Agria 9600 boosts productivity

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Agria 9600 boosts productivity: Contractor, GMC, is the latest purchaser of the agria 9600 hybrid banks mower. The family run business, which has over 15 years’ experience of commercial grounds maintenance and landscaping in the Scottish central belt, says the all-weather machine has revolutionised much of their work.

Director, Stephen Walker, said: “It’s been here two months and instantly it’s made everything easier and safer. Safety of the team is prioritised. Dangerous banks and slopes can be tended from a healthy distance using the remote control pad. I’m so much happier knowing we can deal with work on steep areas with a lot less risk to everyone.”

Agria 9600 boosts productivity

Agria 9600 boosts productivity

The distinctive red agria 9600 has balanced weight distribution, a low centre of gravity and robust build quality. Continuous tank treads help it power up and down slopes with gradients to 50°.  At 1.12 m wide it covers ground quickly and accurately, cutting and mulching in two directions.

“I can honestly say I can’t find any negatives with the machine.  It does far more than I ever thought it capable,” continued Stephen Walker. “Complicated mowing jobs are easier.  In the past we needed hedge cutters, strimmers, chippers and ride on mowers, with safety planning and briefing beforehand, Now it takes less time, often with neater results. You don’t even break sweat.

“It’s actually changed so much for us. The team has been freed to concentrate on other detail so we’re far more productive, delivering a better all-round service to our clients.”

“Because it can operate in the wet we’ve been able to keep going throughout these last few weeks. Previously you’d never dream of getting your team to stand on steep banking on a damp, let alone wet, day.  However, with the remote feature you take up safe position on the level.  We’ve been outside distilleries, hospitals, food production plants, riversides, ponds, preparing school sites, you name it we’ve been there… on really steep banks, in long grass, short grass …and then often out on the flat as well. It’s great; the more experienced you are with controls it absolutely opens up more and more areas and opportunities. When talking to prospective clients I’ve brought out pictures of the machine showing what it can do and it’s being received well.”

GMC who have 24 employees are based at Bathgate, West Lothian and purchased their machine from Scottish dealer Fairways GM.  Fairways GM is a sister company to both Agria UK and Wiedenmann UK.  Installation and operator training were carried out by Agria UK’s Andy Kerr.

Wilson Morrison, Sales Manager at Fairways GM said: “Can’t lie.  Stephen has become an expert operator in just a few months.  He’s at the stage where he can show us a few of its tricks.  Undoubtedly being able to work in the damp and wet has been such a benefit.”

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Bionema launches BioProtection courses

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Bionema launches BioProtection courses: Bionema, a UK based BioProtection (Biopesticide) technology developer, has launched digital, classroom and bespoke training courses to educate end-users, distributors and consultants on the effective use of BioProtection products as an alternative to chemical pest control.

BioProtection products are being developed and used across the world to ensure safe and sustainable agricultural. However, many end users are not fully familiar with the effective use of biocontrol agents – such as nematodes fungi, bacteria, viruses and beneficial insects and need a better understanding of how best to apply them, as the way they are stored, handled, and applied are important considerations and can result in improved efficacy.

Bionema launches BioProtection courses

Bionema launches BioProtection courses

Bionema’s courses have been developed to maximise the efficacy of biological products in a learning environment that suits customer needs and ensures product success.

The digital training courses are designed to allow self-paced learning in the delegate’s own time – giving flexibility to study around other commitments. These courses have been written with the needs of commercial distributors and end users – such as growers, farmers, greenkeepers, grounds personnel, foresters, agronomists and integrated pest management practitioners – in mind.

Delegates can also learn in a classroom format and a bespoke version can be designed to reflect a client’s environment, knowledge and individual needs. Each course is worth 12 BASIS or 4 NRoSO CPD points.

These courses include presentations, practical workshops and demonstrations of different BioProtection products.  Every course delegate will develop a complete understanding of product application within an integrated pest management system, which will help them maximise pest control performance.

Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema said: “These courses have been designed for those who are new to BioProtection or who would like to refresh their knowledge. For example, learners will receive a complete introduction of the use of entomopathogenic nematodes as well as an introduction to pest identification, product formulations and application.

“The training courses have been carefully developed by specialist biocontrol experts to ensure that product end users have a thorough and complete knowledge of effective use. By having a better understanding on how to use the product correctly, growers we have worked with have already seen a 30-40% uplift in effective pest and disease control, using BioProtection products, which makes the additional knowledge found in these courses invaluable.”

Bionema is inviting training providers who would like to partner in the delivery of digital courses.  The current courses include:

Course 1 – Application of entomopathogenic nematodes for insect pest control

Course 2 – Application of BioProtection products for pests and diseases control

Course 3 – Application of beneficial biocontrol agents for insect pest control

More information regarding  training can be found here:  https://bionema.com/training-and-advice/

To find out more about becoming a training provider or embarking on a Bionema course contact: Dr Minshad Ansari, m.a.ansari@bionema.com or call +44 (0)1792 606916

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JCB machine restored to former glory

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JCB machine restored to former glory: One of JCB’s longest-standing customers has unwrapped a unique present – a vintage backhoe loader restored to its former glory to mark the digger maker’s approaching 75th anniversary.

Lincolnshire-based Eric Carnaby & Son has been a customer since 1959 and over the following six decades has bought more than 150 JCB machines. Now JCB has said thank you to the firm for its loyalty by restoring the Carnaby family’s cherished 1964 JCB 1 backhoe.

JCB machine restored to former glory

JCB machine restored to former glory

The project was kept a closely guarded secret until George Bamford – grandson of JCB Founder Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE – sprung the restoration surprise during a visit to the company’s base in Immingham, near Grimsby, to collect the machine. Now six months later the backhoe has been handed back to the company after a team at JCB’s World HQ in Rocester, Staffordshire spent hundreds of hours lovingly restoring it.

Eric Carnaby & Son Director Roland Carnaby Junior said: “My family and I are over the moon with the restoration. Our JCB 1 is precious to us and we’ve been meaning to restore it for some time, but you know how it is – a business to run, and all that!”

George Bamford said: “It has been amazing to see an old machine brought back to life by the JCB team. It looks just as it would have done on the day it came off the production line in 1964.”

Founded by Eric Carnaby in 1946, the plant hire and road haulage firm is now run by father-and-son team Roland Carnaby Senior and Roland Carnaby Junior. The company’s first JCB purchase was a JCB 4 backhoe in 1959 and it was the JCB backhoe loader which formed the backbone of the Eric Carnaby & Son fleet for many years to come – with up to 12 in operation during the 1970s and 1980s. The company’s most recent purchase was the latest X Series excavator. The two family businesses have been strongly intertwined throughout the 61-year period, with 95% of the Eric Carnaby & Son fleet now made up of JCB equipment. JCB marks its 75th birthday on October 23.

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GMA opens door for feedback

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GMA opens door for feedback: The Grounds Management Association (GMA), the leading not-for-profit membership body, has this week launched two surveys giving everyone working or volunteering in the industry a chance to shape the future of its member offering.

Members and non-members can give their view on what they value and would like to see going forward, by taking part in two surveys – one for individuals working across the sector and one for businesses or suppliers operating in it. The surveys will be open to all respondents until Sunday 13th September.

GMA opens door for feedback

GMA opens door for feedback

All respondents of the survey will also have the opportunity to enter a prize draw, with four £50 Amazon vouchers up for grabs. Respondents who wish to remain anonymous can do so.

The GMA previously conducted member research in 2016 and looks to do so every five years. Through gathering qualitative and quantitative data, this review will analyse the benefits and offering of the membership, looking at what respondents believe are the most valuable, and what aspects of the offering may require improvement. Any necessary feedback will start to be implemented later this year, following an analysis of all data gathered, and continue beyond 2020.

Geoff Webb, CEO at the GMA, explained:
“We know it’s been a really difficult year, with Covid-19 causing huge disruption and anxiety for grounds staff, volunteers as well as businesses across the country. It felt like the best time to stop and listen to everyone in the industry, so we can determine as an organisation where we can best support through our products, benefits and services.

“With hard times still ahead, we recognise the need for GMA to continue to remain a relevant and leading voice for its members and the sector. To do so, we need to hear current and up-to-date views and feedback to capture how the industry thinks and feels right now.

“With your help, we can ensure we’re supporting, and communicating with, members in the right way and our offering aligns with what the sector needs the most”.

To take part, follow the below links:

For the individual survey, click here: https://bit.ly/3loqXwm
For the corporate survey, click here: https://bit.ly/3ldokNJ

For the full T&Cs, follow the below link: https://thegma.org.uk/GMA-membership-survey-2020

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Collaborative approach to supporting women’s golf

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Collaborative approach to supporting women’s golf: THREE leading names within the amenity turf care sector have joined forces to show a commitment to supporting women’s golf, by sponsoring the club that is hosting this year’s Women’s Amateur Championship.

Agrovista Amenity, ICL and Syngenta have provided the greenkeeping team at West Lancashire Golf Club with new Helly Hansen workwear for use during the championship, which is taking place this week (August 25-29).

Collaborative approach to supporting women’s golf

Collaborative approach to supporting women’s golf

Although being played behind closed doors this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the tournament attracts an impressive line-up of talent. The winner will then gain entry to the AIG Women’s Open, US Women’s Open, The Evian Championship and Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship.

With live scoring, news and video feeds being more important than ever, the greenkeepers at West Lancashire will not only play an important part, but also look the part with their new workwear.

Head of Commercial for Agrovista Amenity, Dan Hughes, said: “Course Manager, Stuart Hogg has been a committed user of Syngenta and ICL technologies, building an excellent relationship with ICL’s Phil Collinson and our Amenity Specialist, Gary Potter.”

“As an organisation, Agrovista is keen to support customers where possible, and in a challenging year it was great to work with three keen partners to support women’s golf and provide the greenkeeping team with first class workwear, something they have appreciated given the week’s weather.”

Stuart attributes a programme which includes Syngenta’s Qualibra and ICL’s H2Pro TriSmart wetting agent for helping to maintain excellent water management of greens, fairways and surrounds.

Prior to the tournament, the club used a combination of Greenmaster Pro-Lite and Sierraform GT granular fertilisers as inputs into the greens to maximise tournament presentation.

“The technical support from Gary Potter and Phil Collinson has been extremely helpful with the tournament preparation,” said Stuart.

“I and all the team are very grateful for the gesture of workwear which befits hosting such a high-profile tournament at The West Lancashire Golf Club.”

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