John Deere employees complete 1,400 mile challenge

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John Deere employees complete 1,400 mile challenge: A 41-strong team of John Deere employees has completed its 1,000-Mile Challenge in style, smashing through its distance and fundraising targets in the process.

The group took on the Peak District Ultra Challenge on Saturday 8 July, choosing to navigate either 50km in 24 hours, or 100km in 34 hours. In doing so, team John Deere managed to collectively cover more than 1,400 miles.

John Deere employees complete 1,400 mile challenge

John Deere employees complete 1,400 mile challenge

Generous sponsorship has seen more than £11,500 pledged to Cancer Research UK in the process.

“Cancer Research UK does really important work which touches the lives of so many, and it is our chosen charity for 2023,” said Chris Meacock, John Deere Division Sales Manager for Golf and Turf.

“We wanted to find something to suit varying fitness levels to encourage more participation, in turn helping to raise as much money as possible. We achieved both and a highly enthused team set about the challenge.”

Five brave souls completed 100km with 36 covering 50km, and collectively the team far exceeded the 1,000-miles target.

“It was not easy, but the team was spurred on by the cause,” Chris said. “The event organisation was superb, and our team was looked after fabulously, with food, water, and feet patched up as required.

“From the company’s point of view the challenge has generated fantastic positive energy and strengthened relationships. The whole team is delighted to have completed the distance and raised a huge amount of money for a thoroughly worthwhile charity.”

Donations can still be made at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/johndeere1000milechallenge

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Playability impresses at John O’Gaunt

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Playability impresses at John O’Gaunt: The Course Manager and Head Greenkeeper at the John O’Gaunt Golf Club in Bedfordshire believe that Attraxor® plant growth regulator has played a major part in all the positive feedback they have received this year.

The John O’Gaunt Golf Club is set in over 300 acres of tree-lined parkland and boasts two renowned 18-hole golf courses. The two courses are maintained by an outstanding greenkeeping team.

Playability impresses at John O’Gaunt

Playability impresses at John O’Gaunt

Nigel Broadwith is now in his 15th year as the Course Manager and while he admits to being very much hands-on, he still spends most of his time focussing on improving the playing characteristics of the two courses.

Nigel values the input from his Head Greenkeeper Kevin Armstrong, and together they identified Attraxor® as a product which could potentially signal some improvements.

“Poa annua seed heads are generally a problem in the UK and most courses suffer from them,” said Kevin. “We are no exception, and we were having to verticut weekly, if not more, just to keep on top of them. Mike Williamson from Agrovista Amenity suggested that we try Attraxor® and we started using it in March this year.”

Nigel said: “We had full confidence from the trial work we had seen from Agrovista Amenity. We have used other similar products, but we quickly found Attraxor® to be the best at supressing seed heads.”

Attraxor® is a plant growth regulator containing the active substance, prohexadione calcium and can be used to regulate growth of all managed amenity turf. This active substance inhibits the gibberellic acid pathway, which results in a reduction of turf height and turf biomass. Root growth is promoted whilst turf colour and quality are maintained.

Furthermore, using an innovative formulation for fast leaf absorption, the product provides almost instant results, as it is activated once diluted in water. Contrary to other plant growth regulators that need to be activated by the plant enzymes, Attraxor® can be used earlier or later in the season during cooler weather.

Both Nigel and Kevin elaborated on the success of the product.

“We have seen a massive seed head suppression,” said Nigel. “By the second application it was beginning to be highly noticeable. I do know from other courses in the area that seed heads have been rife this year, but we haven’t experienced that since applying Attraxor®

“A major improvement has been the playability, and the feedback we have had this year has been really positive in relation to the green speed and trueness. We believe that Attraxor® has had a major part to play in that positive feedback.

“It is such a good product, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to supress seed heads,” added Kevin. “We’d be happy to welcome anyone to visit our site so they can see how it has worked for us.”

Playability impresses at John O’Gaunt

Playability impresses at John O’Gaunt

Attraxor® can also be tank mixed with other products, something which Nigel and Kevin are particularly impressed with.

“We use Attraxor® in a tank mix with a liquid feed and this is a huge bonus,” said Kevin. “John O’Gaunt is a very busy golf club, and we don’t always have time to go out with a sprayer, so the more products we can apply at one time the better.”

Nigel agreed: “Back in the early days we would never have dreamed of mixing two products together, but due to the advancements in technology we are now able to. Plus, we are confident in Mike Williamson’s advice that we can mix Attraxor® with other products. We have found this to be incredibly beneficial in terms of the turf health and time and labour.”

In addition to the positive results from Attraxor®, Nigel was quick to point out the importance of working with key suppliers.

“I have been here 15 years and in my first couple of years we really struggled with disease and thatch. We sat down with Mike Williamson from Agrovista Amenity and he recommended some fungicide tank mixes. From that moment things started to improve dramatically, and ever since then we have been working together. I only work closely with a couple of suppliers, and I very much see Agrovista Amenity as part of my extended team.”

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

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FairWays Foundation receives record applications

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FairWays Foundation receives record applications: Founded in 2019 and currently in its 4th grant cycle, The FairWays Foundation has received a record number of applications and is now in the process of reviewing the 48 projects that qualified for Grant Committee consideration.

Projects undergo and stringent review process throughout the summer, with board approvals taking place in September. All successful grantees will be announced in October.

FairWays Foundation receives record applications

FairWays Foundation receives record applications

In 2022, The FairWays Foundation completed its third grant cycle, bringing the total funding to $441,791 since its inception with 29 projects supported across the USA, Canada and UK. It is anticipated that total funding will surpass the $600,000 mark this year.

Greg Lovell, President of The FairWays Foundation said, “We are extremely happy with this year’s grant applications. The quality and variety of projects is amazing. We have a record number of applications from a record number of countries and access to a record dollar amount to award.”

The FairWays Foundation is a stand-alone 501c3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting conservation and stewardship within the turf industry and beyond. The foundation supports conservation-based projects both big and small by granting funds to successful applicants globally.

To view more information about all the projects that have been supported in our previous funding cycles, click here.

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Ex-service personnel offered careers as machinery technicians

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Ex-service personnel offered careers as machinery technicians: John Deere has launched a ground-breaking resettlement programme for military service personnel, offering new career opportunities working on some of the world’s most advanced agricultural and professional groundscare machinery.  

Members of the armed forces have been identified as ideal candidates to bring their unique skill sets and experience to technician roles within UK and Ireland dealerships.

Ex-service personnel offered careers as machinery technicians

Ex-service personnel offered careers as machinery technicians

Responding to a global shortage of qualified technicians in the machinery sector, John Deere’s Military Hiring Programme will follow in the footsteps of a hugely-successful scheme launched in the United States which attracts more than 1,000 potential new recruits a year.

“We are passionate about finding a way to give back to those who have served our country,” says Allan Cochran, John Deere Branch Training Manager.

“The armed forces produces people who are highly skilled, motivated and extremely competent, and many already have the engineering skills needed to become qualified technicians.

“It’s the perfect fit for John Deere – we are able to play our part in supporting those resettling following careers in the armed forces while also attracting a different pool of people into the business.”

Signalling its commitment, John Deere has this week signed the Armed Forces Covenant; a pledge to ensure that those who serve, or have served, in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

Military personnel have been identified as a key source of talent for the machinery sector as many have already worked with some of the systems and products John Deere uses, making the transition straightforward.

Qualified technicians working across John Deere’s dealer network are required to service and maintain the vast range of machinery the company manufactures for customers in the UK and Ireland.

While the company is best known for its tractors, sprayers, combines, and other agricultural machinery, John Deere is also a leading provider of mowers, sprayers and utility vehicles used by groundscare professionals to maintain golf courses, sports pitches and amenity land.

Recruits will use the latest automation, artificial intelligence and guidance technologies to ensure customers always get the best performance and utilisation from their machines.

“Those who have served are experts at working under pressure and logically solving problems in order to keep a machine operational,” Allan says. “These are the skills John Deere dealerships need to keep the wheels turning.”

Those signing up to the programme will be offered free technical training to help them apply their current skills to John Deere products and services. There are more than 70 courses on offer.

“Everyone who signs up will be assigned to an employee from the John Deere network who has served in the armed forces who will be there to support each individual during the resettlement process,” Allan says.

Interested service members and ex-service members can learn more and fill out a contact card by visiting www.Deere.com/JDMHP.

After making contact, they will be put in touch with an individual from the John Deere network who has resettled following a career in the armed forces to discuss all potential options.

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McConnel Introduces the ROBOCUT S300e: The Ultimate All-Electric Slope Mower

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McConnel unveils the groundbreaking ROBOCUT S300e, an innovative all-electric remote-control slope mower.

Building upon the proven capabilities of the popular ROBOCUT S300, the S300e retains its exceptional features, including 55-degree slope operation, a 150m range, and bi-directional cutting. However, with the integration of electric power, it now offers the same high-performance level while ensuring zero emissions and reduced noise.

McConnel Introduces the ROBOCUT S300e: The Ultimate All-Electric Slope Mower

McConnel Introduces the ROBOCUT S300e: The Ultimate All-Electric Slope Mower

The ROBOCUT S300e is powered by two advanced Vanguard 48-volt lithium batteries, providing a runtime of up to 4 hours for uninterrupted operation on a single charge. Recharging the batteries typically takes around 8 hours. For added convenience, a fast-charging option is available, reducing the charging time to just 4 hours.

Engineered for maximum efficiency, the ROBOCUT S300e features a new 1.1m rotary mulching deck that has been specifically designed for electric operation. Equipped with two powerful motors that directly drive the blades, this innovative design ensures optimal efficiency and superior cutting performance, resulting in a more effective and quieter mowing experience.

The ROBOCUT S300e made its public debut at Flood and Water Live, a working demonstration event hosted by the Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA), Lincolnshire, on the 5th and 6th of July.

The ROBOCUT S300e is set to enter full production later this year, with delivery of new orders expected in early 2024.

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