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BASF invests in growth

BASF invests in growth: Leading pest control solutions manufacturer, BASF has invested in new vessels at its specialist nematode production facility, which is the only one of its kind in Britain. The operation produces nematodes used by amateur gardeners and commercial growers globally as a natural pest-control solution for slugs and other pests.

Based in Littlehampton, the 4,000 m2 facility has been producing up to 12 trillion nematodes every month, but the installation of the new vessels in which to grow them will see this increase by 14% per month, whilst also creating a more robust manufacturing process, ensuring reliable supply to customers.

BASF invests in growth

BASF invests in growth

The project was conceived at the end of 2020 and work began in earnest at the beginning of 2021, with completion due at the end of Q1 2022.

As is the case for the other 6 manufacturing vessels already on site, the new equipment was designed and manufactured to exacting requirements in Burton upon Trent, a town famous for its brewing – which is apt, as the vessel is reminiscent of a brewery fermenter, with similar technology employed in its production.

The 316L Stainless Steel vessels, with ground and polished welds for sterility, are designed and tested to withstand 150ºC, 5.2 barg pressure and full vacuum, with a cooling jacket built into the shell, to prevent the nematodes from ‘cooking’ by the heat generated from their mass reproduction. Even when empty the vessels weigh an astonishing 7,150 kg.

The vessel installation took place over a weekend, but the mammoth task of mechanical and electrical installation will take approximately 10 weeks, with work due to begin this month.

Thomas Goddard, operations manager at BASF Agricultural Specialities commented: “This is an exciting time for the company, as we invest in our resources, which reflects the growing appetite for biological pest control and our unique place in the market.”

For further information about nematodes, please visit https://www.nemasysinfo.co.uk/ and follow basf_nemasys_uk on Instagram.

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INFINICUT® mowers land in Latin America

INFINICUT® mowers land in Latin America: Turf Managers Specialist (TMS) Grass have become the first sports turf contractors in Central South America to own a pair of 34” floating head mowers from INFINICUT®.

Having spent years travelling the world to discover the top tools and techniques for grounds maintenance, Owner Enio Cubillo began to see the INFINICUT’s at leading venues and decided that the sustainable credentials would be a perfect fit for their projects around Latin America.

INFINICUT® mowers land in Latin America

INFINICUT® mowers land in Latin America

TMS Grass began life seven years ago in Costa Rica and the team have since installed and maintained hybrid and natural surfaces in countries including Mexico and Guatemala. One of their most recent projects was to install a new pitch at Panama’s National Stadium, Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez. “We were responsible for all stages of the new hybrid surface at the stadium in Panama City from installation through to the ongoing maintenance” explains Enio. “We wanted to use the newest and best technologies in the market to do this and was the reason for the purchase of two INFINICUT’s from FLexGrass in May 2021.”

“The INFINICUT’s are very comfortable to use and being battery powered, bring multiple benefits to the operator and surrounding environment. We are increasingly finding that venues worldwide are looking for greener solutions so having two electric mowers is a great addition to the services we can offer. Since the stadium pitch was completed in July, the pair have been used on a daily basis, with everybody very impressed with the quality of cut and the definition of stripe we achieve.” Enio has also praised the versatility and the adjustable parameters on the INFINICUT®, particularly the adjustable bedknife angle which means it has delivered cut consistency on the Bermuda grass construction.

Together with National League and LPF training and fixtures, the Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez is also hosting five qualifier games for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. “It’s important that we are delivering the best surface possible and the quality of finish with the INFINICUT® is unbeatable. As important as the machinery is the support package, and we have had nothing but excellent service from both FLexGrass and INFINICUT® with any technical help we need, no matter the time difference” he concludes.

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Recommendation for increase in golf staff salaries

Recommendation for increase in golf staff salaries: The Committee for Golf Club Salaries (CGCS) has recommended an increase in salaries of 5% for golf club staff.

The CGCS is made up of representatives from the key industry bodies in golf and meets annually to make recommendations for pay and conditions for greenkeepers and golf club managers.

Recommendation for increase in golf staff salaries

Recommendation for increase in golf staff salaries

The committee has created four salary calculators, one for club managers and three for roles in greenkeeping: course manager/head greenkeeper, deputy and assistant. The calculators are available at golfclubsalaries.org.uk/salary-calculators/

After a difficult 2021 that featured rising inflation and pressure on golf club staff to deliver the sport to record numbers of players, the CGCS has recommended an increase in salaries of 5%. This increase will be applied to the CGCS calculators in early January 2022.

The committee also emphasised that clubs must give serious consideration to the health and wellbeing of their staff as problems with mental health in particular are becoming worryingly prevalent.

The CGCS committee comprises representatives of The Professional Golfers’ Association, England Golf, the Golf Club Managers’ Association and the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association.

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Karlswood Stables invests in John Deere

Karlswood Stables invests in John Deere: Based in County Meath in Ireland, the newly built state of the art Karlswood Stables has been a major project for owner and Olympic show jumping medallist Cian O’Connor.

These grand equine facilities extend to 20 stables for his own horses, and another 24 are under construction for others. On top of that the complex boosts its own indoor arena and outdoor grass ring, sand ring, gallops, hacking trails and spa facilities for horses.

Karlswood Stables invests in John Deere

Karlswood Stables invests in John Deere

With the grounds extending to a total area of 68 acres, the Karlswood team required a reliable range of machinery and equipment to maintain the grounds and keep the grass well-trimmed. Being familiar with the benefits of the John Deere brand, Karlswood farm manager Derry McIntyre contacted Noel Bennett of local professional turf dealer Dublin Grass Machinery with a shopping list of the equipment required.

The machinery now supplied includes a new John Deere 4066R compact tractor, 1600T wide area rotary mower, X950R commercial rear-discharge, rear-collect diesel lawn tractor and an electric TE Gator utility vehicle.

Derry explains the purchasing decision by highlighting brand reliability and ease of use. “As this is a brand new complex, we have a lot of lawn and grass areas that have to be kept meticulously presented to maintain the high standards synonymous with Karlswood,” he says. “The self-propelled X950R and 1600T rotary mowers are superb tools to cut the grass around our all-weather arena and lawns.”

Powered by a 66hp diesel engine, the John Deere 4066R compact tractor features a ComfortGard cab and an eHydro three-range automatic transmission with simple to use TwinTouch forward and reverse pedals, plus four-wheel drive as standard.

Derry and his team have already been putting the tractor to good use, and praise its ease of use and versatility. “The 4066R carries out a number of tasks all over the site,” he says.

“For example, we spend around one and a half hours a day raking the arena, and there is a front-mounted mower attachment to provide extra grass cutting help around the hacks and the outside of the farm. We also have a scarifier for maintaining the grass areas, so the tractor has a real multitude of uses.”

As many John Deere Gator operators know, this popular utility vehicle is an extremely useful vehicle to have on any sportsground, farm or woodland. At Karlswood Stables the electric TE Gator is no exception, and has also proved extremely handy.

“The Gator is a fantastic tool to transport various pieces of equipment such as grass strimmers, hedge trimmers and other hand tools to various parts of the farm,” says Derry. “This vehicle makes it easier for us to travel around the site, and with the load bed space on the back to carry materials as well as tools, it is another reliable workhorse here at Karlswood Stables.”

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Two services in the spotlight

Two services in the spotlight: At BTME 2022 Agrovista Amenity will showcase two unique services – the online Agrovista Amenity Academy and the all-new AgronomyReports.

The show, which takes place at Harrogate Convention Centre from 23 to 27 January 2022, will be a great opportunity for visitors to find out about all the exciting developments that have taken place in the past two years since the last BTME.

Two services in the spotlight

Two services in the spotlight

Located in the Blue Zone on stand 164, there will be a particular spotlight on two of the company’s informative services.

The Agrovista Amenity Academy, which is free to sign-up to, provides in-depth knowledge on Agrovista Amenity’s market leading products (Product courses), as well as a wide range of areas in turf management such as turf disease, chemical, product application, seed and turf pests (Knowledge courses).

The Product courses have been designed so that the individual can fully understand and get maximum benefits from the products they purchase. With product and knowledge courses being added on a regular basis, Academy students are guaranteed to have a wide variety to choose from.

The Academy has already shown significant growth with over 9,000 CPD points awarded so far. Furthermore, many greenkeepers and course managers are benefitting from a CPD partnership with BIGGA, which enables BIGGA’s members to embark on any course they choose without having to go through an employer.

Alongside the Academy, the company will also be demonstrating its unique new soil analysis service called AgronomyReports, which features adaptable nutrition programmes supported by real time weather reports. This incredible new service will ensure that customers have all the information they need to make valuable decisions and help them to use the right products at the right time.

Agrovista Amenity will have a presence at BIGGA’s Continue to Learn education programme. Presented by Jonathan Telfer, Business Manager at Lancrop Laboratories on behalf of Agrovista Amenity, the seminar will provide a deeper look into soil as a chemical, physical and biological system, with one eye on the future regarding legislation and restrictions.

Jonathan will be delving further into his own experience of using AgronomyReports and will be explaining in more detail how it could be of huge benefit to many turf managers.

The Agrovista Amenity team will be out in force and will be on hand to discuss and advise on any individual requirements.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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