Tag Archive for: For

#GroundsWeek Returns for 2026: Join the Celebration

/in , , /by

#GroundsWeek Returns for 2026: Join the Celebration: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced the return of its annual awareness campaign, #GroundsWeek, taking place from 23-29 March 2026.

Following a hugely successful campaign in 2025, which reached more than 20 million people worldwide, including audiences in Australia, #GroundsWeek is once again set to shine a spotlight on the professionals and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the UK’s playing surfaces and green spaces thriving.

#GroundsWeek Returns for 2026: Join the Celebration

#GroundsWeek Returns for 2026: Join the Celebration

Last year’s campaign received widespread support from major sporting organisations including England Football, The All-England Lawn Tennis Club, Lord’s Cricket Ground, Wembley Stadium and England Rugby, helping to amplify the vital role of grounds staff across all sports and community environments.

CHAMPIONING A SKILLED AND ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY

#GroundsWeek is a nationwide celebration of the expertise that go in to creating and maintaining high-quality playing surfaces. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the grounds management industry and encourage a deeper appreciation for the work involved.

The GMA is encouraging everyone connected to the industry – clubs, organisations, professional grounds teams, volunteers and anyone working in grounds care – to take part throughout the week.

DOWNLOAD YOUR GROUNDSWEEK ENGAGEMENT PACK NOW!

To make it easier than ever to get involved the GMA has launched a dedicated #GroundsWeek Engagement Pack, offering a suite of downloadable resources to make involvement simple and accessible. The pack includes social media graphics, editable templates and tools to help individuals and organisations celebrate.

“Grounds teams are essential but too often unnoticed,” said Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association. “#GroundsWeek is our opportunity to change that narrative and celebrate the people who make sport and outdoor spaces possible.

“The incredible reach of last year’s campaign showed the strength of our community when we stand together. In 2026, we’re determined to build on that momentum and shine an even brighter light on the people whose work benefits millions every single day.”

INDUSTRY SUPPORT

#GroundsWeek is proudly backed by GMA Platinum Corporate Supporters Kubota (UK), Howardson Group, ICL Group, MJ Abbott, Premier Pitches, GKB Machines, ISEKI UK & Ireland and Cramer, alongside GMA Gold Corporate Supporters Rada UK, Aquatrols Europe, Redexim, RT Machinery, SGL and Husqvarna UK.

For more information and to download the Engagement Pack, visit thegma.org.uk/groundsweek.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

Bionema launches WeevilIntercept™ for adult vine weevil control

/in , /by

Bionema launches WeevilIntercept™ for adult vine weevil control: Bionema Group, a UK-based biological crop protection company, has announced the launch of WeevilIntercept™, a ready-to-use biological solution designed to control adult black vine weevils (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) in ornamental horticulture, nurseries, and retail plant production systems.

Vine weevil is one of the most economically damaging pests in UK horticulture, with total plant losses estimated at approximately £40 million annually across nurseries, garden centres, and retail supply chains. While adult vine weevils cause visible cosmetic damage to foliage, the most severe economic losses are caused by larvae, which hatch from eggs laid by adults and feed on plant roots, often leading to sudden plant collapse and death.

Bionema launches WeevilIntercept™ for adult vine weevil control

Bionema launches WeevilIntercept™ for adult vine weevil control

For professional growers and retailers, tolerance is effectively zero. The presence of even a single larva or adult vine weevil can result in crop rejection, lost sales, and reputational damage, particularly at the point of sale.

WeevilIntercept™ is designed to break this cycle by targeting adult vine weevils before they lay eggs, helping reduce subsequent larval pressure and protect plant quality. The product exploits the natural daytime hiding behaviour of adult weevils and contains encapsulated entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae) housed within a moisture-stable wooden shelter. When adult weevils enter the trap, the nematodes infect and kill the pest through a wholly biological process, leaving no chemical residues.

“Adult vine weevils may cause cosmetic damage, but they are the source of the larvae responsible for the most serious plant losses,” said Dr Minshad Ansari, CEO and Founder of Bionema Group. “WeevilIntercept™ provides growers and retailers with a practical biological tool to intercept adults early, complement existing larval control programmes, and strengthen integrated pest management strategies.”

Each WeevilIntercept™ unit provides approximately 10 square metres of coverage and remains active for up to 8-10 weeks when kept moist. The product is intended for use by professional growers, nurseries, landscapers, garden centres, and home gardeners managing vine weevil pressure during the active adult period from spring through mid-summer.

Free from microplastics and synthetic pesticides, WeevilIntercept™ supports Bionema’s wider mission to reduce reliance on conventional chemical inputs while maintaining reliable, practical pest control performance.

WeevilIntercept™ will be available for the 2026 vine weevil season, with an initial focus on the UK horticultural and retail markets. Growers and retailers interested in evaluation or supply for the 2026 season are invited to contact Bionema Group directly.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

Green-tech names Prostate Cancer UK as its chosen charity for 2026

/in , /by

Green-tech names Prostate Cancer UK as its chosen charity for 2026: Green-tech, the UK’s leading supplier of landscaping materials, has announced that Prostate Cancer UK is its chosen charity of the year for 2026.

Green-tech is committed to supporting meaningful causes and giving back to the communities it serves. Each year, a member of the Green-tech team nominates a charity for the business to support through fundraising and awareness activities.

Green-tech names Prostate Cancer UK as its chosen charity for 2026

Green-tech names Prostate Cancer UK as its chosen charity for 2026

For 2026, the chosen charity has been nominated by Roger Aimes-King, Account Manager in the John Chambers Wildflower Seed team. Roger selected Prostate Cancer UK, a charity dedicated to stopping prostate cancer from becoming a life-changing or life-limiting disease for men and their families.

Prostate Cancer UK funds world-class research, provides specialist support services and campaigns for improved diagnosis and treatment. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, and the charity plays a vital role in raising awareness, encouraging early detection and supporting those affected at every stage of the disease.

The nomination has personal significance for Roger, who lost his father to prostate cancer 22 years ago. He comments, “This is a cause that is extremely close to my heart. Losing my father to prostate cancer had a profound impact on my family, and it is a disease that affects so many men today. By supporting Prostate Cancer UK, I hope we can help raise awareness, fund vital research and support other families facing similar challenges.”

The Green-tech team aims to raise over £1000 during 2026 through various fundraising events and initiatives. The announcement follows a successful 2025 fundraising year, during which the Green-tech team raised much-needed funds for St Leonard’s Hospice in North Yorkshire.

To find out more about Prostate Cancer UK, visit their website at https://prostatecanceruk.org/ or to make a donation, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/green-tech-prostate-cancer-uk

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

GroundTech appointed as first UK Distributor for Drop-Pit

/in , /by

GroundTech appointed as first UK Distributor for Drop-Pit: GroundTech is proud to announce its appointment as the first UK distributor for the revolutionary Drop-Pit Ball Management System, developed by VDB Technics – an industry leader in automated driving-range technology.

Specifically developed to work in conjunction with robotic range pickers, GroundTech can now provide a fully automated, highly efficient and exceptionally reliable solution for collecting, washing, transporting and dispensing range balls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

GroundTech appointed as first UK Distributor for Drop-Pit

GroundTech appointed as first UK Distributor for Drop-Pit

Using the Drop-Pit with an autonomous collector such as the Echo Range Picker eliminates the need for manual collection, ball washing, transportation and dispenser loading.

With a capacity of 300 balls per cycle and 20,000 balls in a 24 hour period, the Echo RP-1250 will transfer the load into the Drop-Pit where they’re automatically washed and counted via the electronic control unit. A vacuum system then transports the clean golf balls to the dispenser ready for play. This sophisticated vacuum-transport design keeps the line clear, resulting in significantly less clogging than alternative automated systems.

“Our decision to partner with VDB Technics is not only based on the system’s performance, but for its practicality” explains GroundTech Director Marcus Glover. “Thanks to its modular underground wash zone, compact drop box and long-distance vacuum transport capability it is easier to install than comparative systems and seamlessly integrates with existing driving-range equipment. We’re excited to add Drop-Pit to our portfolio and further cement our status as a leading provider of automated golf course solutions.”

Lode Moies, Sales Manager at VDB Technics added, “We look forward to a long and successful partnership with GroundTech. Their strong market knowledge, professional approach and excellent service support make them the ideal partner to represent our Drop-Pit technology in the United Kingdom.”

For more information on Drop-Pit, or the autonomous Range Picker or mowers available from GroundTech, visit www.groundtech.co.uk

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

Amenity sector launch for Techneat Hire at BTME

/in , , /by

Amenity sector launch for Techneat Hire at BTME: A new hire scheme direct from Techneat Engineering will give greenkeepers, groundsmen and amenity managers convenient and low-cost access to the company’s range of innovative precision application equipment.

To be launched at BTME in January 2026 (Stand 106), Techneat Hire manager, Rui Santos, highlights the opportunity to try-before-you-buy some of Techneat’s pioneering developments – such as the high performance Pro-ESpray battery-powered pedestrian sprayer.

Amenity sector launch for Techneat Hire at BTME

Amenity sector launch for Techneat Hire at BTME

“Hiring equipment direct from Techneat brings all the convenience and flexibility of owning a machine for a required part of the season, without the capital cost or upkeep when it’s not required, and no commitment if future plans or requirements should change,” explained Rui.

“For time sensitive turf applications hiring a precision sprayer enables treatment when it’s convenient and in the optimum conditions. Grounds managers may only want access to a de-icing applicator for a period each year, for example, which can be available through the hire scheme.

“Using Techneat Hire to supply a sprayer you will always have the most up to date machine, that has been fully serviced by specialists in the factory and ready for work.”

Rui adds that the on-line hire scheme gives turf and amenity managers  the chance to pre-plan machinery requirements ahead of the season. However, the company also has a stock of machines and fittings to help out in many situations of unforeseen breakdowns or changes in plans and to try out advances in application.

He cites vegetation control specialists could hire a quad-mounted Weed Wizard, for precision optical spot spraying of weeds on pavements and hard surfaces, for example, to evaluate the cost savings and benefits for customers, without the economic tie of ownership.

Techneat Hire scheme is available across the range of Techneat precision application equipment also on show at BTME.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters