ICL introduces revolutionary biodegradable CRF technology

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ICL introduces revolutionary biodegradable CRF technology: ICL introduces a revolutionary biodegradable coating technology for its controlled release fertilisers (CRF) in the turf market: eqo.s® technology.

The new coating for nitrogen is compliant with future (EU) fertiliser regulations, helping turf managers to improve their nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and will provide a solution for future sustainable turf management programmes.

ICL introduces revolutionary biodegradable CRF technology

ICL introduces revolutionary biodegradable CRF technology

With its patented eqo.s release technology, ICL takes the lead in providing a fully biodegradable coating that breaks down faster than existing coating technologies. The innovation will be introduced in ICL’s CRF portfolio for the turf segment, starting with the premium ranges Sierrablen and Sierrablen Plus.

In order to meet expected market demand, ICL has invested $20 million in a new production line for eqo.s release technology at its Heerlen facility in the Netherlands.

CRFs with eqo.s technology ensure optimal turf performance. The innovation is thoroughly tested in the field and has proven to be as reliable as current coatings, thus maintaining the high quality you can expect from ICL products. eqo.s release technology shows consistent and predictable nutrient release patterns while also limiting environmental impact by reducing nutrient losses and by increasing the NUE. After all nutrients are released, the coating degrades faster than ever before.

What turf professionals need to know

CRF products with eqo.s technology have the same advantages for turf professionals as current coating technologies as they improve the NUE and nutrient uptake by the plant. In addition:

  • Field trials with s prove similar, significant reduction in nitrogen leaching, volatilisation and denitrification.
  • s shows improved growth and quality with reduced fertiliser inputs, as fewer applications are required versus conventional fertilisers.
  • s shows the same consistent, reliable nutrient release for optimal growth.

Our CRF products are of the highest possible quality, and the technology we introduce today, eqo.s, works similar to the previous coating technologies, but with some key improvements”, confirms Dr Andy Owen, ICL lnternational Technical Manager Turf & Landscape. “The application rates and high quality results will remain, and even the look of the product is comparable. It is good news for turf managers and greenkeepers as their CRF products will give the same high performance as before. What makes it revolutionary is that the fully biodegradable eqo.s coating breaks down quicker and is completely compliant with future fertiliser regulations.”

Spreading the eqo.s revolution

Though eqo.s technology will first be introduced into ICL’s premium CRF ranges of Sierrablen and Sierrablen Plus in 2023, ICL is confident that by, mid-2026, when the new biodegradability requirements will take effect on the EU market, the company will be able to provide fast biodegradable coatings for all its CRFs in the turf and landscape market.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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Redexim appoint HRN Tractors as new regional partner

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Redexim appoint HRN Tractors as new regional partner: A re-shuffle of their regional partners in North and East Scotland has seen Redexim UK appoint HRN Tractors – leading suppliers of groundcare, agriculture and plant equipment.

Effective from 1st January 2023, HRN will be responsible for the full Redexim portfolio of products, offering sales and support to new and existing customers across Tayside, Angus, Grampian and the Highlands and Islands.

Redexim appoint HRN Tractors as new regional partner

Redexim appoint HRN Tractors as new regional partner

HRN was founded by the Barclay family in 1980 and has gone on to become one of the largest dealerships in Scotland, operating out of eight depots across the country. Representing leading franchises including Kubota and Kverneland, the team have a long and illustrious record for providing a friendly and knowledgeable sales team, together with trained technicians for expert after sales service.

Commenting on the appointment, Groundcare Manager for HRN Wilson Morrison said, “This is a really exciting partnership for HRN, with Redexim being a global leader in the manufacture of specialist equipment for both natural and synthetic surfaces. A great fit alongside our other franchises, we can now provide customers a one-stop shop for turf maintenance machinery and look forward to growing our market share and reaching new customers across our regional area.”

Ian Lauder, Northern Regional Territory Manager for Redexim UK added, “HRN have built a fantastic reputation on providing established products with excellent customer service. With so many years of experience and know-how under their belts, we look forward to working together with them to offer a more localised service across this area.”

Any existing warranties relating to Redexim equipment sold by previous regional partners Gammies Groundcare and MacGregor Forest and Groundcare will continue to be supported.

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Final spots to exhibit at SAGE

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Final spots to exhibit at SAGE: Spaces to exhibit at SAGE, the UK’s biggest outdoor trade show in the sports and grounds maintenance industry, are being booked up fast, with excitement building for this summer’s show. In partnership with Weibang, GRASS, and BioCircle, SAGE is returning for what is set to be a landmark event in the grounds care calendar.

Back for its third year at the stunning Three Counties showground in Malvern, Worcestershire, SAGE will take place on the 19th and 20th of July 2023. With plans for increased numbers of exhibitors, conferences, and stalls, this year’s event is set to draw in more visitors than ever before and be SAGE’s biggest exhibition yet.

Exhibiting at SAGE is unlike any other grounds care event. SAGE understands what exhibitors and visitors want from events: interactive, hands-on experiences.

While many other exhibitions have been moved indoors, SAGE believes that demonstrating kit is an integral part of grounds care and maintenance exhibitions. This is why it provides the unique opportunity to demo and test equipment, no matter the size. To achieve this, SAGE offers unrivalled value for money, providing each exhibitor with their own demo space alongside their stand from as little as £14 per m2.

As well as unmatched outdoor demo spaces and unbeatable prices, SAGE is also leading the way in sustainability. This year, sustainability is its key message, with organisers recognising the need to create an exhibition that leaves as little impact on the environment as possible.

Implementing ‘We are green’ practices, in line with the sustainable guidelines set out by Eventex, SAGE hopes to use its platform to inspire a greener approach in the event industry, bringing together like-minded, revolutionary thinkers, and setting a more sustainable precedent for future exhibitions.

New sustainable measures include free water refill stations, sustainable lanyards, beer barrels instead of bottles, hired glasses to cut out single-use plastic, eco-friendly cleaning products, as well as much more. GRASS, one of SAGE’s official green partners, will also be on hand to advise on tailor-made best sustainable practices for businesses.

Running alongside SAGE will be the brand-new Green Business Expo, where businesses will have the chance to share sustainable solutions, attend expert-led conferences, and network with other eco-conscious companies. With both exhibitions on the same site and free for visitors to attend, SAGE is expected to attract an engaged, diverse audience looking for sustainable grounds care options.

Mark Tomlinson, chairman of GRASS, shared why he has partnered with SAGE: “As an exhibitor, I value an outdoor show and the space SAGE offers to bring live working demonstrations to the industry.

“This is exactly what the industry has asked for.”

Join the growing list of exhibitors who are eager to be a part of this year’s event.

For more information, or to book exhibition space, please visit sportsandgrounds.events or contact Vicky Panniers vp@sportsandgrounds.co.uk.

Find out more about the green measures at SAGE 2023 here https://sportsandgrounds.events/sustainability/

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New bermudagrass delivers total package

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New bermudagrass delivers total package: Pure Seed and Atlas Turf International announced the introduction of Sun Queen, their newest seeded bermudagrass for the golf, sports field, and landscape markets. This new release from the breeding program of Pure-Seed Testing, Inc. delivers the total package in elite seeded bermudagrass, with reliable growth, maximum protection, and advanced playability and appearance.

“Pure-Seed Testing developed Sun Queen using germplasm obtained from Mississippi State University,” said Dr. Melodee Fraser, director of Pure-Seed Testing, Inc. East.   “It has demonstrated wide adaptability by exhibiting excellent turf performance in multiple trial locations over a range of environments and management conditions. Sun Queen is well-adapted for sports turfs, golf courses, parks, lawns, and amenity turf areas.”

New bermudagrass delivers total package

New bermudagrass delivers total package

Consistently ranked as a top establishing bermudagrass in NTEP trials, Sun Queen provides rapid grow-in. From there, the durability of Sun Queen takes over with extreme wear tolerance, demonstrated through leading results in trials for performance under traffic stress at the University of Tennessee. And when injury does occur, Sun Queen’s aggressive growth delivers quick recovery.

The harshest turfgrass challenges are no match for Sun Queen. As its name implies, Sun Queen withstands extreme heat without sacrificing performance. Adding further sustainability, it offers dependable drought tolerance. The powerful protection of Sun Queen continues with proven disease resistance.

The total package would not be complete without advances in aesthetics and playability. Sun Queen features a beautiful dark green color, refined leaf texture, and early spring green-up. Combine these attributes with excellent turf quality and density, and Sun Queen produces a better and more beautiful playing surface.

For added assurance during the grow-in stage, Sun Queen is protected by PureCoat+™ water absorbent seed coating. PureCoat+ guards the seed against environmental pressures and provides faster germination, quicker establishment, and improved water efficiency for stronger, healthier plants.

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New course manager at The Grove

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New course manager at The Grove: The Grove today, in its 20th anniversary year, announced the important appointment of William Evans as its new Golf Course & Estates Manager.

William returns to The Grove for a second time – he was previously Head Greenkeeper between 2008 and 2011 – to lead the award-winning agronomy and gardens teams at the five-star, luxury Hertfordshire estate that features a Kyle Phillips designed championship golf course.

New course manager at The Grove

New course manager at The Grove

Over the past six years, William has enjoyed a highly-successful period in Bahrain as Director of Agronomy at the Troon International-managed Royal Golf Club. In his time in the Middle East, he was recognised as 59club’s International Greenkeeper of the Year on two occasions.

Brad Gould, Director of Golf at The Grove, commented: “William is a dedicated and highly motivated turf manager, and proven leader of people, and we are thrilled to have him back at The Grove.

“His industry experience and goal-focused approach to his work will be of huge benefit to our operations and he will undoubtedly help us to further enhance and develop what is an already exceptional, award-winning product.”

The Grove boasts one of the finest golf experiences in the UK thanks to its Top 100-ranked golf course and impeccable customer service. It also recently announced a host of investments in its golf experience that will be completed for its celebratory 2023 season.

These include an extension to the much-loved Stables Bar, enhancements to the outdoor terrace and courtyard, and significant renovations to the Locker Rooms, Stables toilets and Halfway House.

The Grove is also one of the first venues in Europe to unveil a grass-tee TrackMan Range solution on its practice facility, and is set to become the first venue in Europe to offer golf cars with music when a new fleet of high-spec Club Car vehicles, complete with Bluetooth speakers, is delivered.

On re-joining The Grove, William Evans said: “I relish the opportunity to manage such a vital part of The Grove’s business and I know I will be blessed with a truly fantastic team around me to reach even greater heights. One of The Grove’s USPs is the year-round pristine conditioning of its golf course and this will continue to be a key objective as we move forwards.”

Situated 18 miles from central London, The Grove is the only venue in the UK to have hosted a World Golf Championship (WGC) event – won by Tiger Woods in 2006. It also hosted The British Masters in 2016.

Beyond its pristine fairways and greens, The Grove’s 18th-century Mansion houses 25 rooms and suites as well as the uniquely-designed Lounges. There is also the thoroughly modern West Wing with a further 189 deluxe, superior and family rooms. Many of these rooms have balconies and terraces looking over immaculate formal gardens.

For further information: www.thegrove.co.uk

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