Enhancing Ganton Golf Course

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Enhancing Ganton Golf Course: Simon Olver, Course Manager at Ganton Golf Club in North Yorkshire, and his team, have spent the last few years transforming all areas of the course. He explained how alongside some significant course shaping projects, a range of products, especially Attraxor®, are playing a pivotal role in maintaining the course to the highest standards.

Having started his greenkeeping career at the age of 16, Simon’s commitment to excellence led him to the position of Head Greenkeeper by the age of 19. Two decades later, he embarked on a new challenge at the prestigious Ganton Golf Club, a world-class course, ranked number 8 in England, with a rich history of hosting major competitions.

Enhancing Ganton Golf Course

Enhancing Ganton Golf Course

Ganton’s commitment to sustainability aligns with Simon’s vision, aiming to create a pristine environment which is favourable for traditional golf while minimising their carbon footprint. In the pursuit of this goal, Simon acknowledges the challenges posed by the abundant options and choices available. However, he firmly believes in the principle of ‘less is more,’ advocating for a streamlined approach to product selection.

Enter Agrovista Amenity, a key supplier for Simon’s diverse needs. Their extensive portfolio simplifies the decision-making process and among their standout products, the plant growth regulator, Attraxor® has gained prominence. Attraxor® not only optimises turf quality via excellent turf growth regulation and Poa annua suppression but also promotes root growth and enhances colour.

“Attraxor® has proved to be a fantastic addition,” said Simon. “Our aim is to minimise Poa annua in our surfaces as much as possible, while allowing us to achieve our goals. We apply it to our greens every 29 days, starting with lower application rates in spring and increasing to higher application rates in the main playing season, in line with increasing growth rates.

We then lower application rates as we approach the end of the season with decreasing rates of growth. This provides very good growth control, while allowing us to promote a healthy environment for the finer grasses over any annual meadow grass. It has delivered more consistent results across all the grass species, compared with similar products I have used in the past.”

Enhancing Ganton Golf Course

Enhancing Ganton Golf Course

Simon also explained how wetting agents play an integral role at Ganton.

“For the past three years we have used ICL’s TriSmart on our tees, greens, and approaches. It has been very reliable, and it allows us to deal with dry conditions and hydrophobic areas. We also use Revolution from Aquatrols, at various levels of concentration to improve the soil structure and it helps to utilise the moisture within the soil. The beauty with Revolution is that it allows the moisture to drop very low without areas becoming hydrophobic.”

As well as reporting positive results from the products, Simon praised the support and level of service he receives from Agrovista Amenity.

“We have got a very good relationship with the company, and this has strengthened over recent years working with my Agrovista Amenity specialist, Tom Wood, who is available to provide product support, such as new technologies, application rates, information on product performance in various conditions and any regulatory changes we need to be aware of.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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BOSS ORV at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show

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BOSS ORV at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show: BOSS Off-Road Vehicles, as sole UK distributor of Corvus Off-Road Vehicles, Paxster, Faunamaster and Powerland, brings eco-friendly vehicle solutions to agriculture. Models from the ranges will be on display in the Low Carbon Agriculture Show at the NAEC, Stoneleigh on the 6th and 7th of March.

The Corvus Terrain EX4 is a 100% electric 4×4 utility vehicle built in a European factory that adheres to sustainable practices. The EX4 successfully tackles rough terrain while also being legal for driving on roads, making it ideal as a silent, non-polluting everyday vehicle for agriculture and groundscare.

BOSS ORV at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show

BOSS ORV at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show

The Paxter eCompact and eStretch are all-electric, compact and agile utility vehicles. They are suited to an exceptionally wide range of applications and are engineered for hard work and practicality. Built for sustainability, they are available as new, and 2nd Drive last nut and bolt factory refurbished models. As a single-seat vehicle, the Paxter is ideal for navigating tight spaces and features an electric tipper. It has the ability to draw up to 3000 watts from onboard sockets for powering tools and machinery.

Powerland’s Tachyon electric all-terrain vehicle offers all the benefits of conventional off-road utility vehicles while ensuring no damage to the environment. The manufacturer says they have the aim of inspiring more companies to fundamentally change the way they operate for a more sustainable future. The Tachyon is the complete, fully electric (Li-ion) road-legal ATV with tractor homologation. BOSS ORV will be on stand LEV 8 at the show.

For more information you can call 01785 561046 E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk Web: www.bossorv.co.uk

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INFINICUT® fleet impresses at Coventry City

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INFINICUT® fleet impresses at Coventry City: It’s been an exciting two years for Dale Gregory since he joined Coventry City Football Club as their new Head of Grounds & Facilities.

Not only has he overseen the significant expansion of the club’s Sky Blue Lodge Training Ground and Alan Higgs Academy Site, but investment has also resulted in the purchase of first-class equipment to maintain it! Among his new fleet are a trio of INFINICUT® SM34 Rotary mowers and another three FL34 cylinders, helping to deliver year-round presentation and outstanding quality of cut.

INFINICUT® fleet impresses at Coventry City

INFINICUT® fleet impresses at Coventry City

Dale leads a team of six, responsible for looking after the surfaces across the two sites. “At the Sky Blue Lodge we have two and a half hybrid pitches that are for the first-team and four natural pitches at the Alan Higgs centre for the academy” he explains. “The construction of the pitches at Sky Blue Lodge is identical to that at the stadium – and we maintain it as such – to give the players the same experience they’re going to get when it comes to match day.” Consistency and familiarity was also what led Dale to the INFINICUT’s, having used these in his previous role at the King Power Stadium.

“The quality of cut and presentation, particularly striping, produced by the INFINICUT® range is one of the best I’ve seen.” With this in mind, Dale opted for a fleet comprised of three SM34 rotary’s and three FL34 cylinder mowers, delivered by Martin Shepherd of George Browns Ltd in February 2023. “Throughout the winter, training is still happening every day so we use the Rotary’s to follow up with a clean-up cut, maintaining the height and removing debris. When we don’t have training, we’ll employ the services of the cylinders to sharpen up the cut and further boost presentation levels.”

He continues, “Not only are we getting the aesthetics we want, the fact they’re also electric was another major reason we opted for INFINICUT®, as we look to improve our operations on the sustainability front. As well as reducing emissions and vibration levels, they’re quiet, which means we can mow one pitch while players are training on the other.”

The club also took delivery of a pair of SpringRake™ and ThatchMaster™ cassettes from the TMSystem™ to quickly and easily equip into their FL34’s. “Grooming is essential for keeping the plant healthy and doing it with the INFINICUT® means we can keep unnecessary weight off the pitches. These operations will be conducted regularly throughout the spring and autumn and play an important part in our overall maintenance programme.”

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Combining maximum accuracy with minimum drift

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Combining maximum accuracy with minimum drift: Techneat unveils 2 battery powered additions to its pedestrian sprayer line-up.

Cambridgeshire based manufacturer Techneat Engineering has added 2 new eco-friendly models to its range of world class pedestrian sprayers, with both the Pro-Espray and Prodrift machines offering groundcare professionals a step forward in performance with significant environmental and economic benefits.

Combining maximum accuracy with minimum drift

Combining maximum accuracy with minimum drift

New for 2024, the Pro-ESpray represents a major improvement in battery powered electric sprayers – offering unrivalled performance, fingertip controls and built-in safety features.

Key features include a high-capacity Li-on battery and diaphragm pump specifically designed to offer excellent flow and pressure outputs. The Pro-Esprays’ control systems are based on the companies well established engine driven SPPS model, offering operators individual three-way boom section controls.

Superior sprayer accuracy is combined with triple nozzle holders on a choice of 3 or 4m boom options making the Pro-ESpray a very effective machine, with both noise exposure and vibrations practically eliminated for maximum operator comfort. Advanced safety features include a built-in auto brake, emergency stop and a resettable fuse to protect the operator.

Completing Techneat’s new line-up is the Prodrift. The Prodrift keeps spray drift to an absolute minimum whilst maintaining maximum accuracy and offers operator’s unparalleled manoeuvrability due to its unique 3-wheel set up.

Using a high-power Li-on battery to power a 12v pump supplying 4 spray nozzles mounted into a spray hood, the Prodrift has 2 fixed rear wheels and a front mounted, single pivot wheel enabling it to spray up against boundary edges with a tough roto moulded boom cover and flexible integrated skirt retaining all spray drift. This enables the machine to be used in both critical areas and perform in less than favourable weather conditions.

Pressure control is easy to adjust using a highly visible pressure gauge and the Prodrift also offers a simple handle bar mounted on/off switch, low decibel noise output and low vibration levels for improved operator comfort and performance.

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Lantra Shines a Light on Land-based Careers

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Lantra Shines a Light on Land-based Careers: The spotlight is on land-based and environment careers during this year’s National Careers Week, showcasing the breadth and diversity of opportunities that exist in this exciting area.

Lantra, the leading awarding body for the land-based and environment sector, is highlighting that a career in this area is varied and open to all. From career seekers to career changers, there are entry-points and pathways for people from all backgrounds, and all walks of life, which are highlighted on the Lantra careers web resource.

Lantra Shines a Light on Land-based Careers

Lantra Shines a Light on Land-based Careers

Stephanie Stevens, Careers and Engagement Manager at Lantra commented: “There is a challenge in making young people, particularly, aware that the land-based and environment sector exists – never mind the range of jobs that fall under farming, looking after trees, landscaping and so much more!”.

“Lantra is delighted to be celebrating #NationalCareersWeek, following our recent attendance at What Career? Live. We want to support and empower individuals to take the next step in their career by finding out more about pathways like apprenticeships, further education, and the many vocations the sector has to offer”.

Lantra had a presence for the first time at the busy What Career? Live event which took place on the 1 and 2 March. The careers team were joined by Ollie Brisbourne, who works for a virtual fencing business and is an active member of the Newport Young Farmers Club in Shropshire, who also spoke at the event.

Ollie said: “Agriculture is modernising day by day, with technology becoming a more benefiting factor throughout. My job has allowed me to maximize the benefit of my understanding of the farming industry and farmers themselves, to offer support within the use of Nofence and the data provided.

This system enables fencing virtually, working with GPS and mobile signal to keep livestock within the virtual boundary, benefiting both animal welfare, habitat management, and a variety of other farming systems.”

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