John Deere named on list of UK’s top 15 employers of veterans

John Deere named on list of UK’s top 15 employers of veterans

/in , /by

John Deere named on list of UK’s top 15 employers of veterans

John Deere has been named as one of the UK’s top 15 employers of armed forces leavers.

John Deere named on list of UK’s top 15 employers of veterans

John Deere named on list of UK’s top 15 employers of veterans

The achievement reflects the success of its Military Hiring Programme, which continues to offer veterans careers as technicians in agriculture and professional turfcare.

The GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme benchmarks organisations to set a national standard for employing former servicemen and women.

John Deere made the top 50 last year but has risen further up the ranks in the 2026 list, released today.  The company’s final placing will be announced in June at the ninth annual British Forces in Business Awards.

“We are passionate about finding a way to give back to those who have served our country,” said Allan Cochran, John Deere Branch Training Manager for the UK and Ireland.

“The skills and the mindset of those leaving the forces are perfectly suited to the roles being offered by our dealerships, and those who have resettled into the John Deere family have cited many similarities in a working environment that’s built around team effort and camaraderie.

“We’re honoured to be recognised in this way and thrilled to be shortlisted in the Top 15. It will further fuel our passion for offering service veterans a next step in their careers across the agricultural and professional turfcare sectors.”

The groundbreaking initiative to attract ex-service personnel into new careers at John Deere was launched in the UK in 2023.

Following the success of a similar scheme in the United States, the Military Hiring Programme matches ex members of the armed forces with technician role vacancies at dealerships across the country.

In addition to John Deere, four dealerships have signed the Armed Forces Covenant in support of service leavers pursuing careers in the agriculture and turf industries.

Hunt Forest Group, Ripon Farm Services, Ben Burgess and Tallis Amos Group have all pledged to ensure that those who serve, or have served, in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly and should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.

The 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans was created to provide a definitive, data-backed guide to the UK’s most exemplary Forces Friendly employers. It stands as a mark of excellence for organisations whose support is embedded, enduring and effective.

Each year, more than 15,000 individuals leave the British Armed Forces. Highly trained, values-driven and mission-focused, they represent one of the most capable and under-utilised talent pools in the labour market. Yet barriers remain to building a meaningful second career.

Ben Rossi, founder of the global Forces in Business Awards series and 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme, said: “Nine years in, the Forces in Business Awards have grown into a significant platform – not just for showcasing outstanding talent, but actively changing how the business world thinks about where that talent comes from. The quality of this year’s nominations has been remarkable and the stories behind them make the case more powerfully than any statistics ever could.

“Hiring from the Armed Forces community is not an exercise in corporate responsibility or morality. It’s a serious talent strategy which elevates business performance. These finalists are proof of that and we’re proud to celebrate them as high achievers in their own right, but more importantly as powerful role models for the many service leavers who follow them.”

Service members and ex-service members interested in the John Deere Military Hiring Programme can find out more by visiting Deere.com/JDMHP.

They will be put in touch with an ex-services person within the John Deere network to discuss all potential options.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

STIHL unveils next-generation professional battery system

STIHL unveils next-generation professional battery system

/in , , /by

STIHL unveils next-generation professional battery system 

STIHL has unveiled its new ALLPRO battery system, a next-generation professional battery platform designed to deliver more power, faster charging and increased flexibility for forestry, landscaping and groundcare professionals.

STIHL unveils next-generation professional battery system

STIHL unveils next-generation professional battery system

Developed to support demanding day-to-day applications, the ALLPRO system represents a major step forward in STIHL’s battery technology offering for professional users. The new system opens up more opportunities for professionals to transition from petrol-powered equipment to battery alternatives, while remaining compatible with STIHL’s existing AP battery system, including more than 80 tools.

At the heart of the ALLPRO range is a new generation of high-performance batteries engineered to provide increased power output, longer running times and significantly longer service life, while maintaining the robust durability expected from STIHL products.

The system also introduces ultra-fast charging capabilities. When paired with the appropriate STIHL mobile fast charger, batteries can be charged to 80 per cent capacity in just nine minutes, helping to minimise downtime and maximise productivity on-site.

The launch of ALLPRO forms part of STIHL’s wider battery transformation strategy, opening up many fields of application where customers previously had to rely on combustion-powered equipment. STIHL continues to invest heavily in battery innovation technology, underscoring its ambition to position itself as a leading provider of outdoor power equipment in the battery segment.

Paul Hicks, Product Manager at STIHL GB, said: “The launch of the ALLPRO battery system marks a significant milestone for STIHL and for our professional customers. ALLPRO has been developed to deliver the levels of power, durability and performance professionals demand, while also supporting the ongoing transition towards battery-powered equipment across forestry, arboriculture, landscaping and construction applications.

“By combining our experience in professional outdoor power equipment with decades of battery expertise, ALLPRO provides professionals with a system that can handle even the most demanding working environments.”

STIHL’s extensive network of Approved Dealers across Great Britain will be fully trained in ALLPRO battery technology via online and nationwide face-to-face events over the coming weeks. The STIHL Approved Dealer network will continue to help all customers choose the best tools, batteries and charge management solutions to suit their needs.

For more information on the new ALLPRO battery system, visit www.stihl.co.uk.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

/in , /by

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

Over 60 members and industry representatives attended the latest Amenity Forum Updating Event, bringing together expertise from across the amenity sector.

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

Amenity Forum Updating Event highlights shared sector priorities

The event featured a wide-ranging programme covering the future regulatory landscape, practical approaches to weed, pest and disease management, and the increasing importance of demonstrating responsible and evidence-based practice across the sector.

Agenda items included updates on the forthcoming GB glyphosate consultation, the latest data on pesticide inspection visits from HSE, integrated pest management approaches, digital record keeping and the role of technology in supporting professional standards and compliance. Speakers also explored the practical implications of evolving environmental expectations and regulatory scrutiny for operators across the amenity sector.

There was a shared focus on professionalism, practical delivery and ensuring the sector continues to engage positively with evolving environmental and regulatory expectations. The event also reinforced the importance of collaboration and collective industry engagement around key issues such as the GB glyphosate consultation and the continued development of integrated pest management approaches.

Richard Stow, Managing Director of Weedfree Ltd, sponsor of the first Updating Event of 2026, said:

“The event highlighted both the complexity of vegetation management and the importance of sharing knowledge and practical experience across the sector. It was encouraging to see such constructive discussion around integrated approaches, innovation and maintaining high professional standards.

A clear theme was the importance of collaboration across the sector to ensure that future policy discussions and regulatory decisions remain practical, proportionate and informed by operational realities on the ground.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

/in , /by

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

As stadiums lose access to natural light, turf management is becoming more controlled, precise and data-informed.

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

How technology is changing natural grass management in modern stadiums

Modern stadiums are changing. Enclosed roofs, higher stands and multi-use schedules are reducing access to natural light, while expectations around pitch quality remain as high as ever. With stadiums hosting more events and recovery windows becoming shorter, maintaining consistent natural grass pitches has become a growing operational challenge for grounds teams and venue operators alike. In some environments, natural conditions are no longer available at all.

To respond to these challenges, stadium operations are increasingly moving towards more controlled environments supported by technology. Developed in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich, Rhenac®’s patented CLS® (Complete Light Spectrum®) technology was created to support natural and hybrid sports turf in these conditions. Rather than relying on fixed lighting schedules, the system adjusts light spectrum and intensity in relation to plant needs and surrounding environmental factors, helping grounds teams make more informed decisions based on pitch conditions.

The technology is available across both mobile systems and integrated stadium installations, supporting everything from targeted treatment areas to complete stadium coverage. It is already used in leading venues including the underground pitch system at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Schalke 04’s VELTINS Arena and Leigh Sports Village — some of the most demanding environments for natural grass in professional sport.

This approach has now been recognised with two “Winner” distinctions at the German Innovation Awards 2026 in the categories Circular Impacts and Lighting Solutions. Organised by the German Design Council, the award recognises innovations that combine practical relevance with long-term value across the sports industry. The jury brings together independent experts from business, science and industry.

The technology was also shortlisted for the Smarter Sports Awards 2026 in the category Smarter Venue & Infrastructure Innovation, recognising its contribution to the future of stadium infrastructure and operations.

Reflecting on the award, Horst Theisen, CEO of Rhenac®, said:

“What this recognition highlights is how quickly expectations around natural playing surfaces are evolving. Maintaining natural grass now depends as much on managing the environment as reacting to weather conditions.

Across the industry, we’re moving away from fixed routines towards more responsive and data-led turf management. That development is already underway and will continue shaping how modern stadiums operate in the future.”

By aligning light application more closely with plant needs, CLS® supports more consistent pitch quality while enabling smarter use of energy and other inputs. As stadium operations continue to evolve, this level of precision is becoming essential for maintaining high-quality natural playing conditions in demanding stadium environments.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

Abersoch weathers coastal challenges with Johnsons J Sustain Fairway

Abersoch weathers coastal challenges with Johnsons J Sustain Fairway

/in , /by

Abersoch weathers coastal challenges with Johnsons J Sustain Fairway

Perched on the Welsh coastline, Abersoch Golf Club has always lived at the mercy of the elements. Managing those ever-changing conditions for the last 37 years is Head Greenkeeper Arthur Evans who, in recent years, has found a combination of the right grass seed mixture and expert advice has transformed the condition and resilience of the 18-hole course – that combination being Johnsons J Sustain Fairway from DLF.

Abersoch weathers coastal challenges with Johnsons J Sustain Fairway

Abersoch weathers coastal challenges with Johnsons J Sustain Fairway

Expanded from a nine-hole course up to 18 in 1988, Abersoch offers its members a traditional links golf experience. The challenge of managing surfaces in such an exposed location without fairway irrigation is one relished by Arthur and a team of just three, made easier with the help and advice of trusted industry contacts – one of whom is DLF’s Stuart Yarwood. “I knew Stuart when he was greenkeeping and when he joined DLF, he came in to pay us a visit. Quite quickly the conversation moved beyond just products and into practical agronomic support” he explains.

For years, the club had struggled with ryegrass and fescue mixtures that germinated well but failed to retain coverage when drought conditions arrived. In an attempt to encourage the naturally occurring sheeps and hard fescue and bolster this with other hardwearing, resilient and top-ranking fescue cultivars, Arthur and the team opted to sow J Sustain Fairway from the Johnsons Sports Seed range.

“It was evident very quickly that the J Sustain Fairway mixture was able to thrive in our sandy soil environment and within a few months from the first sowing, the club and the players noticed significant improvements in both coverage and sward density.” Arthur continues, “Last year was our third year on this programme and, arguably, the most challenging with very prolonged, dry conditions. Thanks to the now established fescue populations, the fairways emerged relatively unscathed which also instils confidence that the course is in a much better position to survive these extremes in weather moving forwards.”

Designed to thrive under low-input management, J Sustain Fairway’s fine-turf fescue formulation delivers excellent playability, density and visual merit with reduced fertiliser, lower irrigation and less intensive maintenance. Introduced to the range in 2023, it performs particularly well on heathland and links courses and those exposed sites prone to environmental extremes.

Stuart has been keeping a close eye on the progress, together with DLF’s Ben Morgan and the STRI agronomy team. “Because we don’t have fairway irrigation, we only really get overseeding window every year in the autumn, which makes the performance of this mixture even more impressive.” He concludes, “The compliments we’ve received from the members are testament to the turnaround J Sustain Fairway has delivered.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters