New Campey products at BTME

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New Campey products at BTME: Campey Turf Care Systems is looking forward to BTME 2023 in Harrogate and will be showcasing a number of new products in addition to taking on a new brand to enhance the excellent range of machinery than is already synonymous with the Campey name and manufacturers such as Dakota, Vredo, Imants, Foley Air 2G2, Koro and Imants!

Now back in Harrogate at its usual time, the show will provide an excellent platform to introduce a new brand of equipment to Campeys, with a range of well-known, quality products which will compliment the current range perfectly!

New Campey products at BTME

New Campey products at BTME

Campey Director Lee Morgado explains: “We are delighted to be expanding the number of products we can offer to our customers.

For us, BTME gives us the option to focus on our golf related products and look at some of the issues specific to this field. Bringing machines and people together is the best way to assess the latest options and look into new maintenance practices they might have spoken about or seen on social media.

The new brand joins the staple industry favourites of machines from Omarv, Koro, New Holland, Vredo, Air2G2 Inject Campey and Imants, with new products from several of them to be launched at the show. To exhibit this bumper range of machinery, Campey has a stand 220 in Hall 2, which will have product specialists on hand to give expert advice and answer any questions you may have.

As one of the most popular events in the greenkeeping calendar, BTME will once again be a forum for turf professionals from across the world to come together and see what’s new and renew relationships and create new contacts for the coming year.

Campey will be showcasing equipment covering everything from renovations and aeration to overseeding and utility vehicles. The machinery line-up will encompass every area of maintenance for golf including topdressing, covered by the industry leading Dakota range, and the effective TB220 and UniRake to complete the grooming line-up.

The combination of the Universe® Rotor and Vredo Super Compact, an increasingly popular duo for renovating tees, will be on display alongside Campey’s all-electric products such as the AllTrec Tool Carrier featuring mowing, hedge cutting, weed brush, and burning attachments.

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Expanded GreenMech fleet for Woodworks Tree Surgery

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Expanded GreenMech fleet for Woodworks Tree Surgery: For Nick Hosking it’s Woodworks by name and woodworks by nature as he tackles all manner of tree surgery tasks – with the trusted assistance of two GreenMech woodchippers!

The most recent addition to his fleet is an EVO 205D SAFE-Trak, which was purchased on the GreenMech stand at APF in September, and sits alongside the QuadTrak 160 for complete versatility on both domestic and commercial jobs.

Expanded GreenMech fleet for Woodworks Tree Surgery

Expanded GreenMech fleet for Woodworks Tree Surgery

Nick established the company 20 years ago and works with, and as, a subcontractor for a number of clients in and around Flintshire, North Wales and NW England including large-scale construction contracts for Hanson UK and the Breedon Group. “I’ve used chippers from GreenMech for the last seven years now, starting with a turntable QuadTrak 160 and trailer which caught my eye at APF many years ago and gives me enhanced manoeuvrability and flexibility for tasks on the kerbside” explains Nick. “Impressed with the performance of this machine, I then invested in a SAFE-Trak 19-28 as a bigger, more versatile workhorse.”

It was again at APF that Nick sealed the deal on his latest purchase, a 205D SAFE-Trak from GreenMech’s EVO series, purchased through dealers GA Groundcare. “Going from the 19-28 model to the 205D SAFE-Trak was a natural progression – this machine is newer, bigger, more reliable and more powerful.” At its heart is a Stage-V Compliant 50hp Kubota diesel engine, delivering powerful chipping performance for bulky brash and timber of up to 8”. Underneath the robust, steel chassis is GreenMech’s patented SAFE-Trak system which incorporates two independently adjustable track legs providing ground clearance of up to 530mm and allows the safe traversing of slopes up to 35o.

“With GreenMech you know you’re going to get machines that do exactly what they say on the tin. Having said that, there’s a few new features on the EVO 205D I really like namely the more powerful throw and the Smart Sense controller which automatically reduces engine revs and then ramps them up again when you start feeding material in. It’s also much quicker and easier to service. Since taking delivery in October 2022 it’s been on jobs of all shapes and sizes, most recently a roadside clearance project for Hanson, and it’s taken everything in its stride.”

He continues, “Together with the performance, the thing that keeps me coming back to GreenMech is the people. I know if I come across an issue, there are three or four people I can phone who are all very knowledgeable and will go out of their way to resolve it for you. Back up support and service like that goes a long way in this industry.”

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Green-tech becomes Platinum Perennial Partner

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Green-tech becomes Platinum Perennial Partner: Green-tech has confirmed that it will continue its Platinum partnership and ongoing support to the charity for a third year running.

Perennial is the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping people who work in landscaping and horticulture, from gardeners, landscapers and designers to nursery workers, arborists and grounds staff.

Green-tech becomes Platinum Perennial Partner

Green-tech becomes Platinum Perennial Partner

Initially established as a pension fund for gardeners in 1839, 70% of the people the charity now helps are of working age, offering free and confidential advice, support and financial assistance.

Kris Nellist enters his second year in the role the Managing Director for Green-tech, a leading supplier to the landscape industry. He comments, “Perennial is a lifeline to many people working within the industry, both past and present. I am delighted to continue our support of the charity by renewing our Perennial Platinum Partnership and showing Green-tech’s appreciation for all those in the sector.”

Perennial launched their industry corporate partnership programme in 2020 to raise much needed funds. There are numerous packages available for corporate sponsorship.

Phil Swainston, Perennial’s Corporate Partnership Manager adds,

“Now, more than ever, is the time to be aware of the impact the current cost of living crisis and recession is going to have on many working in the horticultural industry. I am therefore delighted that Green-tech is continuing their support of Perennial into 2023 via our Corporate Partnership scheme and I am looking forward to working with all the team on many of the new initiatives we will be launching over the next 12 months. Green-Tech will be invaluable in spreading our message that Perennial is here to help all those working in horticulture that need our help”

If you would like to donate to Perennial or get involved in the Partnership Programme then visit their website https://perennial.org.uk/home/getinvolved/perennial-partners/  or call 0800 093 8510.

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BIGGA’s mental health campaign

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BIGGA’s mental health campaign: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has launched a campaign that will see the membership organisation combat a recognised rise in mental health struggles among golf club staff.

BIGGA has pledged to create 100 mental health first aiders during 2023, who will receive training that will give them the skills to support golf greenkeepers and other clubhouse staff through any difficulties they may be experiencing.

BIGGA's mental health campaign

BIGGA’s mental health campaign

Poor mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing society today. A much-quoted fact is that 75% of deaths of men aged 50 and under are due to suicide, making it the biggest cause of death in that age bracket. The greenkeeping industry itself has been rocked by several tragic losses in recent years and in 2021 BIGGA undertook a survey that revealed 80% of greenkeepers had worried about the mental health of a colleague.

Working environments and money concerns are major causes of stress and mental health problems and BIGGA is working alongside golf’s governing bodies to improve governance and working practices at golf clubs. Stronger, more positive and respectful working environments should help relieve some of the undue pressures placed upon staff at present.

To further support those working in the golf industry, BIGGA has launched its campaign to train 100 mental health first aiders across the country. The training course provides the first aiders with knowledge to help them recognise signs or signals that colleagues or friends may be experiencing difficulties and empowers them to direct others towards available help.

The cost of the course is being met by BIGGA with support from The R&A and participants will receive a certificate from Mental Health England. In addition, participants will receive three years’ ongoing training and support from Mental Health England.

The opportunity to get involved is open to BIGGA members, including greenkeepers and trade representatives who spend much of their time on the road, visiting greenkeeping teams.

The first course will be held in February at Edgbaston Golf Club and further events will be hosted around the country, helping to build a national network of mental health first aiders.

The campaign is being led by BIGGA’s Steve Dudley-Brown, himself a former greenkeeper and course manager with 25 years’ experience in the industry.

Steve said: “During my career as a greenkeeper, I experienced several of my colleagues having mental health difficulties. It’s a scary situation knowing that you have someone in front of you and they are upset and afraid. You want to try and support them the best you can. This training course will give people the ability to understand a little more about what the person is going through and point them in the right direction for help.”

For more information or to register an interest, email steven.db@bigga.co.uk

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ICL tank mix improves greens

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ICL tank mix improves greens: In less than a year, an ICL fortnightly tank-mix has radically improved the greens at Houghwood Golf Club according to Head Greenkeeper Michael Abbott.

“When I show people photos of the greens last September compared to this September, they cannot believe it,” said Michael, who has worked at Houghwood for an incredible twenty-two years.

ICL tank mix improves greens

ICL tank mix improves greens

Michael has seen the young course develop into one of the best in the area. Based in Lancashire, the course is an 18-hole, par 71 (6388 yard), private, parkland golf course and was the creation of two farmers in 1994.

Michael and his team of three have their challenges – particularly with some parts of the course which consists of heavy clay. He admits that his small team can feel stretched at times, and it is for this reason that he likes to be as prepared as possible.

“We’re a small team but we believe we can tackle any task put in front of us and I feel our experience is invaluable,” he said. “From a management point of view, I like having a plan in place and ICL has given me a superb integrated turf management (ITM) plan to follow.”

Houghwood Golf Club’s ITM programme was devised by ICL Technical Area Sales Manager Rob Ainscough and was based on the results of soil testing.

As part of the programme, Michael applies a fortnightly tank-mix on his greens which consists of Sportsmaster WSF Spring & Summer 28-5-19+TE, H2Pro TriSmart, Vitalnova Links and Primo Maxx II.

The 4-way tank-mix offers balanced nutrition for responsible growth and plant health through the playing season, residual wetting agent to allow consistent dry down of surfaces and avoid dry patch development; growth regulator to improve turf density and wear tolerance; biostimulants in the form of seaweed and carbohydrates to promote increased rooting, improve stress tolerance and increase microbial activity to improve nutrient cycling in the rootzone.

“Since using this tank-mix, I’ve noticed improved playability,” said Michael. “There are no bare areas, no moss, just a nice, lovely coverage with great colour throughout all the greens.

“It gives us consistency throughout the year with no flushes of growth and applying it fortnightly saves us time – which is another major reason for using the mixture.

“The water-soluble dissolves really well – within seconds; there is no residue at all, and I don’t get any blockages on my jets whatsoever.

“It’s also very cost-effective for us but most importantly, it works. The members have loved the improvements.”

Michael also revealed that he has full confidence in the support he receives from ICL.

“I really trust Rob Ainscough’s (ICL Technical Area Sales Manager) advice because of his greenkeeping experience. He has done the same job as me and has faced the same challenges. This played a part in me choosing ICL products to be honest.

“Having the technical back up and the practical experience is a big plus for me.”

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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