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Problem pool saved by Otterbine

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Problem pool saved by Otterbine: Otterbine’s Fractional aerating fountain has transformed what was once a problem pool at Derwen Mill Holiday Park in Powys, Wales.

Owner Richard Jones explains how the five-star family-owned park prides itself on creating a peaceful, tranquil escape with its privately-owned holiday homes set on spacious pitches, wrapped around lakes and pools, or overlooking large greens spaces.

Problem pool saved by Otterbine

Problem pool saved by Otterbine

It therefore stands to reason that its pool experiencing problems urgently needed a reliable and effective water solution.

Richard says: “We’ve got four thriving pools but the fifth really struggles due to its location at the lowest point on the park. It suffers with Canadian pond weed and floating algae and it’s difficult to maintain. We often joke about how it just doesn’t like being a pond!”

The park has had an Otterbine fountain in the past and it met expectations, therefore, there was “no reason not to get another” Richard says.

Richard researched the best options and found the Fractional met his criteria. This was an opinion shared by Matt Gilks from MG Turf who Richard contacted to supply the product.

The Fractional is an all-in-one fountain and circulator meaning it introduces oxygen into the water column for the most natural solution to water quality management, effectively controlling algae and aquatic weeds while creating impressive displays.

With decade of experience in all areas of irrigation installation, construction, supply and support, MG Turf was well placed to support the project from all angles. Richard says: “It’s been a great experience working with Matt Gilks from MG Turf. He didn’t just help with recommending and supplying the Otterbine aerator, he helped us with a working management plan too, so I feel confident we have a long-lasting, sustainable solution in place.”

Matt comments: “Richard was keen to see a unit installed in the lake to make it a feature as much as giving it working purpose. Otterbine was a great solution for this. It was a pleasure to deal with Richard – we communicated about getting on site and arranged to install the unit over a bank holiday.”

Now, what was a struggling pool earns its place at the exclusive park: “The results speak for themselves,” confirms Richard.

To learn more about how the Otterbine range of aerators and fountains can tackle water quality issues, contact Reesink on 01480 226800 or visit reesink-hydroscapes.co.uk.

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Blown away by the PB-9010T

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Blown away by the PB-9010T: Having developed the first ever backpack blower in the early 1970s, ECHO know a thing or two about blowers. They have recently launched the PB-9010T backpack blower. Built for professional users and heavy-duty applications, it boasts an industry-leading 48.9N of blowing force, making debris removal almost effortless.

The PB-9010T is the culmination of years of designing machines that are not only powerful, but put operator comfort at the forefront of the process.

Blown away by the PB-9010T

Blown away by the PB-9010T

The combination of a powerful 79.9cc engine, air speed of 97.8m/s and a maximum air volume of 1907m³/h enables operators to complete tasks faster and more efficiently .

With operator comfort in mind, the PB-9010T features a 5-point anti-vibration system, ergonomic backpack straps, and a hip belt to reduce fatigue. The unique operator back ventilation system provides cooling airflow during hot weather and can be disabled for colder conditions, ensuring year-round comfort.

A patented metal wear ring enhances durability and protects the blower tube from wear, while the top-mounted, tool-less air filter allows quick maintenance in the field. Built-in cruise control means constant speed is easy to maintain.

The ECHO PB-9010T is available now from ECHO dealers nationwide and is priced at £899 (inc-VAT).

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Bionema’s RootVita® SP Increases Maize Head Size by 50%

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Bionema’s RootVita® SP Increases Maize Head Size by 50%: A groundbreaking field trial in South Africa has demonstrated that RootVita® SP, Bionema Group’s innovative biostimulant technology, can increase Maize head size by 50%, marking a significant advancement in sustainable agriculture.

A prominent Maize farmer in South Africa tested this product in partnership with Bionema Group to evaluate its effectiveness in enhancing root development, nutrient uptake, and overall plant health.

Bionema’s RootVita® SP Increases Maize Head Size by 50%

Bionema’s RootVita® SP Increases Maize Head Size by 50%

The Global Importance of Maize

Maize is the most widely grown cereal crop in the world, feeding over 1.2 billion people globally. It is a staple food for over 300 million Africans, accounting for 30–50% of daily calorie intake. With increasing climate challenges, soil degradation, and fertiliser price volatility, improving Maize productivity is critical for developing nations’ food security and economic stability.

Why This Matters for Africa

Africa’s Maize production is expected to fall by up to 30% by 2050 due to climate change and depleting soil nutrients, threatening the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers. South Africa, one of the continent’s largest Maize producers, faces rising input costs and erratic rainfall, making sustainable solutions like RootVita® SP crucial.

The successful 2024–2025 field trials of RootVita® SP demonstrated:

✔ 50% increase in Maize head size.
✔ Improved soil microbiome activity for long-term fertility.
✔ Higher resilience to environmental stress.
✔ Reduced reliance on synthetic fertilisers.

Field Trial Findings: Transforming Maize Productivity

The trial, conducted across multiple farms in South Africa, was initiated in late 2024 and continued through the 2025 maize-growing season. The region’s soils often suffer from nutrient deficiencies, and climate variability has made crop production more challenging.

RootVita® SP, when integrated into standard Maize farming practices, significantly improved nutrient absorption, root development, and overall plant vigour, resulting in larger Maize heads and improved grain quality. These findings highlight the critical role of biostimulants in modern agriculture.

Sustainable Agriculture: Reducing Dependence on Chemical Fertilizers

With the rising costs of synthetic fertilisers and stricter global regulations on chemical inputs, farmers are turning to biological alternatives to maintain productivity without harming the environment. RootVita® SP offers a cost-effective, sustainable alternative that boosts yield and improves soil health and crop resilience against climate stress.

Dr. Minshad Ansari, CEO and Founder of Bionema, said, “This trial reinforces Bionema’s commitment to creating innovative biological solutions that transform modern agriculture. A 50% increase in Maize head size is a game-changer, particularly in regions where food security and soil health are pressing concerns. RootVita® SP is proving to be a sustainable alternative that allows farmers to maximise yields while reducing their reliance on chemical inputs.”

About Bionema Group

Bionema Group is a pioneering biotech company specialising in biocontrol and biostimulant solutions for sustainable crop production and plant health management. With a strong focus on biological alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals, Bionema’s products support farmers and growers in improving yields, enhancing soil health, and reducing environmental impact.

For more information on RootVita® SP and its application in Maize and other crops, visit: www.bionema.com

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C J Ashby Forestry bowled over by Aspen Fuel

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C J Ashby Forestry bowled over by Aspen Fuel: Working in proud partnership with J S Wright & Sons, C J Ashby Forestry are contract felling and harvesting the willow which goes into making around 75% of the world’s cricket bats.

Powering the operation for the last 15 years is Aspen Fuel, which owner Colin Ashby says provides the clean, convenience they look for across their suite of two and four-stroke equipment.

C J Ashby Forestry bowled over by Aspen Fuel

C J Ashby Forestry bowled over by Aspen Fuel

Colin is the fourth generation of the family to take the helm and leads a team of 17 operatives nationwide looking after all stages of the willow production – from procuring and planting the trees, through to harvesting and hauling. “Our journey with Aspen began 15 years ago when we started experiencing a number of issues with our petrol-powered chainsaws” he explains. “I was working on a farm at the time, and the farmer suggested the source of the problem was the fuel. Later that day I picked up a copy of a forestry magazine and started reading about Aspen Fuel and the rest, as they say, is history!”

“We purchased a few cans to give it a try and we’ve been using it ever since – starting with Aspen-2 initially in our handheld tools and then moving onto the Aspen-4 for our larger bits of equipment such as the mechanical arbor.”

“It’s easy to store, cleaner to use and provides a healthier environment for the operator to work in.” He explains, “Very often, we’re working in densely populated woodland and/or in very close proximity to our equipment. As soon as we started using Aspen Fuel, all of the headaches and sore throats you just became accustomed to stopped, immediately.”

Virtually free from sulphur, benzene and solvents, Aspen alkylate petrol is much less harmful that pump unleaded. By removing these ingredients, operators can breathe clean air, contributing to a healthier and cleaner working environment. The omission of ethanol also makes Aspen better for engine health, providing maximum performance while simultaneously extending equipment life and reliability.

“Chainsaws which may have lasted 12 months previously, now give us three years of reliable performance. Across the board, I’d say since we switched to Aspen our hand tools are lasting twice as long and our maintenance and repair bills have halved” Colin adds.

The team also enjoy the convenience angle that comes with being an Aspen customer. “We can order what we need easily, and it’s delivered to our site in a mixture of cans and drums just a couple of days later. It eliminates trips to the forecourt and makes it easy to ensure that each team has the necessary quantity and type of fuel on board. Aspen-2 being pre-mixed also takes away the need to mix on-site, reducing spillages and giving us peace of mind that we’re getting the right mix every time.”

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Reaping the rewards of renovations by AMS

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Reaping the rewards of renovations by AMS: AMS Contractors have been praised for their role in a multi-year project to improve the quality of the sports surfaces at St Mary’s University in Twickenham.

The team visited in early 2024 to re-grade and fully renovate the second of three football pitches at their Teddington Lock Sports Campus, where the university are still reaping the rewards of last year’s renovation work with enhanced pitch appearance and performance.

Reaping the rewards of renovations by AMS

Reaping the rewards of renovations by AMS

Overseeing the 30-acre campus, which includes sports pitches, athletics facilities and amenity areas is Grounds Manager David Ember. He explains that a combination of location and high usage is driving the current facility improvement programme. “The three football pitches, rugby pitch and practice facilities operate at over 90% capacity with mid-week games, as well as fixtures at the weekend for commercial and community teams. With a number of local clubs already calling Teddington their home, and other notable venues like The Lensbury nearby, we felt the time was right to invest in our surfaces.”

David spoke with AMS Contractors who undertook the first phase of the works in April 2023. “They did a pitch levelling operation which involved fraise mowing the top of the surface off, power-harrowing, dressing, raking and levelling the surface before re-seeding and beginning the feeding programme. The whole project went swimmingly and, with a little help from mother nature, the results were fantastic!”

“Come the end of the season, the pitch had withstood the pressures of the high wear – even the goal mouths, which tend to be the telltale areas, had retained coverage.”

With one pitch renovated, AMS returned at the end of April 2024 to commence works on the next. “This pitch had always been problematic with significant undulations and steep hollows which risked injury to the players. The process was similar to that conducted previously, with the addition of laser-grading to ensure we achieved optimal, pin-point accuracy with the flattening and finishing.”

Though the weather wasn’t as kind this time around, it didn’t dampen spirits… or results! “AMS had three operatives on site every day, including Myles Strange who was involved in every stage of the project and still checks in regularly to make sure everything is on track.” David adds, “When you see the team arrive on site, with quality equipment that looks well maintained it all helps to instil confidence in what will be achieved. What was really appreciated was AMS’ willingness to juggle their schedule to get our job done at the right time, in the right conditions. This undoubtedly helped the end result, which is fantastic once again.”

“We’re now find ourselves in a position where the quality of the pitches is better than the infrastructure we have to support them, so reviewing things like our irrigation systems is the next step. We’ll then speak with AMS again about bringing similar improvements to the rest of the surfaces on the site.”

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