International representation at SALTEX

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International representation at SALTEX: Organisers of SALTEX, Europe’s largest free sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition, have announced that currently there’s a 16 percent increase in international exhibitors attending the 2023 show from 2022.

Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial and events at the GMA, says: “Not only is the exhibitor list internationally diverse, but there are visitor registrations from 39 countries already too. Statistically, this makes 2023 the most internationally-recognised show in the grounds care sector – that’s with weeks still to go until the show and the potential for more to come.”

International representation at SALTEX

International representation at SALTEX

So, what’s the reason for sports turf management personnel from around the world making the journey to SALTEX in Birmingham in November?

Aside from it being the longest-standing and largest trade show for the sector, SALTEX is internationally renowned, strengthened by its long history of success and being the exhibition of choice for five of the UK’s National Governing Bodies (NGBs), SALTEX has location on its side.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, adds: “SALTEX isn’t just a show for the UK, it’s a show in the UK for the entire industry worldwide. Author of FIFA’s official handbook on pitch maintenance, Richard Hayden’s comments about the UK being the global leader in grounds management, are true. The UK is 10 years more advanced than anywhere else in the world and has expertise like no other when it comes to sports-turf management.

“He is absolutely right that ‘if you want to work in technology, you go to Silicon Valley and the UK is the Silicon Valley of turf’ – the UK and specifically SALTEX is where you go to learn and network with some of the greatest in the business.”

The English grounds-management sector alone is valued at more than £1bn and employs more than 27,000 people, with specialists in every area, from seed enthusiasts who can breed grasses that grow in the shade to scientists who develop chemicals to make grass greener. Representatives from all areas will be at SALTEX.

Sarah continues: “Whatever the area of interest, visitors can be assured it will be covered by exhibitors, Learning LIVE educational seminars, representatives from National Governing Bodies, and grounds people and turfcare professionals making sport possible.”

There are international exhibitors coming from Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and USA.

Specifically, there’s Kreon from Spain, a trendsetting manufacturer from an architectural perspective; DJuke, exhibiting under the name Hydrowick, with its lightweight flexible standing water solution products for improved turf quality; GKB from The Netherlands, designers/manufacturers of machines for the sports sectors and golf course maintenance, and Jacobsen from the USA, producers in lawn and light duty machinery into the sports industry, dealers and parts available.

Of course, it helps that for any visitors coming from overseas, Birmingham is conveniently centrally located. Right next to the airport, the NEC is just a four-minute walk from Birmingham International railway station and for those driving, the NEC is in the centre of the UK’s motorway network with its ample parking and GMA members parking is subsidised for the duration of the event.

Register now for Europe’s largest and leading sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition at Birmingham NEC on 1-2 November 2023 at: https://bit.ly/456l0dA

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Johnson’s J 4Turf 25 delivers strength at Stratford

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Johnson’s J 4Turf 25 delivers strength at Stratford: J 4Turf 25 from the Johnsons Sports Seed range is ticking the boxes of wear tolerance, quick establishment and fast recovery for the team at Stratford Racecourse – as the track finds itself in the midst of a packed eight-month summer race season.

Head Groundsman Sam Linley has been relying on the tetraploid blend for the last two years, with the deeper rooting and harder wearing perennial ryegrasses providing outstanding strength to the highest areas of wear and tear around the track.

Johnson’s J 4Turf 25 delivers strength at Stratford

Johnson’s J 4Turf 25 delivers strength at Stratford

Racing has taken place at the Warwickshire venue since 1755, with the summer jumps track hosting a meet on average every two weeks between the months of March and October. While seasonal breaks present an opportunity for Sam and his team to conduct some remedial works in late spring and early autumn, the batches of fixtures leave little time in the remainder of the season for recovery. “Stratford isn’t the biggest of tracks in terms of width and total ground” Sam explains, “so quick recovery is absolutely critical – especially in the summer where meets come thick and fast!”

“We’ve been using J 4Turf 25 for two years now after struggling to find a mixture that could withstand the high impact around the fences. Our Regional Technical Manager from DLF Ian Barnett together with Adam Moss from Aitkens recommended the tetraploids for their deeper rooting and we honestly can’t fault the results we’ve had with it, particularly on the bends and the landing and take-off areas.”

The blend of highly-rated diploid perennial ryegrass, along with Fabian and Tetragame 4Turf tetraploids makes J 4Turf 25 an ideal choice for equestrian use. The sward strength, outstanding visual merit and ultra-fast establishment delivered by the tetraploid cultivars have proven their worth as both a post and in-season renovation mix.

“The sooner we can get recovery post-race, the quicker we can crack on with the other maintenance tasks we need to get done, sometimes in very limited windows between fixtures. That’s been brilliant with the Johnsons mix.”

This year, Sam has also introduced further visual appeal to the site through the introduction of a wildflower area sown with the Chameleon mixture from DLF’s ColourBoost collection. “We had a banked area in one of the enclosures which was maintained but looked a little run down. Ian and Adam suggested some high-impact wildflowers and this has transformed the space… great effect with very little effort! Not only have we had lovely comments from people admiring the display but it’s been great to see more bees, butterflies and moths around.” He adds, “It’s been a great to compliment the work we do on the track with a real array of colour along the walkway to enhance the overall visitor experience. That’s what it’s all about.”

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The Clubhouse is here

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The Clubhouse is here: SALTEX organisers know from post-show feedback that networking was the second biggest highlight for visitors attending the 2022 show and with that in mind are launching The Clubhouse, a relaxed, licensed, social space for 2023 on SALTEX’s busy show floor.

With a bar, relaxed seating options and a private area called The Trophy Room which can be booked for pre-arranged meetups, The Clubhouse offers visitors and exhibitors the ideal space to boost their network.

The Clubhouse is here

The Clubhouse is here

Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial and events at the GMA, says: “Creating a space where visitors and exhibitors can relax, unwind and build connections with old friends and new colleagues has been a priority following visitor and exhibitor feedback from the last two shows. Crucially, we wanted to create a space that means attendees can sit down and catch-up without having to leave the show floor.

“The Clubhouse will cater to these desires perfectly, offering attendees a comfortable place to sit down and a bar where they can purchase drinks and food at competitive prices. The Clubhouse is all about maximising the visitors’ experience and bringing the industry closer together.”

As an ideal space for groups to host dedicated meet-ups, the GMA is working with a number of grounds management communities to host members’ meetings in The Trophy Room with more details to be shared in the weeks leading up to SALTEX.

With attendees coming from all backgrounds and levels of grounds care, including elite sport, estates and landscaping, parks, playgrounds, and education settings, you will have the chance to meet likeminded people and expand your network of grounds care colleagues.

Sarah concludes: “The reason SALTEX has achieved success for so long is by constantly adapting to change and listening to feedback to ensure the show continues to cater to the needs of the sector. The Clubhouse is the latest example of this.”

Until then, register now for Europe’s largest and leading sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition at Birmingham NEC on 1-2 November 2023 at: https://bit.ly/456l0dA

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Learn how to renovate your lawn this autumn

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Learn how to renovate your lawn this autumn: Allett Mowers is inviting lawn enthusiasts from around the UK to gain the Allett Level 1 Lawn Academy Qualification.

The one-day course, to be held at the Old Fold Manor Golf Club on October 10th 2023, is aimed at the passionate lawn enthusiast or professional lawncare specialists wanting to take their lawns to the next level. It’s an opportunity to learn how to achieve a more impressive and healthy lawn all year round. In the course, attendees will learn the science behind renovating their lawn this autumn to ensure it is in tiptop shape come spring. The day will start at 9 a.m. with a bacon bap and a hot drink with the chance to network with other lawn enthusiasts.

Learn how to renovate your lawn this autumn

Learn how to renovate your lawn this autumn

The learning journey will begin with classroom training led by leading lawn expert Richard Salmon from Pro Lawncare UK. Richard is a well-known figure in the industry, with over 38 years of experience in agronomy and a successful career in lawn management. Subjects to be covered on the day will include the history of grass, the lifecycle and types of grass, grass/lawn maintenance, thatch, soil, nutrients, weeds, moss, and irrigation. A lawn care yearly calendar will be set out where you can learn exactly what you should be doing to your lawn each month of the calendar year.

The classroom will be followed by a hands-on workshop with Allett MD Austin Jarrett. He will talk about the Allett cartridge system, showing how each cartridge works and how to use them. There will be the opportunity to use a range of machines and learn the techniques of how to employ a number of lawn tools to get the best out of your lawn. The price of the course will include a soil analysis test of your own lawn from a sample you bring with you on the day. Results can be used to help develop a personalised lawncare plan. The day will run from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. approximately. The price of the course is £145.00 (including VAT) and also includes a buffet lunch. Attendees will each receive an Allett Level 1 Lawn Academy certificate and there will also be the opportunity to purchase Allett tools.

Booking for the event can be signed up via: https://allett.co.uk/products/allett-level-1-lawn-academy-qualification

There is a 30% student discount available by contacting: sales@allett.co.uk or laura.malkin@allett.co.uk

Allett Mowers Ltd.  01889 271503 www.allett.co.uk  

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Suståne delivers perfect bill of health

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Suståne delivers perfect bill of health: A year-round programme from Suståne® Natural Fertilizers has been effectively managing moisture and turf stresses to keep the 27-hole course at Wellow Golf Club disease-free.

Course Manager Lee Payne describes how the ‘perfect combination’ of Suståne® products including 5-2-10+Fe and 6-2-4 Turf Revival® has seen a drastic reduction in the frequency and severity of a variety of turf diseases, lowering fungicide applications and delivering long-lasting visual appeal.

Suståne delivers perfect bill of health

Suståne delivers perfect bill of health

Steeped in history, Hampshire’s Wellow Golf Club is set among 200 acres of parkland surrounding Embley Park – once occupied by King Alfred and later the family home of Florence Nightingale. Skip forward a couple of centuries, the site now boasts a beautiful 27-hole course maintained by Lee and his team of five. Privately owned and broken down into three 9-hole courses; the rotation of the Ryedown, Blackwater and Embley courses enable a ‘TLC week’ to take place one in every three… or at least that’s the idea!

“We’re constantly busy!” exclaims Lee. “We conduct a lot of in-house drainage projects as we’re quite a heavy site meaning that for most of the winter months, we can’t get a sprayer out. That leads me nicely onto how good the Suståne product really is, an annual programme from whom keeps us ticking over superbly well.”

“It was the organic aspect that led me to Suståne® initially. We were looking for something that would boost the good bacteria in the profile and not be harmful to the environment or our aquatic life, while also keeping on top of the variety of turf diseases that appear.” The programme, drawn up by Suståne’s Russell Riley and Neil Rogers from AGS consists of 4-6-4 slow-release fertiliser, 5-2-4+Fe for a boost of colour during December, January and February before a switch to 5-2-10+FE during spring and autumn. Lee also uses Bolster™ Liquid Biostimulant and Suståne 6-2-4 Turf Revival® which he claims provides instant recovery following heavy renovations in March and August.

“Recovery is one of the biggest factors for us, with tight turnarounds in maintenance windows and this is where Suståne® has been fantastic. The extended slow-release nitrogen within the 6-2-4 product gives us an instant boost followed by a month or two of consistent recovery.” Lee continues, “We also have a couple of greens particularly susceptible to Anthracnose. If this starts to appear we simply put down a half rate of the 5-2-10 which provides enough goodness back into the soil to effectively control any outbreaks.”

A noticeable consistency to overall plant health has meant that Lee doesn’t feel the need to try anything else. “We know our programme, we know it works for us and we know that advice is always available from Russell or Neil to tweak things if required. Not only that, but it’s also reassuring to know that we’re running the course in a way that is sympathetic to the environment we’re in to protect what we have here now and into the future.”

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