Tag Archive for: East

turfRad Expands Across the Middle East

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turfRad Expands Across the Middle East: Over the past year, interest in turfRad technology has grown steadily across the Middle East. Turf managers in the region work in some of the most demanding conditions anywhere in the world – extreme heat, sand-based construction, reclaimed or variable-quality irrigation water, salinity pressures, and year-round playability expectations. In this environment, precision irrigation isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Working closely with Delta Turf Care, our trusted distribution partner, turfRad has been introduced to leading clubs, evaluated in real-world conditions, and discussed widely at regional industry events. The response has been exceptionally positive, and momentum across the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia continues to build.

turfRad Expands Across the Middle East

turfRad Expands Across the Middle East

A Region Ready for Smarter Moisture Management

Across the Middle East, superintendents manage rapidly drying sand profiles, high evapotranspiration, and persistent microclimate variation – sometimes within the span of a single fairway. With rising expectations around sustainability and water efficiency, many teams are seeking tools that offer continuous, data-driven insight rather than periodic snapshots.

turfRad’s ability to deliver live, high-resolution moisture and temperature data has resonated strongly in this context, providing clarity where guesswork is costly and confidence where water savings are essential.

Demo Installations Across the UAE

Through ongoing collaboration with Delta Turf Care, multiple clubs in the Middle East have installed turfRad demo units to evaluate the system under their own agronomic conditions.

While project details vary, the primary goals across these sites include:

  • Improving moisture uniformity across high-profile, high-traffic surfaces
  • Supporting sustainability initiatives and optimizing water use
  • Identifying and resolving localized problem areas where traditional irrigation adjustments fall short
  • Strengthening day-to-day consistency with high-density moisture mapping

Each demo has provided valuable insight into how moisture varies across greens, approaches, and fairways – and how turfRad can support more informed, proactive irrigation decisions.

Expanding Into Saudi Arabia

turfRad has now entered its first phase of testing in Saudi Arabia, including a new installation currently being tested on a championship-level site. Interest across the region continues to grow, with additional demonstrations planned as new projects are looking for ways to improve sustainability and surface performance in highly challenging climates.

Industry Engagement Across Dubai

Recent months have also included participation in regional meetings and turf industry gatherings, where turfRad’s data-driven approach has sparked strong discussions around:

  • smarter use of limited water resources
  • improved surface consistency
  • the role of high-density moisture mapping in modern agronomy
  • Regional pressure to preserve water usage and the push for sustainability.

These conversations continue to broaden awareness and highlight how moisture data can help teams make faster, more confident agronomic decisions.

Partner Spotlight: Delta Turf Care

None of this progress would be possible without the commitment and expertise of Delta Turf Care. Their team has been instrumental in:

  • coordinating demo logistics and introducing turfRad to key decision-makers
  • providing on-the-ground technical support
  • advocating for better moisture management across the region

Their credibility in the turf industry throughout the Middle East has laid a strong foundation for turfRad’s growing presence.

This diversity is exactly what makes the turfRad journey so compelling. No two conversations are the same, and with each demo we uncover new opportunities to understand turf performance in ways that were never possible before.

“What has stood out most for me throughout these demonstrations is the consistent sense of excitement at every installation. From the moment the first moisture maps and data sets appear on the screen, there is an immediate spark of curiosity and engagement. The discussions that follow are always unique – because every golf course is different, every irrigation system is different, and every turf team has its own challenges and insights. The support we have been receiving from the turfRad team has been exceptional. We could tell from day 1 that they were extremely passionate about the product, which gave us full confidence to partner.”

– Marinus Koekemoer, Reginal Manager UAE, Ohman, Bahrain, KSA 

Looking Ahead

It’s clear that water efficiency, surface consistency, and predictable day-to-day performance are top priorities for superintendents across the Middle East, and turfRad fits directly into that mission.

With more demos underway in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, additional trials scheduled in early 2026, and new conversations opening across the GCC, this is just the beginning.

The Middle East is ready for data-driven turf management.
And turfRad is ready to support the region’s agronomy teams with the insights they need to succeed.

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ISEKI Tried and Tested on Major Projects at East Renfrewshire

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ISEKI Tried and Tested on Major Projects at East Renfrewshire: When it came to picking a new tractor, it was a “no-brainer” for East Renfrewshire Golf Club to opt for another ISEKI in the form of the TG6507 with a C4+ loader.

The moorland course is based on the outskirts of Glasgow, with stunning views of Ben Lomond and the Trossachs. The course demands a lot from a tractor, with a heavy workload and hilly terrain providing daily challenges.

ISEKI Tried and Tested on Major Projects at East Renfrewshire

ISEKI Tried and Tested on Major Projects at East Renfrewshire

Upgrading their previous machine was brought on by a desire to handle larger winter projects in-house, and after speaking with local ISEKI dealer Fairways GM, Club Manager Iain Russell and Course Manager Barry Nichol were set on the TG6507.

“In the past, we’ve not been able to do a particular project because we didn’t have the right machinery, but that’s been added to our list now,” Iain explains. “Barry and the team here all work collaboratively, and they work together in producing the winter programme.

“It’s quite extensive. They put a lot of work into it, and they almost look forward to that more than the summer. They love tackling these major projects, and having the right equipment is vital so they can do that. The members also look forward to the winter programme coming out to see what will be in hand through the winter going into the new season.”

The Iseki TG6507 is a high-performance compact tractor that is well-suited for golf course maintenance. Featuring hydrostatic or IQ transmission options, it provides smooth and precise control, while the high-capacity lift arms and compatibility with a wide range of implements make it a versatile and durable choice for demanding workloads.

Course Manager Barry is taking full advantage of the versatility, with the TG6507 put to work tining, completing other aerating works, loading, clearing car parks and moving pallets with the front forks. With his previous experience using ISEKI tractors at the club, there was no question what his next pick would be.

“It was a no-brainer to get another ISEKI, to be honest with you,” Barry explains. “It is tried and tested on this course, and it’s very much suited to ourselves up here and right across the golfing industry as well.

“Versatility is important and we get that from the tractor, but it is very reliable as well. We’ve had no issues on the mechanical side of it and it really does a great job. It’s got plenty of power to get around our hilly terrain, and we’ll have it in full swing throughout autumn, winter and spring with no issues.”

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Reesink East Anglia builds on success

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Reesink East Anglia builds on success: The East Anglia and Midlands branch of Reesink UK is celebrating two years of successful operation and attributing a significant proportion of its achievements to its machinery servicing and parts departments.

Trevor Chard, Branch Manager of Reesink East Anglia, says: “We set out with a firm focus on sales, servicing, training and parts, and what we’ve noticed since opening is just how highly the servicing and parts departments are valued and in particular how popular the ReeAssure maintenance plans are.”

Reesink East Anglia builds on success

Reesink East Anglia builds on success

The reason for this is multifaceted says Trevor: “We’ve noticed customers are holding on to their machinery for longer. The cost of living crisis does affect businesses and the post-COVID spend is long behind us, but this is where buying Toro in the first instance pays dividends.

“It’s longevity and reliability is such that with regular maintenance and servicing by our team of experienced and trained technicians they can easily get upwards of a decade of solid work performance in.”

In fact, such is the demand for Reesink’s servicing maintenance support that the Burwell branch now has three technicians full-time on the road and two at the branch, with recruitment currently active to further bolster the team.

The reason for this is that from a choice of three service plans for customers, Burwell branch customers favour Gold. “They want to know everything is covered, scheduled and every eventuality taken care of. That’s unlimited visits, breakdown and call out costs, and all manufacturer’s routine maintenance and scheduled servicing. With most customers choosing this plan, it’s easy to see why the team is expanding.

“The growth of the maintenance and support we provide has been organic and demonstrates just how important it is to have a local branch to respond to customer demand and react to specific requirements of our local customers. That’s what sees us gaining new customers and welcoming returning ones.”

Trevor has noticed that most machinery enquiries focus on hybrid and electric options and he puts the branch’s point of difference down to that fact that they may act as an independent, but they have access to all the advantages being part of an international distributor brings.

“We’re trained as the distributor but we act as the retail outlet,” he says. “We can respond instantly to local market changes and design our business to offer the right products for the local industry but also pull on the power of being part of Reesink’s impressive network of market-leading brands, latest technology, guaranteed delivery times, and more.”

To speak to Reesink Burwell about what brands, services and expertise it can offer, call 01638 594340.

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East Devon switch to Foamstream

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East Devon switch to Foamstream: As part of their wider Climate Change Agenda, the team at East Devon District Council (EDDC) have switched to non-herbicidal weed control with Foamstream from Weedingtech.

In an attempt to improve the environment and move towards net zero, the council have eliminated the use of glyphosate in the management of a range of weed species in public spaces across the district.

East Devon switch to Foamstream

East Devon switch to Foamstream

EDDC is the largest of the Devon district councils, serving a population of over 150,000 residents and increases significantly during the summer months as visitors arrive to enjoy the beaches and countryside. “We see a big variety in the amount and type of weeds across the district” explains Horticultural Technical Officer Paul Fealey. “Perennial weeds, such as dandelion, tend to dominate landscapes in and around paved areas, with annual weeds such as groundsel and chickweed more prevalent in beds and borders in our formal parks and gardens. Despite having small root systems that can be easily uprooted by hand, they are high in quantity and spread very quickly so Glyphosate was traditionally sprayed throughout the growing season as a ‘quick-fix’ solution across our hard and soft landscape surfaces.”

“The teams understood that there was an environmental impact to their spraying and, with a Glyphosate ban imposed in 2022, we needed to explore all options to find something the team would be happy to adopt and that would deliver the same efficacy and efficiency as Glyphosate.”

12-months of data was presented as part of a herbicide audit, where Foamstream emerged as a viable solution. Foamstream’s patented low-pressure process combines hot water with a biodegradable foam made from natural plant oils and sugars. The foam acts as an insulation blanket, preventing the heat from escaping and keeping the water in the ‘kill-zone’ of 57 degrees Celsius and above for longer. The heat penetrates the waxy outer leaf structures, travels down the stem and into the roots – killing or severely damaging the plant.

Paul’s findings were presented to EDDC StreetScene’s Operations Manager, Tom Wood. “We invited as many of the operatives along to the demonstration as we could and monitored the results over the next seven days. We were all blown away!” exclaims Tom. “As our district is split into East and West, we proceeded to purchase two L12 systems in May 2023, both with a 60m retractable hose which means that, with the unit mounted on the back of a flat-bed tipper, we can get the applicator wand exactly where we need it.”

“While it’s still relatively early days, we have already had fantastic feedback and are witnessing large areas of weeds killed within 24 hours of treatment” notes Tom. “While we tackle the build-up of weeds from last year’s Glyphosate ban, the two units are currently being used extensively but foresee that in 2024, intervals between treatments will extend by as much as 50%, with even our most problematic areas only treated at approximately 12-week intervals.”

“Foamstream sterilising spores and seed banks was another major benefit compared to some of the other non-herbicidal alternatives, which will help to break the ‘losing battle’ the teams have traditionally faced with the rapid life cycles of ephemeral weeds.”

Paul adds, “We are now well placed to control weeds in a way that is of benefit to our operatives, to the environment and to those across areas in the wider public realm.”

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Kubota appoints Henton & Chattell for East Midlands

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Kubota appoints Henton & Chattell for East Midlands: Kubota (UK) Ltd is pleased to announce that Henton & Chattell Ltd is to become a Kubota dealer for agricultural and groundcare machinery, covering the east Midlands area.

The appointment is a strategic move for the long-term business ambition of Kubota, which is to continue to grow the groundcare and agricultural machinery aspects of its business.

Kubota appoints Henton & Chattell for East Midlands

Kubota appoints Henton & Chattell for East Midlands

“This latest dealer announcement reinforces Kubota’s commitment to its customers and the market,” explained Henry Bredin, general manager of Kubota (UK)’s Tractor Business Unit. “The appointment of Henton & Chattell will help Kubota to further strengthen its position in these important market sectors, by serving a wider cross-section of customers.”

Established in 1931, Henton & Chattell is one of the largest garden machinery distributors in the UK and is currently located in Nottingham. A family-owned business, it has a wealth of experience supplying a broad range of customers from its logistics operation, which boasts a workforce of 85 and over 11,000 square metres of warehouse space.

A history of innovation has enabled the company to become the best-performing and most reliable distributor in its industry, and now the firm is ready to build on that success by expanding as a Kubota dealer. This brings M-series tractors, implements and R0 compact loaders, plus a comprehensive range of groundcare and professional turf care products including the new EK compact tractor series and new FC-series out-front mower, plus G-series ride-on mowers and RTV utility vehicles.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to move our business forward with Kubota,” said Peter Chaloner, managing director of Henton & Chattell. “We like to be successful in every market we’re in, which means it’s all about our team, its knowledge, and the ability to deliver first class customer service.”

“We already have a strong groundcare team,” he said. “The opportunity to develop an agricultural machinery business to provide sales, service and support to the industry through a partnership with a dynamic and forward-thinking tractor manufacturer, is the next logical stage of our business development.”

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