John Deere launches hybrid innovations at BTME

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John Deere launches hybrid innovations at BTME: John Deere has launched two battery-powered, walk-behind greens mowers and announced further hybrid innovations to its existing product range.

The 185 E-Cut and 225 E-Cut greens mowers will be shown for the first time in the UK at the British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association’s BTME event in Harrogate from 24-26 January.

John Deere launches hybrid innovations at BTME

John Deere launches hybrid innovations at BTME

The two specialist machines are packed with the same quality components and technology that existing John Deere customers have become familiar with, but are powered by a 58-volt, 3.2kwh lithium battery.

The 185 E-Cut has an 18-inch (457mm) cutting width while the larger 225 E-Cut takes a 22-inch (559mm) cut.

With near-silent operation, the walk-behind machines can cut approximately 50,000 square feet of grass on a single charge, making them 30% more productive than similar models in their class.

John Deere announced the products in America last year and has been putting them through their paces on courses for the past 12 months.

Greenkeepers in the UK and Ireland will be able to order the machines later this year.

Chris Meacock, John Deere’s Division Sales Manager for Golf and Turf, said: “Battery-powered innovations in the golf and professional sports turf markets have been moving forward apace for the past few years.

“With the introduction of our first lithium battery-powered machines, we are able to provide a solution for our customers who are looking for a more favourable environmental profile, have on-site energy generation, or who are seeking significant reductions in the risk of leaks and spills.”

Industry exclusive three-wheeled hybrid mower launched

John Deere is also using BTME to showcase its industry-exclusive three-wheeled fairway mower with brushless electric reel motors.

This is the first time customers can choose a three-wheeled fairway mower fitted with five, brushless electric reel motors. The same hybrid technology has also been applied to the four-wheeled 7700A E-Cut.

This hybrid solution minimises 90% of the risk of hydraulic leaks by eliminating over 150 leak points.

Users can experience fuel savings of up to 30% by operating at reduced throttle when mowing compared to PrecisionCut fairway mowers. Noise levels are also reduced by up to 3dB at reduced throttle.

The alternator, controllers, and motors are designed to allow the machine to perform rigorous verticutting applications.

The 6700A E-Cut and 7700A E-Cut will be available to order this year.

“These two models have been two of our most popular products on golf courses for many years, so it’s an exciting step to be able to further develop our hybrid drive to offer greenkeepers reduced risks and more efficiency,” Mr Meacock said.

John Deere connected technology to be demonstrated

Visitors to the John Deere stand can take part in a demonstration of the company’s OnLink technology, showcasing the state-of-the-art fleet management system for greenkeepers.

Utilising proven satellite technology from John Deere’s agriculture division in tandem with the integration of cloud-based management software and connected machines, OnLink allows users to automatically synchronise any machine and operator working anywhere on the course, managing activity remotely.

For managers, this means tasks can be allocated days in advance, as well as increased accountability from operators. On top of these efficiencies, machinery maintenance schedules are simplified by using OnLink to track working hours remotely.

“At John Deere, we believe the future of golf course maintenance is about connectivity, sustainability, autonomy, and intelligence, while embracing electric,” Mr Meacock said.

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Sunflower ‘Desire Red’ wins Fleuroselect GOLD!

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Sunflower ‘Desire Red’ wins Fleuroselect GOLD!: The Burpee Europe team are relentless in their mission to breed varieties of magnificence with which to tempt home gardeners everywhere! And this year they have done it again!  

The brand new, compact sunflower ‘Desire Red’ is so fabulous that it has won a much coveted Fleuroselect Gold Medal, scores are awarded for outstanding innovation, beauty and garden performance.

Sunflower 'Desire Red' wins Fleuroselect GOLD!

Sunflower ‘Desire Red’ wins Fleuroselect GOLD!

A truly stunning breakthrough in sunflower breeding, this is the first compact red variety suitable for planting or sowing in both beds and borders as well as in larger patio containers. This winner can be cultivated very successfully as a high-quality pot plant, especially in 3-litre containers, but is also suitable for production in smaller pots.

Plants flower for a period of 6-8 weeks and have proven performance from Sweden to Southern Italy in Fleuroselect Trials.  This sensational dwarf Helianthus dazzles with its innovative, unique deep red flowers.  This high performer is an early, profusely flowering variety, new blooms form continuously on its multiple branches well into autumn, and blend wonderfully with its dark green foliage.

This sunflower is perfect for pollinators, who will be able to enjoy the long flowering time.  ‘Desire Red’ makes a very attractive combination with Burpee bred ‘Sunray’ or ‘Tiger Eye’ and adds a deep red to the sunflower palette.

Seeds are available now from Plants of Distinction, with additional seed companies selling ‘Desire Red’ soon

Burpee Europe do not sell direct to the consumer, but their seeds are sold via top UK seed companies. Details of these on request from rabbitattackpr@gmail.com or 07895184395

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Record numbers ahead of BTME

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Record numbers ahead of BTME: The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) doesn’t kick off until tomorrow (Tuesday 24 January), but the 2023 edition of the influential event has already broken multiple attendance records.

The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) organises and hosts the annual trade show and education conference at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire. BTME 2023 takes place this week (24 to 26 January) and is the first time the event has returned to its regular January timing since prior to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Record numbers ahead of BTME

Record numbers ahead of BTME

With 24 hours to go until the doors of the convention centre open, BIGGA has reported that 4,930 attendees have pre-registered for BTME, marking a significant increase on previous years. The previous record was set in 2019, when 3,344 visitors pre-registered to attend.

This number includes 900 registrations from exhibitors themselves, who play a vital role in the success of the event.

The number of pre-registrations also does not tell the full story, with visitors able to sign up for the show upon arrival at the Harrogate Convention Centre. In previous years pre-registration has accounted for around 50% of the total attendees and so BIGGA is confident that this year’s event will be among its most successful ever.

Alongside BTME, BIGGA also hosts Continue to Learn and this too has seen incredible numbers. With 1,055 tickets sold, this year’s programme will provide more education hours than ever before across the various education formats, which includes a two-day conference and full and half-day classes. Free-to-attend seminars are also taking place during Tuesday and Wednesday and no pre-registration is required for these.

Continue to Learn brings together speakers from a wide range of disciplines to provide practical learning, management advice and other topics that this year include mindfulness, leadership, personal health and wellbeing.

BIGGA Chief Executive Jim Croxton said: “The BTME pre-registration and Continue to Learn booking numbers are cause for celebration for everyone across the BIGGA community. BTME plays a significant role in setting the agenda for the coming year for the association and our members and we’re delighted that so many people continue to support us in this way.

“It’s clear that for our members and supporters, BTME is the event they enjoy, in the timing and the location that they want, and we’re delighted to be able to offer that to them once again. Where else can you meet the hosts of this year’s Ryder Cup and various other major championships alongside people discussing a sustainable future for the game or providing solutions and opportunities for every golf club in the country?

“BTME is a wonderful event and I’m incredibly excited to discover what this week holds. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the event as we couldn’t do it without you.”

For more information about BTME 2023, visit www.btme.org.uk

Throughout BTME, people are encouraged to discuss the show on social media using the hashtag #BTME2023.

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Huxley Golf delivers security of play

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Huxley Golf delivers security of play: All members and visitors to Royal Troon Golf Club look forward to playing what is one of the most famous holes in golf, the Postage Stamp. The par 3 eighth hole on the 19th Century Club’s Old Course might be the shortest hole on the Open rota but it is one of the most challenging and revered.

That is why Huxley Golf was honoured to be asked to create an alternative winter tee for this iconic golf destination this autumn. The installation will help to ensure continuity of the Postage Stamp experience without compromise, using Huxley Golf Premier Tee Turf 2, the closest all-weather surface to natural grass. Royal Troon had previously trialled the idea of creating a separate winter tee from natural turf, but it was unable to withstand the extraordinary levels of wear and tear, as Course Manager, Billy McLachlan, explains:

Huxley Golf delivers security of play

Huxley Golf delivers security of play

“The Postage Stamp is an important feature of our Club. Being a short hole, the impacts of wear and tear on the tee are concentrated over a small area. This not only affects play during the winter, but it also impacts the start of the golf season because natural grass takes time to recover fully.

“Our recourse was to turn to Huxley Golf to help us find the optimal solution for our precise needs: one that would look good aesthetically and critically, live up to players’ expectations. As a result, we now have a permanent feature that we can switch to with minimal interruption when the landscape demands it. Over time, this will help preserve play to this exceptional hole.”

Huxley Golf used its superior Premier Tee Turf 2 to create the 12ft x 12ft (3.6m x 3.6m) tee, and supplemented this with a fringe surround, which will enable natural grass to seamlessly marry in around it.

Hugh Fraser, Scotland and North East England Area Manager at Huxley Golf, commented: “We understand that it can be a difficult decision for historic environments to work with the new generation of all-weather turf, but most now realise that Huxley Golf Premier Tee Turf 2 offers a superb option for winter play and to relieve wear and tear at any time of year. It has benefits to both the environment, the greenkeeping team and players, as it protects natural features, requires virtually no maintenance, and yet, offers golfers an incredibly realistic surface to hit from. Its unique surface gives players an excellent experience, even in the most demanding of situations and climates.”

The Huxley name has been synonymous with premium all-weather golf surfaces and products. Endorsed by the UK’s leading golf organisations as well as many legendary golfers and celebrities and their coaching teams, the Hampshire-based company’s artificial golf surfaces are in use all around the world at top-flight courses, resorts, and training academies. Across Scotland, Huxley Golf has also recently worked with St Andrews Links, Gleneagles Academy, the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh, Gullane Golf Club and The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers Muirfield.

For more information visit www.huxleygolf.com or call 01730 829608.

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Binoculars at the ready

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Binoculars at the ready: Twitchers are gearing up and reaching for their binoculars to scan their trees, hedgerows and shrubs as the RSPB’s popular Big Garden Birdwatch survey takes flight once more.

Avid bird watchers and nature lovers are being invited to take part in the event from 27th to 29th January, and millions of our feathered friends are expected to be spotted and recorded for the annual survey over the three-day period.

Binoculars at the ready

Binoculars at the ready

The RSPB says taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch is fun and free for everyone and people don’t even need a garden to get involved, as counting birds can be done from a balcony or local park.

The RSPB says 38 million birds have been lost from UK skies in the last 50 years, with species such as sparrows and starlings in severe population decline.

Every Birdwatch is incredibly important. Not only does it help map birdlife and show how birds are faring across the country, but it also helps the RSPB to monitor the situation geographically in urban and rural areas.

To take part in this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch survey, all people need to do is watch the birds for around an hour, count how many of each bird species land on the patch you are observing, and then go online and tell the RSPB what you’ve seen.

Twitchers are encouraged to attract birds to their patch, ahead of the survey days, by topping up bird tables and feeders.

Whilst regular sights at Big Garden Birdwatch survey events include blackbirds, blue tits and magpies, more unexpected visitors have, in past years, included the red-flanked bluetail, redwings and the black-throated thrush. The latter was actually spotted in 2016 by a woman on a quiet residential estate in the Cotswolds.

This rare and surprising garden sighting was incredibly exciting for the bird world as this species had only ever been seen a couple of times before in the UK.

Please visit the RSPB website at www.rspb.org.uk to find out more about the charity’s work, to download a Birdwatch Guide and ID chart, to donate to this worthy cause or, become an RSPB volunteer.

Anyone wishing to learn more about birdlife can also take a certified Lantra training course to gain a mix of knowledge and practical field experience.

Lantra’s Field Ornithology training covers how to identify British birds by sight and sound, how to carry out a range of field surveys, as well as basic field skills and good practice.

For further information about this course please visit https://www.lantra.co.uk/course/field-ornithology

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