Bionema launches WeevilIntercept™ for adult vine weevil control

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Bionema launches WeevilIntercept™ for adult vine weevil control: Bionema Group, a UK-based biological crop protection company, has announced the launch of WeevilIntercept™, a ready-to-use biological solution designed to control adult black vine weevils (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) in ornamental horticulture, nurseries, and retail plant production systems.

Vine weevil is one of the most economically damaging pests in UK horticulture, with total plant losses estimated at approximately £40 million annually across nurseries, garden centres, and retail supply chains. While adult vine weevils cause visible cosmetic damage to foliage, the most severe economic losses are caused by larvae, which hatch from eggs laid by adults and feed on plant roots, often leading to sudden plant collapse and death.

Bionema launches WeevilIntercept™ for adult vine weevil control

Bionema launches WeevilIntercept™ for adult vine weevil control

For professional growers and retailers, tolerance is effectively zero. The presence of even a single larva or adult vine weevil can result in crop rejection, lost sales, and reputational damage, particularly at the point of sale.

WeevilIntercept™ is designed to break this cycle by targeting adult vine weevils before they lay eggs, helping reduce subsequent larval pressure and protect plant quality. The product exploits the natural daytime hiding behaviour of adult weevils and contains encapsulated entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae) housed within a moisture-stable wooden shelter. When adult weevils enter the trap, the nematodes infect and kill the pest through a wholly biological process, leaving no chemical residues.

“Adult vine weevils may cause cosmetic damage, but they are the source of the larvae responsible for the most serious plant losses,” said Dr Minshad Ansari, CEO and Founder of Bionema Group. “WeevilIntercept™ provides growers and retailers with a practical biological tool to intercept adults early, complement existing larval control programmes, and strengthen integrated pest management strategies.”

Each WeevilIntercept™ unit provides approximately 10 square metres of coverage and remains active for up to 8-10 weeks when kept moist. The product is intended for use by professional growers, nurseries, landscapers, garden centres, and home gardeners managing vine weevil pressure during the active adult period from spring through mid-summer.

Free from microplastics and synthetic pesticides, WeevilIntercept™ supports Bionema’s wider mission to reduce reliance on conventional chemical inputs while maintaining reliable, practical pest control performance.

WeevilIntercept™ will be available for the 2026 vine weevil season, with an initial focus on the UK horticultural and retail markets. Growers and retailers interested in evaluation or supply for the 2026 season are invited to contact Bionema Group directly.

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Allett launches LEDMASTER UVC 100

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Allett launches LEDMASTER UVC 100: Complementing the Allett Omnia launch, Allett will also display the LEDMASTER UVC 100 UV-C Light Bar at BTME 2026. LEDMASTER is a new turf disease management tool that integrates directly into routine mowing operations.

Mounted behind compatible professional mowers, the LEDMASTER UVC 100 exposes freshly cut grass leaf surfaces to a controlled dose of UV-C light during normal mowing runs. This exposure can help suppress foliar pathogens and reduce disease pressure, decreasing reliance on chemical fungicides while fitting seamlessly into existing mowing schedules.

Allett launches LEDMASTER UVC 100

Allett launches LEDMASTER UVC 100

Key features of the LEDMASTER UVC 100 include reduction in foliar disease pressure as part of the standard mowing process. There are no additional labour, residues or regulatory limitations. Proven positive outcomes in stadium trials show reduced visible symptoms of common turf diseases such as leaf spot and red thread.

“By activating UV-C treatment as grass is being cut, grounds teams can build a cumulative suppressive effect on disease pathogens without extra passes or labour,” says Allett. “This represents a practical, sustainable step forward in integrated turf management.”

The LEDMASTER UVC 100 comes with an independent rechargeable battery with up to four hours’ operational capacity. LEDMASTER is shown for the first time at BTME 2026 alongside the new Allett OMNIA range. Further technical details and availability information will be released following the exhibition.

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Bernhard and Company heads to BTME and GCSAA

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Bernhard and Company heads to BTME and GCSAA: Bernhard and Company is preparing for a major few weeks in the industry calendar, with the team set to exhibit at BTME 2026 in Harrogate, England (20-22 January) before heading to Florida, USA for the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Orlando (2-5 February).

Across both shows, Bernhard will spotlight the breadth of its offer, combining industry-leading grinding machinery, technology-led turf solutions, and the training and development support of the Bernhard Academy.

Bernhard and Company heads to BTME and GCSAA

Bernhard and Company heads to BTME and GCSAA

“BTME and the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show are two of the most significant events in our calendar,” said Steven Nixon, Managing Director of Bernhard and Company. “They give us the chance to meet the people behind the surfaces, demonstrate the innovation within our grinding machinery range, and show how our wider technology and education offering is supporting performance and long-term sustainability in turf.”

BTME 2026: Harrogate – Hall 5, Stand 534

At BTME, Bernhard and Company will be located in Hall 5 on Stand 534, bringing the latest in its grinding machinery portfolio to Harrogate. On stand, visitors will be able to explore Bernhard’s Express Dual reel and Anglemaster bedknife grinding machines, as well as learn more about the wider suite of solutions available through the company’s distribution network.

Bernhard will also be exhibiting SubAir Systems, alongside Soil Scout and Maya Global software, helping attendees understand how data and decision-making tools can support better surface performance, consistency, and efficiency across the seasons.

The Bernhard Academy team will also be based on the stand throughout the week, offering guidance on training pathways, workshops, and educational support for course teams looking to build skills and capability.

Alongside stand activity, the Bernhard Academy will play an exciting role in BIGGA’s Continue to Learn programme, delivering sold-out sessions at the Bernhard Academy hub at Moortown Golf Club. As part of the BTME programme, Phil Helmn of the Bernhard Academy will also deliver a three-hour class on Monday morning titled “The Art of Managing Up!”. The week will also include a seminar delivered by Phil on the Tuesday of the show, while the Academy will introduce the BIGGA Delegation for 2026 at the Bernhard Reception evening on Monday.

“BTME is a brilliant opportunity to connect education with real-world application,” said Sami Strutt, Education Director at the Bernhard Academy. “Whether it’s our Continue to Learn sessions, supporting turf teams with development opportunities, or launching the BIGGA Delegation’s journey, the focus is on helping people grow their skills and confidence.”

GCSAA Conference & Trade Show: Orlando – Stand 1949 (West Building)

Following BTME, Bernhard and Company will continue its trade show schedule in the United States at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

Bernhard can be found on Stand 1949 in the West Building, where the team will be exhibiting once again with Soil Scout, having recently launched the Soil Scout range into the North American market.

As part of the trip, the Bernhard Academy will accompany the BIGGA Delegation to the show, where delegates will experience the educational seminars on offer, take part in site visits to high-profile Florida golf venues, and make the most of the networking opportunities available throughout GCSAA week.

Education will also play a central role at GCSAA, with Phil Helmn delivering a four-hour seminar on Tuesday 3 February titled “Budgeting! Bulletproof Financial Management”. The session is currently sold out, with additional places available via a waiting list.

“The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show is a key moment for us to spend time with superintendents and course teams, and to build on the early momentum behind the Soil Scout launch in North America,” added Steven Nixon.

For more information on Bernhard and Company, the products and solutions it will be exhibiting at both shows, and the Bernhard Academy, view links below:

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Travel’s a breeze with Kubota RTV’s

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Travel’s a breeze with Kubota RTV’s: How do you quickly and easily navigate over 300 acres of Championship golf course, ensuring that people and materials are always exactly where you need them? Well, if you’re the greenkeeping team working across the 45-holes at Blairgowrie Golf Club, with a fleet of five Kubota RTV’s – that’s how!

Delivering more than four years of rugged and reliable transportation, the RTVX-1110’s working alongside six Kubota compacts tractors have been credited with keeping the whole maintenance operation on course.

Travel’s a breeze with Kubota RTV’s

Travel’s a breeze with Kubota RTV’s

Since its formation in 1889, Perthshire’s Blairgowrie Golf Club has grown from an initial layout of 9 holes that now forms the ‘wee course’, with the addition of two further 18-hole courses. Over the years, the Rosemount and Lansdowne Courses have played host to many national championships for Scottish Golf, European Golf Association, DP World Tour and the R&A and consistently feature in Scotland’s Top 100 rankings. These accolades contribute to the high expectations of the 1800 members, putting the pressure on the greenkeeping team to retain the highest of standards all year-round.

“Our Kubota equipment is incredibly important to the operations at Blairgowrie Golf Club” comments Managing Secretary Stuart Wilson. “The six compact tractors ranging from the smallest B2261 up to the biggest, 74hp, M7060 are used daily for all elements of the maintenance programme. Whether it’s towing implements such as mowers or seeders or assisting with winter construction projects, they are a reliable source of power and performance.”

Equally versatile and popular are the five RTV-X1110’s, installed and maintained by the team at HRN Tractors. “The Kubota RTV’s are robust vehicles that are perfectly suited to the terrain of our courses and, ultimately, mean that we can traverse our sizeable site in good time” Stuart explains.

“The hydrostatic transmission and outstanding build quality means they can handle our undulating fairways with ease, providing the perfect combination of power, practicality and comfort. The high payload allows us to move tools and materials around quickly and efficiently, significantly improving our productivity. In addition, the hydraulic tip feature on the RTV’s is a favourite with a number of the team, meaning heavier or awkward loads can be dropped off both quickly and safely.”

From a maintenance perspective, the RTV-X1110’s tick even more boxes! “Compared to other utility vehicles, our mechanic finds the RTV’s incredibly easy to work on. Having said that, other than the routine service checks, there’s been very little he’s had to do with them as we’ve had no major issues to report in the four years we’ve had them!”

Should a question or issue arise, Stuart adds that the team are in safe hands with the back-up support available via HRN. “We have an excellent working relationship with HRN Tractors who are located only a short distance from the club. They have a very knowledgeable after sales team that can assist at short notice when required.” He concludes, “The RTV’s and Kubota equipment in general has been an invaluable asset to our business.”

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DSV Seed Helping Crowborough Beacon Reach New Heights

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DSV Seed Helping Crowborough Beacon Reach New Heights: The quality of the playing surfaces at Crowborough Beacon Golf Club is the result of passion, precision – and the right seed. Course Manager Luke Jenkins has been achieving outstanding results using DSV’s PRO Summer Sport and PRO Rye Fairway mixtures from the EUROGRASS range, both of which have played a key role in improving the course’s playability and presentation.

Developed specifically for professional turf use, the EUROGRASS Pro mixtures are composed of carefully selected grass species and varieties to meet the highest standards of performance. Each blend is designed with the end user in mind – considering soil type, climate, intended use, and maintenance practices – to ensure exceptional establishment, density, and durability.

DSV Seed Helping Crowborough Beacon Reach New Heights

DSV Seed Helping Crowborough Beacon Reach New Heights

At Crowborough Beacon Golf Club, those qualities have helped elevate one of the South East’s most historic and scenic courses. Established in 1885, the club is steeped in tradition – with early members including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – and boasts a classic heathland layout renowned for its sweeping views and distinctive character.

Course Manager Luke Jenkins has been at the helm for four and a half years, leading a programme of continuous improvement that has seen the course break back into the UK’s Top 100 golf courses.

“It’s a sleeping giant of a golf course,” says Luke. “The layout and landscape are stunning, but the course needed some TLC when I arrived. My goal has been to raise standards and get Crowborough Beacon recognised again among the best in the country – which we’re now achieving.”

Luke’s journey in greenkeeping began at just 16 when he joined Shooters Hill Golf Club in south-east London as an apprentice. He quickly rose to deputy, later taking on head roles at Woodlands Manor and deputy at Royal Wimbledon, before moving to Crowborough Beacon.

His experience at clubs of varying size and stature gave him a solid understanding of what makes great course.

A big part of that success, Luke says, comes down to using the right seed mixtures.

“On the tees, we use PRO Summer Sport, which gives us quick germination and excellent wear tolerance,” he explains. “We’re repairing divots every day, and because our tees are small, I need grass to be growing within a week. The DSV mix establishes really fast, gives great colour, and stands up to heavy play.”

For the fairways, Luke relies on PRO Rye Fairway, a 70/30 blend of fescue and ryegrass that balances strength with a natural fescue finish.

“Our fairways are naturally fescue-dominant, but the rye gives us early-season colour and resilience,” he adds. “We don’t have fairway irrigation, so we rely on strong establishment and drought tolerance. After overseeding, we saw germination in just over three weeks and fantastic coverage.”

Luke was first introduced to DSV through Craig Rodwell at Soil Biology, whose nutritional advice and recommendations have helped shaped the club’s agronomic approach. After trialling the seed on tees, Luke was quickly convinced to extend its use.

“The uptake was excellent, pricing was competitive, delivery was quick – all the boxes were ticked,” he says. “Most importantly, it worked. I’m not going to use something that doesn’t perform, and DSV seed has consistently impressed us.”

DSV Seed Helping Crowborough Beacon Reach New Heights

DSV Seed Helping Crowborough Beacon Reach New Heights

Luke has also visited DSV’s breeding and research centre in the Netherlands, where he gained a deeper appreciation of the company’s commitment to innovation.

“It was an absolute eye-opener,” says Luke. “The scale of the operation and the amount of research and development that goes into producing these mixtures is incredible. Some varieties take over ten years to bring to market. Seeing that process made me realise how much science and effort goes into every bag we use.”

With a settled team and a clear vision, Luke’s leadership has not only improved playing conditions but also boosted membership and morale across the club.

“We’re lucky to work in such a beautiful place,” he concludes. “If we keep improving the surfaces and stay focused on the details, the sky’s the limit. Using the right seed is a big part of that, and DSV has certainly helped us get where we are today.”

Please visit www.dsv-uk.co.uk/products/amenity for more information and follow on social media @EuroGrassUKSeed.

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