 2,100 new JCB machines in a deal worth £65 million – the biggest ever order from a UK customer in the company’s 75-year history.

Sunbelt Rentals UK is expanding and renewing its fleet as the construction industry rebounds strongly from the Covid-19 pandemic. The flagship rental company is investing in JCB Loadall telescopic handlers, mini and midi excavators, site dumpers, tracked excavators and rough terrain fork lifts – all manufactured at JCB’s Staffordshire factories. Sunbelt Rentals is also investing in 350 JCB access platforms – JCB’s biggest-ever UK deal for this equipment following its entry into the $8 billion powered access market in 2017.

Sunbelt Rentals buy 2100 JCB machines

Sunbelt Rentals buy 2100 JCB machines

The massive order comes as JCB recruits hundreds of new shop floor employees as a result of soaring demand. The machines – supplied by JCB dealer Greenshields JCB – are already rolling off JCB’s production lines and being delivered to Sunbelt’s 200-strong UK depot network.

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “Sunbelt Rentals is one of JCB’s largest global customers and this huge investement in new and innovative equipment demonstrates its desire to offer the the most advanced machines, featuring the latest ultra-efficient, low emissions engines. It’s the biggest ever order from a JCB customer in the UK and we are delighted to secure this buisness. It’s also fantastic to win a large deal for our access platforms from such a well-respected fleet customer.”

Warrington-based Sunbelt Rentals is the UK’s biggest equipment rental company and covers the whole of Great Britain through 200 hire depots with a fleet of over 250,000 itemised machines.  Sunbelt Rentals rebranded its business in 2020 from A-Plant to mirror the name of its sister company in North America.

Sunbelt’s Chief Executive Officer Andy Wright said: “Sunbelt is committed to owning the youngest and most innovative equipment in the industry and the JCB range offers fantastic quality and solutions for our customers throughout the UK. We have performed strongly throughout the pandemic and this significant order supports our determiniation to maintain and expand our market leadership position within the UK.”

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Greenkeeper gets legs waxed for charity

/in , /by

Greenkeeper gets legs waxed for charity: Greenkeeper Brian Dunne shouted something beginning with f when he got his legs waxed and it wasn’t fore!

Read the full article from Limerick Leader here

Greenkeeper gets legs waxed for charity

Greenkeeper gets legs waxed for charity

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.