A new era for battery-powered tools

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A new era for battery-powered tools: With the recent passing of the California Air Resource Board (CARB) measure to restrict new sales of landscaping equipment to be zero-emission tools, Pellenc is over 10 years ahead of the competition with a full range of battery-powered tools for the professional market.

Pellenc has spent over a decade designing and refining their range of ULiB battery packs, comprehensively testing with professional users worldwide and sharing the same core values as CARB to innovate towards a zero-emission future.

A new era for battery-powered tools

A new era for battery-powered tools

Within the report, it’s noted: “a commercial operator using one backpack leaf blower for one hour generates the same smog-forming emissions as a car driving 1100 miles. These new regulations will aim to reduce emissions of smog-forming emissions by 72 tons per day.”

Now is the time to find out more about the range of Pellenc batteries and grounds maintenance tools.

Following the successful launch at SALTEX 2009, Pellenc has quickly become the leader in professional battery-powered tools, with a range of batteries able to undertake a full working day on a single charge.  Productivity was brought to a new level, while reducing vibration, noise and Co2 emissions.

Pellenc have a tried and tested knowledge and understanding of what a true professional user needs to undertake the move from petrol to battery tools. That now includes a four-year warranty on all batteries within the range which gives peace of mind and confidence in equipment lasting the testing conditions of commercial use.

For more information on the California Air Resource Board report, please visit click here.

Pellenc is sold exclusively in the UK and Ireland by Etesia UK. For more information, or to book a no obligation demonstration, please visit www.pellencuk.com

You can also follow Pellenc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PellencUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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BASF invests in growth

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BASF invests in growth: Leading pest control solutions manufacturer, BASF has invested in new vessels at its specialist nematode production facility, which is the only one of its kind in Britain. The operation produces nematodes used by amateur gardeners and commercial growers globally as a natural pest-control solution for slugs and other pests.

Based in Littlehampton, the 4,000 m2 facility has been producing up to 12 trillion nematodes every month, but the installation of the new vessels in which to grow them will see this increase by 14% per month, whilst also creating a more robust manufacturing process, ensuring reliable supply to customers.

BASF invests in growth

BASF invests in growth

The project was conceived at the end of 2020 and work began in earnest at the beginning of 2021, with completion due at the end of Q1 2022.

As is the case for the other 6 manufacturing vessels already on site, the new equipment was designed and manufactured to exacting requirements in Burton upon Trent, a town famous for its brewing – which is apt, as the vessel is reminiscent of a brewery fermenter, with similar technology employed in its production.

The 316L Stainless Steel vessels, with ground and polished welds for sterility, are designed and tested to withstand 150ºC, 5.2 barg pressure and full vacuum, with a cooling jacket built into the shell, to prevent the nematodes from ‘cooking’ by the heat generated from their mass reproduction. Even when empty the vessels weigh an astonishing 7,150 kg.

The vessel installation took place over a weekend, but the mammoth task of mechanical and electrical installation will take approximately 10 weeks, with work due to begin this month.

Thomas Goddard, operations manager at BASF Agricultural Specialities commented: “This is an exciting time for the company, as we invest in our resources, which reflects the growing appetite for biological pest control and our unique place in the market.”

For further information about nematodes, please visit https://www.nemasysinfo.co.uk/ and follow basf_nemasys_uk on Instagram.

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BIGGA Vice President revealed

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BIGGA Vice President revealed: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has revealed that Shirley Golf Club course manager Andrew Smith will become vice president of the association for 2022.

Andrew will support former St Andrews Links Director of Greenkeeping Gordon Moir in his activities as BIGGA President throughout this year, before stepping up to the president’s role in his own right in 2023.

BIGGA Vice President revealed

BIGGA Vice President revealed

Andrew, 59, has been course manager at Shirley Golf Club in Solihull for 23 years, following stints at Lutterworth, North Warwickshire and Olton. He has been involved with BIGGA as an active committee member since 1996, most recently serving as chairperson for the Central England Region since 2019 and is also an R&A Greenkeeping Scholar.

Prior to a serious bout of COVID-19, Andrew was an extreme athlete, undertaking personal challenges such as the National Three Peaks, climbing the 13 highest mountains in Wales in a day and completing triathlons. Last Christmas he undertook a challenge of a different sort as he played a lead role in his local theatrical society’s presentation of Cinderella.

Andrew said: “It will come as no surprise to anyone that I’m always willing to try new things, but I never imagined that would include being appointed vice president of BIGGA.

“I have been involved with the association for over 25 years and during that time we’ve taken some incredible strides forward with regard to the education that is on offer to greenkeepers and the reputation of BIGGA members within the wider golfing industry. For the presidency to go from St Andrews to Shirley Golf Club in Solihull shows the breadth and scope of BIGGA and the degree to which anyone can contribute to the association, if they put their mind to it.

“I’m incredibly proud to represent Shirley Golf Club on a national scale and I look forward to meeting my fellow members from across the association at the various events we are involved with throughout the year.”

Andrew will be appointed Vice President of BIGGA during the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition, which takes place in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, during March 2022. He will then become President at the same event the following year.

BIGGA Chairperson Scott Reeves will complete his term at BTME 2022, to be succeeded by Steve Lloyd of The Worcestershire Golf Club. Commenting upon the appointment of Andrew as Vice President, Scott said: “After a turbulent few years for everyone, I’m proud that BIGGA has stuck to its vision of being an association that values the contributions of all its members, no matter their background or career path. Andrew has been a respected figurehead within the Central England Region for many years and has been influential in creating education opportunities for so many of his fellow members. I am therefore delighted that he has accepted the nomination to become BIGGA Vice President in 2022.”

Registration for BTME 2022 is open now via www.btme.org.uk

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New mixture for 2022

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New mixture for 2022: In response to the increase in reported instances of Brown Patch in the UK football industry, DLF have undertaken a screening programme for the last two years to analyse the tolerance of different varieties.

The results of the trial highlighted the strong tolerance of certain DLF diploid varieties together with 4turf®, which now forms the basis of a J Premier 4Turf – a brand-new Johnsons Sports Seed mixture launching in 2022.

New mixture for 2022

New mixture for 2022

Brown patch is a turfgrass foliar disease caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia spp. All cool-season turf grasses are susceptible to potential attack by the fungus, however it has been found to be most detrimental to bent grass, ryegrasses, annual meadow grass and some fescue species. Attacks are often triggered by hot, humid conditions with an increase in cases identified on plants that are moist and/or have been over-stimulated with nitrogen-based fertilisers.

Samples of a particularly violent European strain of Brown Patch were harvested from a football environment and were studied at the MariboHilleshög Research AB laboratory in Landskrona, Sweden – specialists in Rhizoctonia fungi. More than 30 perennial ryegrass varieties – including nine 4turf® tetraploid perennial ryegrasses – were inoculated, with each variety then scored weekly for plant health. DLF were able to determine with confidence, the higher tolerance of the 4turf® varieties to Brown Patch, which correlates with the results seen in other disease trials.

Using the findings from the trials, Johnsons Sports Seed have launched J Premier 4Turf. New for 2022, it is the first mixture of its kind to combine the top-performing perennial ryegrasses from the trial to deliver improved tolerance to Brown Patch, together with the outstanding wear tolerance and visual merit of the original J Premier Pitch mixture. J Premier 4Turf takes full advantage of the most tolerant diploid and tetraploid varieties, with 20% 4turf® – formulated with 10% FABIAN and 10% TETRAGAME.

Following ongoing dialogue with the DLF technical team since early 2019, Head Groundsman at Reading Football Club Chris Last became the first to trial the new J Premier 4Turf mixture. In conjunction with the trial results, the objective was to deliver a mixture with even greater resilience, even faster establishment and improved wear tolerance.

“Having not used 4turf® before, it was interesting to see how well it thrived in our environment!” Chris explains. “We seeded, then sheeted and within just three days the 4turf® was up without the need for excessive levels of input. We were then cutting within a week. As the months progressed, myself and the team at DLF have been avidly observing the sward and how it copes with the issues – particularly disease pressure – at various times of the year. July has always traditionally been a hot-spot for Brown Patch, but last year we saw nothing at all. The additional resilience of the 4turf® has meant that even during high-pressure periods for Fusarium in September and October, any small signs have not turned into full outbreaks. Without question, we have retained far more overall coverage than we have in previous seasons.”

More details about the J Premier 4Turf mixture and a number of other new formulations can be found in the Johnsons Sports Seed catalogue, or by visiting www.johnsonssportsseed.co.uk

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SBM to bolster Baby Bio® and Phostrogen® brands

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SBM to bolster Baby Bio® and Phostrogen® brands: SBM Life Science, the group behind the iconic fertiliser brands, Baby Bio® and Phostrogen®, has announced significant investment into its marketing strategy ahead of the key spring season this year, to support its new product launches and network of retailers in 2022.

With both brands set to release new products next month, SBM will deliver a host of activity throughout 2022 to increase brand awareness, drive footfall through retailers and boost sales, strengthening their industry-leading positions in the home and garden arena.

SBM to bolster Baby Bio® and Phostrogen® brands

SBM to bolster Baby Bio® and Phostrogen® brands

Amongst the activity planned, SBM has announced the appointment of a home and garden specialist communications agency, Honest Communications, which has joined the team to manage its PR, influencer marketing and social media platforms.

Further investment includes an extensive digital advertising campaign across Google, YouTube and social media, and print advertising in key lifestyle and trade titles for both brands, whilst Phostrogen® will debut its first broadcast campaign, with TV advertisements aired across various lifestyle channels including ITV.

SBM will also launch a new in-store incentive across Phostrogen® products from March, offering consumers a variety of exciting redeemable offers once they purchase any Phostrogen product.

To support retailers, SBM will introduce a range of exciting new in-store point of sale display units to command space, attract interest and catch the eye of consumers, including archways, pallet wraps, hot spots, and gondola ends.

It comes as Baby Bio® prepares to introduce an Organic Houseplant Food, while Phostrogen® will expand its product range to include a line of new organic fertilisers, including an Organic All Purpose Food, Organic Tomato Food, Organic Lawncare Food, and Organic Ericaceous Food. The launch also coincides with the rebrand of Phostrogen®’s popular All Purpose Plant Food, which will unveil a fresh, modern look for the iconic original fertiliser.

Both Baby Bio® and Phostrogen® have decades of British heritage behind them, with the much-loved brands having helped generations of gardeners and houseplant parents reap the rewards of their horticultural efforts, establishing them as market leaders in the home and garden sector.

James Ramnought, Marketing Director for SBM Life Science commented, “This year is going to be an incredibly exciting one for Baby Bio® and Phostrogen®, with the launch of our first organic products. Our investment in a holistic marketing approach will bolster the awareness of the popular products these two iconic brands offer, whilst making noise about the new organic products.

“The combination of digital and print advertising, in-store POS, and the appointment of a PR and social media agency will drive our vision for the brands, allowing us to continue to lead the way in the market.”

For more information, please visit https://www.solabiol.com/en

Follow Baby Bio® on Instagram and Facebook, and follow Phostrogen® on Instagram and Facebook.

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