Tag Archive for: survey

BIGGA thanks survey participants

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BIGGA thanks survey participants: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), has thanked the 1,141 individuals who participated in the association’s recent membership survey.

Responses were received from across the United Kingdom, with a further 7% of participants contributing from outside the UK. The survey attracted input from professionals at every level of the greenkeeping and turf management industry, with 44% of respondents identifying as course managers or head greenkeepers.

BIGGA thanks survey participants

BIGGA thanks survey participants

Notably, just under 30% of respondents indicated they were not currently members of BIGGA. Their feedback was of particular interest to the association as it seeks to gain a well-rounded understanding of BIGGA’s reputation within the industry and explores opportunities to enhance its membership offering.

Survey participants were given the chance to enter a prize draw to win a £500 Amazon voucher. Craig Denton, assistant greenkeeper at Lindrick Golf Club, was announced as the winner.

Craig said: “I was really surprised to win. I don’t usually enter anything, but I thought I had 10 minutes to spare, so why not? After completing the survey, I went into work and told the other lads to take part because it helps everyone – not just BIGGA but us greenkeepers as well.

“I think we all have to stick together and BIGGA tries very hard, especially with the education on offer at Harrogate. They need feedback from us members if they’re going to keep improving.”

This survey provided the biggest opportunity in a generation for those working in the turf industry to share their views on the future of BIGGA. Work is now underway to analyse the results and explore how the findings can be implemented.

Further discussions about the survey’s findings will take place at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in January 2025, where Scott Reeves, BIGGA Head of Membership, will present the results to attendees of the annual trade show.

Scott said: “Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey. We’re delighted with the strong response – 1,141 participants – which reinforces that BIGGA continues to play a vital role in the golfing industry. It’s also clear that greenkeepers are passionate about the association and the community it fosters. The hard work now begins as we analyse the results and consider how the findings can be adopted into the everyday practices of the association and our team.”

Greenkeepers and the wider turf management industry will have the opportunity to further discuss the survey’s findings at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition, taking place in January 2025 at the Harrogate Convention Centre. More information and free registration are available at www.btme.org.uk

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GMA launches industry survey

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GMA launches industry survey: The Grounds Management Association (GMA), in partnership with the National Governing Bodies of sport, is pleased to launch its industry survey aimed at grounds staff and volunteers.

This survey is a crucial tool in understanding the impact of economic and environmental factors on you and the grounds management industry.

GMA launches industry survey

GMA launches industry survey

To ensure the survey is relevant and tailored to individual roles, it is divided into two versions: one for professional (paid) staff and another for volunteers.

Click Here For PROFESSIONALS – Click Here For VOLUNTEERS

In appreciation of the time and effort spent on completing the survey, all participants will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Amazon gift voucher.

All responses will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. No individual responses will be disclosed, and the data will be used exclusively by GMA staff and research contractors for industry analysis purposes.

The survey will close on Friday 16 August 2024.

The GMA encourages all grounds staff and volunteers to participate and share their insights to help shape the future of the industry.

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Dollar spot survey reveals infection pressures and actions

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Dollar spot survey reveals infection pressures and actions: Syngenta has published the findings of the Dollar Spot State of the Nation Survey 2024. Key findings of the report highlight the role for Integrated Turf Management actions to reduce disease outbreaks, including nutrition, rolling, moisture management and fungicide timings.

Assessing responses from over 100 golf course managers, Syngenta Technical Managers, Glenn Kirby and Sean Loakes, reported the scale of issues with dollar spot have become far more widespread – affecting all areas of the course and for a far extended part of the season.

Dollar spot survey reveals infection pressures and actions

Dollar spot survey reveals infection pressures and actions

“Dollar spot had typically been attributed as a summer disease, but the reports have shown it can occur throughout the year, with significant numbers of outbreaks reported from March right through to October,” commented Sean Loakes.

“Furthermore, while it has frequently been associated with less intensively managed tees, fairways and approaches, the report highlighted that greens were actually the most frequently affected surfaces.”

He added that all grass species would appear to be affected, with the management actions on turf a more influential factor of disease outbreak, over the species composition of the sward. Dollar spot outbreaks were reported on 81% of instances of fescue dominant greens, compared to 58% of bent blends and 57% poa dominant surfaces.

Linking the postcode of survey responses to local records of Smith-Kerns pressure, of weather conditions that would be associated with dollar spot outbreaks, revealed that high pressure would indicate more disease.

“However, it is not a clear-cut correlation,” said Sean. “Some courses under prolonged high pressure reported no dollar spot incidences, which indicates that the disease can be effectively managed by other turf management actions.

“Equally, some courses with relatively low weather related pressure did report dollar spot infections. This has highlighted that the Smith-Kerns model is a useful guide for risk, but that the numbers must be interpreted along with all other actions in making decisions.”

For effective ITM strategies, frequent rolling, maintaining higher soil moisture content and providing higher levels of nutrition were all associated with lower levels of dollar spot being reported, Sean added.

“The survey responses showed a clear trend of a higher incidence of disease reported where turf was being managed at lower rates of nutrition.

“However, it was not exclusively so, indicating that dollar spot could still be contained on lower nutrient management strategies, providing other ITM actions were taken to avoid outbreaks,” he advised.

“Furthermore, while fewer outbreaks were reported on turf managed with higher nutrient inputs, it could still occur if turf management practices and conditions were conducive to disease.”

Responses to the Dollar Spot State of the Nation Survey also showed the link between management to target lower levels of soil volumetric moisture content (VMC) and the reported incidence of dollar spot.

Surfaces targeted to manage VMC below 15% reported the highest levels of infection outbreaks, at over 70% of instances. When responses for surfaces managed at a higher target VMC of 21 to 25% were assessed, over 60% of courses reported no outbreaks dollar spot.

“The survey responses showed a clear pattern that the greater use of turf iron for rolling surfaces resulted in a reduced incidence of dollar spot reports,” Sean pointed out.

“On courses where greens were never rolled dollar spot was reported in 75% of cases, with a trend declining to 50% of courses rolling surface five times a week. Most courses (61%) were reported to be rolling surfaces two or three times a week.”

For courses that were rolling almost daily, there was no incidence of dollar spot reported. However, this was a very small proportion of the survey responses (3%).

The survey identified no link between organic matter levels and dollar spot outbreaks, however there was some indication that lower cutting height could be associated with reduced levels of infection. “This is an element of the ITM strategy requires further investigation,” he suggested.

Analysis of the Dollar Spot State of the Nation Survey indicate that where greenkeepers are managing to promote fescue dominant surfaces, they are lowering the target moisture levels, reducing the nitrogen applied and raising the height of cut, compared to predominantly poa and bent greens.

Greens containing fescue receive, on average, 40% less nitrogen compered to poa or bent greens. Fescue greens are also managed at a target VMC 4-5% lower and with a height of cut at an average 3.9mm, which is 0.4-0.5mm higher than poa or bent greens.

“From the findings of the report these management practices may also be playing into the hands of dollar spot.

“Whilst the feeling is that fescue species are slightly more tolerant to dollar spot, the management practices needed to maintain them can lead to fescue dominant surfaces being more vulnerable to the disease,” he warned.

The report identified that most greenkeepers – nearly 70% – have used fungicides as part of their strategy to manage dollar spot.

“While in some situations managers may consider that dollar spot doesn’t warrant fungicidal control on all areas of the course, as the climate changes we need to consider how we keep damage at an acceptable level,” added Sean.

“New fungicide technology, good disease modelling to help improve timings and good application techniques will help turf managers get the best out of them as part of their Integrated Turf Management strategy.”

Responses to the survey have provided guidance on a number of actions that turf managers could consider to reduce risks and minimise impact of this increasingly challenging disease.

Sean’s Top Tips to reduce dollar spot pressure and better manage disease:

  • Adequate nutrition
  • Maintain moisture levels
  • Regular rolling
  • Lower cutting heights
  • Monitor weather conditions conducive to disease
  • Timely and accurate fungicide application
  • Year-round management

“A better understanding of the implications of certain management practices on the risk of dollar spot, could help to instigate counter measures to reduce pressure in the future,” he concluded.

Following on from the dollar spot survey, a new Microdochium Patch State of the Nation Survey will seek to identify and share experiences of management practices to help all turf managers effectively tackle the most widespread turf disease. Complete the survey here.

The full Dollar Spot State of the Nation Survey 2024 report is available to download from the Syngenta Turf & Landscape website.

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Biggest Wellbeing Survey for UK Horticulture Industry

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Biggest Wellbeing Survey for UK Horticulture Industry: Perennial, the charity dedicated to supporting people in horticulture, is proud to announce the launch of its largest ever survey to gain a snapshot into the wellbeing of those working in the industry. 

Building on the success of the 2021 Health & Wellbeing Survey, Perennial is calling upon all those working across all sectors to participate in the 2024 survey as their feedback really will make a difference.

Biggest Wellbeing Survey for UK Horticulture Industry

Biggest Wellbeing Survey for UK Horticulture Industry

The charity wants to understand more about people’s daily lives, both inside and outside of work, and the pressures they may be facing – not only to develop their services but to inform others within the industry on the key issues and challenges being faced.

The anonymous survey will run from the 17th May until the end of June and is open to all sectors within horticulture. The results will be analysed and reported on by the University of Exeter and the findings shared with the industry this coming autumn.

For example, a key finding in 2021 was that 85% of people’s mental wellbeing was poor or below average. As a result, Perennial worked with key industry stakeholders to roll out a successful mental health first aid at work programme which saw nearly 100 people trained as mental health first aiders across 11 sectors and 48 companies.

Not only has this added to the number of people across the industry already qualified to provide invaluable support to their colleagues every day, it has widened the conversation and is helping to create a culture of positive mental wellbeing.

By sharing the survey findings, Perennial aims to support and empower the industry to take proactive steps to address such identified challenges. While acknowledging that not all issues can be solved single-handedly, Perennial believes in adopting a collaborative approach and working in partnership with the horticulture sector for positive change.

Julia Hayne, Perennial’s Director of Services, emphasised the importance of sector collaboration, stating, “The research will enable us to formulate more effective tools and support strategies to enhance wellbeing now and into the future. It’s a further step towards achieving our vision of building better futures for people working in horticulture and their families.”

Open to all who work in or have worked in horticulture, everyone is encouraged to take the time to complete the survey and to share with colleagues and friends from Friday 17th May 2024. 

perennial.org.uk/survey

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SALTEX visitor survey findings revealed

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SALTEX visitor survey findings revealed: The post-show SALTEX 2021 visitor survey has revealed a fascinating insight into the show’s visitor profile.

Widely recognised as the show ‘the industry needed’, the 75th SALTEX event provided the ideal opportunity for the grounds management sector to regroup, reunite and celebrate.

SALTEX visitor survey findings revealed

SALTEX visitor survey findings revealed

According to the post-show visitor survey, 83% of attendees rated SALTEX 2021 overall as excellent, very good or good, 67% attended specifically to purchase new products or services, and 84% either had full purchasing responsibility or contributed to the process.

Furthermore, a third of visitors held a management position and 34% had the ability to sign-off on amounts of up to £50,000.

When it came to the type of grounds that the visitors were responsible for maintaining, the top three categories were sports turf (31%); arboriculture, horticulture and forestry (29%) and lawn care (26%), with broader visitor profiles covering areas such as landscaping, parks and playgrounds.

Regarding visitor interests, 72% rated the variety of products and services on show as excellent and knew exactly what they were looking for. 70% attended to see machinery, power and hand tools, and nearly half of the visitors were interested in seed, turf and aggregates. More than 33% visited exhibitors representing both landscaping materials and arboriculture, horticulture and forestry. Other areas of interest included sports surfaces and facilities (32%); commercial vehicles, tyres and trailers (29%); education, training and development (20%); synthetic turf (18%); security, health and safety, personal protection (17%) and play equipment (12%).

Neil Stubley, head of courts and horticulture at Wimbledon, was delighted to see a vibrant show floor. “I’ve been really enthused by how busy it has been. During the pandemic everyone was working hard to come out of it with a bang, and you are seeing that at SALTEX. There’s a lot of excitement, lots of new products and people are buzzing. SALTEX is one of those opportunities where you get to have a look at the marketplace and see all the different machinery. There is nothing better than seeing it in person and speaking to the people that have designed it.”

Natalie Regan, who was one of 52 students that attended SALTEX from Wiltshire College & University Centre, said she really benefited from her visit. “It was my first time at SALTEX, and I now feel a lot more knowledgeable about turf management.”

Andy Hill, general manager at Alnwick Golf Club in Northumberland, was also upbeat. “It’s been great to bring the team along to have a look at everything and to network. We’re carrying out a major course development and visiting SALTEX has given us plenty of ideas and has opened lots of doors. I’ve been to many exhibitions over the years, but nothing compares to this.”

An overwhelming 72% of survey respondents confirmed that they will be returning to SALTEX 2022, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on 2 and 3 November.

For more information visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @GMA_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/GMASALTEX

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