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Full house for ICL

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Full house for ICL: All ICL Technical Area Sales Managers are now fully BASIS and FACTS qualified after two members of staff recently passed their FACTS examination. 

Matt Nutter and Andrew Pledger, ICL Technical Area Sales Managers operating in South Central and South East England have both, recently, successfully completed the Fertilizer Advisers Certification and Training Scheme (FACTS). This means that ICL now boasts an entire team of BASIS and FACTS qualified staff.

Full house for ICL

Full house for ICL

FACTS is available to those who have already qualified for the BASIS Professional Register and want to gain Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. The course builds on an individual’s prior level of agronomic knowledge and candidates must have at least one year’s experience of fertilizer and nutrient management planning in the UK.

Successful FACTS participants demonstrate a full understanding of the role of fertilizers on the main crop groups in the UK and can make recommendations that are agronomically, economically and environmentally sound.

By becoming BASIS and FACTS qualified and by joining the Professional Register, staff commit to a Code of Professional Ethics and a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) which requires them to continue their training to keep up-to-date with the latest developments and to enhance and broaden their knowledge and skills.

This ensures that turf managers receive the very best advice from ICL’s dedicated turf and landscape team.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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

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Critical time for amenity management

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Critical time for amenity management: For everyone engaged in amenity management, these are really important times. The pandemic and all its consequences are having, and will have, a long lasting impact on everyone, and those engaged in managing amenity spaces are certainly not exempt from this.

What has been demonstrated is the essential nature of much of the work, especially in seeking to keep parks, transports networks, sports surfaces etc. safe and healthy and fit for purpose. However, nobody can predict with certainty the future. With an economy under real stress and unemployment up, there will be less resource available and certainly changes in pattern of use of amenity spaces.

Critical time for amenity management

Critical time for amenity management

Also, to be factored into the mix is the government review of the UK National Action Plan which focusses on all aspects of weed, pest and disease management. The draft plan is now out for consultation and the Amenity Forum will be responding fully. The Forum is also urging other organisations to make response. It is vital that we stress the importance of what is done and why weed, pest and disease management is essential. We cannot take this for granted; we need to make our politicians fully aware of what we do, and the professional standards employed. In that latter context, the sector must embrace the Amenity Standard. It is a totally recognisable way to demonstrate professional standards by showing organisations involved are members of an approved assurance scheme. There is much support from policy makers for the Standard and getting engaged shows commitment by the sector and will very much assist in gaining the right outcomes for the sector. For further information contact admin@amenityforum.net or visit the website www.theamenitystandard.co.uk

The National Action Plan will be the key focus at a series of free Updating Events being held by the Amenity Forum over the coming weeks. They are half day, free and open to all and being run entirely online. It is really important that those engaged in, or with an interest in, amenity management are fully aware of the potential changes and express their views. These free events will provide this. For details of registration, please contact Kate at Admin@amenityforum.net. The dates are February 9th, 11th, 23rd, 25th and March 4th.

Also recently launched at this important time is a government supported survey seeking to ascertain usage of plant protection products in amenity and related information. If you receive a request to provide this data, please do so. It will provide clear evidence not only of what we do but its importance.

Professor John Moverley, independent chairman of the Amenity Forum, says ‘’The important and essential nature of amenity management may be something those engaged in it understand but we must ensure that message is articulated clearly and strongly to all especially the public and policy makers. Everyone involved should be immensely proud of what they do but now is the time to say it loud. Critical times ahead maybe but working together the sector can face such times and be successful, of that I have no doubt’’.

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New Turf Rewards for 2021

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New Turf Rewards for 2021: ICL and Syngenta have expanded the Turf Rewards family to bring you even more budget and time saving rewards for 2021.

Turf Rewards provides the opportunity for customers to earn points from purchases that can then be exchanged against a fantastic selection of agronomic or turf related items and learning opportunities. Over recent years greenkeepers and turf managers have praised the scheme for providing them with an opportunity to improve turf management and business performance – at no added cost.

New Turf Rewards for 2021

New Turf Rewards for 2021

One of the main benefits of the scheme is that it allows users to claim tools and equipment that may be difficult to stretch to when working to a tight budget. Turf Rewards makes these items accessible and affordable.

With an extensive range of items already on offer, a raft of new rewards for 2021 have recently been confirmed. These include:

  • A range of wildflower mixes suitable for links, parkland and heathland areas.
  • Stihl Dynamic Bluetooth ear defenders.
  • Accupro 1000 and Accupro 2000 spreaders.
  • A waste collection and recycling service from Chemastic.
  • TDR150 and TDR350 moisture meters.
  • iMac 21.5-inch desktop computer.
  • SGL BU10 grow light.
  • Plus, much more.

New qualifying products for 2021 include the Gronamic range of organo-mineral fertilizers, the recently launched fungicide Ascernity, Hicure, a new biostimulant from Syngena and FR321 – the new one-box solution for autumn turf disease control.

There are now even further ways to boost your points balance with double points promotions on many commonly used products such as Sierrablen, SierrablenPlus, Vitalnova and Qualibra. The qualifying quantity threshold for Sierrablen and Vitalnova has also been reduced.

Users of the scheme will be pleased to hear that the popular fungicide promotion has also returned – but this time with an even better offering. Simply purchase four fungicide applications in 2021 and earn an additional 10 bonus points.

Give your turf and your pockets a helping hand with Turf Rewards in 2021.

To find out more and to register visit www.turfrewards.com

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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

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More for the outdoors with Makita

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More for the outdoors with Makita: Leading power tool manufacturer, Makita has announced the release of a new Twin 18V (36V) LXT Brushless Linetrimmer and 36V LXT Brushless Blower, as part of its expanding outdoor equipment range.

The 18Vx2 (36V) DUR368L LXT Brushless Linetrimmer is powered by the company’s innovative lithium-ion LXT battery technology; a system that allows operators to interchange battery power between over 270 LXT cordless Makita products. The new 36V UB001CZ Brushless Blower is powered by Makita’s back-pack battery system giving users the option to use the machine with either the PDC01 backpack battery that utilises interchangeable 18V LXT batteries, or the new PDC1200 solid state 33Ah backpack battery to offer even longer run-times for contractors.

More for the outdoors with Makita

More for the outdoors with Makita

Brushless Linetrimmer

The powerful 36V DUR368L brushless motor can reach fast cutting speeds of up to 6,500rpm and offers a cutting diameter of 350mm. Thanks to Makita’s Automatic Torque Drive Technology (ADT), speed and torque levels are automatically adjusted according to the density of weeds and the machine also features Makita’s highly responsive Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT), that shuts down the tool to protect the user if the rotation speed suddenly slows down.

With greater usability in mind, the machine is also fitted with an ergonomic soft grip and comes with a small protector to allow for a better view of the cutting area, as well as a reverse switch for easy removal of any tangled grass.

Brushless Blower

Powered by Makita’s PDC01 or PDC1200 backpack battery systems (sold separately), the brushless UB001CZ LXT Blower performs at 36V high power for extended run times and outstanding performance similar to a 50cc class engine machine, offering speeds of up to 24,000rpm in boost mode.

For the most efficient clearing operation, the blower has been engineered with an optimised grip to frame angle, providing the best nozzle to ground position. The lightweight and compact design is perfect for single handed operation but can also be attached to a shoulder belt for added comfort. Furthermore, as the machine is designed for use with backpack battery power, operators need only carry the weight of the bare machine, enabling work for longer periods with reduced fatigue.

As well as a variable speed control by trigger and a cruise control lever, the powerful, portable tool has a three-stage telescopic long nozzle attached as standard.

Speaking on the new devices, Mark Earles, Business Development Manager for Outdoor Power Equipment at Makita UK, commented: “We are pleased to launch these new outdoor products which form part of an exciting roadmap for our cordless garden machinery range this year. Our complete line up of cordless outdoor solutions continues to transform the way professionals work with new levels of productivity and efficiency. Both new solutions feature Makita’s brushless motor technology for longer machine life and with the support of the world’s largest cordless system, professionals can rely on a wide range of Makita tools that will get the job done without the limitations of petrol or cords.”

For more information about the range, please visit: www.makitauk.com

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New distributors for Capillary Concrete

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New distributors for Capillary Concrete: Global bunker liner and water management specialist Capillary Concrete has appointed four new distributors to help improve its coverage across the world of golf. The new distributors cover various different regions, including the American Midwest, India and South Korea.

Chicago-based golf course supplier Clesens will represent Capillary Concrete across much of the Midwest, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. Established in 1961, Clesens is a well-regarded, family-owned supplier of turf care products and equipment.

New distributors for Capillary Concrete

New distributors for Capillary Concrete

New Korean partner Seowon Corporation was founded in 1978 and has installed over 70 per cent of the country’s golf course irrigation systems. The company already has partnerships with suppliers such as Rain Bird, Jacobsen and EZGO. “Clesens is excited to bring Capillary Concrete, the market leading bunker liner, to the midwest as the company’s newest distributor. Clesens has been serving golf course superintendents in the midwest for over 50 years, introducing new products and technologies with the excellent customer service Clesens is known for,” says sales director Matt Kinnard.

Centaur Asia Pacific is already an established installer of Capillary Concrete across Asia, with offices in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. Now, the company is expanding its operations to include the Australian state of Queensland and the Pacific region of Melanesia. Existing Australian distributor Global Turf Projects will still cover the rest of the country. Centaur general manager Danny Potter says: “Our expansion into the Australia market in 2020 was decided when exciting new opportunities were presented to us, none more significant than our agreement with Capillary Concrete for the Queensland and Melanesia markets. Being from Australia’s ‘Sunshine State’ myself, and starting my career as a greenkeeper at the Sanctuary Cove Resort, it has always been my goal to be an active member of the golf industry here again. Capillary Concrete has been a game changer for the golf world and the construction and maintenance of bunkers, and we can’t wait for everyone to see how well it handles the more severe Queensland weather.”

Finally, SGDC India, the subcontinent’s leading golf course construction and irrigation specialist has been appointed as Capillary Concrete’s distributor for the whole of India. SGDC has recently completed the country’s first two Capillary Concrete bunker installations, at Tarudhan Valley Golf Resort in Gurgaon and at the Karnataka Golf Association course in Bangalore. CEO Anit Malhotra says: “Around the globe, thousands of bunkers have been built and renovated with Capillary Concrete; we truly believe that Capillary Concrete can make a great impact in enhancing bunker quality through the support of regional distributors. We, as India’s foremost golf course Construction Company, felt the need to introduce Capillary Concrete to the Indian market where prospective customers will be able to understand the core advantage of Capillary Concrete bunkers in order to gain better and sustainable results.”

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