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Germinal appoints sales representative

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Germinal appoints sales representative: Germinal has recruited Stuart Tait as its new Amenity Technical Sales Representative for Scotland and the North East of England.

Based from his home in East Lothian, Stuart will provide technical sales support to Germinal’s customers throughout Scotland and North East England, and will be responsible for promoting the company’s popular range of Grade-A sports and amenity grass seed mixtures to golf course greenkeepers, turf growers, sports groundsmen and landscapers.

Germinal appoints sales representative

Germinal appoints sales representative

Stuart will also be responsible for promoting Germinal’s specialist amenity fertiliser range which includes conventional compound products as well as liquid and phased-release fertilisers and specialist sward conditioners. He will also promote Germinal’s range of regional and general landscaping wildflower seed mixtures.

Stuart joins Germinal with 17-years’ worth of experience within the turf industry: he started his career as a trainee greenkeeper at Gullane Golf Club (No.1 course) in East Lothian before working his way up from assistant greenkeeper to head greenkeeper at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick. For the past three and half years he has worked in sales orientated roles, initially spending a year with Sherriff Groundcare before joining Reesink Turfcare as the company’s area sales manager for the Lothians, Borders and Fife where he has been selling Toro equipment to customers in the golf and groundcare sectors.

“Stuart is a very experienced turf care specialist with a huge amount of experience not only in terms of golf course maintenance, but also within the wider sports ground and landscaping sectors,” says Richard Brown, Germinal Amenity Sales Manager. “He is also well known to many within Scotland’s golf and turfgrass sectors and as such is well positioned to promote Germinal’s wide range of specialist grass seed and wildflower mixtures throughout his sales territory.”

Stuart can be contacted via the following:

Mobile: 07887 578802

Email: stuart.tait@germinal.com

Web: www.germinalamenity.com

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Germinal launch new bentgrass mixture

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Germinal launch new bentgrass mixture: Germinal has launched an all-new grass seed mixture designed specifically for golf greens. 

‘Tour Leader’ – a 50:50 blend of 007 DSB and new cultivar Tour Pro (GDE) – is a landmark in the evolution of creeping bentgrass products: this exceptional blend sets the bar high with unrivalled performance, seasonal adaptability, high disease resistance and vivid colour retention.

Germinal launch new bentgrass mixture

Germinal launch new bentgrass mixture

Tour Pro (GDE) is the latest creeping bentgrass to join Germinal’s class-leading portfolio: having excelled in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) in the United States (where it is ranked in the top five of 20 varieties in all trial categories and the highest rated of all commercially available bentgrasses), this top-performing variety has recently achieved the highest mean score (6.8) for creeping bentgrasses as a new cultivar on table G1 of the 2021 BSPB list. It has also been awarded the highest score for shoot density (6.6) and visual merit (7.0) for a creeping bentgrass.

Cultivar Shoot density Visual merit Mean Fineness of leaf Resistance to Red Thread Winter greenness Summer greenness
007 DSB 6.4 6.5 6.4 6.4 5.9 6.9 5.4
Tour Pro (GDE) 6.6 7.0 6.8 6.0 – 6.8 5.2

Source: BSPB, Turfgrass Seed 2021, Table G1 Creeping bentgrasses (Agrostis stolonifera)

“Tour Pro (GDE) was selected as the next variety to join our creeping bent portfolio thanks to its low input requirement,” explains Richard Brown, Amenity Sales Manager for Germinal. “This enables greenkeepers to demote Poa annua by implementing management strategies which place the latter under stress, thereby allowing Tour Pro (GDE) to gain the upper hand and dominate the sward.

“By pairing Tour Pro (GDE) with 007 DSB we have created a seed mixture with enough genetic diversity to ensure golf greens remain in good condition all year round irrespective of what the weather might throw at them: with the UK’s variable weather patterns meaning no two seasons are ever the same, Tour Leader’s unrivalled performance in terms of drought and cold weather tolerance, disease resistance, wear tolerance and visual merit make it the ideal over-seeding and reseeding mixture for modern golf greens.”

With limited stocks of Tour Pro (GDE) available in 2021, Tour Leader is anticipated to sell out quickly. “As such sales are strictly on a first-come, first-served basis,” Richard continues. “We therefore recommend that anyone interested in using creeping bents to convert their greens away from Poa annua should act quickly to ensure they are able to secure the necessary quantity of seed.”

Tour Leader – key qualities:

  • Superb Dollar Spot, Anthracnose, Fusarium and Brown Patch resistance
  • Adaptable to all UK climates
  • Tolerant of close mowing regimes (as low as 3mm)
  • Low seedling mortality rates compared to browntops and fescues: resulting in faster species conversion away from Poa annua
  • Very tolerant of drought and cold conditions
  • Sustainable input requirement: UK users average 92 kg N per annum with reduced chemical usage
  • Recommended sowing rate: 8-12 g/m2 (80-120 kg/Ha)
  • Recommended overseeding rate: 5-8 g/m2 (50-80 kg/Ha)

Tour Pro (GDE) and Tour Leader are available exclusively in the UK from Germinal. For more information visit www.germinalamenity.com or call 01522 868714.

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New browntop bentgrass from Germinal

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New browntop bentgrass from Germinal: Germinal has updated two of its greens-specific bentgrass blends by adding newly listed browntop cultivar, Musket, to its Aber®Majesty and ForeFront Greens seed mixtures.

Musket is one of three new browntop bentgrass cultivars to join the BSPB’s Table G1 (greens, close mown 4-7mm trials) in 2020. It is also the latest addition to Germinal’s extensive bentgrass portfolio which includes a range of high quality browntop and creeping bentgrass mixtures to suit every circumstance and budget.

“Musket was bred using germplasm that combines early spring green-up traits with improved summer performance,” explains Richard Brown, Amenity Sales Manager for Germinal GB. “As well as offering all the intrinsic benefits of a modern browntop bentgrass such as a prostrate growth habit, high shoot density, good wear tolerance and reduced input requirement, Musket also exhibits excellent resistance to fusarium.

“With the recent loss of several key fungicides already forcing greenkeepers to overseed more frequently in order to keep their greens disease-free, selecting a naturally resistant cultivar such as Musket is the logical way forward. We have therefore added Musket to two of our specialist golf greens seed mixtures, AberMajesty and ForeFront Greens, to bolster their varietal diversity and natural disease resistance so that greenkeepers can establish and maintain high quality, consistent greens with excellent year-round playability.”

For 2020, Germinal’s AberMajesty mixture will consist of 45% Aber®Regal (browntop bent), 45% Aber®Royal (browntop bent) and 10% Musket (browntop bent).

ForeFront Greens will be made up of 40% 007 DSB (creeping bent), 25% AberRegal (browntop bent), 25% AberRoyal (browntop bent) and 10% Musket (browntop bent).

MUSKET: BSPB trial results

Shoot Density Visual Merit Mean Fineness of Leaf Winter Greenness Summer Greenness
6.6 7.0 6.8 6.7 5.9 5.8

Source: BSPB, Turfgrass Seed 2020, Table G1

For more information about any of the Germinal products mentioned, contact Germinal on 01522 868714 or visit www.germinalamenity.com

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Germinal Launch Organic Based Fertiliser

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Germinal Launch Organic Based Fertiliser: Germinal has launched an organic based phased-release fertiliser which provides up to five months’ worth of nutrients and trace elements from a single application at a budget-friendly price point.

GSR Tri-Phase is an 18-3.5-8 NPK fertiliser which also supplies one unit of MgO plus trace elements including copper, zinc, boron, manganese and molybdenum. *

Germinal Launch Organic Based Fertiliser

Recommended for use on all fine grass swards including golf greens, tees and fairways, sports pitches and all amenity areas, GSR Tri-Phase’s mini-granular (1-2mm) formulation delivers a cost-effective and consistent supply of nitrogen and potash over a period of 16-20 weeks.

Richard Brown, Germinal Amenity Sales Manager explains: “We recognise that, for many landscapers, local authorities and golf, rugby and football clubs, grass and groundcare budgets can be very tight.  We have therefore developed our own phased-release fertiliser which is as good as anything else on the market but at a more affordable price.  It can be used either as a base feed as part of a wider fertiliser programme, or, where budgets are severely restricted, as a standalone, single application product.”

GSR Tri-Phase contains three forms of nitrogen to provide three phases of nutrient release into the rootzone: an initial hit of quick release nitrogen gives way to methylene urea which is subsequently followed by a final release of organic based nitrogen.  In addition, potash is also released slowly throughout the growing season to regulate water uptake and to ensure nutrients and trace elements remain mobile and available for uptake.

“This not only reduces plant stress throughout the growing season, but also enhances the sward’s ability to withstand drought conditions,” Mr Brown adds.  “A single application of 25-35g/m2 in the spring – typically in late March or early April – will instigate good early season growth and recovery and provide the necessary nutrients required by high performance grass swards for the majority of the growing season and certainly through until August or September.  During this time GSR Tri-Phase will release a slow and steady supply of available nitrogen ensuring a consistent rate of grass growth with no intense bursts of activity.”

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Germinal Showcase ForeFront Mixture

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Germinal Showcase ForeFront Mixture: Germinal will be at BTME in Harrogate to showcase its ForeFront Greens grass seed mixture from 22nd to 24th January 2019.

Containing a unique blend of three top-ranking bentgrass varieties, ForeFront Greens delivers the highest levels of disease and stress resistance.  It is rated for cutting heights down to 3mm and, with excellent shoot density, fineness of leaf and unrivalled summer and winter greenness, is the mixture for better golf greens.

Germinal Showcase ForeFront Mixture

ForeFront Greens contains 35% Aber®Regal (browntop bent), 35% Aber®Royal (browntop bent) and 30% 007 DSB (creeping bent).

AberRegal and AberRoyal were both bred at IBERS (the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences in Aberystwyth) from parent material originally sourced in the UK.  As well as superb disease resistance they also offer excellent shoot density, good fineness of leaf and unrivalled winter and summer greenness.

007 DSB was bred in the US using 24 parent plants to produce a single cultivar with a prostrate growth habit, high shoot density and good wear tolerance in a wide range of climatic conditions.  007 DSB has won plaudits wherever it has been used including at Ryder Cup and US Open courses and at the PGA Masters at Wentworth.  Unlike older creeping bent varieties, 007 DSB has a lower requirement for water and nutrients thereby making it ideal for inclusion in a low input seed mixture.

The recommended sowing rate for Forefront Greens is 8 to 12g/m2 (80 to 120kgs/ha).  The recommended overseeding rate is 5 to 8g/m2 (50 to 80kgs/ha).

To discuss how ForeFront Greens could benefit your course visit Germinal on Stand 257 in  the Red Zone at BTME.  Alternatively go to www.germinalamenity.com

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Germinal To Showcase ForeFront At BTME

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Germinal To Showcase ForeFront At BTME: Germinal will be heading to the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) in Harrogate from 22nd to 24th January 2019, where it will be showcasing its ForeFront Greens grass seed mixture.

Containing a unique blend of three top-ranking bentgrass varieties, ForeFront Greens delivers the highest levels of disease and stress resistance.  It is rated for cutting heights down to 3mm and, with excellent shoot density, fineness of leaf and unrivalled summer and winter greenness, is the mixture for better golf greens.

Germinal To Showcase ForeFront At BTME

ForeFront Greens contains 35% Aber®Regal (browntop bent), 35% Aber®Royal (browntop bent) and 30% 007 DSB (creeping bent).

AberRegal and AberRoyal were both bred at IBERS (the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences in Aberystwyth) from parent material originally sourced in the UK.  As well as superb disease resistance they also offer excellent shoot density, good fineness of leaf and unrivalled winter and summer greenness.

007 DSB was bred in the US using 24 parent plants to produce a single cultivar with a prostrate growth habit, high shoot density and good wear tolerance in a wide range of climatic conditions.  007 DSB has won plaudits wherever it has been used including at Ryder Cup and US Open courses and at the PGA Masters at Wentworth.  Unlike older creeping bent varieties, 007 DSB has a lower requirement for water and nutrients thereby making it ideal for inclusion in a low input seed mixture.

The recommended sowing rate for Forefront Greens is 8 to 12g/m2 (80 to 120kgs/ha).  The recommended overseeding rate is 5 to 8g/m2 (50 to 80kgs/ha).

To discuss how ForeFront Greens could benefit your course visit Germinal on Stand 257 in  the Red Zone at BTME.  Alternatively go to www.germinalamenity.com

For more information visit www.germinalamenity.com

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New Germinal Appointment

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New Germinal Appointment: Alan Thomson has been appointed as Germinal’s new Amenity Technical Sales Representative for Scotland and the North East of England.

Based from his home in Glasgow, Alan will provide technical sales support to Germinal’s customers throughout his region, and will be responsible for promoting the company’s popular range of Grade-A sports and amenity grass seed mixtures to golf course greenkeepers, turf growers, sports groundsmen and landscapers.

New Germinal Appointment

Currently training with the STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute) to gain his FACTS (Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme) qualification, Alan will also be responsible for promoting Germinal’s specialist amenity fertiliser range which includes conventional compound products as well as liquid and phased-release fertilisers and specialist sward conditioners.  Alan will also promote Germinal’s range of regional and general landscaping wildflower seed mixtures.

Alan joins Germinal from Glasgow-based John Deere dealership, Nairn Brown, where he was the company’s area sales manager for the central Scotland region.  Prior to this he has worked as the Scottish sales manager for Tacit Golf and also has previous greenkeeping experience from his time at Bothwell Castle Golf Club.

Alan can be contacted via the following:

Mobile: 07887 578802

Email: alan.thomson@germinal.com

Web: www.germinalamenity.com

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New Germinal Package At SALTEX

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New Germinal Package At SALTEX: Germinal will be returning to the NEC in Birmingham on 31 October–1 November for SALTEX, and will be showcasing its new, all-in-one sports pitch renovation package.

Containing three key elements – Germinal’s A20 Premier Ryesport seed mixture, an appropriate selection of fertiliser products and free sward management advice from one of Germinal’s FACTS (Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme) qualified technical experts – A20 Seed & Feed gives groundscare professionals everything they need to renovate sports pitches and to create a playable surface in time for the new season.

New Germinal Package At SALTEX

The seed element of the A20 Seed & Feed package provides a combination of four top-performing species of perennial ryegrasses: 10% Eugenius, 45% Calico, 20% Eurosport and 25% Eurocordus.  Together, these cultivars create a dense sward with excellent fineness of leaf, a good cleanness of cut, robust levels of disease resistance and fantastic post-winter recovery. The standard seed mixture can also be customised, allowing groundsmen to create a bespoke mixture to meet their specific needs.

For the fertiliser component of the A20 Seed & Feed package, a soil or sand based nutrient programme can be selected.  A third option, for park pitches and local community pitches, is also available.  All three nutrient programmes are F.A.C.T.S. approved and have been designed to enable the new sward to achieve the best possible results in terms of seedling establishment and sward development.  Each package contains a selection of phased release fertilisers and advanced soil conditioners which provide the necessary nutrients and trace elements required during the renovated pitch’s growing-in phase.

“The pitch renovation season is one of the busiest and most stressful periods in any groundsman’s calendar,” explains Richard Brown, Germinal Amenity Sales Manager.  “Waiting for the renovated pitch to be ready in time for the new playing season can cause even the most experienced and laid-back groundsman sleepless nights.  With that in mind, we have created an all-in-one seed, fertiliser and nutrient advice package to help ease the pressure.

“All too often we speak to groundsmen who simply don’t have the time or resources, or in some cases the correct technical knowledge, to develop their own over-seeding and fertiliser programme.  By following the simple advice laid out in our new A20 Seed & Feed package, these groundsmen can be confident that they are using the correct rate of the most suitable grass seeds and fertilisers at the optimum time, and that every penny invested will give their pitch the very best chance of going into the new season in prime condition.”

For more information visit www.germinalamenity.com

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Germinal Focus On Disease & Stress Resistant Bentgrass Mix At BTME

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Germinal Focus On Disease and Stress Resistant Bentgrass Mixture At BTME: Grass seed and turf care specialists, Germinal, will be showcasing its latest greens-specific seed mixture at the BTME show in Harrogate from 23rd to 25th January 2018.

Designed specifically for use on soil or sand-based golf greens, FOREFRONT GREENS is a blend of three bentgrass varieties, all of which have been selected to offer increased wear and heat tolerance, vigorous growth and good all-round disease resistance for hard-working, modern golf greens.

Germinal Focus On Disease & Stress Resistant Bentgrass Mixture At BTME

Comprising 35% AberâRegal (Browntop Bent), 35% AberâRoyal (Browntop Bent) and 30% 007 DSB (Creeping Bent), Forefront Greens produces a sward with enhanced disease and stress resistance and which retains a superb year-round green colour.

AberRegal and AberRoyal are the latest UK-bred bentgrass cultivars to come out of the IBERS (Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences in Aberystwyth) breeding programme: bred from material originally sourced from Kent and west Wales respectively, AberRegal and AberRoyal boast superb disease resistance, particularly to Fusarium, as well as excellent shoot density, fineness of leaf and unrivalled winter and summer greenness.

007 DSB was developed in the US using 24 parent plants to produce a single cultivar with a wide genetic base.  It is this background which enables it to deliver all the qualities of a top-rated Creeping Bentgrass (prostrate growth habit, high shoot density and good wear tolerance) in a range of conditions – from the extreme heat of Morocco to the harsh cold of Western Siberia.

007 has won plaudits wherever it has been used, including Ryder Cup and US Open courses, and has recently been announced as the variety of choice for the greens renovation ahead of the PGA Masters at Wentworth.

“AberRegal, AberRoyal and 007 DSB work well together by providing greenkeepers with a low input seed mixture with improved genetic diversity and a sward with higher resistance to key disease threats such as Red Thread and Fusarium,” explains Richard Brown, Amenity Sales Manager for Germinal.

“As such, Forefront Greens is the perfect solution for progressive greenkeepers who are currently managing browntop bents, but who are seeking extra performance from the same management inputs.  The unique combination of cultivars ensures soil and sand-based golf greens remain verdant throughout the year and, thanks to the inclusion of three top-performing varieties, avoids the risks associated with creating a mono-culture of grasses.”

AberRoyal, AberRegal and 007 DSB are available exclusively in the UK via Germinal.  The recommended sowing rate for Forefront Greens is 8 to 12g/m2 (80 to 120kgs/ha).  The recommended overseeding rate is 5 to 8g/m2 (50 to 80kgs/ha).

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