Tag Archive for: Red

Banish the dread of Red Thread

in , /by

Banish the dread of Red Thread: Summer is on its way, and with it can appear the scourge of groundskeepers everywhere – the fungal infection Red Thread.

This common disease causes reddish-brown patches of turf, especially during warm wet weather and heavy dews, spelling disaster for those attempting to maintain pristine grass. Fortunately though, there is a way to protect managed amenity turf and improve immunity and growth – by using BASF’S Insignia®.

Banish the dread of Red Thread

Banish the dread of Red Thread

Insignia® is a long-lasting fungicide with a broad disease-control spectrum and high performance, treating turf diseases such as the afore-mentioned Red Thread, as well as unsightly infections such as Dollar Spot and Microdochium Patch. But Insignia® is so much more than just a fungicide. As part of the Intrinsic™ fungicide family, it also increases growth efficiency and enhances stress tolerance – both essential for those looking to maintain and improve turf conditions for years to come.

When used on the desired area, Insignia® forms deposits on the leaf surface which act as as a reservoir, releasing the active ingredient to protect the leaf’s surface and deeper tissues over a number of weeks.

Insignia® has numerous benefits alongside its fungicide performance and is the first fungicide with plant health effects. Greenkeepers will find that through the use of Insignia, turf will have an ehanced response to heat and drought as well as mechanical and biotic stresses, resulting in a healthy root system and improved plant health.

To find out more about Insignia® go to

https://www.agricentre.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Product-Search/Fungicides/Insignia.html

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Sunflower ‘Desire Red’ wins Fleuroselect GOLD!

in , /by

Sunflower ‘Desire Red’ wins Fleuroselect GOLD!: The Burpee Europe team are relentless in their mission to breed varieties of magnificence with which to tempt home gardeners everywhere! And this year they have done it again!  

The brand new, compact sunflower ‘Desire Red’ is so fabulous that it has won a much coveted Fleuroselect Gold Medal, scores are awarded for outstanding innovation, beauty and garden performance.

Sunflower 'Desire Red' wins Fleuroselect GOLD!

Sunflower ‘Desire Red’ wins Fleuroselect GOLD!

A truly stunning breakthrough in sunflower breeding, this is the first compact red variety suitable for planting or sowing in both beds and borders as well as in larger patio containers. This winner can be cultivated very successfully as a high-quality pot plant, especially in 3-litre containers, but is also suitable for production in smaller pots.

Plants flower for a period of 6-8 weeks and have proven performance from Sweden to Southern Italy in Fleuroselect Trials.  This sensational dwarf Helianthus dazzles with its innovative, unique deep red flowers.  This high performer is an early, profusely flowering variety, new blooms form continuously on its multiple branches well into autumn, and blend wonderfully with its dark green foliage.

This sunflower is perfect for pollinators, who will be able to enjoy the long flowering time.  ‘Desire Red’ makes a very attractive combination with Burpee bred ‘Sunray’ or ‘Tiger Eye’ and adds a deep red to the sunflower palette.

Seeds are available now from Plants of Distinction, with additional seed companies selling ‘Desire Red’ soon

Burpee Europe do not sell direct to the consumer, but their seeds are sold via top UK seed companies. Details of these on request from rabbitattackpr@gmail.com or 07895184395

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

When red leads the green revolution

in , /by

When red leads the green revolution: How green are the UK’s golf clubs? If the number of those approaching Reesink Turfcare about its all-electric and hybrid mowing and utility vehicle range from Toro is anything to go by, then the answer is they’re making the green machinery choice wherever possible.

The latest case in point is Fulwell Golf Club in Middlesex who has set itself the goal to be the most sustainable club in the county and, through its machinery choices, boost its relationship with the community.

When red leads the green revolution

When red leads the green revolution

Director of golf, Peter Hall, explains: “The reasons for making the green choice were two-fold. We wanted to reduce our carbon footprint as well as bringing the club closer to the community and lessening the impact on our neighbours. We’re surrounded by residential houses and have certain restrictions for when we can work. Having all-electric and hybrid machines means we can mow early in the morning and cut the greens without disturbing anyone, increasing efficiency and productivity.

“We’re dedicated to improving our place in the community whilst producing great results and promoting sustainability at the club. Toro was the only partner to help us achieve that. It was fundamental to get the right equipment – you can only be as good as the machinery you have, and that’s the reason why we invested in Toro. They’re proven to have the best cut, quality and reliability on the market for their diesel mowers and lead the way with electric and hybrid technology.”

Fulwell’s team selected two Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 riding greensmowers, two Workman GTX Lithium-Ion utility vehicles, a Greensmaster e1021 pedestrian greensmower and the hybrid Reelmaster 5010-H fairway mower from the Toro range available from distributor Reesink Turfcare.

Course manager Ryan Bezzant, who has been at the club for just over four years and manages a team of eight full-time staff, explains why the time was right to bring in a Toro fleet, the club’s first: “Toro are market leaders and very good at what they do, so we felt confident that buying fully electric machines from them wouldn’t make us lose performance. And it’s proved to be true: they’re very efficient and cut just as well and as quickly as the diesel ones.”

Ryan says these choices have significantly improved operations, he continues: “We don’t have to worry about hydraulic fluids leaking and damaging the greens; there’s a lot less maintenance and it’s a lot cleaner too and charging is so easy – we just plug them in at the end of the day and they’re ready to go the next morning. The guys are over the moon with them.”

The club plans to continue to invest over the next two or three years in Toro with Reesink, as Ryan concludes: “We’re at full capacity at the moment with 100 golfers a day every day, seven days a week, and golf seems to be turning into an all-year round activity. Having the option of all-electric means we can mow whenever needed especially with the handmowers.

“We need to make sure the course is always kept at a high standard, and with Toro, we know it is. And we can’t fault Reesink, they’ve been very good with communication, making us aware of delivery times so it was easy to plan. We’re also hoping Toro will offer even more electric options in the future, as we’d like more now!”

To talk to someone about Toro technology and how the Toro range could suit your course, call 01480 226800.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Government responds to GMA on Red Diesel

in , /by

Government responds to GMA on Red Diesel: HM Treasury has responded to the Grounds Management Association’s recent letter calling for a change to the guidance on rebated fuels entitlement.

Within two weeks of receiving the GMA’s letter, HMRC updated its guidance on Using rebated fuels in vehicles and machines, to add ‘land maintained by a community amateur sports’ to the list of those able to use red diesel following the regulatory change on 1 April 2022.

Government responds to GMA on Red Diesel

Government responds to GMA on Red Diesel

The GMA welcomes this clarification but has concerns that although this is good news for Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) registered with HMRC, it falls far short of benefitting the wider sporting community.

GMA CEO, Geoff Webb says:

“The HMRC’s policy reform paper made clear in its impact statement that there would not be a withdrawal of an entitlement to use red diesel in areas such as sports, yet the guidance does not reflect that commitment.

“We are delighted that the HMRC has updated its guidance to make clear that amateur sports clubs can continue to benefit from the fuel rebate. This will benefit over 7,300 clubs.

“But it doesn’t go far enough as education establishments, professional sports clubs, and the many contractors who maintain sports and leisure grounds across different settings will be hit hard in the pocket at a time when they are facing significant cost increases.

“We will continue to engage with policymakers to seek an exemption for all sports and not just the few. These businesses need sufficient lead time to phase out equipment that uses red diesel to power specialist vehicles and machinery, and we will continue to push the case across all sports at all levels for a reinstatement of the entitlement.”

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

RTV goes red for Rovers

in , /by

RTV goes red for Rovers: The home of Doncaster Rovers Football Club is showing its true colours with a specially-liveried Kubota RTV X-900, designed as part of dealer Farmstar Ltd’s sponsorship agreement with the club.

The Eco-Power Stadium is also home to Doncaster Rugby League Club and Doncaster Rovers Belles Ladies Football Club, and rose to international fame recently as the venue for the England Ladies’ team’s historic 20-0 defeat of Latvia.

RTV goes red for Rovers

RTV goes red for Rovers

Club Doncaster’s business development manager Michael Kilby-Scott explains: “We have a close working relationship with our sponsors and we like to offer them business where appropriate. Farmstar’s Gaynor Waddington suggested painting the RTV in our red livery and adding both of our logos and we think it highlights our relationship with the company perfectly.”

Doncaster Rovers also has Kubota B2410 and B2261 tractors at the purpose-built stadium, which became the club’s base in 2006.

As well as sporting events, the Eco-Power Stadium is a popular conference and event venue, is host to Doncaster Sports College and has operated as a test and vaccination centre during the COVID crisis, underlining its community role.

The RTV X-900 is powered by Kubota’s proven 22hp engine and has a continuously variable transmission for easy operation by any member of a groundcare team.

At the Eco-Power Stadium, it plays an essential role as the club ‘workhorse’, collecting and transporting clippings from hand mowers on the pitch, moving tools and equipment and helping with setting up before and tidying up after the stadium’s popular car boot sales.

“The RTV’s a really useful piece of kit, and very easy to drive and use,” comments groundsman Ryan Skelton. “We find it very handy for getting around the site and it treads gently on the pitch, too.”

Farmstar has a bit of history with customised RTVs – its demonstrator vehicle with its distinctive zebra striped wrap has starred this year in a promotional video filmed at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park and in a special edition of DIY SOS for the BBC’s Children in Need appeal. What will they come up with next?

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

New York Red Bulls Praise SISIS Osca

in , /by

New York Red Bulls Praise SISIS Osca: Dan Shemesh, Director of Stadium and Training Grounds for the New York Red Bulls has praised the SISIS Osca 3 which maintains the synthetic turf on one of the club’s training fields.

When Dan Shemesh was looking for a machine that would help take his synthetic turf to the next level, he found the solution in the form of the SISIS Osca 3 tractor mounted oscillating brush.

New York Red Bulls Praise SISIS Osca

“We previously had a problem of matted down fibers on the synthetic turf, so I needed a machine which would help revive the laid over fibers,” says Dan. “CS Trading LLC recommended the SISIS Osca and they arranged a demonstration for us. We saw an immediate result both visually as well as through field testing.”

The SISIS Osca 3 is a tractor mounted powered oscillating brush with a 1.9 meter working width and is equally effective when used on synthetic turf with sand or rubber infill. The two oscillating brushes stand the carpet fibers up and redistributes the infill evening, minimizing compaction on the surface and improving its performance – giving consistent playing characteristics while preventing pile damage caused by reduced infill levels.

A contributory factor to the reduction of compaction is that the Osca’s working width will use fewer passes than other more conventional drag brushes to complete a pitch. Its aggressive brushing action agitates the upper infill level of the surface from side to side as well as brushing forward, helping reduce surface compaction and encourage the fibers to stand up straight which reduces the risk of contamination, drainage problems and leaves a consistent playing surface across the whole pitch.

Dan, who uses the Osca on a bi-weekly basis, has reported excellent results since using the product.

“The SISIS Osca is a great machine to keep fibers standing up in synthetic turf and the dual oscillating brushes work in a different way to any other product on the market – in fact that was a key feature in me purchasing the machine.”

“This product will save us money in the long run as it will eliminate the need for bringing in contractors and it will extend the life of our synthetic turf. The Osca is also incredibly simple and easy to operate – we just attach it to our tractor using the correct PTO – and adjust the speed depending on the level of brushing needed.”

“I would absolutely recommend the SISIS Osca to anyone who is looking to improve their synthetic turf – it has now become a staple in our synthetic turf maintenance.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For the latest industry news visit turfnews.co.uk

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.