J 4Turf 50 proves the versatile choice

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J 4Turf 50 proves the versatile choice: One of the UK’s most prominent sports pitch contractors has praised J 4Turf 50 from the Johnsons Sports Seed range for the pivotal role it plays in the renovations of a range of turf surfaces.

White Horse Contractors note the versatility of the 50/50 tetraploid and perennial ryegrass blend, which has delivered reliable results and season-long performance at facilities across the country.

J 4Turf 50 proves the versatile choice

J 4Turf 50 proves the versatile choice

Known for more than six decades of expertise and trusted by venues across the sporting spectrum, White Horse offer the full range of specialist design, construction, drainage and maintenance services. Chris Last joined White Horse as Technical Manager just over a year ago and brought his relationship with Johnsons Sports Seed – and firm belief in the DLF 4turf® tetraploid variety – with him! “I had used J 4Turf in my previous role and had the opportunity to experience the benefits they bring to winter sports pitches first-hand” he explains. “It wasn’t long before the White Horse team saw this for themselves and quickly had the confidence to employ J 4Turf 50 in a number of our projects.”

With the ever-increasing pressure on turf managers to produce top quality surfaces suitable for year-round play, DLF’s unique 4turf® tetraploid ryegrass provides the solution for the sports turf market. With exceptional disease resistance, superior drought tolerance and reduced requirements for water and fertiliser, 4turf® mixtures are the sustainable choice and are available in 25, 50 and 100% formulations within the Johnsons Sports Seed range.

“We have found J 4Turf 50 to be an incredibly versatile seed that we can use across many sports and on sites with different Sport England pitch constructions. It has demonstrated fantastic drought tolerance during challenging periods of weather and has reliably created a strong sward that establishes quickly whether in a stadium environment, training ground, polo field or school sports field.”

Chris adds, “In addition, deep rooting was evident on all of the sites we used the mixture on during the summer of 2024, which is even more important when it comes to establishing a sward on a primary or secondary drainage line.”

With the positive experience of last season under their belt, it’s full steam ahead for Chris and the team as they prepare for another busy year ahead. “As a contractor, working at some of the country’s finest stadia and sports clubs, it’s incredibly important that we use materials that are reliable and are going to perform exactly as they say on the tin. 4turf has always done exactly that for me, and J 4Turf 50 has taken that to the next level in terms of versatility and high performance.”

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FSI B21 a great fit for JB Tree Services

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FSI B21 a great fit for JB Tree Services: An FSI B21 stump grinder is proving that compact certainly does not mean a compromise in efficiency and performance for Joe Baker of JB Tree Services.

With the majority of jobs coming from residential customers in and around Trowbridge, his recently  purchased FSI B21 gives him the manoeuvrability to tackle stumps in tight and restricted spaces as well as providing full control over his work schedule compared to the trepidation of relying on hire machines.

FSI B21 a great fit for JB Tree Services

FSI B21 a great fit for JB Tree Services

After working as a tree surgeon for Bath Council for six years, Joe started working for himself full-time in 2021. Commercial and council work for Trowbridge Town Council remains a key part of his offering, but he explains that the majority of demand for him and his team of two comes from residential customers. “These sorts of customers are looking for a ‘one stop shop’ – if they’re having a tree removed, they also want the stump dealt with on the same day.”

“I started off hiring a stump grinder as and when I needed one, but found they’d turn up used and abused, nearly always blunt. The time was definitely right to invest in our own machine that would be well maintained and available whenever we needed it.” While no stranger to stump grinders, Joe had no prior experience of an FSI, but admits it took little convincing that the brand was the perfect solution! “We had the slightly bigger FSI B31 on demonstration from GA Groundcare Ltd and the first thing we noticed was the outstanding build quality. The whole team had the opportunity to use it and all agreed that of all the various makes and models they’d used, in operation, this was by far the best.”

Peace of mind

Decision made, the pedestrian FSI B21 stump grinder joined the machinery fleet in August 2024. “There’s a lot to like about this machine, with a lot of features bringing newfound efficiency to stump removal.” He explains, “Firstly, the 14hp engine delivers impressive power. The turntable feature is brilliant in terms of operator comfort, the safety bar allows us to disengage the cutter wheel for safe and unhindered movement around the stump. The hill-hold system which is unique to FSI is another gamechanger – blocking any forward wheel motion and allowing us to pull the machine backwards to easily navigate ramps, steps and uneven terrain.”

“The peace of mind of being able to fell a tree in the morning and having the FSI B21 to hand to grind the stump in the afternoon is brilliant, seeing the machine in high demand since we’ve had it. The back-up from GA Groundcare has also been excellent. We can’t fault the machine or the service we’ve had from start to finish.”

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GroundsFest 2025 Expansion Continues

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GroundsFest 2025 Expansion Continues: Following an outstanding 2024 event, GroundsFest 2025 is set to be even bigger, with significant growth in exhibitor numbers, stand space, and industry influence. The event’s rapid expansion highlights its position as the largest event for the grounds management and landscaping industries.

The numbers speak for themselves:

  • 19,365sqm of sold exhibitor space already—with seven months still to go
  • 6,300sqm of extra stand space added to accommodate exhibitor demand
  • 91% of 2024 exhibitors have rebooked, proving the event’s exceptional value
  • 52 brand-new exhibitors already confirmed for 2025, with many more to come
GroundsFest 2025 Expansion Continues

GroundsFest 2025 Expansion Continues

This rapid expansion cements GroundsFest as the industry’s fastest-growing trade event, offering exhibitors and visitors more brands, more networking, and more hands-on experiences than ever before.

The 2025 exhibitor list is already shaping up to be the event’s most diverse yet, with leading industry names and exciting newcomers joining the GroundsFest community. Some of the new first-time exhibitors include, DEWALT, Bosch Outdoor Garden, AMAZONE Ltd, Martin Lishman, BLOCK BLITZ, Först, Wessex International and Trilo – to name just a few.

The addition of these exhibitors—along with the overwhelming rebooking rate from returning companies—is a clear indicator of GroundsFest’s growing influence and industry-wide trust.

Sales Director Charles Neale expressed his enthusiasm for the show’s exceptional momentum, stating:

“The speed at which GroundsFest is growing is simply phenomenal. The fact that 91% of last year’s exhibitors have already rebooked speaks volumes about the success of the event and the business opportunities it provides. The increasing demand for space, the addition of 52 new exhibitors, and the support from the industry show that GroundsFest is exactly what the sector needed—an engaging, interactive, and accessible event that truly delivers for exhibitors and visitors alike.”

With its expanding footprint, exhibitor line-up, and industry support, GroundsFest 2025 is shaping up to be the most impactful edition yet. The event’s strong focus on education, live demonstrations, and hands-on experiences, is setting new standards for industry trade shows.

GroundsFest 2025 takes place on 9 and 10 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Stay tuned for more updates as the industry’s biggest and most exciting event gets even bigger.

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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TGA Warns of Further Turf Price Increases in 2025

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TGA Warns of Further Turf Price Increases in 2025: The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) has issued a warning about anticipated price increases for turf products in 2025.

Following another year of challenging weather conditions and ever increasing operational costs, TGA members have reported mounting pressures that will inevitably drive up the overall cost of production, and therefore the sale price of turf.

TGA Warns of Further Turf Price Increases in 2025

TGA Warns of Further Turf Price Increases in 2025

This continues a trend in recent years, as the industry grapples with the ongoing effects of extreme and variable weather patterns. In 2024, further widespread wet weather, increased disease management programmes, and in many cases the legacy of the previous winter’s adverse weather have once again driven up production costs across the whole supply chain.

Impact of National Insurance Contribution Changes

Adding to these challenges, the government’s increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions, effective from April 2025, will significantly affect turfgrass producers. Contributions are set to rise from 13.8% to 15%, while the threshold at which employers begin paying contributions will drop from £9,100 to £5,000. These changes will substantially increase payroll costs for labour-intensive industries including turfgrass production.

Richard Owens, Chair of the TGA, commented: “2024 was another particularly challenging year for the turfgrass industry. Alongside continued weather-related disruptions and increasing operational costs, government-mandated fiscal changes are adding further pressures. Price adjustments are essential to ensure the industry’s viability and ability to meet future demand.”

Building on Previous Challenges

The anticipated price rises for 2025 build on the challenges highlighted at the start of 2024, when the TGA warned of price increases driven by extreme weather, rising fertiliser and fuel costs, and supply chain issues.

Looking Ahead

The TGA remains committed to supporting its members by promoting best practices, advocating for industry needs, and exploring innovative solutions to mitigate future challenges. However, with the effects of climate change continuing to impact growing conditions and economic pressures mounting, the association urges stakeholders to anticipate price volatility and plan accordingly for upcoming projects.

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Adapted vehicle restores Cornishman’s independence

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Adapted vehicle restores Cornishman’s independence: An adapted John Deere Gator has enhanced the mobility and independence of a St Austell resident with an enthusiasm for outdoor life. 

Regional agricultural and turf machinery dealer, Masons Kings, worked in collaboration with Adaptacar to restore Paul Clemes’ ability to doing what he loves best.

Adapted all-terrain vehicle restores Cornishman’s independence

Adapted all-terrain vehicle restores Cornishman’s independence

Mobility challenges have made it difficult for Paul, who is paralysed from the chest down, to access certain areas, so he approached Masons Kings for help.

A John Deere XUV865M Gator was adapted to meet Paul’s specific needs with modifications providing increased accessibility and usability, enabling him to operate the vehicle safely and navigate varied terrain.

The modifications that were made include Adaptacar’s left hand push/pull driving controls and quick release steering wheel aid, a winch to lift Paul’s powerchair into the vehicle, a Perspex screen on the front and rear cage, a person lift, a four-point harness and single folding ramps for the powerchair when using the winch.

“This adapted John Deere machine will change parts of my life,” said Paul. “I now have the freedom to go where I want, and it shows that there are solutions for people with disabilities. Just because you’re disabled, you’re not isolated.

“We were committed to delivering a solution that would make a real difference for Paul,” said David Barnes, Commercial Sales Consultant at Masons King. “It has been a privilege to provide Paul with a vehicle that regains independency.”

Masons Kings is a leading agricultural and turf dealership operating across Devon and Cornwall, providing specialist service and support for 40 years.

A video interview with Paul and David can be watched online.

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