Tag Archive for: Amenity

Headland Amenity at AFC Telford Utd

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

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

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

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

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Are you involved in amenity management?

Are you involved in amenity management?: The Amenity Forum is currently running its very popular series of Updating Events across the UK. One of these is to be held at Arsenal’s Football Ground on March 9th and will contain important briefing information on topical issues as well as forthcoming policy change. As well as being events to receive information, they also act as opportunities for those attending to contribute their views and influence matters.

The whole series of free events are made possible by sponsorship. The Forum is grateful to Weedfree who are core funding all the series and to individual host organisations for providing the venue and refreshments for each event. Being able to offer the London event is thanks to Belchim Amenity UK, strong supporters of the Amenity Forum and its objective of promoting best practice and high standards in amenity management.

Are you involved in amenity management?

Are you involved in amenity management?

The full programme of events two of which have already run, together with individual host organisation is provided at the end of this release. So if you are involved in, or have an interest in, the amenity sector, please contact Kate at admin@amenityforum.net to book your place. Whilst free events, you do need to book your place with Kate, in advance. On registration, you will be sent a full copy of the programme for your event and location details or sign in links for the on line ones.

In terms of weed, pest and disease management, significant policy change is afoot. With our withdrawal from the EU, new regulations are emerging regarding the approval and use of plant protection products. In addition a new UK National Action Plan is soon to be issued setting out the requirements going forward. We already know that this will have a major focus on integrated management approaches and greater enforcement and standards. Then there is the implementation of the Official Controls (Plant Protection Products) Regulations 2020 (OCR). This has already legally required all suppliers of plant protection products (PPPs) to register their locations and stock carried. From June 2022, such a legal responsibility will also apply to all users of PPPs backed up by increased inspection and enforcement.

Representatives from UK and national governments will be in attendance and thus the events provide excellent opportunity for you to express your views and thoughts direct to them.

William Weld from Belchim Amenity UK said ‘’Belchim Amenity UK are delighted to support this event as part of a series being held across the UK. These events come at an important time for the sector and it is vital that all involved are kept fully up to date’’

ENGLAND                                                              DATE                                                   HOST

Yorkshire (on line)                                          9th February                                       Green-tech        

Manchester                                                       24th February                                     ICL

Leicester                                                             25th February                                     Agrigem

London                                                                 9th March                                             Belchem Amenity UK

Throws Farm, Essex                                        17th March                                          Origin Amenity

NORTHERN IRELAND

Belfast                                                                  23rd March                                          NI Government                

SCOTLAND

Edinburgh                                                           4th March                                             Scottish Government                    

WALES

Cardiff  (on line)                                              16th February                                     Complete Weed Control

The Forum is very grateful to Weedfree for their support in making this series of events possible.

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New appointment at Agrovista Amenity

New appointment at Agrovista Amenity: Agrovista UK has announced the appointment of Doug McLaren as a new Amenity Specialist who will be operating throughout Berkshire across to Essex and up to Northampton.

Doug started his career in greenkeeping after enjoying a summer job at a small nine-hole golf course in the Scottish Highlands. For the next thirty years he proceeded to work at many prestigious courses such as The Wisley Golf Club in Surrey, St Andrews in Scotland, a De Vere club in Lancashire, the Golf de Joyenval in Paris, The Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire, and Batchworth Park Golf Club in Rickmansworth. Along the way he worked hard to gain qualifications including an NVQ in Greenkeeping and both a HND and a HNC in Golf Course Management.

New appointment at Agrovista Amenity

New appointment at Agrovista Amenity

Prior to joining Agrovista Amenity, Doug was taking some time out after recovering from a brain haemorrhage.

“I was very lucky, and it made me take a step back to reassess,” he said. “I felt that it was time to move away from greenkeeping and then I was made aware of an opportunity at Agrovista Amenity. It is a company that I have worked with a lot over the years, so I know the products very well. I felt it would be a good fit.”

With a wide variety of clients in different sectors, Doug admits it has been a whirlwind start, but claims he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m a bit of a sponge at the moment,” he said. “I’m really enjoying going around all the different businesses, taking in as much information as I can, as well as passing on my knowledge.

“It’s an exciting time to be at Agrovista Amenity and I’m astonished at just how many products we have,” he continued. “There is absolutely nothing we can’t do as a company – the possibilities are endless and that is the message we are trying to get out there.”

With a strong portfolio at his disposal, Doug is ready to address any emerging trends and he is already seeing a strong desire within the industry to shift towards more eco-friendly products and packaging.

Turf and amenity managers are publicly showing that they are keener than ever to address sustainability with their practices.  Working with the current supplier base Doug sees huge potential within the portfolio to provide solutions to these challenges and other yet to come.

Doug claims that he has identified several growth areas and he will be working hard to achieve his goals. He admits that it won’t be without its challenges and conceded that the pandemic continues to have an impact. However, while most sports and businesses came to a standstill, some are now seeing an encouraging resurgence.

“Covid has without doubt had an impact on sporting venues, but some are returning with a bang – golf in particular. Prior to the pandemic, golf membership was declining throughout the country but now looking to get back to if not beyond the previous levels. I’ve noticed that lots of clubs are benefiting and are now looking to invest in their courses and facilities.

“I know first-hand that it is getting harder and harder for these people to produce the best surfaces they can and I’m looking forward to helping them.”

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

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New area sales manager for Agrovista Amenity

New area sales manager for Agrovista Amenity: Tom Weaver has been announced as the new Central Area Sales Manager for Agrovista Amenity.

Tom initially started his career as a greenkeeper and quickly worked his way up to the position of course manager. He credits his greenkeeping experience for helping to shape his career path and claims that he was proud to once have been ‘on the tools.’

New area sales manager for Agrovista Amenity

New area sales manager for Agrovista Amenity

At the age of 28 he became a sales advisor for Pitchcare, where he began advising greenkeepers and turf managers on various products – many of which he had previously used. Tom made an impact, and it wasn’t long before he was overseeing the internal sales team.

It was a period in his career that he will always remember fondly.

“For me, the biggest achievement was the team ethos that we have created,” he said.

“We’ve been on a journey together and the department is now such a well-oiled machine.

We’ve got staff ranging in age from 21 to 65, who are all pushing in the same direction – it’s great to see and even better to be a part of.”

Based in Allscott, Telford, Tom will still be leading the internal turf team but in addition he will also be focussing on the external side of the business.

“It is not a case of reinventing the wheel because the external team is the best in the business,” said Tom. “I’m there to offer support and to ensure that I’m always available on the other end of the phone if they need advice or solutions.

“I’m sure there be will lots of twists and turns in the road ahead, but that is part of the job and I fully intend on successfully overcoming any challenges. In terms of my direct line of management I could not ask for much more – my relationship with Dan Hughes (Head of Commercial) and John Marland (Head of Amenity) is very strong and it’s always nice to have their support.

“2022 has the potential to be hugely successful and I truly believe we can do great things here.”

Commenting on Tom’s appointment, Dan Hughes said: “Tom joins an exceptionally talented and experienced Area Management team of James Watson (South) and Ramsay MacGregor (North). Despite still being relatively young, Tom brings a wealth of agronomy skill and proven management experience to the role. At heart Tom is an industry person, sports enthusiast and a conscientious team player who will strengthen our business and engagement with customers.”

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

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Agrovista Amenity becomes a Jubilee Partner

Agrovista Amenity becomes a Jubilee Partner: Agrovista Amenity is proud to announce that it has joined The Tree Council as a Jubilee Partner.

Since 1973, The Tree Council has been working towards bringing everyone together with a shared mission to care for trees and our planet’s future. It is therefore fitting that The Tree Council is an official delivery partner of The Queen’s Green Canopy.

Agrovista Amenity becomes a Jubilee Partner

Agrovista Amenity becomes a Jubilee Partner

The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.

Everyone from individuals to Scout and Girlguiding groups, villages, cities, counties, schools and corporates will be encouraged to play their part to enhance the environment by planting trees during the winter tree planting season.

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 70 Jubilee Partners, whose collective impact will ensure the planting of an incredible 35,000 trees and 7 kilometres of hedgerows.

Ed Smith, Landscape Team Manager for Agrovista Amenity, revealed his delight at becoming a Jubilee Partner.

“It is such a wonderful initiative,” said Ed. “We see tree planting as a real benefit to the environment and with everything that is going on in terms of COP26, we have a real opportunity to make a change. The direction we are heading in terms of our bio-degradable tree guards, best practice and our commitment to sustainability reflects this.

“Our planet is changing. We are on a journey and want to play our part. Supporting the likes of The Tree Council is very much part of that journey.”

“This initiative will signal a huge amount of environmental, biodiversity and other eco-system services benefits.”

The Agrovista Amenity team will celebrate becoming a Jubilee Partner by attending a corporate planting day which is taking place in Bicester in Oxfordshire in early December.

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

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Headland Amenity ready for SALTEX

Headland Amenity ready for SALTEX: Headland Amenity will be in a new location this year the same technical team will be on hand to discuss your needs and focusing on the very latest in disease prevention methods.

Headland has, over 14 years, trials data on various disease prevention strategies including the popular 20.20.30 mix, and are committed to continued investment in many research areas. Come and talk to us over a cup of coffee about some of our latest trial work, and how best we can help you with your specific issues.

Headland Amenity ready for SALTEX

Headland Amenity ready for SALTEX

Stand G060

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Origin Amenity Solutions at SALTEX – Stand G060

Origin Amenity Solutions at SALTEX – Stand G060: Origin Amenity Solutions may be new to SALTEX but its group members are well known, highly regarded and trusted companies.

Working together, but retaining their individual identity and areas of expertise, Headland Amenity, Rigby Taylor, Symbio and TurfKeeper, offer practicing turf professionals, the widest, most comprehensive choice for achieving success across all aspects of plant health; growth, protection, appearance, control and sustainability. Complementing and supporting these industry-leading companies is a new UK based, research and development led Turf Science & Technology Centre that positions Origin Amenity Solutions as the leading force within the amenity industry.

Origin Amenity Solutions at SALTEX – Stand G060

Origin Amenity Solutions at SALTEX – Stand G060

Based in Essex, the OAS Turf Science & Technology Centre, employs its own R&D Manager and technicians, supported by the groups Agronomy and Technical Manager, to undertake in-house research, development and field trials to identify, assess and demonstrate the benefits of both existing and future products and technologies under UK conditions and practices. In addition to extensive trial plots, laboratory and glasshouses, a Rain Bird irrigation system is installed, a Davis weather station and below ground Soil Scout digital soil monitoring. Education will also be a key focus for the Centre, having extensive facilities for educational conferences and small group seminars. This exciting development places Origin Amenity Solutions at the head of the drive to meet the ‘challenge of change’ and its continuing drive for excellence across all aspects of the industry.

Come and talk the team on our SALTEX stand over a cup of coffee or tea…you will be made very welcome.

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