Carbon neutral accreditation secured

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Carbon neutral accreditation secured: Nurture Landscapes Group, consisting of Nurture Landscapes and Gavin Jones Ltd, granted internationally-recognised carbon neutral specification for measures at Surrey head office and at client sites.

The Group has been awarded Carbon Neutral status in accordance with the PAS 2060 specification, four years ahead of target as a result of its ongoing commitment to sustainable operation in all areas. The firm also holds ISO 14001 and 50001 accreditations for environmental and energy management respectively.

Carbon neutral accreditation secured

Carbon neutral accreditation secured

In its 2019 carbon neutral statement, Nurture Group pledged to become a PAS 2060 accredited organisation by 2025 and achieve full net zero status by 2030. The former is the result of a wide internal evaluation of all the Group’s sites nationwide and the activities of its 1250 staff.

CEO Peter Fane commented: “Operating sustainably and reducing our impact on the environment has been a promise of Nurture Landscapes Group since day one. As individuals, we all have a part to play in preserving our environment for future generations and I’m proud of our teams for doing their bit in helping us as a company achieve our target ahead of schedule. Evaluating individual processes and devising new ones has been a monumental task but one we were fully committed to doing carefully in order to cover each criteria.

“In addition to continuing to work alongside our customers and suppliers to ensure that the materials, tools, and techniques we use continue to minimise the impact on our environment, we are investing in significant carbon offsetting projects in Madagascar, Uruguay and the Amazon, which we have chosen because of how close they are to our own activities and industry, rather than how much they cost. After all, we believe that companies such as ours have a duty to safeguarding the world our children will inherit.”

Nurture Group maintains sites across the UK, such as business parks, hotels, and Royal gardens, utilising various measures such as battery-powered vehicles and tools. The firm is also reviewing its company vehicle policy in line with advancements made in electric and hybrid technology, and assessing its own supply chain to identify areas on which its carbon footprint can be further reduced.

Moving forwards, Nurture Group has committed to reducing its annual carbon footprint year on year, with individual action points being reviewed every six months.

Further details about Nurture Group and its environmental commitments can be accessed at: www.nurturelandscapes.co.uk/sustainabilty/carbon-neutral/

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Sustainable launch from SGL

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Sustainable launch from SGL: In the midst of the worldwide transition to a sustainable society, SGL sets a new standard for efficient pitch management. The past years their agronomy and R&D team worked closely together, to bring together over a decade of agronomical research and technological innovation, and transformed that into the biggest and most efficient mobile grow lighting system for sports grass: the LED440.

The combination of improved growth algorithms and new in-house developed LED and Infrared technology, enables SGL to guarantee grass quality and energy savings.

Sustainable launch from SGL

Sustainable launch from SGL

SGL has been working with growth algorithms since day one and with the development of this new technology, it is again the foundation. Founder Nico van Vuuren believes data and technology are inseparable when it comes to sustainability: “In order to be able to have the desired grass growth while using resources most efficiently, you need to know what the conditions are and then calculate what input, such as light, temperature and water, is required. Our agronomy team has optimized our growth algorithm and is able to exactly determine the light and temperature requirements for every individual pitch. Our new LED and Infrared technology on the LED440 enables individual control of light and temperature accordingly. This combination enables us to guarantee energy savings and grass quality.”

Developing a 440 square meter lighting system with LED and Infrared, that is both effective and sustainable, came with a lot of challenges. SGL director of R&D, Scott Bogner, explains: “For a system of this size, we had to address issues like weight and power levels, and also the challenge of how to mix infrared and LED in our signature six-arm platform, so we started from scratch.” To meet both the quality and efficiency demands, the LED fixtures and Infrared fixtures have been designed by developers in-house, based on a decade of agronomical research. Bogner: “Usually in LED fixtures, roughly 35% of the energy is converted in convection heat. Convection heat warms the air around the fixture and is not directed to the surface, which means this energy is wasted. With our new LED fixture, this heat is collected and directed to the surface if additional heat is needed. In addition, we came up with an innovative asymmetrical reflector for our new Infrared technology, to get a consistent temperature across the entire footprint. By designing new LED and Infrared fixtures specifically for our 440 square meter platform, we were able to significantly decrease the number of fixtures. This resulted in a 70% weight reduction per square meter. However, one of the biggest accomplishments, is the overall system efficiency. Being able to deliver as much light as a previous system with a 40% energy saving, is a monumental improvement.”

For the most efficient operation, the LED440 has temperature sensors built in, which constantly measure grass temperature. SGL developed a new Smart control system to make sure only the amount of Infrared is added to reach the desired temperature set by the groundsman. This enables a perfect growing environment in all climates, also in winter, and significant savings in summers and hot climates. SGL agronomist Dr. Irene Vroegop explains the importance of a good light and temperature balance: “Two of the main plant processes, photosynthesis and respiration, are driven by light and temperature. When there is a disbalance, you will get either very thick leaves that are difficult to mow and hard to play on, or weak plants that get damaged easily and are susceptible for diseases. By creating the right balance, you can grow a strong plant that is able to endure a match, which is good to play on and can recover afterwards.”

Van Vuuren and the SGL team have been working towards this moment for years: “Twenty years ago, we set the standard with the first grow lighting systems in sports stadiums. But that doesn’t mean a thing if you stop innovating. There’s always a demand for higher quality; we always have to improve. The LED440 will be the next step for top quality sports grass in a sustainable way, and I’m very proud of that.”

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New approach for Newark Golf Club

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New approach for Newark Golf Club: Established in 1901, Newark Golf Club in Nottinghamshire is an 18-hole parkland/heathland golf course with a driving range and practice facilities maintained by a greenkeeping team of six led by course manager Alex Clarricoates.

Alex joined the club from school on work experience 13 years ago and was then offered a full-time job. Since he became course manager three years ago, a new club board took the opportunity after the first Covid lockdown to restructure the running of the golf course and make some necessary improvements. By outsourcing the pro shop and clubhouse to franchise operators, this freed up extra money to spend on the club’s main asset, the golf course.

New approach for Newark Golf Club

New approach for Newark Golf Club

“The club was very supportive and happy to make the investment I thought was necessary to improve the course quality, rather than simply making do with what we had,” says Alex. “I was therefore encouraged to put together a list of the machines we needed to get us properly equipped. For example, we used to hire in a contractor to do the vertidraining, but we now have our own machine which gives us much more flexibility and costs the club less money in the long run.

“Having bought our first John Deere package in 2017, the old fleet needed upgrading. There was a mix of deals on different terms with and without maintenance agreements, so essentially we emptied the shed and replaced the fleet, with the help of our local dealer Simon Fountain at Adamson’s Langworth depot.

“In particular, we decided to invest in new mowers dedicated to the rough, semi-rough and fairways, to give us more flexibility with the cutting regimes. We can now mow the roughs, aprons and tees more regularly, whereas before one machine had to do two jobs, and we also have a specialist amenity turf sprayer, which we didn’t have before.

“Another benefit is that one of my assistants, Jim North, used to work with Simon at the previous John Deere dealership, so he’s familiar with the kit and can look after all the service and maintenance.”

The new John Deere fleet (pictured on the 8th hole) includes three 2550E hybrid electric triplex mowers with two spare sets of 7- and 11-blade reels, a 6700A PrecisionCut fairway mower, 9009A TerrainCut and 1600T WAM Series 3 rotary rough mowers, a 4066R compact tractor with 440R front loader and 4-in-1 bucket, a ProGator 2030A utility vehicle with HD200 sprayer and cargo box plus TH 6×4 and TE electric Gators.

Ancillary equipment bought as part of the John Deere Financial five-year finance lease package deal includes a Charterhouse Redexim Top-Brush and Verti-Drain 7416 aerator, a Campey Turf Care Vredo DZ 214.07.5 compact seeder and a Tru-Turf RE50 greens roller.

“After the course was shut during the last lockdown, it took the team about a month to prepare the course ready to open again, using the new equipment, and it was in mint condition straight from the off,” says Alex.

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Kubota brings new machines to Saltex

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Kubota brings new machines to Saltex: Kubota will present an extensive range of new machines at Saltex 2021, with plenty for visitors to investigate at the UK’s first major indoor groundcare exhibition for two years.

Since October 2020, Kubota has introduced a number of new product lines, and the Grounds Management Association’s event, held at the NEC, Birmingham, will offer the opportunity to see them ‘in the metal’ on stand C070.

Kubota brings new machines to Saltex

Kubota brings new machines to Saltex

Heading up the launches is the new LX Series, a range of multi-purpose compact tractors from 35-40hp, that allow users to handle a wide variety of tasks ranging from mowing and snow clearance to materials handling and cultivations. With an impressive lift capacity, optional front loader, front linkage and pto, this is a tractor for all seasons.

The recently upgraded L Series is also represented, now equipped with Kubota Stage V engines and a stylish new look.

Kubota’s mowing equipment is the mainstay of leading grounds maintenance contractors and local authorities across the country, and latest addition to the renowned F Series front mowers, the 38hp F391, will be revealed offering unmatched output and performance for commercial mowing.

The new G Series ride-on mowers have had an outstanding reception across the industry, and Kubota will launch the G261 RD, with rear discharge deck and optional mulching, which offers high work rates and quality of cut for operations that do not require collection, while still capable of accessing restricted areas.

In addition to a selection of Kubota’s extensive established groundcare machinery and examples of the implement range, a mini excavator from the company’s construction range, renowned as essential tools for renovation and development projects, will also be on show.

Kubota maintains an excellent working relationship with Baroness, sharing many of the same dealers, and examples of the fine turf specialist’s mowing range can also be seen on the stand.

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Worcester GC sticks with Toro

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Worcester GC sticks with Toro: Worcester Golf and Country Club, which is only a few minutes from Worcester city centre, has stuck with Toro in a bid to resolve some noise issues the club was experiencing cutting certain greens.

When course manager Karl Williams joined in at the beginning of April this year to oversee the nine-strong greenkeeping team, he knew from previous experience working with the brand that Toro was the right fit for the job and had the right range of machines to make a difference.

Worcester GC sticks with Toro

Worcester GC sticks with Toro

The new deal includes two Greensmaster eTriFlex 3360 hybrid riding greens mowers and four Greensmaster 1021 fixed-head greens mowers – keeping it an all-Toro club when it comes to frontline mowing equipment – as well as a GreensPro 1260 riding greens roller.

These machines were carefully selected to help solve some issues the club was experiencing by being in an urban location. The eTriFlex 3360 hybrid greensmowers were particularly important to appease noise complaints the club had received over the years when cutting certain greens at certain times. This model utilises all-electric components so it’s so much quieter and more efficient than its petrol predecessor. And with no hydraulic fluid, leaks are minimised, making it a greener option for any turfcare maintenance business.

Karl explains: “These hybrid models sound like a golf buggy when in stealth-mode travel. This keeps our residential neighbours happy and means the team can now start work earlier on the course and get the job done ahead of golfers, all the while being the environmentally-friendly option.

“It’s so efficient too; not only can the lads get out earlier, but they are done quicker. We’re a very busy club – we have around 700 golf members and 300 tennis members – so we need to stay productive and efficient, and these machines allow us to do just that.”

In addition, the GreensPro 1260 roller is the first roller the club has had the pleasure of using and leaves a smooth and precise finish for the ultimate playing surface. Karl explains: “I can cut the greens at a higher height of cut, which is heathier for the grass plant and also still achieves the greens’ speed the golfers require”.

With the new fleet getting the seal of approval from the greenkeeping team, the course neighbours and the golfers, Karl has a few more plans in store that involve future purchases of Toro machinery: alongside some general course improvements is a three-to-four-year plan for a full bunker renovation and a seven-to-10-year plan of tree layout redesign.

He says: “I think the clubs that invest, like Worcester Golf and Country Club with the course improvements and new kit, are the ones that are going to thrive,” he says. “Members just want to see value for their money and I think the phrase ‘you must spend money to make money’ is true – clubs that can afford to invest will be the ones that profit.”

Choosing Toro was, for Karl, the natural option: “I’ve always favoured Toro, for me it is an all-round package. The quality is there so it was something that we wanted to continue with. Longevity was also a factor; I’ve had mowers still mowing in their 20th year. Toro machines hold their value when it comes to trade ins. We don’t have much trouble with them, we mainly only require spare parts from general wear and tear. So, Toro is still very much the market leader for me.

“During my time in the industry, it’s been my preferred manufacturing brand and yes, the club will be staying that way going forward, with a fleet refresh over the next four to five years.”

Karl also credits the positive relationship with Reesink and area service centre Redtech Machinery Ltd. for the seamless purchasing process and ongoing support.

“At previous clubs where I was course manager, we had good relationships with Reesink (way back when it was Lely) and also with the Toro service centre Redtech,” Karl explains. “I’ve dealt with them for the past 20 years I‘ve been greenkeeping and I can’t speak highly enough of them. Their service is second to none and I think that’s 50 percent of what’s important when you buy a machine – you need to know that backup and support are there, reliable and ready to serve your needs.”

To talk to someone about Toro technology and how the Toro range would suit your course, call 01480 226800.

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