Tag Archive for: Amenity

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

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Headland Amenity at AFC Telford Utd

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Headland Amenity at AFC Telford Utd: Blaukorn has been praised by the Head Groundsman at AFC Telford United for delivering a fast, but long-lasting, colour boost to their stadium pitch.

A single application of the quick release fertiliser from Headland Amenity was put down in February and, in conjunction with Greentec, should deliver the nutrients required to see the pitch safely through to the end of the season.

Headland Amenity at AFC Telford Utd

Headland Amenity at AFC Telford Utd

The maintenance at the New Bucks Head Stadium is very much a family affair – with current Head Groundsman George Conway taking over the role following his father’s retirement in January 2022, with additional support and match-day help from George’s brother, Andrew. Shortly after his appointment, George had a visit from Headland’s Regional Technical Manager for Sports Turf, Jack Hawkes, and the pair constructed a feeding programme for the remainder of the season and beyond.

“We’d applied a fertiliser around New Year, but needed something to give the pitch a bit of a kick” explains George. “Jack suggested Blaukorn 15-3-20, applied at 30g/m2 which went down middle of February and within four days the pitch was presenting beautifully, with a really enhanced and vivid colour! We’re now four weeks on and the results are still visible.”

Blaukorn 15-3-20 is a homogenous granule with no carrier and a highly water-soluble phosphorous content that breaks down quickly when in contact with moisture. Containing ammonium and nitrate, Blaukorn provides a fast response even at low temperatures – something that impressed George. “The temperatures we had in February were low but that didn’t hamper the response we received from the product. It gave the pitch the boost it needed with results that have lasted.”

“We’re then going to be applying Greentec 14-2-6 to deliver a mix of nitrogen sources which should see us through to renovations.” In addition to AFC Telford United first-team matches, the pitch also hosts West Brom Under 23’s and junior fixtures so as well as being a high-use surface, application and maintenance windows can be tight. “I’ve had fantastic support from Jack. He pops in regularly to see how the pitch is holding up and is not afraid to suggest new things to maximise the results from the programme, respecting our resources and budget.”

“Considering the number of games we’ve had, the Chairman and the players are delighted with how the pitch is holding up” concludes George. “We’ve had great success with the Headland programme to date and look forward to continuing that with a brand new one that will start as soon as the new seed goes down.”

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The Agrovista Amenity Academy

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The Agrovista Amenity Academy: The Agrovista Amenity Academy, which is free to sign-up to, is an online learning resource providing in-depth Knowledge courses on subjects such as turf disease, chemicals, product application, turf pests, managing moss, frost, weeds, and thatch as well as courses for all products sold by Agrovista Amenity. 

The Product courses have been designed so that the individual can fully understand and get maximum benefits from the products they purchase. With knowledge and product courses being added on a regular basis, Academy students are guaranteed to have a wide variety to choose from.

The Agrovista Amenity Academy

The Agrovista Amenity Academy

The Academy has already shown significant growth with over 11,000 CPD points awarded so far. Furthermore, many greenkeepers and course managers are benefitting from a CPD partnership with BIGGA, which enables BIGGA’s members to embark on any course they choose without having to go through an employer. BIGGA allocates up to 4 points for all successfully completed courses and can vary depending on content and length.

The Academy website also boasts a highly sophisticated weather system which helps people make better decisions for the week ahead. Understanding the effects of weather when managing sports turf surfaces is a key skill required by all turf managers and CPD points are awarded for studying the weather report and passing a short test.

“It has grown bigger than we ever expected it to,” said Karl Parry, the founder of the education platform. “The amount of CPD points we have awarded really is quite phenomenal.

“I think that the product and knowledge portfolios that we can build is endless. Agrovista has an incredible number of resources combined with highly knowledgeable and experienced professionals. Both sections will continue to expand and will push the amenity standard forward.”

As the Agrovista Academy continues to grow, so too does the number of positive reviews.

“I spent some time to refresh the mind on the subject of thatch in sports turf. Very useful knowledge.” – Michael Williams, Whitgift School.

“Thank you so much for the Agrovista Academy. I have found it to be a great saviour during lockdown times to keep me occupied whilst learning and gaining CPD credits at the same time.” – John Milne, Dufftown Golf Club.

“I am finding them very informative. Having recently got back into the industry they are great for extra education.” – Andy Burrell, Garmouth and Kingston Golf Club.

“Please keep the Academy running – it is a great learning tool.” – Andrew Hatcher, Coed-Y-Mwstwr Golf Club.

You can visit the new Amenity academy here: www.amenityacademy.co.uk

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Headland Amenity at BTME

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Headland Amenity at BTME: Understanding how carefully managed moisture levels can play a significant role in the reduction of some common turf diseases, Headland Amenity will be shining a spotlight on their range of water management products – including TeraFirm, DewCure and TriCure AD – at BTME 2022.

The Headland technical team will be on hand to discuss this, alongside their full range of plant nutrition products for golf and sports turf on the Origin Amenity Solutions stand – Purple 424.

Headland Amenity at BTME

Headland Amenity at BTME

Maintaining optimum water-soil balance in both wet and dry periods of the season is a key principle in the overall approach to retaining plant health. Terafirm is a soil penetrant formulated to improve the downward movement of water through the soil, helping to achieve a faster-draining, firmer and healthier surface. Its unique non-phytoxic formulation reduces the surface tension of water, minimising lateral water movement and maximising drainage. Terafirm also acts to quicken surface drying and open up pore space within the soil during dry down by accelerating natural soil contraction.

Through the formation of a water-resistant, rainfast coating on the plants surface, Headland’s DewCure™ has also demonstrated considerable success in reducing leaf surface moisture. With the activity of damaging foliar diseases like Microdochium nivale and Dollar Spot positively linked with conditions conducive to high leaf moisture, utilising DewCure™ to control dew and guttation fluid can help to suppress disease activity.

Looking further ahead, TriCure AD is known as a highly effective wetting agent used to combat hydrophobic conditions on fine turf. With application rates adjustable to conditions, expectations and soil types, TriCure AD contains three separate soil surfactant technologies to counteract hydrophobicity on sand, soil and organic matter. As well as being effective in the recovery of drought damaged areas, TriCure AD is also a valuable tank-mix partner for a number of other Headland products.

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Agrovista Amenity celebrates National Tree Week

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Agrovista Amenity celebrates National Tree Week: After joining The Tree Council as a Jubilee Partner, Agrovista Amenity recently participated in a planting day to celebrate National Tree Week.

The Tree Council is an official delivery partner of The Queen’s Green Canopy, which is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Agrovista Amenity celebrates National Tree Week

Agrovista Amenity celebrates National Tree Week

By becoming one of the Jubilee Partners, Agrovista Amenity will be playing an integral role in planting trees and hedgerows in honour of Her Majesty’s service to the nation, creating a lasting legacy which will benefit future generations for years to come.

The aim is to achieve the planting of an incredible 35,000 trees and 7 kilometres of hedgerows.

Agrovista Amenity recently celebrated its Jubilee Partner status during National Tree Week by attending a planting day which took place in Bicester in Oxfordshire. The Agrovista Amenity team joined 50 other volunteers who also came from corporate partner organisations.

Together the volunteers planted along a riverbank and a bridleway, creating connectivity for local wildlife as well as helping introduce all the other benefits that trees and hedgerows can bring, such as pollution mitigation and flood prevention. Species included hawthorn, blackthorn, white poplar, holly, oak and more in an incredible 183 metres of hedgerow.

Furthermore, the volunteers planted some rare black poplar trees, of which there are only 10,000 of these left in the UK – so it was encouraging to be boosting their numbers.

Ed Smith, Landscape Team Manager for Agrovista Amenity, was delighted to play a part in the planting day.

Agrovista Amenity celebrates National Tree Week

Agrovista Amenity celebrates National Tree Week

“The positive work that The Tree Council and so many volunteers have undertaken to restore woodland and hedgerows as part of a greener future has been amazing,” he said.

“Our planet is changing and joining The Tree Council on their planting day was a great opportunity to practice what we preach. Not only are we planting to make positive changes for the future, but we are making these changes in the most sustainable way possible.”

Cat Gransden, Development Manager for The Tree Council, said: “We’re so grateful to Agrovista for attending our planting day and for being part of our Jubilee Partner programme. Together, we’re creating an environmental and cultural legacy in honour of Her Majesty’s historic 70 years of service and growing a greener future for all of us. It is thanks to our incredible corporate partners, like Agrovista, that we’re able to plant, protect and promote so many trees and hedgerows. Working together for the love of trees allows us to achieve great things, and green-hearted corporate heroes help us to create a healthy, tree-filled future for our planet. Thank you.”

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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