News - Turf Matters

MM50 makes a splash

September 15, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

MM50 makes a splash: Gordon Gill, Head Groundsman at Bath Cricket Club, has praised the qualities of MM50 grass seed with the speed of germination being a standout feature.

Gordon has been the Head Groundsman for close to twenty years at Bath Cricket Club. Recognising his passion for grounds management at a young age he started as a part-time volunteer at his local recreational cricket club in the autumn of 1980, before embarking on several relevant courses.

MM50 makes a splash

To help pay the bills he also worked as a class one lorry driver but after being made redundant, it was all the motivation he needed to pursue a career in grounds management. Therefore, he attended day release and completed his NVQ2 at Hartpury College before landing the job at Bath Cricket Club during the late summer of 2002.

It was during his time at Hartpury College that he met Matt Gresty (MM & Designer sales and brand manager for DLF UK) who was working in the sports turf department. The two struck up a long-standing relationship and it was Matt that introduced Gordon to the range of MM seed.

MM is one of the most respected brands in the UK amenity industry and its extensive product portfolio guarantees 100% performance proven mixtures. All the varieties in the MM mixtures are thoroughly tested at the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) – ensuring that the finished product will meet your requirements for play, appearance and maintenance.

In particular Gordon has been using MM50 for some time now and has always been pleased with the germination speed from renovation and repair work.

Over recent years, MM50 has been the number one choice for cricket groundsmen. Those representing grass roots, schools, local clubs and international test venues have all benefitted from using MM50. It possesses exceptional shoot density and wear tolerance plus great recovery, making it particularly suitable for all cricket squares.

MM50 is also treated with HEADSTART® GOLD – a unique seaweed based seed treatment which ensures rapid and even germination. This revolutionary grass seed treatment helps your grass get off to a great start and is ideal in the less than favourable conditions that can sometimes be found on cricket squares.

Gordon explained the benefits of using MM50.

“The speed of establishment and also recovery of existing pitches after use plays an important role in maintaining consistent even grass coverage across the square, this is important with a very busy fixture list where we can host up to 100 days of cricket a season.

“The colour it produces is fantastic, and it has high disease resistance too. Regardless of my friendship with Matt, I would still be using MM50 because it is such a good seed.

“We have to be 100% confident in the products that we use, to absolutely know that we are going to get the best results and MM50 gives us that reassurance.”

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk. You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed

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EGO blows away the competition

September 14, 2022/in News, Press Release/by External Source

EGO blows away the competition: Outdoor battery-powered equipment specialist, EGO Power Plus, has expanded its range of blowers with the industry’s most powerful handheld blower to date. Outperforming other leading petrol-powered and battery blowers, the LB7650E enables a maximum propulsive force of 26n and a max airspeed of 195mph.

Offering a run time of up to six hours on a single charge, the blower joins the EGO Professional range for those working on large and demanding gardens.

EGO blows away the competition

Engineered to outperform petrol power when in Boost Mode with a maximum volume intake of 1,300m3/h, and equipped with a variable thumb selector, users can get more power at the touch of a button to blow away stubborn debris.

Designed with user comfort in mind, this lightweight machine with enhanced ergonomics makes for an easier day of work in the garden. The redesigned variable speed trigger, boost switch and speed dial simplify useability and give the operator complete control of the power they need.

The blower comes with easy to install large blowing tubes included as accessories, its round nozzle is ideal for moving leaves and other debris in large volumes, and the flat nozzle can be used to move wet leaves, stones and other hard-to-shift objects ensuring that users are prepared for any task.

Vince Brauns, Group Product Manager at EGO Power Plus said: “Out of all garden tools, petrol leaf blowers are often the most contentious, not just for their fumes but for their volume too. With the LB7650E, we’re not just expanding our Professional range, we’re also providing a battery-powered leaf blower that outperforms the power of petrol, poses no risk to the environment, and has a lower impact on its operator’s health. Professional gardeners will be able to complete jobs easily, quickly, and quietly in a way that a petrol leaf blower could never allow.”

The LB7650E can be equipped with any EGO 56V Arc Lithium battery, coupled with a high-efficiency brushless motor, users can expect reliable power and greater run times for emission-free gardening with reduced noise and vibrations.

To learn more visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/

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AriensCo putting dealers in pole position

September 13, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Fiona Sare

AriensCo putting dealers in pole position: AriensCo, an industry leader in outdoor power equipment, will hold its annual dealer meeting at the legendary home of British motor racing, Silverstone on 8^th September. The day will be led by the senior management team including Jochen Schneider, Executive Vice President of EMEAA and Darren Spencer, Vice President for EMEAA with all on-programme dealers for Ariens, Countax and Westwood invited.

The meeting’s theme is Pole Position and will showcase AriensCo’s new products, people and support which will put AriensCo and its dealers in pole position for the new season, and future seasons to come.

AriensCo putting dealers in pole position

The annual event will give dealers the chance to learn about the exciting news for 2023 including AriensCo’s ever expanding range of petrol and battery powered zero-turns and a new commercial brand, joining the AriensCo family.

The meeting will also give dealers the chance to discover new systems that will help market their dealerships and encourage growth and Ariens Academy – a programme to educate and train dealers on its products.

This will be the first in-person dealer meeting since 2019 where, due to Covid-19 restrictions, AriensCo had to hold virtual meetings and smaller roadshows. However, despite Covid-19, AriensCo didn’t take its foot off the pedal. In fact, AriensCo continued to invest in all areas of operations, fuelling impressive growth in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

Darren Spencer, Vice President for EMEAA is excited to finally meet dealers face to face, “While our virtual meetings and roadshow helped us through tough times, I can’t wait to see all of our dealers again in person. We’ve been working hard to deliver on new products, partnerships and systems that are going to put us and our dealers in pole position now, and in the future.”

If you’re interested in becoming an AriensCo dealer or you’d like more information, please contact: marketingdepartment@ariensco.com

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Cannon Hall takes on Ranger Diesel

September 12, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Cannon Hall takes on Ranger Diesel: A year on from receiving their first Ranger EV as a birthday gift to dad Roger, Farmers Robert and Dave at Cannon Hall Farm are still utilising the Polaris Ranger around the 125-acre farm, now with their latest Ranger Diesel model.

Featuring on Channel 5’s Friday on the Farm and Summer on the Farm, the team have been extremely busy with the upkeep of their popular and ever-developing farm. The Ranger Diesel is on hand to help, delivered to Cannon Hall Farm back in January this year.

Cannon Hall takes on Ranger Diesel

Farmer Robert said: “We loved the EV around here – it was our first time with a Polaris vehicle and really showed us the quality of the brand. This year, having the Diesel has been another great experience – it’s so usable, it’s so flexible and it’s more than capable. We’ll often use the Ranger for extended periods and having the confidence in the diesel engine has been great, not to mention it’s fantastic when carrying heavy loads in the bed.”

The Ranger Diesel is proving itself to be the ultimate agricultural workhorse, being put to hard work from the get-go at Cannon Hall Farm. With its large cargo bed with 435kg capacity, the team at Cannon Hall Farm use it to transport animal food and supplies. This is a no mean feat with Cannon Hall Farm being home to hundreds of animals and reptiles, all with tailored, high-quality care.

Over the 125 acres of the farm, there’s a number of less-accessible areas that can’t be easily accessed by traditional 4×4 vehicles – this is where the Ranger Diesel comes into its own with the highest ground clearance in its class of 33cm, plus added features like electronic power steering to allow the team – including dad Roger – to ride around the farm all day without fatigue.

“The Ranger Diesel is really well made and the whole vehicle inspires confidence when driving, not just off road but also when travelling on the roads from field to field,” Farmer Rob continued. “It’s the most robust off road vehicle we’ve ever had at the farm!”

Not only proving to be an excellent helping hand for daily farm life, Dave and Rob have recently come up with a more unique way to use the cargo bed.

“The Ranger Diesel is handy for lots of different things but our favourite is as a bar on wheels, when we have events, concerts, etc. We’ve discovered that we can use the Ranger to store all the cold drinks and move them around, the waterproof bed is perfect for the job. Plus, when we run out, it’s only a quick drive back to refill – no more of those pesky wheelbarrows running back and forth!”

Farmer David said: “The Ranger Diesel has been a real game changer for us here at Cannon Hall Farm, we certainly put it through its paces and it has never let us down yet. It’s a well built machine that we know we can rely on, and its versatility is something we now couldn’t live without.”

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Acelepryn authoristation granted

September 12, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Mark Sanderson

Acelepryn authoristation granted: An Emergency Authorisation (EA) for the use of the Syngenta insecticide Acelepryn to target leatherjackets has been granted for the 2022 season.

This season, the leatherjacket authorisation permits use of Acelepryn up to 18 November 2022 – with an extended opportunity to cover the key periods of adult crane fly egg laying and target early stages of larval activity in the soil.

Acelepryn authoristation granted

Subject to specific conditions, areas permitted for Acelepryn use now cover affected areas of golf course greens, tees and fairways, horse racecourses and gallops, airfields and first-class cricket outfields under exceptional circumstances.

For the first time, golf and cricket venues hosting internationally important or first class competitions can apply for specific permission to treat extended areas of fairways and outfields, where there is a danger of cancellation or relocation of events as a result of pest damage. Special dispensation may be granted to the sports’ governing bodies, in consultation with ICL.

Leatherjackets cause extensive damage to turf through feeding on roots, which can be severe in areas, along with affecting playing surface smoothness on golf greens. Surface stability where larvae have chewed through turf roots is of grave concern for racecourses.

Furthermore, extreme damage can occur in all turf surfaces when badgers, birds and other foragers root through turf in search of the larvae. The EA permits application in situations where there is an acknowledged instance of economic damage, or risk of bird strike on airfields, and where the product has been recommended by a BASIS qualified agronomist.

The Acelepryn EA was applied for and held by ICL. Users will be required to submit online stewardship records of areas treated, linked from the ICL website.

“Over recent seasons the damage by soil pests has been of increasing concern and over an extended period,” reported Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes. “Obtaining this EA enables turf managers to develop a more effective integrated turf management programme to tackle the severe effects of these pests.”

Further trials are underway on golf courses and fine turf surfaces to refine the application timing, along with aeration practices and the potential to use Acelepryn in conjunction with effectively targeted nematode treatments.

Sean advocates the best results have been achieved with applications one month after the peak flight of adult crane fly and egg laying, for the product to be in the soil zone to target early feeding larvae. “The on-line Pest Tracker reporting system provides a picture of pest activity across the UK and Ireland, to better aid application timing,” he reported.

“Keep surfaces irrigated where possible prior to application, to attract pest larvae to towards the surface,” advised Sean. “It’s important to ensure the soil profile is not hydrophobic at the time of application. Apply at higher water volumes, above 600 l/ha, using the white O8 XC Nozzle to help the spray reach the soil surface.”

New research has also shown adapting aeration timing and intensity could also influence leatherjacket larvae movement and the efficacy of controls.

ICL Technical Manager, Henry Bechelet, and Syngenta specialist, Glenn Kirby, have provided a full insight into new developments and practical implications of leatherjacket ITM control programmes in their latest September episode of the On the Horizon podcast.

An on-line turf pest ID guide, to aid the identification of adult stages of key soil pests and target application timing, is now available on the Syngenta Turf website.

For further information on best use guidelines where chafer grubs and leatherjackets have caused economically damaging effects contact an ICL Area Manager or BASIS agronomist:

ICL Area Managers for Acelepryn enquiries:

Scotland

Jamie Lees

jamie.lees@icl-group.com

07500 992464

North/East

Craig Lalley

craig.lalley@icl-group.com

07824 528252

Midlands/West

Emma Kilby

emma.kilby@icl-group.com