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NEWS ARTICLES

A message from Rigby Taylor

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A message from Rigby Taylor: Committed to helping you, safely

Rigby Taylor has always regarded the health and wellbeing of our employees and our customers as paramount and during this difficult time we are continuing to trade, in line with Government’s current advice on safe working practices.

A message from Rigby Taylor

A message from Rigby Taylor

With this in mind, we have adapted our working practices with the aim of continuing our high levels of customer service and we continue to be committed to helping you and meeting your needs.

These changes include phone- and online-based advice and sales administration as well as updated product collection and delivery services to ensure we continue to operate in partnership with you during this challenging period.

All our technical sales managers are currently home-based but still able to help with any problems or requests you may have. Our website (www.rigbytaylor.com) is an invaluable source of information and an ideal way to place orders.

We will continue to despatch products for as long as it is reasonably practicable, including order collections from our branches where we have implemented safe systems for collections (and deliveries).

If you have any questions, please get in touch either via your local technical sales manager or via the website.

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Ventrac dealer network expands

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Ventrac dealer network expands: Agwood Ltd, based at Swingfield, near Dover in Kent, is the latest turf machinery dealership to join the Ventrac dealer network in the UK.

Agwood was formed by Ian Wood back in 1978. An independent company, they pride themselves on their record of exemplary customer service demonstrated by their recognition as BAGMA Approved Testers for Trailer Brakes, PUWER and LOLER Approved Installers of Tracker and Cesar Datatag and NSTS Sprayer Testers.

Ventrac dealer network expands

Ventrac dealer network expands

Commenting on the appointment, Phil Bush said,

“Since Rupert Price launched his business three years ago, the Ventrac product has really taken off in the UK. It’s a very well-made piece of equipment, yet easy to work on. It’s also very versatile because of the numerous attachments that can be mounted on it. Rupert has done a tremendous amount of groundwork in the past three years and it’s certainly paying off as our industry recognises the potential of the multi-purpose machine. We are delighted to add this remarkable brand to our product portfolio that already includes Massey Ferguson’s range of tractors, harvesting and groundcare equipment, along with Lemken, Opico and Suzuki ATVs.

Rupert Price, Managing Director of Price Turfcare, the UK and Ireland distributor of the Ventrac 4500 compact tractor, added,

“We’ve are steadily building our dealer network and only taking on reputable dealers who we believe will add value to the brand. We require our dealers to be pro-active, focussed on the product and capable of providing exceptional customer back-up and support. Agwoods’ exemplify these requirements and we’re delighted to welcome them to the Ventrac family.”

Price Turfcare’s current dealers are:

Fairways (GM) Ltd; Nairn Brown; Lairds Grass Machinery; Davies Tractors; John Osman Groundcare; Russell Group’s Groundcare Division; Sharrocks; Cheshire Turf Machinery; Fentons of Bourne; RT Machinery; Upson Mowers; Agwood Ltd; TH White Groundcare; and Devon Garden Machinery.

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Rigby Taylor’s new Nutri-Link fertiliser

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Rigby Taylor’s new Nutri-Link fertiliser: Rigby Taylor has announced the new Nutri-Link nutritional and bio-stimulant system for a wide range of turf surfaces, including sand-based constructions. Comprising six specially formulated liquid fertilisers, the Nutri-Link fertiliser is applied as a foliar spray that is taken up by both the leaf and the root.

Designed and formulated to supplement granular applications, and for use either stand-alone or in support of an in-season programme, Nutri-Link provides a host of benefits:

Rigby Taylor's new Nutri-Link fertiliser

Rigby Taylor’s new Nutri-Link fertiliser

  • Enhanced root mass and depth
  • Increased tillering and denser sward
  • Improved disease tolerance
  • Better drought resistance
  • Rapid recovery from wear and mechanical damage
  • Enhanced and extended greening
  • More rapid germination
  • Reduced salt toxicity
  • Greater tolerance to excessive temperature
  • Improved photosynthetic capability
  • Enhanced carbon sequestration.

Nutri-Link’s components provide multiple solutions to both the macro and micro problems that confront today’s grounds staff – including soil structure, microbial activity, biotic and abiotic stresses. This synergistic approach results in improved plant health and performance; the components’ individual strengths when working together provide greater benefits than if used singly.

A fully illustrated brochure is available from either your Rigby Taylor Area Technical Manager or on request via Freephone 0800 424 919.

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Statement from Redwood Global/Forst

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Statement from Redwood Global/Forst: As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to develop daily, Redwood Global/Forst says they are doing everything in their power to keep customers and staff safe and well, while ensuring business continuity and maintaining the highest quality of customer service.

“As a culture focused organisation, we are lucky to have a really great team in which all believe that every cloud has a silver lining and we are determined to come out of this as strong as we went in, and we’re going to do it.” Says Douglas Ghinn, Forst Sales and Marketing Director. “We are following UK Government guidelines and have put in place measures to ensure our business continues to operate efficiently.”

Statement from Redwood Global/Forst

Statement from Redwood Global/Forst

The company has ensured that all members of staff who can work remotely from home are doing so and have put in place technology and systems for it to work. The offices remain open and for staff working on-site, there are the necessary measures in place to keep both staff and customers safe. Drivers and Sales Teams have all the necessary knowledge and supplies to keep meetings and visits as safe as possible for all involved. The company’s engineering teams also have everything in place to continue to build and service the Forst machines and the aim will be to keep deadlines where possible.   “We also understand that the COVID-19 situation is evolving daily and will present challenges to our customers. We want to reassure you that we are with you and are here to help if you need it.” Says Douglas.  “Let’s keep positive, strong and focused and together we can weather the storm and come out stronger!”

www.forst-woodchippers.com or call +44 1264 721790

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Bionema sign MoU with Scientia Colombia

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Bionema sign MoU with Scientia Colombia: Scientia Colombia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with world-leading biopesticide technology developer Bionema, to collaborate on making more environmentally sustainable biological controls available in the fight against pests and diseases in less developed countries.

Leading biopesticide technology company Bionema attended the AgriTech 2020 mission to Colombia, organised by the UK Prosperity Fund.

Bionema sign MoU with Scientia Colombia

Bionema sign MoU with Scientia Colombia

During the visit, Bionema explored the opportunity to collaborate in a new geographical territory. This resulted in a welcome partnership with Scientia Colombia, which offers biological solutions for integrated pest management in Agriculture.

The two companies signed an MoU during a networking event organised by The British Embassy in Colombia and AgriTech 2020 at Sonesta Hotel, Pereira that will add value in a multitude of ways, with benefits to both parties.  Specifically, its aims are to:

  • Set up a Good Experimental Facilities (GEP) for testing the plant protection products (PPPs).
  • Commercialise new biopesticide products for high value crops in Colombia.
  • Transfer knowledge in the field of biopesticides, and
  • Provide training to end users in high value crops.

International collaborations between biopesticide companies in different geographical territories are particularly valuable, considering limitations placed on the movement of live organisms in many parts of the world, and the fact that the organisms in biopesticides may act differently in different environments.

The new experimental facility will be able to demonstrate the efficacy of Bionema’s range of biopesticide products – already proven effective and available in Europe – in the South American climate and against native forms of target pests in the region.

Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema, said “I am very confident that our proven technology will lead to commercialisation of new products and service in Colombia, to combat some of the difficult pest and disease which are causing millions of damage to exports products – the warm temperatures will favour these organisms, and I think we can expect to see some great results in the near future.”

Referring to the commercialisation of products for high value crops in Colombia, Dr Ansari added “This is a great opportunity for Bionema to enter a new market, and to help growers in South America to use more eco-friendly products that provide benefits for them as well as the country.”

With the ecological consequences of food production and agricultural practices coming under increased scrutiny, there is growing public and government support for natural alternatives to the harsh chemical pesticides that have been used for decades to control pests and diseases. Biopesticides are one alternative – these products utilize the natural enemies of plant pests, effectively using nature to control the unnatural population growth brought about by modern intensive farming practices. They are very effective at controlling insect pests, while being non-toxic to humans and the environment, residue-free and highly compatible with other control methods and IPM programmes.

Milton Najar, CEO of Scientia Colombia said: “Partnership between Scientia Colombia and Bionema can develop and commercialise next generation of biopesticide formulations to tackle rising pest and disease problem in high value crops in Colombia. Milton also highlighted the need of eco-friendly solution which benefits producers and consumers”.

Colin Martin-Reynolds CMG, UK Ambassador to Colombia, said “The UK offers world-class technology and innovative solutions that can support Colombia in realising the incredible potential of its agricultural sector. This is a tremendous, concrete result for our second AgriTech Mission, which will bring mutual prosperity both for Colombia and the UK.’’

Debbie Tully, Agri-Food at the Knowledge Transfer Network said “It is great to see this new collaboration resulting from the AgriTech mission to Colombia that KTN played a key part in organising. We look forward to seeing many more UK and Colombian partners connecting as a result of the mission and following the positive impact these collaborations have.”

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

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