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Child safety on farms a major priority

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Child safety on farms a major priority: A FREE course, launched by Lantra to help protect the safety of children on farms, has received an encouraging response from Learners.

Since the October school holidays, Lantra has already received more than 70 enrolments on its Child Safety on Farms Course and, of those, around a third have already passed the certificate.

Child safety on farms a major priority

Child safety on farms a major priority

The course covers a wide range of areas including children on the farm and the law, children and tractors, children and ATVs and children and falls.

It also covers child safety around equipment, and harmful substances, and the importance of having a farm safety checklist.

On completion of the free course, participants can download their Lantra Child Safety on Farms Course certificate.

Paula Smyth, Director of Lantra Ireland, said: “Part of the Farm Safety Partnership (FSP) Action Plan Targets involves promoting child safety on farms.

“Lantra, who are an FSP farm safety affiliate, has developed this bespoke training course specifically for people with children who live or work on farms.

“This is a unique and hugely important course which will contribute towards the FSP Action Plan targets which we are proud to support.

“The uptake of this course is very encouraging as it is a tragic fact that there are various dangers on farms that sadly claim lives and cause injuries each year.

“Farming is a wonderful but also hazardous occupation – and it is the only high-risk industry that deals with the presence of children.

“Their health, and indeed everyone’s health, should be of paramount importance and concern and through courses and initiatives, like our free Child Safety on Farms Course, we hope people can better recognise and avoid potential dangers on farmland.”

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Greenkeepers to represent industry on a global scale

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Greenkeepers to represent industry on a global scale: British greenkeepers selected to represent their industry on a global scale as BIGGA and Bernhard and Company unveil the delegation to the GCSAA’s Conference and Trade Show

Following a record-breaking number of applicants, the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Bernhard and Company are proud to reveal the 10 association members who have been selected to represent the best of British greenkeeping at the world’s largest gathering of sports turf professionals in Orlando, Florida next February.

Greenkeepers to represent industry on a global scale

Greenkeepers to represent industry on a global scale

A BIGGA Premium Partner, each year Bernhard and Company invites 10 BIGGA members to attend the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America’s (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show. The BIGGA delegation sponsored by Bernhard and Company is one of the most respected and revered educational opportunities for BIGGA members.

With experiences designed to elevate the careers of those in attendance, the delegation is a week-long educational trip to the coveted GCSAA Trade Show and Conference. The week features site visits to leading golf courses in the region, as well as seminars, networking events and educational demonstrations.

The members selected for the 2023 BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show are:

  • Alex Brougham, assistant course manager, Trentham Golf Club
  • James Bruder, head greenkeeper, Old Course, Walton Heath Golf Club
  • Michael Budd, course manager, Shirley Park Golf Club
  • Scott Corrigan, deputy course manager, R&A Lethamhill
  • David Edmondson, head greenkeeper, Prestwick Golf Club
  • Andrew Kerr MG, course manager, Surbiton Golf Club
  • Steven Thomas, deputy head greenkeeper, Prestonfield Golf Club
  • Brian Toall, course manager, Baberton Golf Club
  • Jeremy Ward, course manager, Renishaw Park Golf Club
  • Bradley White, senior greenkeeper, Wentworth Club

The BIGGA Delegation with Bernhard and Company has helped define the careers of some of the most ambitious names within the greenkeeping industry. The delegation is known throughout the industry for building business and social relationships that last a lifetime.

Stefan Carter is head greenkeeper on the West Course at Wentworth Club. He said: “I went to San Diego in 2019 and it was a fantastic opportunity. The delegation really helped me expand my horizons and increase my network. You’re with nine other greenkeepers who you can bounce ideas off and share situations.

“At the show you experience the education and you get to look around the show, where they have technology that is unheard of in the UK. You pick up tips and techniques that you bring back home to push the boundaries of what you can achieve.”

Steven Nixon, Managing Director of Bernhard and Company, said: “We are once again excited to take the successful applicants on this incredible educational experience. We are passionate about giving back to the industry we love so much and, in collaboration with BIGGA, we are able to offer 10 of its members this potentially career-defining opportunity.”

The BIGGA Delegation with Bernhard and Company is just one of countless exclusive opportunities that have been specifically tailored to help BIGGA members achieve their professional ambitions and fulfil the association’s overarching ambition of elevating the reputation of greenkeeping in the UK and creating a stronger and more dynamic golfing industry. For more information about BIGGA, head to www.bigga.org.uk

For more information about Bernhard and Company and its products and services, visit www.bernhard.co.uk

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Come on Ian!

Come on Ian!

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Come on Ian!: Ian Darler’s extraordinary challenge of walking the distance from London to Qatar in time for the start of the World Cup is on track with the goal finally coming into view.

The Cambridge United Head Groundsman set himself the target of walking the 3228 miles to Qatar in aid of mental health charity SHOUT 85258 back in March and since then Ian has been clocking up the miles on a daily basis – many swallowed up cutting the Abbey Stadium pitch.

Come on Ian!

Come on Ian!

“It looks like I am still on schedule to complete the walk and Cambridge United are arranging for me to walk from Parkers Piece football monument in the centre of Cambridge to the Abbey Stadium on Saturday 19th November when we play Accrington Stanley,” explained Ian, who will have taken approximately eight million steps by the time he completes his walk.

 

Anyone wishing to support Ian in his fundraising can visit www.cambridgecharityfundraisers.com to make a donation.

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Cannon Hall takes on Ranger Diesel

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Cannon Hall takes on Ranger Diesel: A year on from receiving their first Ranger EV as a birthday gift to dad Roger, Farmers Robert and Dave at Cannon Hall Farm are still utilising the Polaris Ranger around the 125-acre farm, now with their latest Ranger Diesel model.

Featuring on Channel 5’s Friday on the Farm and Summer on the Farm, the team have been extremely busy with the upkeep of their popular and ever-developing farm. The Ranger Diesel is on hand to help, delivered to Cannon Hall Farm back in January this year.

Cannon Hall takes on Ranger Diesel

Cannon Hall takes on Ranger Diesel

Farmer Robert said: “We loved the EV around here – it was our first time with a Polaris vehicle and really showed us the quality of the brand. This year, having the Diesel has been another great experience – it’s so usable, it’s so flexible and it’s more than capable. We’ll often use the Ranger for extended periods and having the confidence in the diesel engine has been great, not to mention it’s fantastic when carrying heavy loads in the bed.”

The Ranger Diesel is proving itself to be the ultimate agricultural workhorse, being put to hard work from the get-go at Cannon Hall Farm. With its large cargo bed with 435kg capacity, the team at Cannon Hall Farm use it to transport animal food and supplies. This is a no mean feat with Cannon Hall Farm being home to hundreds of animals and reptiles, all with tailored, high-quality care.

Over the 125 acres of the farm, there’s a number of less-accessible areas that can’t be easily accessed by traditional 4×4 vehicles – this is where the Ranger Diesel comes into its own with the highest ground clearance in its class of 33cm, plus added features like electronic power steering to allow the team – including dad Roger – to ride around the farm all day without fatigue.

“The Ranger Diesel is really well made and the whole vehicle inspires confidence when driving, not just off road but also when travelling on the roads from field to field,” Farmer Rob continued. “It’s the most robust off road vehicle we’ve ever had at the farm!”

Not only proving to be an excellent helping hand for daily farm life, Dave and Rob have recently come up with a more unique way to use the cargo bed.

“The Ranger Diesel is handy for lots of different things but our favourite is as a bar on wheels, when we have events, concerts, etc. We’ve discovered that we can use the Ranger to store all the cold drinks and move them around, the waterproof bed is perfect for the job. Plus, when we run out, it’s only a quick drive back to refill – no more of those pesky wheelbarrows running back and forth!”

Farmer David said: “The Ranger Diesel has been a real game changer for us here at Cannon Hall Farm, we certainly put it through its paces and it has never let us down yet. It’s a well built machine that we know we can rely on, and its versatility is something we now couldn’t live without.”

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Kubota excels on historic estate

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Kubota excels on historic estate: Kubota’s ZD1211 zero turn mower is showing its versatility on a busy estate in South Wales which is a popular and picturesque events venue.

The Glanusk Estate, near Crickhowell, totals 3000 acres, of which 350 acres is parkland, much in demand for everything from weddings to festivals and as a set for film and television work. There’s also a busy caravan site and holiday cottages with stunning views, while the park boasts the second largest collection of oak trees in the UK.

Kubota excels on historic estate

Kubota excels on historic estate

Owner Harry Legge-Bourke has a long relationship with Kubota, having used a BX compact tractor with mowing deck for some 20 years.

“I was looking for a more versatile mower to work in the gardens and the areas of the parkland used for events, golf course and caravan park, and having seen a ZD at a local hotel, thought it would fit the bill,” he explains.

The manoeuvrability of the zero turn design is key, to work around obstacles such as electric hook up points in the caravan park and mow close to trees safely, Harry points out.

“It offers a good quality cut and I’ve specified a mulching kit for areas such as the caravan park, where it’s important to minimise clippings which otherwise might be walked into the vans, ” he adds.

With such a large and varied area of grass to maintain, Harry comments that the speed of the ZD1211 is its outstanding feature. Powered by a 25hp diesel engine with shaft driven two-speed HST transmission the ZD can travel at up to 17kph, making light work of long runs while turning effortlessly in its own length at the end.

“We can cut four acres of gardens in an hour for example, which helps us keep on top of mowing when we are so busy,” he comments.

The Kubota mower is also handy for topping off the park between events, and with the varied mowing requirements, the ability to swap cut height from 25-127mm just by using a convenient dial also comes in for praise. The three-blade rear discharge rotary deck cuts effectively in the wet, a useful quality in the green and lush region.

Although the zero turn lever steer design was a departure for Harry and his team, they have quickly got used to it, he comments.

“It’s very good to drive, and very comfortable with its well-padded seat. All the controls fall easily to hand.”

There’s one other factor that has brought Harry back to Kubota for this latest purchase and that’s the brand’s renowned dependability.

“The mower is built to industrial standards and that gives peace of mind. Our experiences with previous Kubota machines have shown how reliable they are and the ZD has the quality to last us for many trouble-free years.”

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