Hansa joins forces with Lawn Care Legends

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Hansa joins forces with Lawn Care Legends: Lawn care professionals, landscapers and gardeners can be in with the chance of winning a top of the range Hansa chipper, worth £2,600, as part of a giveaway with Lawn Care Legends.

Hansa has donated one of its C7 chippers to the annual Lawn Care Legends giveaway that offers members of the online group the chance to win a prize bundle worth thousands.

Hansa joins forces with Lawn Care Legends

Hansa joins forces with Lawn Care Legends

Now in its third year, the Lawn Care Legends competition prizes are bigger and better than ever before, with the Hansa chipper being the top prize.

The competition will open in December via the Lawn Care Legends Facebook page. It is open to all members of the lawn and landscaping industry, either self-employed or employed.  To be in with a chance of winning, entrants need to submit three photos of their best work, showcasing their gardening prowess. The competition will be open throughout December, and an expert panel will then judge the entrants early in 2021 ahead of the winner being announced at SALTEX in March.

The prize donation continues Hansa’s work with founder of Lawn Care Legends, John Ryan. John is working with the brand as part of his “John’s Lawn Mowing” YouTube channel, where he reviews Hansa tools.

John started Lawn Care Legends in 2017 and since grown the Facebook group to have more than 5,000 active members with an international following. The group aims to unite all landscapers and gardeners, giving them a supportive place to showcase their work, share tips and advice, and ask questions for help from other members.

Established in the 1980s, Hansa specialises in the design and manufacture of high-quality brush chipping and shredding equipment. The family run company has a strong heritage combined with constant evolution and innovation. It prides itself on the ethos of “providing the best chipping experience”, whether being used in a garden at home, by a landscaper, professional arborist or other commercial user.

For further info. Hansa products are available in the UK exclusively through Henton & Chattell dealerships. For further information, visit http://www.hansachippers.com or visit the Lawn Care Legends Facebook group to sign up.

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Troon International celebrates success

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Troon International celebrates success: Troon, the leader in upscale golf course management, development, and marketing, celebrated its first-year triumphs since partnering with Yas Links Abu Dhabi, ranked in the top 50 of Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses 2020.

In August 2019, Troon announced its International Division’s latest partnership with Yas Links Abu Dhabi, sitting alongside Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club to complete the trio of championship venues in the UAE capital.

Troon International celebrates success

Troon International celebrates success

Led by Cluster General Manager, Francisco de Lancastre David, and Cluster Director of Agronomy, Clinton Southorn, there was an ambitious vision for Yas Links Abu Dhabi from the outset. Striving to develop the overall operations, in disciplines such as agronomy and recruitment, and create extraordinary guest and member experiences through personalised service, consistency, and uncompromising attention to detail.

Through efficiently managing all departments and utilizing the Troon supplier programs and tools, Troon reduced departmental costs across all departments by approximately 10% in 2019 and 30% in 2020 (YTD). As well as reducing costs, Troon Programs delivered over $900,000 in revenues.

Agronomy and course condition were also a focus in year one and significant improvements were seen in turf health, golfer’s playability conditions and the implementation of programs to ensure long term sustainability of the owner’s assets. Highlights from the Agronomy team include the cleaning and restoration of fairway and bunker drainage system, decreasing water pores to 29.47% for enhanced soil health, and reducing irrigation water by 5.9%, a significant saving considering an additional 350 sprinklers were repaired or replaced within this time frame.

Other additional value added through Troon management included the building and hosting of a website through the Troon Partner Program and global media coverage.

Back in 2019, Troon were tasked with safeguarding Kyle Phillips’ masterpiece. A year on and the renowned golf course designer commented: “I am delighted to see the progress and accomplishments by the Troon team at Yas Links Abu Dhabi. Having worked with Troon over the years, I have confidence in their ability to manage one of my finest creations”.

Commenting on this year’s success, Francisco de Lancastre David, Cluster General Manager: “It is incredible to see how far we have come in a year with the help of our Troon International corporate office. The team at Yas Links Abu Dhabi have shown unparalleled hard work and commitment and have risen to every challenge presented. Without each individual member of the team, we would not be where we are today.”

Mark Chapleski, President of Troon International, comments: “It’s been an exciting and busy year since signing with Yas Links. Our associates have excelled in the improvements made, within the year, particularly with the challenging circumstances the last six months presented. We are exceptionally optimistic about the future of the three Abu Dhabi venues under one ownership group and continuing to promote Abu Dhabi as a must visit destination for any golf enthusiast.”

Yas Links Abu Dhabi, established in 2010, is ranked no. 48 in Golf Digest’s Top 100. The par 72 18-hole championship course, designed by Kyle Phillips, is one of the few links courses in the region and also boasts a nine-hole Par 3 academy course, floodlit practice facilities and luxurious clubhouse.

For more information on Yas Links Abu Dhabi, please visit: www.troonabudhabi.com/yas-links-abu-dhabi

To find out more about Troon International, please visit: www.Troon.com/troon-international

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Kubota upgrades G-Series line-up

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Kubota upgrades G-Series line-up: Building on its reputation for developing innovative solutions for customers in the Groundcare market, Kubota is pleased to announce the launch of its newly updated and popular G-Series range of mowers.

These mowers have been specially developed to meet the professional groundcare needs of key customer segments such as councils, contractors and large property owners.

Kubota upgrades G-Series line-up

Kubota upgrades G-Series line-up

There are two models in the new G-Series line-up, G231 and G261, both available with low and high dump grass collectors. These models have eye-catching developments such as a new hydrostatic transmission (HST) designed to increase traction and grip. The mowers are also equipped with powerful Kubota engines offering 23hp and 26hp, as well as an electromagnetic PTO clutch which replaces the hydraulic PTO, offering a more positive drive for consistent cutting performance.

Additionally, users of these new cutting-edge models will benefit from improved output, increased speed and greater comfort. G-Series mowers have been engineered to run faster and deliver improved mowing performance; saving time, money and effort for customers. The enhanced performance and adaptability of Kubota’s new G-Series also enables operators to work more efficiently across various types of terrain which can pose a multitude of challenges.

With a top speed of 19.0km/h, the highest in the industry, G-Series mowers enable users to cut grass at higher speeds and ultimately finish the job quicker. Enhanced driver comfort is also offered by the new tilting steering wheel.

An improved collecting system features a wider and taller chute with a shorter travel distance between the deck and the grass collector enabling impeccable grass flow and reduced clumping. More grass can be handled with ease and efficiency.

The new G-Series will be on display and available for sale at Kubota dealerships this autumn.

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BIGGA launches work platform for members

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BIGGA launches work platform for members: Ahead of Thank a Greenkeeper Day on Wednesday 23 September, the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has launched a new online platform to help its members who find themselves out of work due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

It has been estimated that the coronavirus crisis saw British employers plan more than 300,000 redundancies during June and July as the economic impact of the pandemic hit hard.

BIGGA launches work platform for members

BIGGA launches work platform for members

Although golf has largely seen a surge in players this summer, as it was viewed as a healthy pastime that could be enjoyed in a safe and socially-distanced manner, sadly the economic uncertainty and revenue lost due to reduced capacity of clubhouses and other facilities mean that the golf industry has not been immune to the impact of job losses.

BIGGA has therefore launched an employment hub on the association’s website, where greenkeeper members can advertise that they are available for work. Golf clubs are encouraged to visit these pages if they have positions available, whether short term or permanent. The listings are completely anonymous and BIGGA will pass on the details of the golf club to the candidate if they show an interest.

Additionally, BIGGA has extended its ‘unattached’ member category whereby any member of the association who is now out of work can apply to receive discounted membership, enabling them to continue accessing the wide range of support and benefits that come with BIGGA membership, which will help in their search for new permanent employment.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “There’s no doubt about it, 2020 has hit everyone hard. Losing your job is tough to deal with at any time, but when things are as uncertain as they are at the moment, it can be very worrying. But if you’re a BIGGA member and you now find yourself looking for work, the association is here to help. This service is completely anonymous and free to BIGGA members. It’s our way of helping you get back on the right track.”

Head to the Careers section of the BIGGA website and click on the Available for Work tab to find out more.

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Sprayer testing changes from November

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Sprayer testing changes from November: As part of the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD), pesticide application equipment (PAE) testing became a legal requirement in 2016. Any machine applying a professional pesticide must be tested by the specified dates and at regular intervals thereafter.  

To explain this in a bit more detail, the change affects sprayers that are more than 5 years old and have a boom width over 3 metres, air blast sprayers, aircraft, and train sprayers. Currently a test is required every 5 years, but from 26th November it changes to every 3 years. So, for any sprayer of this type tested before November 2017, a re-test is due by that date.

Sprayer testing changes from November

Sprayer testing changes from November

It is also important to note that sprayers tested any time after 26th November 2017, the test is only valid for 3 years, so if your sprayer was tested for example in June 2018, the next test is due in June 2021.

For all other types of PAE, which includes boom sprayers 3 metres and under, weed wipers, slug pellet and granular applicators and a range of other machines, the requirements remain unchanged at 6 yearly cycles for retest.

Crop assurance scheme requirements haven’t changed so sprayers are still required to be tested annually. Regular testing is important in helping to ensure safe and accurate application of pesticides, protecting the environment and waterways, but also helping to safeguard the availability of products for the future. A regularly tested machine will reduce the risk of breakdowns, when timing of applications can be crucial for efficient control of weeds, pests and diseases.

The need for an integrated pest management (IPM) plan to be carried out helps ensure that when the decision has been made to use a pesticide, that the equipment is calibrated and has been tested to a standard that will apply the product in a safe and sustainable way.

For more information visit www.nsts.org.uk.

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