Tag Archive for: Amenity

Amenity Forum in collaboration with Defra

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Amenity Forum in collaboration with Defra: The Amenity Forum already offers a series of guidance notes and video material on integrated approaches to weed, pest and disease management and, in 2020, published an extensive document on the subject in relation to weed control, along with a template to help amenity organisations produce integrated plans.

Integrated approaches are long established in the sector but it is clear that, with the great emphasis being placed by government on this topic, it would be beneficial to further improve both access to and content of guidance to all operating in amenity and sports surface management. As such the Forum is in positive and collaborative dialogue with Defra as to how this can be achieved.

Amenity Forum in collaboration with Defra

Amenity Forum in collaboration with Defra

Defra published its Pollinator Action Plan recently and in it was the following reference to part of this work.

Work with stakeholders, including local authorities, to:

  1. support the development of guidance on the use of pesticides by amenity managers, including IPM and sustainable approaches for weed control which consider pollinators.
  2. explore ways to maximise uptake of IPM by amenity users

John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said ‘’We have been in dialogue for some time with the Defra team about creating better access to guidance on integrated management. Whilst the publication of the much anticipated UK National Action Plan has been delayed, it is clear that the production of Integrated Plans will feature strongly. As such we welcome direct input into helping improve guidance. Integrated approaches involve creating plans for management making use of all tools available including pesticides  to provide the required outcome in a way which protects the environment and minimises carbon emissions’’

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Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

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Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries: The search is on to recognise the UK’s most professional sprayer operators in the turf and landscape amenity sector. The Amenity Forum’s Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Sponsored by Syngenta and ICL, in association with BASIS, the awards seek to share top tips and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

The winner is presented at the prestigious BIGGA Awards ceremony at BTME, along with a prize of a weekend break for two at a luxury hotel of choice. Two runners-up receive £100 Machine Mart vouchers.

Announcing the opening of the ASOOTY 2022 awards, Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes, said: “Sprayer operation is a key factor in the success of every application, including elements of nozzle choice, water volume and fine tuning the sprayer to more effectively hit the intended target.

“However, for the best possible results, today’s professional sprayer operators must also fully understand the wider aspects of why an application is being made, and what other elements they can also employ for better long-term management of potential problems.”

This year the entry process aims to test sprayer operators’ broader knowledge of issues and solutions faced across the amenity sector. Barry Browne, ICL Landscape & Industrial Sales Manager, explained entrants are not expected to know the answers to all the questions, but will help the judging panel to assess an individual’s experience and approach to dealing with challenges.

“The entry process itself will stimulate thought and understanding of the issues around application, including the need to create integrated solutions using a full range of tools and tactics. We’re looking to find operators that can make those important proactive decisions with every application.”

All entrants will be invited to attend an on-line session to review the entry form with judges and to share and learn from the experiences of others.

Professor John Moverley of the Amenity Forum highlighted the ASOOTY awards exemplified the organisation’s objective to promote best practice across the sector.

“It seeks to do this by advocating a fully integrated approach to weed, pest and disease management, tailoring solutions to meet specific situations and making use of the appropriate approved chemical and non-chemical techniques, to produce the most effective and efficient outcome – whilst seeking to create safe and healthy amenity spaces.

“The Amenity Forum has taken the lead in a major step forward in highlighting the importance of amenity management and the need to use professionally approved operators in any public space.”

Enter the ASOOTY 2022 awards here

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Two new Agrovista Amenity Apprentices

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Two new Agrovista Amenity Apprentices: Agrovista Amenity has announced the appointment of two new apprentices – Sophie Allen and William Gray.

Sophie joins the company as a Trainee Business Support Administrator and will be working towards an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration. As a keen cricketer and a volunteer groundsperson at her local cricket club, Sophie was already aware of Agrovista before applying for the position.

Two new Agrovista Amenity Apprentices

Two new Agrovista Amenity Apprentices

“Whether it is rolling, marking, spiking or renovating, I really enjoy preparing the cricket pitches and maintaining them so that they are ready for our teams to play on,” she said. “This work has provided me with a lot of knowledge about the company because we get all our products from Agrovista Amenity.

“This is a fantastic opportunity and I’m really looking forward to starting a brand-new career which will hopefully be long-lasting.”

When Sophie is not at her cricket club, she likes to keep active and go on long walks with her ‘crazy’ puppy.

William is the newest addition to the sales team and is three weeks into his apprenticeship. He joins the company with a great knowledge in IT and communications, which he gained through education and various work experience. In his spare time William is a keen swimmer and a fan of history, who enjoys visiting ruins and museums.

Commenting on his new role, William said: “I get the impression that Agrovista is very up to date and progressive with the market it operates in and covers a wide range of products where I could gain new and interesting knowledge. I am also thrilled to learn about commercial exporting as I find it very interesting in how goods are transported in and out of the UK.

“I am looking forward to being able to assist my team and increase productivity. My new team is a big factor and have been excellent at making me feel welcome – so a big thank you to them.”

Dan Hughes, Head of Commercial for Agrovista Amenity, revealed his delight at welcoming Sophie and William to the team.

“As an employer, nothing is more rewarding than providing young, talented, and ambitious people an exciting career opportunity.

“With amenity being such a niche sector, both Sophie and William have the opportunity to harness specialist skills and knowledge for a successful career. We are fortunate to have a team and organisational culture that prides itself on helping, knowledge sharing and progressing committed team members and that is vital to our ethos and business success.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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JMG Amenity wins top spraying award

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JMG Amenity wins top spraying award: Jason Garlick of JMG Amenity has won the prestigious overall title of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOY). The Award was presented by TV personality Naga Munchetty and Amenity Forum Chairman, Professor John Moverley, at a BTME ceremony in Harrogate last week (22 March).  

The Leicestershire-based JMG Amenity provides turf care and weed solutions across the east midlands and had previously won the ASOY category for sports turf application.

JMG Amenity wins top spraying award

JMG Amenity wins top spraying award

“Winning Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year is a testament to the commitment and professionalism of all the team involved,” said Jason.

“Protecting the environment, our operators, customers and the public is the highest priority for our business,” he emphasised. “That is why we place strong emphasis on maintaining the highest possible standards and use only the most up to date equipment.

“It ensures minimal impact on the environment and assures the desired high levels of customer satisfaction.”

Quality is paramount at JMG Amenity. All personnel are fully trained and qualified in the correct handling and application of chemicals with all the equipment used.

The business offers agronomy and application services for public and private sector, including golf and all sports venues, leisure facilities, local government, utilities, schools, universities, industrial areas, forestry and other areas requiring vegetation management.

Winners of the ASOY category for Landscape & Industrial applications and overall runners-up in the industry-leading awards were Bournemouth-based Southern Horticulture, with the prize accepted by director, Tony Robinson.

The business specialises provides integrated solutions to invasive weed control and grounds maintenance for a wide range of customers. Protecting the ecology of landscapes during a treatment programme is an important element, advocates Tony.

“In most instances we can actually positively enhance the ecological value of a landscape, whilst still fully completing the original control objectives of customers.

“Winning an ASOY award for the second consecutive year highlights our continual commitment to operating in a safe and sustainable way, for the business, the environment and our customers,” he added.

Sothern Horticulture is also an approved instructor and assessor for LANTRA training for land-based industries.

The Amenity Sprayer of the Year awards are organised by the Amenity Forum, sponsored by ICL and Syngenta and supported by BASIS.

It recognises and rewards top sprayer operators across the amenity industry. It aims to raise standards, by identifying the best practice of individuals to enhance results – and share their experiences across the industry.

The ASOY awards now reflect the importance of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to any issue involving turf and landscape maintenance. “Knowing when not to spray is in many ways as important as the techniques to actually make an application,” advised Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes.

“The skills of sprayer operators to make efficient, effective and above all safe applications is essential for the future sustainability of the amenity and turf care industry. ASOY awards are a welcome way to recognise and reward the leading individuals and to learn from their experience.”

ICL Landscape & Industrial Manager, Barry Browne, added: “We are delighted to support such an important cross-sector industry initiative with a continued commitment to raise standards and improve results.

“Importantly it has identified and recognised the range of spray application techniques and the differing skills involved across the amenity sector. It will provide a unique and vitally important resource for all involved in spray application.”

Entries for ASOY 2022 will open soon. Look out on the Amenity Forum website for more details and entry form for your chance to win.

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Jedbugh praises Agrovista Amenity

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Jedbugh praises Agrovista Amenity: A granular feeding programme devised by Tom Hobbis of Agrovista Amenity has dramatically improved the greens at Jedburgh Golf Club.

Described by those who play the course, Jedburgh Golf Club in Scotland is a hidden gem full of risk and reward. It is a par 69 course with spectacular views over the town of Jedburgh, Dunion and the Cheviot hills. With a thriving membership, the club recognises the importance of keeping the course in the best condition possible. Therefore, when a problematic ninth hole started causing issues the club sought some outside expertise.

Jedbugh praises Agrovista Amenity

Jedbugh praises Agrovista Amenity

“We brought Amenity Specialist Tom Hobbis in from Agrovista Amenity to give us some advice,” said Robert Armstrong, Jedburgh Golf Club’s Green Ranger. “We wanted a new entire feeding programme and so Tom looked at all the greens, not just the one we were having the most problems with. He took several soil samples to see if we had any underlying issues and fortunately there was nothing serious – just a lack of nutrients. He then came up with a plan for all of the greens.”

“It was about taking it back to basics,” said Tom, who joined Agrovista Amenity last year. “We needed to reduce stress on the greens and a simplistic programme was required. After careful consideration I felt that a granular approach would be most suitable.

“I put together a programme using the Compo Expert range because you get 100% nutrition from these products, and they have a very low scorch potential – which would suit the lack of water application. Another reason for choosing the Compo Expert products is that they don’t sit in the surface for long – they break down incredibly well and get into the profile very quickly. The products that I put forward have been tried and tested in all corners of the UK.”

Agrovista Amenity is the exclusive national distributor of Compo Expert’s turf products in the UK for good reason. The unique and innovative controlled and slow-release chemistry provides environmentally-friendly fertilisers at a time when many turf and landscape managers are exploring more sustainable methods.

In concentrating on the problematic ninth hole, Tom firstly identified Ferro Top 6-0-12 as a solution. With a very fine and uniform granular size, Ferro Top ensures perfect sward penetration and is ideal for fine turf surfaces such as greens.

“We used Ferro Top at the start of the season and at the back end of the season,” said Tom. “With its high iron content, it has really firmed the greens up and helps towards sward penetration. The magnesium in it has also massively helped to keep a good colour across the greens for longer periods without a flush of growth.

“After Ferro Top gave the greens the kick-start they needed, we then moved on to Floranid Twin Eagle Master 19-5-10 which is ideal for late spring/early summer and autumn feeds.

We used two applications and it gave great longevity thanks to its two nitrogen compounds, ISODUR and CROTODUR. As a result, the club didn’t have to put as much down over the course of the season, and it therefore saved money.”

Jedbugh praises Agrovista Amenity

Jedbugh praises Agrovista Amenity

As Tom says, the new slow-release fertilisers in the Floranid Twin range are comprised of a unique combination of two highly efficient and well-proven nitrogen compounds, ISODUR (moisture dependent) and CROTODUR (heat dependent). This Double N Technology ensures a long-lasting and reliable supply of nitrogen at the highest possible utilisation rate and guarantees optimal plant growth for the successful implementation of ambitious sports turf management.

Last but certainly not least, Tom claims that one of the most integral products in the programme was Kali Gazon 0-0-27. High potassium with added magnesium and sulphur makes Kali Gazon an effective stress reliever, improving turf tolerance against drought, disease, and cold temperatures.

“All of these products have proved to be a fantastic combination,” concluded Tom. “Jedburgh Golf Club put a lot of faith in me and the products and I’m incredibly happy that they are reaping the benefits of the programme.”

Andrew Chambers, Head Greenkeeper, who plays a vital role in the maintenance of the course at Jedburgh, also praised the successful programme.

“The feeding programme has been very successful, and we are delighted with the progress – the products have worked admirably for us,” he said. “We will be carrying out the same programme this year and I’m looking forward to the greens getting even better.

“We’ve had a significant number of positive comments, everybody at the club is delighted and I’ve not had one bad word said about the greens.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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