Tag Archive for: New

New training from BASIS and STRI

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New training from BASIS and STRI: BASIS and the STRI have joined forces to provide a new modular training course that will help greenkeepers, groundsmen and amenity contractors to protect the environments in which they work.

At a time when climate change is high on the agenda, the Managing Ecological and Environmental Landscapes (MEEL) qualification is designed for professionals involved in enhancing the ecological and environmental features of the landscape from a golf or amenity perspective.

New training from BASIS and STRI

Speaking at the launch at BTME, Stephen Jacob, BASIS CEO, said the new qualification will provide a core module, followed by a choice of specialisms, one for greenkeepers, and the other for professionals managing municipal landscapes.

“The golf specialism will focus on an integrated approach to habitat management, regeneration and creation, all which the sports turf sector already recognises as vital to achieving environmental sustainability while continuing to maximise the enjoyment of golf,” he said.

“The amenity specialism is geared towards professionals involved in creating management plans for enhancing environmental features of the landscape such as woodlands, wetlands and hedgerows.

“We’re delighted to provide candidates with the opportunity to further increase knowledge and understanding of their specific role, to provide the highest quality landscapes, while playing a key part in protecting the environment,” Stephen added.

The course has been developed with the STRI over the last two years, taking industry feedback into account to ensure each module is tailored to the particular needs of greenkeepers or groundsmen and amenity contractors.

Commenting on the training structure, Dr Christian Spring, STRI research and operations manager said, over four days the course will be delivered by a team of experts at the STRI, and will combine classroom and practical learning sessions.

“This new qualification is a fantastic opportunity for those working in the amenity industry to take the next step in their career, and we look forward to the first intake later this year,” concluded Christian.

The first course is set to commence in autumn 2020, with further dates to follow. For information on dates and timings please visit https://www.basis-reg.co.uk/training or contact 01335 343945.

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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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New Bayer launch at BTME

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New Bayer launch at BTME: Bayer has launched a new unique patent protected biological nematode control to help greenkeepers and groundsmen to maintain quality playing surfaces.

Harmonix Tri-Nema brings together the latest nematode technology to effectively tackle leatherjackets and chafer grubs.

New Bayer launch at BTME

Neil Pettican, Bayer head of sales, says the unique solution targets the damaging pests during two critical periods of the greenkeeping season. The treatment contains three specifically selected nematode species, which each use a different method to control turf pests.

“Additionally, they become more aggressive as they try to out compete each other to become the dominant species, increasing the effectiveness of the application and its capability to control the pests.

“Over recent years, chafer grub and leatherjacket populations have been on the rise, resulting in significant damage to turf playing surfaces. But Harmonix Tri-Nema provides one solution with three different modes of activity.

“Collectively the three species provide more effective distribution through the soil profile, leading to more consistent results,” he says.

“With regulatory changes putting pressure on chemical solutions, alternative options will be fundamental in maintaining high quality turf. However, this nematode control solution will slot into an integrated approach, while helping reduce pesticide applications and therefore resistance.”

Pest activity

Neil explains that both chafer grubs and leatherjackets have different peak seasons, due to their lifecycles, so it’s important to monitor for activity carefully to ensure infestations are identified and treated at the right timing, before significant damage is done.

“Chafer grubs emerge from their eggs in the summer months, so treatment for this pest is recommended between May and August.

However, to achieve successful control over leatherjackets, the best application window is between late August and November, whilst the leatherjackets are still at a juvenile stage, ,” he says.

Application method

He adds that it is important to consider application conditions as well as recommended timings.

“Our research for both chafer grub and leatherjacket control shows that for heavy infestations the best results are seen when 250,000 nematodes/m2 are applied to the affected area, with a follow up treatment two weeks later. This maximises the ability for the nematodes to penetrate, attach and infect newly hatched eggs.

“For areas that are not severely infested, one application at the normal rate of 500,000 nematodes per m2 would be sufficient.”

Neil adds that it’s also important to apply nematodes in moist conditions, and in low light so ideally this should be early in the morning or the evening when soil temperatures are above 12⁰C.

“With limited chemical options available for controlling these pests, this new biological solution provides an alternative tool for greenkeepers that fits within an integrated approach.

“It helps avoid turf damage from pests during peak seasons, improving turf consistency and playability,” he concludes.

For more information, head to stand 338 in the green hall at BTME and speak to the Turf Solutions Team or email turfsolutions@bayer.com.

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BASF choose BTME for new launch

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BASF choose BTME for new launch: BASF will launch Attraxor®, a new plant growth regulator (PGR) at BTME in Harrogate on January 21st, 2020. The product is new to the UK market and features the powerful active Prohexadione calcium.

Attraxor reduces the longitudinal shoot growth of grass which lessens the frequency of mowing and the volume of clippings created. Dr Manuel Daumann, Technical Manager Ornamentals, Turf & Beneficial Nematodes for BASF explains: “At the recommended dose rate, one application of Attraxor will give a reduction in fresh weight of grass cuttings of up to 70% and a lowering in grass height of up to 40% for up to four weeks after application. Attraxor also enhances turf root formation and acts, due to its unique effects on seed head production, as a Poa annua management tool.”

BASF choose BTME for new launch

Poa annua, also known as annual meadow grass or bluegrass, negatively impacts turf quality and sward density. In sporting situations, such as a golf putting green, it can also affect the roll of the ball. “Attraxor works by reducing the seed head production and regenerative potential of Poa annua. In doing so it supplants Poa annua, strengthens turf and increases sward density which helps reduce the risk of fungal infections such as Anthracnose,” explains Dr Daumann.

BASF is expanding its portfolio of products in the amenity market and Attraxor is the first product being introduced in 2020. Anthony O’Hare, UK Country Manager for professional & specialty solutions says: “We are excited to launch Attraxor in the UK. It is a unique product that will help manage turf in a number of sporting applications such as golf, football, tennis and horse racing. However, we also see applications for it to be used in parks and other public areas.”

BTME will feature more than 150 exhibiting companies and will be held at the Harrogate Convention Centre from 21st January to 23rd January. It will showcase the latest innovations and technology in the golf and sports surface maintenance industry offering an expected 9000 total visitors a chance to discover new products and gain valuable industry insight.

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New Jacobsen launches at BTME

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New Jacobsen launches at BTME: Jacobsen is set to launch the brand-new Eclipse 360 ELiTE, Eclipse 2 Lithium and AR730 at BTME 2020.

Exhibition attendees will be able to experience the new machines for the first time in Purple Hall, Stand 422 across the three day exhibition in Harrogate with the Jacobsen team ready to talk greenkeepers through the mowers and their new features.

New Jacobsen launches at BTME

Jacobsen was an early innovator of electric golf mowers, and the ride-on Eclipse 360 ELiTE showcases that unique decade’s worth of experience while delivering the signature Jacobsen quality of cut. That knowledge has also been built into the Eclipse 2 Lithium. A patented true floating head and Classic XPÔ reel combine to produce a lithium powered mower that has already proven itself at the renowned Pebble Beach.

Focusing on the end-user has been an integral part of the 2020 product updates, and the comfort, size and power of the new AR730 make it perfect for mowing hilly terrain with sharp undulations while reducing the chance of scalping.

Ransomes Jacobsen director of international product development, Richard Comely, has been central to the growth of these new products and is excited to unveil them to the industry.

He said: “BTME is always a significant exhibition in the golf industry calendar, and it is the perfect place for us to launch these innovative new models. During product development, we were focused on the end-user and their everyday needs, while also concentrating on the environment they work in. Electrically powered technology is becoming increasingly important for many reasons, and we want to continue providing the industry with electric golf mowers that provide the performance and cut quality needed to produce a world class course.

New Jacobsen launches at BTME

“Harrogate is the ideal setting to welcome greenkeepers onto the stand and show them what we’ve been working on as well as listening to their thoughts on what they would like as an end-user.”

Another example of industry leading battery technology will be on the stand in the shape of the E-Z-GO Freedom RXV Elite with Textron Fleet Management (TFM) installed. This golf car is unmatched when it comes to performance, efficiency, and standard features. Models are available with the option of a 48-volt AC electric drivetrain with patented IntelliBrakeÔ technology or the first of its kind EX1 closed-loop EFI petrol engine which provides unmatched energy efficiencies. Headlights, taillights, brake lights and a modern dash come as standard with the option of rear facing seats and a choice of 13 colours.

The Cushman Hauler 800X Elite, Cushman Truckster with mounted Turfco 1550 Top Dresser and Smithco Ultra Lite Roller will also be on the stand to showcase the full range of Jacobsen turf maintenance equipment.

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