Introducing the GroundsFest Academy

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Introducing the GroundsFest Academy: GroundsFest is proud to announce an exciting new initiative: the GroundsFest Academy, which has been designed to provide free education for anyone working in groundscare and landscaping. By reinvesting profits from GroundsFest back into the industry, the Academy aims to boost education, nurture talent, and help bridge critical skills gaps.

A Mix of Theory and Practical Learning

The GroundsFest Academy offers a unique blend of theoretical and hands-on practical education, covering a wide range of essential topics. In its first year, the Academy will focus on key subjects such as drainage and irrigation, machinery maintenance, synthetic surfaces, line marking, and end-of-season renovations. These topics are just a taster of what the Academy has planned, with even more areas of expertise to be covered.

Introducing the GroundsFest Academy

Introducing the GroundsFest Academy

Participants will not only gain insights from some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the field but will also earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points and certification, further enhancing their credentials and career prospects.

Accessible and Inclusive Learning

The GroundsFest Academy will see free educational days taking place at various accessible locations across the UK. Whether you’re an experienced professional looking to stay ahead of the curve or a student eager to enhance your studies, the GroundsFest Academy has something for everyone.

This initiative is also valuable for organisations, companies and local authorities. By providing free, high-quality training, the Academy supports employers in developing their teams and filling critical skills gaps. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for students to gain industry-specific knowledge, helping them transition into the workforce with confidence.

Supporting the Next Generation

GroundsFest has teamed up with Sports Turf Lecturer Bradley Tennant to lead the delivery of the Academy. Bradley brings years of industry experience and a passion for education.

“Education is key to the continued success and development of our industry,” says Bradley. “The GroundsFest Academy is an incredible opportunity for anyone in the industry to gain free access to valuable training. It’s about equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive, and I’m proud to be leading this initiative.”

Bridging the Skills Gap

“In many organisations, time and resources for training can be limited,” continues Bradley. “Through no fault of their own, senior management often lack the time or capacity to provide one-on-one training in essential skills and certain topics simply aren’t covered in traditional education pathways. The GroundsFest Academy addresses this gap by offering targeted training on subjects that matter most to professionals and employers alike.

“Whether you’re looking to advance your career, improve your team’s skills, or explore new areas of expertise, the GroundsFest Academy is here to help.”

This initiative highlights GroundsFest’s commitment to giving back to the industry that supports it. By reinvesting profits into education, GroundsFest continues to make an impact that goes far beyond the event itself.

More information on the GroundsFest Academy, including session dates and locations, will be announced soon along with a dedicated education and training portal.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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EcoBunker Highlights Thought Provoking New Research

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EcoBunker Highlights Thought Provoking New Research: Industry leading innovator of synthetic bunker wall technology, EcoBunker, will highlight the findings of two major research projects on stand 246 at BTME in Harrogate, from 21st January.

EcoBunker will showcase the full results of the Great British Bunker Study, a project produced with the support of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA). The study identifies significant opportunities for golf clubs to reduce bunker maintenance costs while increasing golfer satisfaction, two topics at the top of every club agenda.

EcoBunker Highlights Thought Provoking New Research

EcoBunker Highlights Thought Provoking New Research

Alongside the bunker study, EcoBunker will present new research by the Welsh government that reveals surprising insights into sustainability and bunker construction. With thought provoking results on show the EcoBunker stand should provide hot topics of discussion for anyone with an interest in turf management or sustainable practices in golf.

“We’re really excited for BTME,” said Richard Allen, inventor of synthetic bunker technology. “It’s always a fantastic experience to share and learn amongst such an informed group of people at the show. And this year we have some fascinating data that will provoke conversation and progress the understanding of sustainability and best practices in golf. Anyone who wants to find out more should visit us at stand 246”

In addition to the two research projects, the EcoBunker stand will highlight work at Royal Ostend Golf Club that shows how EcoBunker met the challenge of some of the most stringent environmental standards in Europe. The team will also showcase some of its installations of EcoTec bunker liners and their positive impact during recent turbulent weather events.

For more information, visit EcoBunker at stand 246 at BTME or visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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New airter® models revolutionise active aeration

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New airter® models revolutionise active aeration: Lister Wilder have reached an agreement with Novokraft AG to become the new exclusive UK importer for airter® – the world’s only continuous and homogenously operating pneumatic soil aerator.

In an exciting time for the partnership, two brand new airter® machines are set to be unveiled to the UK market at BTME 2025, with the airter® neo and airter® trike on show on stand 642.

New airter® models revolutionise active aeration

New airter® models revolutionise active aeration

After more than three years in development, the airter® neo and airter® trike are set to revolutionise sports turf aeration, utilising high compressed air to not only break through surface compaction, but provide 100% biological and effective control of pests, root-damaging grubs and Tipula larvae (Leather Jackets).

The new airter® neo 12140 is equipped with 12 lances making it ideal for large golf greens and football pitches, which can be covered in less than three and a half hours. One of the largest models in the airter® range, it’s set to deliver high productivity without excess weight preventing any further, unnecessary compaction.

Designed for smaller areas such as golf greens, the airter® trike 8140 is an electrically driven, self-propelled unit featuring 8 lances for impressive aeration. Work is also underway which will see the airter® trike become the first autonomous model in the range.

The working depth on both machines can also now be quickly and easily adjusted, tool-free, directly on the unit to suit operations between 8cm and 20cm in the ground.

Commenting on their appointment, Sales & Hire Director for Lister Wilder Phill Hughes said, “We’re delighted to be partnering with Novokraft to bring the airter® to the UK. The benefits that the machines offer for aeration and water filtration are exceptional but add to that the reported reduction of Chafer grubs and Leather Jackets through regular use, we believe these machines will play a vital part for the future of sports turf management.”

“In Lister Wilder, Novokraft AG has a strong and trustworthy partner for the distribution and sale of our newly developed airter® machines, which will redefine the market for active, deep compaction relief” adds Eric Hardman, CEO of Novokraft AG.

More information on the new additions, and the full airter® range can be found at airter.com or by speaking to the Lister Wilder team at BTME 2025 in January, on stand 642.

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The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner

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The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner: Designed for tree care, the GTA 40 is the first professional pruner available in the STIHL AS System of battery-powered tools. Combining low weight and compact design with high cutting performance, the GTA 40 excels at pruning on the ground as well as maintenance and corrective pruning in trees by trained climbing arborists.

Thanks to the low weight, excellent balance and impressive cutting speed, the GTA 40 is a viable alternative to using top handled chainsaws for tree canopy maintenance. In areas of overgrown and dense foliage, the compact and slim design of the GTA 40 is a particular advantage.

The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner

The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner

Two AS System batteries provide enough charge for up to 190 cuts when cutting spruce with a diameter of 5×5 cm. Like all STIHL professional battery-powered tools, the batteries and the pruner are IPX4 certified, resulting in reliable use in rain and wet conditions.

Equipped with a 6” STIHL Light 01 guide bar with low-friction sprocket nose and a narrow STIHL 1/4″ Picco saw chain, the GTA 40 ensures fast cutting performance and a smooth cutting result. The partially transparent chain oil tank ensures the operator is always aware of when the tank needs to be refilled.

Like many battery-powered tools, the GTA 40 is so quiet that no hearing protection is required, and to ensure the tool fits comfortably in your hand, the grip points are coated with a durable non-slip soft material. Features such as the lateral chain tensioner and charge level indicator also help to ensure effortless operation.

Suspension eyelets on both sides allow a lanyard to be attached. Alternatively, a holster is available as part of STIHL’s X-Flex Harness System, for even greater ease of use. A heavy-duty storage and transport case is included with all GTA 40 sets, with ample room for the AL 5-2 multi-charger and up to 6 AS 2 batteries.

The GTA 40 pruner can be integrated into the cloud-based STIHL Connected system solution via a Smart Connector attached to the motor housing. This digital fleet management system offers professional users a detailed overview of the operating time of the tool, as well as upcoming maintenance tasks and maintenance history records.

For more information on the GTA 40 and STIHL’s wide range of professional battery tools, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

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Bionema Unveils NemaGen™: Bionema Group, a leading developer of biocontrol technologies for crop protection and plant health management, announces the launch of NemaGen™, a next-generation range of native beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes.

Featuring species like Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, NemaGen™ is designed for superior adaptability and efficacy, tailored to increase local ecosystems. This innovative technology addresses critical pest challenges in agriculture, horticulture, sports turf, and forestry, achieving up to 20-30% improved pest control compared to conventional bioinsecticides or biopesticides, significantly reducing environmental impact.

Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

“NemaGen™ is a groundbreaking solution for biological pest control,” said Dr Minshad Ansari, CEO and Founder of Bionema. “By utilising native beneficial nematode strains, we provide highly effective solutions and adaptable to our customers’ environmental conditions. This innovation underscores our commitment to sustainable practices that protect ecosystems while enhancing productivity in the industry.”

Building on the success of NemaTrident® and Nemaspreader®—technologies acquired by Syngenta in 2021—NemaGen™ introduces improved adaptability and effectiveness through locally sourced nematodes. Honoured with the King’s Award for Innovation in 2024 for NemaTrident® innovation, NemaGen™ cutting-edge product has shown exceptional performance against pests like leatherjackets and chafer grubs, which cause over £70 million in annual turf damage.

Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

“Our NemaGen™ products go beyond pest control,” added Dr Ansari. “They empower growers, farmers, turf professionals, and foresters with sustainable tools to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides while safeguarding essential non-target species like pollinators and earthworms, vital for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem balance. This aligns with global efforts toward sustainable agriculture and food security.”

The NemaGen™ range integrates seamlessly with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, which combine biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods to manage pests sustainably. With its selective action against harmful insect pests, NemaGen™ minimises impact on non-target species and ecosystems, making it an environmentally friendly and practical solution for pest management.

Field trials conducted in 2022, 2023, and 2024 across several UK golf courses, soft fruits, forestry, and agriculture demonstrated over 90% control of leatherjackets and chafer grubs, supplemented by enhanced turf health with RootVita® biostimulants. These trials provided a practical programme for turf professionals.

Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

Bionema Unveils NemaGen™

Bionema’s launch of NemaGen™ reinforces its position as a pioneer in sustainable pest control. By delivering reliable and effective biocontrol solutions, the company continues to drive innovation for a safer, greener future in food production and natural resource protection.

For more information, visit: www.bionema.com

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