VGR TopChanger plays its part in Open preparations

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VGR TopChanger plays its part in Open preparations: Preparations are well underway for the 152nd Open, taking place at Royal Troon this July. The Old Course has undergone some alterations since it last hosted the prestigious event back in 2016 including eight new tees and an overall lengthening of the course to just under 7400 yards.

Another new addition is a VGR TopChanger to the machinery shed of Course Manager Billy McLachlan and his team. He explains how the purchase of the TopChanger has significantly enhanced drainage and firmed up the playing surfaces since its delivery in September 2022.

VGR TopChanger plays its part in Open preparations

VGR TopChanger plays its part in Open preparations

Widely recognised as of the greatest links courses, Royal Troon are hosting the Open Championship for the 10th time in 2024 – the preparations for which are on track and in safe hands under Billy’s stewardship, who has been at the venue for over 40 years. In that time, he’s witnessed much in the way of technological development when it comes to maintenance equipment. “Sand injection is something that I looked at probably 12 to 15 years ago but, at the time, the machinery just didn’t deliver” he says. “More recently, effective solutions have become available bringing multiple benefits to plant health and the profile more generally. We’d been utilising the services of a contractor to conduct the operation for us, who did a good job but in wanting to increase the frequency in line with R&A recommendations, it became more economical to explore purchasing a machine of our own.”

Following an impressive demonstration, the club opted to purchase a TopChanger from VGR Equipment. The TopChanger uses high pressure waterpower to aerate the soil, with the option to simultaneously fill the channels with wet or dry sand – preventing anaerobic conditions, improving drainage and diluting organic matter throughout the profile. “Tom Peter from VGR brought the TopChanger in and we immediately thought it was brilliant. The flexibility of having our own machine, meaning we could conduct passes more frequently and, importantly, when the weather conditions were right made both financial and agronomic sense.”

“We were out in the Autumn of 2022, conducting one pass at a depth of 10” and a secondary pass at a shallower 3” before the weather turned” Billy explains. “Autumn 2023 saw us completing a further four passes on all 18 greens. Compared to other methods of aeration, the surface disruption is minimal and isn’t too much of a drain on our available labour and resources. The results are speaking for themselves, emerging from a very wet winter with the greens performing exactly as we need them to.”

He concludes, “It’s already proven to be a brilliant investment, which will also be put to good use on the Portland Course as well as the Old Course again later this year. The support from VGR throughout has also been first-class.”

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Bionema wins King’s Award for Enterprise

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Bionema wins King’s Award for Enterprise: Bionema Group Ltd, a spin-out company from Swansea University, has achieved a significant milestone. They have been honoured with the prestigious Innovation category award in the King’s Awards for Enterprise, the pinnacle of recognition for UK businesses.

The accolade celebrates Bionema’s groundbreaking NemaTrident®, a revolutionary eco-friendly biological solution for crop pest management. As a leader in biocontrol technology, Bionema is committed to reducing the reliance on pesticides and synthetic fertilisers in food production.

Bionema wins King's Award for Enterprise

Bionema wins King’s Award for Enterprise

The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses.

The Award programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with thriving businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

Bionema Group Ltd started trading in 2013 and works in biotechnology, creating pest management solutions for horticulture, forestry, and other industries.

Amidst the challenges of increasing pesticide resistance and severe environmental and human safety concerns, Bionema Group Ltd has emerged as a beacon of innovation. Their solution, NemaTrident®, competes with chemical pesticides by using microscopic nematode organisms to kill selected insects. This innovative approach is a game-changer in an industry where farmers rely heavily on chemical pesticides.

Nematode-based products have been available since the 1980s, but they consistently fell short of meeting the needs of growers. NemaTrident®, however, is a game-changer. It’s a patented tri-component nematode-based, non-toxic solution for insect pest control. Its unique encapsulation technology, combined with a soil penetrating wetting agent, facilitates nematode dispersal deeper into the soil, increasing the contact rate with target pest larvae and resulting in greater efficacy. Extensive customer education and support programmes ensure its practical application, making it a superior choice for pest control.

Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bionema, said:

“I’m proud Bionema has won the King’s Award for Enterprise, especially in the Innovation category. The discovery of natural microbes and developing and formulating advanced products free from pesticides are at the heart of the Bionema business philosophy”.

With greater interest in creating and maintaining a circular economy and due consideration of the UN Sustainability Development Goals, I founded Bionema in 2012 after working for eight years at Swansea University purely to design and develop new biology, emphasising using naturally occurring microbes.

The NemaTrident® IP-protected technology was acquired by Syngenta in 2021, which is the safer, cleaner, and more environmentally friendly solution. We have been fortunate to have received many industry awards and acknowledgements, all praising.

Still, I take immense gratification in receiving this ultimate business honour, especially in recognising our innovation. This will help enhance our platform and generate further interest in our disruptive technology.

This microbe is designed to reduce pesticides and fertilisers in our soil, air, and environment, as well as current societal issues, ultimately providing effective solutions for the benefit of future generations.”

Professor Helen Griffiths, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at Swansea University and Director of Swansea Innovations Limited, said,

“Huge congratulations to the Bionema team on this richly deserved accolade.  As a Swansea University Spin-Out business with over 30 years of experience, Bionema has worked tirelessly on developing research-derived biopesticide technologies, creating and launching a portfolio of commercially viable organic alternatives to damaging chemical pesticides”. 

Supporting enterprise and innovation within higher education is vital to ensuring that our world-leading research can progress from research in university laboratories to the development and launch of products and services that deliver outstanding impact. 

It’s been exciting to have been a part of the initial journey with the Bionema team, and we look forward to continuing to work with the business as they go from strength to strength.”

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The Pitchmark Group receives King’s Award

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The Pitchmark Group receives King’s Award: The Pitchmark Group has been honoured with the first ever King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.

The Pitchmark Group is one of 252 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise. Announced today (Monday 6 May), The Pitchmark Group has been recognised for its excellence in International Trade. A total of 257 Awards are made with five companies being recognised with two Awards.

The Pitchmark Group receives King’s Award

The Pitchmark Group receives King’s Award

Employing 29 people, The Pitchmark Group, founded in 2010 and located in Emersons Green, South Gloucestershire, is a market leader in line marking solutions.  The Pitchmark Group’s clients range from grassroots local clubs to iconic international arenas such as Wembley Stadium, Premier League football teams and prestigious events including the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and The UEFA European Championships 2016 in France. The company has a client base that encompasses all aspects of sports.

Tim Rodman, Managing Director of The Pitchmark Group, has this to say about the award:

“We are incredibly proud to have received the King’s Award for International Trade, having previously received the Queen’s Award 5 years ago. The award is testament to the team and proves that the business continues to grow and prosper.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

Applications for King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025 open on His Majesty The King’s Coronation, 6th May 2024 For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise.

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Phytophthora destroys Yew trees in Surrey

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Phytophthora destroys Yew trees in Surrey: Arboriculturists and gardeners alike will be familiar with the devastating effects that Phytophthora causes.

There are several hundred organisms of the Phytophthora species of oomycetes, commonly known as water moulds, and after honey fungus, they are the most destructive cause of root rot and stem base decay in trees and shrubs. They don’t stop there. Member species cause enormous problems for crops, bedding plants, pot plants, herbaceous perennials, and all types of woody plants. Above-ground symptoms include wilting and branch dieback, but these are often not apparent until the root decay is well and truly advanced. It may also be there are other factors at work below ground. Examination of roots might show a poor root system, but Phytophthora are microscopic, so there will be no evidence the organisms are the cause. Laboratory examination may be needed to decide if it is Phytophthora root rot or waterlogging, with which it is usually associated. Either way, improving drainage greatly reduces the chances and risk of the disease.

Phytophthora destroys Yew trees in Surrey

Phytophthora destroys Yew trees in Surrey

Such was the case at an extensive property in Farnham, Surrey. The owner had planted between 150 and 200 new Yew trees only to lose them to Phytophthora. It was decided to replace them, but the spores remain living in the soil. One solution is to destroy affected plants and replace the root run with fresh topsoil. The problem is, the Phytophthora may remain at depth. The solution in the Farnham garden was provided by Terrain Aeration with a combination of their Terralift deep aeration system and the owner’s treatment with a liquid product when rain was imminent. While the product does not kill the Phytophthora, it stops it from spreading. The Terralift uses a probe to reach a one-metre depth where it releases compressed air which fractures and fissures the soil in interlinked stages. The resulting aeration allows water and air to reach the roots and the water to drain, so no waterlogging. If the liquid product was watered over the top of the roots, there would be a lot of wasted run-off. Fracturing down at one-metre depth, creating fissures that allow the liquid to be washed in by the rain, and to reach through the root areas, is an effective combination.

Terrain Aeration www.terrainaeration.co.uk  01449 673783

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GroundsFest Expands to Accommodate Growing Exhibitor Demand

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GroundsFest Expands to Accommodate Growing Exhibitor Demand: GroundsFest 2024 is gearing up for its second year with remarkable growth and expansion.

With an impressive 90% rebook rate from 2023 exhibitors and many new first-time exhibitors, it’s clear that GroundsFest has become a must-attend event for industry professionals. The increased demand has led to significant expansion to accommodate the growing number of exhibitors and attendees.

GroundsFest Expands to Accommodate Growing Exhibitor Demand

GroundsFest Expands to Accommodate Growing Exhibitor Demand

The Outdoor Grand Ring, which now incorporates additional space, is completely sold out and only one spot remains available in Outdoor Areas A and B. Ring B, which is now the first accessible area upon visitors’ entry to the show, has undergone significant expansion to accommodate the increasing demand from exhibitors. Inside, there are only four stands remaining in Hall 1.

This growth is further evidenced by the increase in the number of exhibitors, with 212 already signed up compared to 171 in 2023. What’s more, over 70 new companies have committed to joining GroundsFest 2024, making it the largest event of its kind in the UK.

Christopher Bassett, Event Director of GroundsFest, expressed his excitement about the event’s growth, stating, “It’s truly remarkable to see GroundsFest expanding at such a rapid pace in just its second year. The overwhelming response from exhibitors speaks volumes about the value and impact of the event within the industry. We’re committed to providing a platform that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our exhibitors and visitors.”

GroundsFest 2024 is shaping up to be the highlight of the year. Behind the scenes, the team is working tirelessly to introduce even more hands-on interactive features that have never been seen at a trade show. From innovative hands-on demonstrations to educational seminars and live music, GroundsFest offers a unique and immersive experience that sets it apart from traditional trade shows.

As GroundsFest continues to grow and evolve, it remains dedicated to providing a platform where industry professionals can connect, learn, and see the latest innovations. With its rapid expansion and commitment to innovation, GroundsFest is leading the way in shaping the future of trade shows.

GroundsFest is also committed to investing in the future of the grounds management industry through the GroundsFest Education Fund. The Education Fund offers students financial support for essential items such as course materials, tools, and even driving lessons. Additionally, students can take advantage of accredited training courses covering a range of subjects vital to the industry’s operations.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

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

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