Tag Archive for: Results

Aberdovey’s impressive results with Maxtima

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Aberdovey’s impressive results with Maxtima: Following the launch of Maxtima fungicide, which provides turf-safe broad-spectrum disease control of microdochium patch and dollar spot, Nigel Green, Course Manager at Aberdovey Golf Club set within the Snowdonia National Park, has reported fantastic results incorporating it into his programme to control dollar spot this summer.

Founded in 1892, Aberdovey is one of the oldest golf courses in Wales and the home of the Welsh Golfing Union. It regularly features in the Top 100 golf courses in the UK and Ireland and was recently ranked as the 3rd best course in Wales by National Club Golfer.

Aberdovey's impressive results with Maxtima

Aberdovey’s impressive results with Maxtima

“At Aberdovey Golf Club, maintaining the health and playability of our greens is always a top priority, so when signs of Dollar Spot began appearing on the greens and aprons, I knew immediate action was needed. That’s when Maxtima came into play, and I have to say, it has truly delivered,” says Nigel.

“I first used Maxtima when I was given some to trial by BASF. I closely monitored the timing, weather conditions, and every detail of the application process. I applied it at a rate of 1.5 litres per hectare, and within just three to four days, I started noticing the results. The Dollar Spot, which had been a growing concern, was effectively stopped in its tracks. The product’s rapid action and efficacy were evident almost immediately, which was incredibly reassuring.

The mild and dewy mornings we’ve experienced recently have certainly not been ideal for managing turf disease, yet even under these challenging conditions, Maxtima has proven its worth. After seeing the quick impact on the initial areas, I decided to extend the application to two additional greens. The results were so impressive that I ultimately treated all of our greens, and I’m pleased to report that Maxtima has successfully stemmed the Dollar Spot across the board.

Maxtima is absorbed into the leaf really effectively even at low temperatures and continues to work for a long time after application. This means that in addition to its use against dollar spot in the summer months, it should be a really effective addition to the tools we use to control microdochium patch.

Given its performance, Maxtima is now a staple in our turf management arsenal. I’ll be applying it as needed, and I’ll always make sure to have some in stock to ensure we’re ready to tackle any future outbreaks. The peace of mind that comes from knowing we have a reliable, fast-acting solution like Maxtima on hand is invaluable. I would highly recommend it to any course manager looking for an effective and trustworthy product to keep their greens in top condition.”

For more information on Maxtima visit agrovista.co.uk/maxtima or contact your local amenity specialist.

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SISIS signals results for Worcestershire FA

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SISIS signals results for Worcestershire FA: Two SISIS machines have led to impressive pitch improvements at Worcestershire FA’s headquarters at Claines Lane, Worcester.

Worcestershire FA’s new state-of-the-art headquarters has been designed to provide a positive football hub for the community for years to come. The impressive facilities includes both a full-size natural pitch and a 3G pitch, as well as floodlights, a covered seating area, modern changing rooms, community areas, office areas, and training facilities.

SISIS signals results for Worcestershire FA

SISIS signals results for Worcestershire FA

Paul Loader, Site Co-ordinator for Worcestershire FA, is the man responsible for maintaining the site and it’s not a job he takes lightly. “This pitch is my life – it’s my little baby,” he said. “My main role is to make sure that the 3G pitch is maintained correctly and that the grass pitch is in the best condition it possibly can be for games.”

Paul’s job was made that little easier after Worcestershire FA received funding which enabled them to invest in some new turf maintenance equipment. Included within the new fleet of machinery was a tractor, a SISIS Quadraplay and SISIS Multitiner.

The multi-functional SISIS Quadraplay single pass maintenance system is perfect for busy groundspersons as it incorporates a mounted frame for up to four implements such as grooming rakes, spikers, slitters, rollers and brushes. The implements can be fitted to the mainframe in any order and can be independently adjusted to achieve the desired effect.

Compact, robust, versatile and with the ability to carry out up to four operations simultaneously – the Quadraplay makes life a lot easier for many groundspersons.

For further aeration requirements Paul relies on the SISIS Multitiner 1.8m – a tractor mounted drum-type aerator. It has three drums with independent rotation and its interchangeable tines with a maximum depth of 100mm ensure excellent turf care when the time comes to aerate.

“Since we’ve invested in new kit, the pitch has improved massively,” said Paul. The SISIS Multitiner and the Quadraplay work brilliantly together.

“On the Quadraplay I mainly use the slitter and the brush which is great for matchday presentation. The brush leaves a lovely stripe and is particularly helpful if I haven’t been able to cut the pitch for a few days. I’ll also be using the rake to bring some of the debris out of the pitch.

“At least once or twice a month between cuts I will use the Multitiner to get some holes on to the surface of the pitch – it is excellent at getting air in to the ground.

“The pitch used to be quite uneven, but these machines have helped to level it all off. We’ve noticed a big difference in this respect and when I go over the pitch, I can no longer feel any bumps.

“Both of these SISIS machines have been fantastic and I can easily understand why they are being recommended to FA counties across the whole of the UK.”

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

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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Cranfield study results

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Cranfield study results: A year-long scientific study into the amount of soil microbiology in TOPSOIL products has resulted in data that will assist product development and help customers to understand more about the health of the soils they specify or use.

The study, which was overseen by Senior Research Fellow of Soil Biology at Cranfield University Dr Mark Pawlett, commenced in November 2021 and statistically analysed four samples each of TOPSOIL’s Sports&Turf topdressing, Landscape20 general purpose topsoil, and HortLoam planting soil, taken at three-monthly intervals.

Cranfield study results

Cranfield study results

At each sampling, the total microbial biomass of each product was measured to assess whether the processes critical for nutrient cycling and resilience are supported by active soil microorganisms. In other words, is the topsoil component in TOPSOIL products a healthy, living organism making an entirely positive contribution to plant and turf establishment and growth?

Commenting on the data and final report, National TOPSOIL Manager Andy Spetch said:

“This Cranfield study, together with our ongoing carbon monitoring work and trials with the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), helps us provide our customers with as full a picture of each of our products as possible. This, in turn, allows landscape, grounds management, and sports turf professionals to make informed buying decisions based on objective, independent, scientific data and analysis. This data will also help us to develop and refine our products.”

The Cranfield study concluded that HortLoam planting soil has the greatest microbial biomass overall, reflecting the PAS 100 greenwaste compost component of the product. The microbial biomass of Landscape20 general purpose topsoil is slightly reduced compared to Hortloam, and both have significantly higher microbial biomass than Sports&Turf, a sand-based topdressing with only 10 percent soil component.

The study data and report can be freely accessed on the TOPSOIL website. www.bstopsoil.co.uk

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STRI analysis results

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STRI analysis results: British Sugar TOPSOIL’s Sports&Turf topdressing and Sports10 pitch repair medium could help to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers to encourage grass establishment and growth.

Analysis being carried out at the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), under the auspices of Principal Scientist Dr Christian Spring, show that both products contain a plentiful supply of potassium and calcium, together with phosphorus and magnesium.

STRI analysis results

STRI analysis results

These findings have implications for greenkeepers and grounds professionals using soil-based topdressings such as Sports&Turf or pitch repair products such as Sports10. The nutrient loading in the soil component of both products should be taken into account when planning a fertilizer programme as it could reduce the amount of costly inorganic fertilizer required.

National TOPSOIL Manager Andy Spetch has long been an advocate of soil-based dressings and pitch repair products, citing not least their valuable nutrient content in these days of rising fertilizer costs:

“The independent scientific analysis currently being undertaken by the STRI is important as it gives greenkeepers and grounds professionals objective information on which to base their purchasing decisions. Soil-based top dressings such as Sports&Turf and pitch and goalmouth repair products such as Sports10 can play an important part in helping to mitigate the cost of regular golf course and pitch maintenance.”

This latest analysis is just part of a series of trials and studies commissioned by British Sugar TOPSOIL to provide customers with independent scientific information on its products. A study by Cranfield University has recently reported on the soil health of TOPSOIL products, and other work is monitoring their total carbon content and sequestration potential.

All study and trial reports are freely available to view and download on the TOPSOIL Academy section of the website.

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SISIS Flexibrush gets results at Greetham

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SISIS Flexibrush gets results at Greetham: After the withdrawal of certain chemicals, Adi Porter, Course Manager at Greetham Valley Golf Club, has found the SISIS Flexibrush to be an ideal solution for dispersing worm casts.

Adi has been working at the East Midlands club for nearly thirty years and throughout that time he has seen it become one of the finest golf, hotel, leisure and conference venues in the area.

SISIS Flexibrush gets results at Greetham

SISIS Flexibrush gets results at Greetham

“We made a conscious effort to really push the standards,” said Adi. “It enabled us to significantly improve the presentation and we went from strength to strength. We soon found our membership at full capacity and had to put a waiting list in place – which was unheard of for clubs in this area.”

Under his remit, Adi is responsible for the maintenance of two 18-hole courses and a 9-hole course, a driving range, and a bowling green. Standards to Adi are everything, and he leaves no stone unturned when it comes to presenting ‘picture perfect’ facilities. It is for this reason, that he admits to being frustrated by an all-too-common issue.

“Worms are becoming more and more of a problem on every sports surface because we lost the chemical control a few years ago,” he said. “Here at Greetham, the worm population has undoubtedly increased and the worm casts can be a nuisance. If they are not kept on top of then they just get smeared into the grass with the golf that is played and foot traffic, trolleys and buggies.”

In looking for a non-chemical solution, Adi, who has been a long-term user of SISIS machinery, decided to investigate the SISIS Flexibrush.

The Flexibrush is a tractor mounted brush which is equally effective to disperse top dressing and remove excess material on natural turf and on synthetic surfaces. The versatile Flexibrush can also be used for dew dispersal and striping for improved presentation. It has a 5.35 metre working width, its brush sections float to follow ground contours and the outer sections fold for transport and storage.

A demonstration was arranged at the start of 2020 and Adi has not looked back since.

“It is a fantastic, quick and cost-effective way of removing or dispersing worm casts,” said Adi. “What really sold it to me is the size of it – some of the other brushes on the market for outfields and fairways are a lot narrower and I don’t think there is one wider than the Flexibrush.

“It is very productive, and we can easily do 36 holes in a day. I also like the fact that it folds up quicky – you can easily move it about the course, through trees and from fairway to fairway.

“Another main reason for purchasing it was so that we can use it for presentation,” he continued. “We will use it for brushing before mowing to stand the grass up because it provides a better cut. Also, in the autumn and winter months when we are not actually cutting the grass, we can still present a fairway nicely by striping with the Flexibrush.

“It’s been a great purchase for us and as always we get a great service and back-up from SISIS,” Adi concluded.

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

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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

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