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BASF – at the forefront of research and development

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BASF – at the forefront of research and development: Professional turf care is an art form that requires skill, precision and high-performance products to be successful.

Sometimes even the most experienced and skilled greenkeepers have been let down by their products, which is why BASF invests heavily in cutting-edge technology and the best experts in the business to ensure that its solutions are ahead of the game, providing exactly what is needed and when.

BASF – at the forefront of research and development

BASF – at the forefront of research and development

Whether a golf course manager, agronomist, farmer or landscape architect, many professionals rely on effective products that keep turf free of diseases, pests and weeds through every season.

With the backing of thousands of employees worldwide, BASF is perfectly positioned to create a powerful portfolio of product solutions that can be tailored to meet the demands of every turf landscape. Effective and efficient research and development underpins every solution that BASF creates, and it is not a company that is content to rest on its laurels. It constantly invests in the growing opportunities that digitalisation and supercomputing power offers, meaning that it constantly maintains its place as an industry leader. In fact, it invested 2.1 billion euros into research and development expenses last year alone, with 1000 products being patented.

For example, brand-new product Maxtima was launched at BTME 2024 by BASF Turf, a new cutting-edge demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide. This crop safe solution was devised after BASF’s scientists discovered new enzyme assays in their research.

Rob Gladwin, head of technical management for UK said: “The assays test the efficacy with which the DMI chemistry, which includes azoles, inhibit the fungal target site, CYP51 –– blocking this enzyme prevents a fungal cell from producing ergosterol causing it to die.

“Together, the team discovered a unique property of an entirely new family of triazoles –– this molecule has a ‘hook’. It’s an isopropanol linker. This moiety is a small part of the larger molecule and it’s unique for a DMI. We synthesised it and noticed very strong fungicidal effects.”

The launch of Maxtima pays testament to the cutting-edge research and development that the BASF team undertakes every day. In fact, BASF’s researchers are working on hundreds of products at any one time, with research centres in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

Furthermore, BASF collaborates with a global network of top universities, research institutes and companies, giving direct access to external scientific expertise, talented minds from various disciplines, as well as new technologies. This helps to quickly develop targeted, marketable innovations, strengthening its portfolio with creative new projects and reaching its targets for worldwide expertise and growth.

To find out more about BASF’s industry-leading turf products, visit https://www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Product-innovation/Turf/

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Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals line-up

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Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals line-up: A former IT recruiter, a hotel doorman, a county cricketer and a heavy metal guitarist are just some of the finalists of the most prestigious awards event in the student greenkeeping calendar.

The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and co-founders and sponsors Toro and Reesink UK have revealed the line-up for the 2024 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards. Now in its 35th year, the awards have helped unearth some of the brightest talents within the turf management industry and laid the foundations for decades of professional success.

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals line-up

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals line-up

Held at Oulton Hall in Leeds on 2-4 September, the finalists will compete in a series of challenges that are designed to test their technical knowledge and passion for the greenkeeping profession. Winners will then be crowned in the categories of Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year and Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year.

BIGGA Learning and Development Manager Deb Burnett said: “Whether joining the industry fresh from full-time education or opting to switch after a career elsewhere, our finalists are a diverse group, but they demonstrate the extraordinary talent that is present in today’s golf greenkeeping industry. The degree of knowledge they possess is testament to the quality of training they receive, both at work and with their training providers, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them all to the finals in Leeds in September for what stands to be an exciting couple of days.”

David Timms, National Accounts Manager at Reesink UK and Young award category judge, said: “We are very much looking forward to again welcoming this year’s finalists to the long list of student greenkeepers who have made it to this stage previously. The interviews this year were all of a high calibre and showcased how positive the future of the industry is. On behalf of everyone at Reesink UK and Toro, we wish all the finalists good look and will see them in September for the next part of their journey.”

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:

  1. Patrick Brown, greenkeeper at Wentworth Club and student at Berkshire College of Agriculture
  2. Jack Chapman, apprentice greenkeeper at The Grove and student at Capel Manor College
  3. Matt McCreadie, greenkeeper at Tadmarton Heath Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
  4. Jack Vowell, greenkeeper at Farrington Park Golf Club and student at Bridgwater & Taunton College
  5. Jack Wellings, greenkeeper at JCB Golf & Country Club and student at Myerscough College

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:

  1. Morgan Bowen, greenkeeper at Nevill Golf Club and student at North Kent College
  2. Alex Fox, apprentice greenkeeper at Woodhall Spa Golf Club and student at Bishop Burton College
  3. William Moore, apprentice greenkeeper at Kilworth Springs Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
  4. Daniel Parker, greenkeeper at Knighton Heath Golf Club and Sparsholt College
  5. Cameron Redden, apprentice greenkeeper at Strathmore Golf Centre and SRUC Elmwood College

To be eligible for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year category, candidates must have been a greenkeeper for a minimum of 12 months and be studying towards the Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper or Level 3 Advanced Golf Greenkeeper qualifications.

To be eligible for the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year category, candidates must be aged 21 or under and studying towards the Level 2 award at the time of application.

More information about the finalists can be found on the BIGGA website, where you can also find information about the incredible prizes on offer for the awards winners and their endorsers and the runners-up in each category, including a 10-week placement on one of the industry’s most influential training courses.

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A journey into the Green Heart of Innovation

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A journey into the Green Heart of Innovation: In his role as bridge between R&D and consumers, the expert agronomist Fabio Banin is the voice of the first chapter of “Green Talk,” the project to discover STIGA’s innovations designed for more sustainable and accessible garden care.

STIGA, leader in the garden care sector, presents its new, innovative project “Green Talk”: a journey into the heart of innovation, technology, design, and sustainability through the renowned voices of industry experts.

A journey into the Green Heart of Innovation

A journey into the Green Heart of Innovation

With the experience of STIGA experts, “Green Talk” is designed to discover the valuable stories behind the brand’s innovations, demonstrating the strong connection between man and nature and how important the care for green spaces is for our planet. As sustainability and environmental awareness are increasingly in the spotlight, “Green Talk” aims to inspire and educate, offering a unique perspective to explore the interplay between nature and technology.

The first chapter of this journey features Fabio Banin, an expert agronomist in the field of green innovation, who likes referring to himself as a “grass advocate” because of the fundamental message that guides his work: “Greenery is alive and therefore needs to be cared for, not maintained.” Currently part of the STIGA team, Banin holds a wealth of experience in the industry, a cutting-edge vision, and his passion for environmental sustainability.

In this exclusive interview, Banin explored the fascinating world of garden care, sharing his experience, the challenges he faced over the years, and his vision for the future of the industry. As an advisor at STIGA, Fabio Banin brings a unique perspective by playing a crucial role as a bridge between R&D and customers, offering specialized technical assistance and gathering valuable feedback to improve STIGA’s products and services. “Within the company, I like to describe myself as a “joker”, a role that allows me to act as a connector between the different departments and the sales network, providing a cross-functional perspective that fosters collaboration and development.”

Reflecting its green soul, Fabio Banin addressed the constant focus on innovation and sustainability in STIGA’s approach – factors that make this company truly unique in its sector. “It is the winning combination of a future-oriented attitude and a deep commitment to sustainability. This is evident not only in the research and development of cutting-edge products, but also in the company’s practices that put environmental stewardship at the heart of its actions.”  Fabio continues “Among the most significant projects in which I am involved, I am particularly proud of the multi-year project on mulching in collaboration with the University of Padua, aimed at exploring the benefits of this practice for lawn health and for reducing fertilizer use. Preliminary results indeed demonstrate the effectiveness of mulching in improving lawn quality and in reducing the environmental impact of excessive or incorrect use of polluting fertilizers. In addition, from a resource-saving perspective, the results prove that mulching can work in synergy with fertilizer, enhancing its effectiveness and therefore requiring less of it (up to -60%) for a more lush, healthy lawn.”

Besides showing STIGA’s commitment to sustainable and advanced gardening solutions, this research project also has an educational objective aimed at the end consumer, so that the company’s efforts translate into innovative practices adopted by individuals to generate a positive impact together.

Moreover, Fabio Banin analyses the changes and challenges in the market, which are essential to adapt to environmental and consumer needs, underlining the importance of innovation and ongoing research to maintain leadership in the garden care sector. In this context, STIGA is constantly striving to remain at the forefront of current trends, starting from the transition to electric solutions and the integration of advanced technologies into products, ensuring effective and sustainable solutions for customers.

“Looking to the future, my hope is that STIGA will continue to be recognized for its commitment to sustainability and innovation as hallmarks, thus establishing itself as a pioneer in the garden care sector, designing machinery and equipment that can make gardening more efficient and accessible to all, and guiding the market towards more conscious choices.”

This is just the first of the stories from STIGA experts’ first-hand experience. A journey into the green world of innovation, guided by the passion and expertise of people like Fabio Banin and STIGA’s longstanding commitment to the care of greenery.

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Boost your game with Toro at the Game Fair

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Boost your game with Toro at the Game Fair: Machinery distributor Reesink UK is bringing a selection of revolutionary Toro machinery to The Game Fair for the first time.

One thing Reesink knows for sure is that landowners need machinery they can rely on to make their workload easier and more efficient.

Boost your game with Toro at the Game Fair

Boost your game with Toro at the Game Fair

That’s why Reesink is bringing a choice of versatile, convenient machinery including the Workman UTX utility vehicles and a powerful, multi-purpose Groundsmaster 3300 mower, all from Toro.

David Timms, Reesink’s National Accounts Manager, says: “Decent machinery that is formulated to handle those heavy-duty tasks effectively, can help landowners to keep on top of estate maintenance with ease, while cutting costs.

“It is important to have the right equipment for the job, and just as quality is a consideration when choosing a car, it’s equally as important when it comes to the machinery used to sustain and upkeep grounds. It’s with good reason that Toro is widely known for their quality when it comes to machinery.”

The Toro Workman UTX 4×4 utility vehicle – available in both two and four seat options – is built to tackle all terrains and with 25 percent more cargo capacity than that of others in its class and a towing capacity of up to 2000lbs, it delivers the ultimate productivity.

It guarantees the right speed and power for the job in hand, meaning customers can choose between lower RPMs for lower fuel consumption and sound near the house, or higher RPMs for more power to transport a heavier load up any inclines.

The Toro Groundsmaster 3300 and its innovative flail attachment delivers year-round productivity and multiple cutting options. It copes easily with longer, coarser, dry or wet grass, and when paired with the fine-cut flail attachment option, cuts two ways. It’s this sort of innovation from Toro that guarantees the kind of productivity customers today demand.

Toro is a firm favourite with National Trust properties, private schools, colleges and universities and sports venues, but that doesn’t price it out of the market for today’s homeowner. Come and see at The Game Fair on 26–28 July on stand FBJ.

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SALTEX: Uniting the Industry, Powering Progress

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SALTEX: Uniting the Industry, Powering Progress: SALTEX 2024, Europe’s premier sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition will bring together industry-leading grounds professionals, volunteers, and exhibitors from across the globe.

Showcasing the latest innovations, trends, and practices in grounds management, landscaping, and environmental sustainability, the show will feature the industry’s biggest brands across three halls, attracting thousands of visitors for its 78th show.

SALTEX: Uniting the Industry, Powering Progress

SALTEX: Uniting the Industry, Powering Progress

As a not-for-profit organisation, the GMA, the association that organise SALTEX, has continually re-invested revenue generated from its annual exhibition back into the grounds management industry since its inauguration in 1938. Naturally, due to the success of the show year on year, that contribution continues to grow, further demonstrating how SALTEX continues to power progress in the industry.

“Each year, SALTEX plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of grounds care,” said Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA. “This year, we are focusing on uniting the industry and powering progress by providing a platform for professionals to connect, learn, and advance their skills.”

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR SALTEX 2024: THE PREMIER EVENT FOR GROUNDS CARE

Registration for SALTEX 2024 is officially open. Industry professionals are invited to secure their spot at the UK’s most anticipated event for grounds care, sports, amenities, estates, and green space management.

Unlocking Opportunities

SALTEX 2024 promises an expansive showcase of the latest innovations, technologies, and trends in the industry. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with experts, participate in SALTEX’s renowned Learning LIVE educational seminars, and have access to explore cutting-edge equipment.

Networking and Professional Growth

As the leading event in the industry, SALTEX offers unparalleled networking opportunities. Professionals and volunteers from various sectors, including turf and grounds care, landscaping, and facility management, will come together to share insights and forge new connections.

A Platform for Discovery

This year’s exhibition will feature a diverse range of exhibitors, presenting visitors with the chance to discover new products, services, and solutions that can drive efficiency and sustainability in their operations.

Sarah Hunter, SALTEX Head of Events commented: “We are thrilled to open registration for SALTEX 2024. Each year, we strive to elevate the experience for our visitors, and this year will be no exception. We look forward to welcoming industry professional and volunteers from across the globe.”

Register Today

Register today – Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of SALTEX 2024. SALTEX 2024 will take place on 30th and 31st October at the NEC, Birmingham.

Register now to confirm your attendance at this landmark event.

SALTEX takes place at Birmingham NEC on 30th and 31st October 2024.

For more information and to register your interest to attend SALTEX 2024, visit https://www.saltex.org.uk/ .

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

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