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Foamstream driving the rise in Councils going chemical-free

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Foamstream driving the rise in Councils going chemical-free: As tighter controls come into force on the use of Glyphosate-based products around Europe, it is perhaps unsurprising that a recent study has found increasing numbers of councils in the UK have voluntarily turned to chemical-free weed control solutions.

One of the driving factors for this could be the improvement in the effectiveness of non-herbicidal methods available, with Foamstream from Weedingtech proven to deliver vegetation control comparable to that of Glyphosate in independent trials.

Foamstream driving the rise in Councils going chemical-free

Foamstream driving the rise in Councils going chemical-free

Effective from 1st July, rules regarding the application of Glyphosate have been extended in France – banning its use not just in municipality settings, but now in all public and private areas including residential properties. However, despite its known toxicity and negative impact on both the operator and environment, its use is still permitted in all situations in the UK.

The good news is that recent reports published in The Guardian demonstrate that the number of councils, from parish to county level, turning to natural alternatives is on the rise – with an estimated 80 councils around the UK now proudly chemical-free. “This rise is brilliant news and indicates the increasing concern that councils and the wider public now have about Glyphosate” comments Thomas Hamilton, Co-Founder of Weedingtech. “But for this positive growth to continue, Councils needs to be assured that the non-chemical alternatives available are effective and viable – from both a commercial and financial perspective.”

Since its launch in 2011, Foamstream has proved a successful solution to users from all corners of grounds and green space management. The active ingredient is hot water, insulated by a biodegradable, organic foam derived from natural plant oils and sugars which keeps the water in the ‘kill zone’ of 57oC and above for longer. As well as killing the plant, Foamstream also sterilises surrounding seeds and spores, preventing future weed growth and resulting in half the number of treatment cycles required when compared to other non-chemical options.

In four separate trials conducted by the University of Athens, the overall efficacy of hot foam used to treat a wide range of broadleaf weeds – including species that can be difficult to control by conventional methods – was found to be comparable to that of glyphosate. It was concluded that Foamstream provided an environmentally friendly and effective alternative, outperforming other non-chemical methods which only provided a moderate level of weed control.

One of the many councils now using Foamstream is Glastonbury Town Council, having previously used traditional herbicides to treat spaces in the town centre, residential areas and school perimeters. “A lot of our residents, myself included, are concerned at the use of chemical herbicides around the places where our children play” explains Councillor Emma George. “One of the greatest things about Foamstream is its complete non-toxicity, backed up by its Soil Association stamp of approval, and its viability on all types of weeds and all types of surfaces.”

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BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2022

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BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2022: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has revealed the 20 ambitious greenkeepers who will participate in the Future Turf Managers Initiative 2022.

Each year Jacobsen and BIGGA invite 20 up-and-coming association members to participate in the intensive training programme, which has been credited with developing some of the greenkeeping industry’s most influential course managers and head greenkeepers. This year Jacobsen and BIGGA celebrated the first FTMI graduate to achieve the links superintendent position at an Open Championship venue in the form of Royal Liverpool’s James Bledge.

BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2022

BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2022

FTMI was first hosted in 2013 as a two-day education event and since then has expanded around the world, with similar schemes being introduced in Spain, Portugal, Australia and New Zealand.

For 2022 the structure of FTMI has been adjusted to become a hybrid event that combines workshops at Ransomes Jacobsen’s headquarters in Ipswich, online education sessions and two days of education at BTME in January 2023. FTMI focuses on personal and professional development, rather than agronomy-based subjects, and utilises the expertise of leading course managers, dynamic trainers and industry experts to mentor and educate the next generation of industry leaders.

Candidates are selected based upon an anonymous judging criterion, with the panel gaining an insight into the achievements and ambitions of each applicant, who must be educationally active on a national and regional level.

BIGGA Learning & Development Executive Deb Burnett said: “As an increasing number of FTMI graduates achieve success in their careers, we are reminded of what an incredible learning opportunity FTMI is for BIGGA members. When the 10th FTMI class convenes this year, we’ll be welcoming some of those early delegates back as mentors and I look forward to seeing them inspire the 2022 class, who will then gain the knowledge they require to achieve similar greatness in their own careers.

“Our youngest candidate this year is 22, while the oldest is 47 and that shows how FTMI is available to all BIGGA members. All you need is the desire to learn and progress your career and I’m delighted that among the Class of 2022 we have such a varied mix of people who can share ideas and experiences and who have all got through to this stage based upon their own merits.”

The members of the FTMI Class of 2022 are:

  • Aaron Allibon, first assistant at Orsett
  • John Anderson, senior greenkeeper at Prestwick
  • Rhian Barton, assistant greenkeeper at Royal Liverpool
  • Andrew Barr, deputy head greenkeeper at Greencastle
  • Tom Bromfield, assistant greenkeeper at Trentham
  • Ray Cotgrave, deputy course manager at Pleasington
  • Marcus Davies, assistant greenkeeper at Wentworth Club
  • Michael Gibbons, first assistant at Dunham Forest
  • Sean Harvey, senior greenkeeper at Frilford Heath
  • Peter Lewis, senior greenkeeper/irrigation technician at Royal Liverpool
  • Darren McLoughlin, deputy head greenkeeper at Erskine
  • Matthew Milligan, first assistant at Rudding Park
  • Malcolm Mitchell, deputy head greenkeeper at Burghley Park
  • Wayne Mulrooney, deputy course manager at Great Barr
  • Robert Munro, assistant superintendent at Cabot Cliffs
  • Ryan Oliver, assistant greenkeeper at Hornsea
  • Adrian Parsons, assistant greenkeeper at Wenvoe Castle
  • Michael Russell, assistant greenkeeper at Ormskirk
  • Steven Thomas, deputy head greenkeeper at Prestonfield

Elliot Walters, deputy course manager at Robin Hood

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Sustainability issues at the heart of Learning LIVE

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Sustainability issues at the heart of Learning LIVE: In the month that saw the UK climate reach unprecedented levels of 40°C for the first time on record, the Grounds Management Association (GMA) is highlighting the need to place sustainability and environmental issues at the heart of the grounds maintenance sector’s thinking – and at the heart of SALTEX’s Learning LIVE sessions. 

GMA Chief Executive, Geoff Webb said: “Those managing and maintaining sports turf and green spaces are already having to deal with the impact of climate change and industry suppliers are doing their best to innovate and help grounds people to minimise the impact of droughts and floods.

Sustainability issues at the heart of Learning LIVE

Sustainability issues at the heart of Learning LIVE

“Extreme weather conditions are becoming more frequent, and we need to continue to educate grounds staff and plan now to ensure that as a sector, we are equipped to deal with what lies ahead.”

Announcing speakers for Europe’s leading sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition, SALTEX, which is free to attend and organised by the GMA, Geoff Webb explains the value of attending the show’s Learning LIVE sessions.

“Learning LIVE has been designed to provide support, insight, and real solutions to key industry issues, including those relating to sustainability and the environment and we are delighted to be confirming a growing line-up of impressive expert speakers.”

A presentation not to missed will be one from Tony Hanson managing director, Environmental Solutions International and Robin Price, director of quality and environment at Anglian Water. Geoff says: “Their paper on ‘Reducing the impact of future water restrictions on golf and sports turf’ is a timely subject as we deal with the results of climate change and approach drought restrictions in this country. Tony and Robin will look at the implications of temporary use bans and changes in water abstraction rulings, and how this will prevent turf irrigation in 2023 and the ways to implement water resilience practices.”

Tony Hanson explains the importance of this subject to the industry: “Due to climate change, population growth, and historically high personal consumption, there is simply not enough water available in the UK without action – the water sector will have to use demand management to ensure public supply. Turf irrigation must simply become less dependent on mains or direct irrigation abstraction.

“The Water Resilience Plan has been designed to guide users on what they

need to do and keep them informed of water industry funded seminars and workshops. If you irrigate turf you will need to review alternative water sources for irrigation, create water storage on site – water you control and can use in a drought to cover at least 21 days and review and assess your irrigation management and system.  I look forward to discussing all these elements at SALTEX.”

The SALTEX 2022 Learning LIVE schedule this year has been extended to over 30 sessions, with additional papers attacking the key issues for the grounds care industry of pay, career development, how to negotiate in the workplace and how to find out about the millions of pounds of grant funding available from sports clubs.

More information about the SALTEX 2022 Learning LIVE programme can be found on the event’s website at www.saltex.org.uk/learning-live. Free visitor registration is now open. Visit saltex.org.uk or register here.

Alongside the Learning LIVE programme visitors to SALTEX 2022 will be able to see over 400 industry brands in one place – all lining up the best products on offer for today’s growing needs. It also provides visitors with a great opportunity to network with industry colleagues and build new business relationships.

The show takes place at the conveniently central Birmingham NEC on 2-3 November.

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TriCure AD™ keeps the greens green

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TriCure AD™ keeps the greens green: As the UK scorches in some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded, the greens at Wexham Park Golf Centre are… well, green, thanks to TriCure AD™ from Headland Amenity!

Course Manager Tom Evans has praised the multi-molecular soil surfactant for retaining condition and presentation on the venue’s 27 greens – citing both a reduction in the amount of hand-watering required and, in turn, an increase in available water to maintain other areas of the site.

TriCure AD™ keeps the greens green

TriCure AD™ keeps the greens green

Three and a half years into his tenure as Course Manager, Tom is currently overseeing a major redevelopment project at the Buckinghamshire club alongside his team of six greens staff. He explains, “No two days are the same and the weather is certainly throwing more challenges into the mix for us. There’s no doubt we’re seeing more of these prolonged periods of hot and dry weather, and that’s when I’m really grateful that we’ve got a solid regime in place with TriCure AD™.”

“Over the years I’ve trialled various wetting agents, but TriCure is the one I keep coming back to – applied at 10L/hectare, monthly, between April and the end of September.” The ‘Tri’ of TriCure AD™ represents the three active surfactant chemistries which work together to help prevent and cure hydrophobic conditions. This combination enhances efficiency over single molecule wetters, treating all types of rootzone particles at much lower rates (like for like) than competitor products.

“This year, more than any other, we’ve noticed just how well it’s working. It has seen us through a dry spell in April/May and again now in the July heatwave, keeping the greens where we want them to be with barely any hand watering needed. We have also, this year, trialled using TriCure on one of our tees with great results. Hopefully, budget permitting, this can be factored into our programme in coming years which will be a major step forward for us in being better equipped cope with these more frequent hot conditions.”

Tom continues, “Like a lot of clubs our water supply is limited. In previous years the water to the tees has been turned off because of how much was required to keep the greens in good shape. That hasn’t been necessary this year, and that really is testament to the effectiveness of the TriCure AD™.”

TriCure AD™ is available in liquid, granular and pellet form, for accurate dosing through hose end applicators and offers cost-effective multi-rate use on all types of sports turf surface.

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S&C Slatter hand over the baton

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S&C Slatter hand over the baton: Leading sports construction specialists S&C Slatter, in partnership with Beynon Sports, officially handed over Alexander Stadium’s new World Athletics Class 1 facilities in May

Working with world-leading athletics track manufacturer Beynon Sports, S&C Slatter has successfully delivered a full design and build package for the state-of-the-art athletics facilities, under McLaughlin & Harvey’s ultramodern Alexander Stadium redevelopment project.

S&C Slatter hand over the baton

S&C Slatter hand over the baton

Boasting two cutting-edge athletics tracks with natural grass infields, as well as an additional dedicated practice throws area, the facility has attained a World Athletics Class 1 Athletics Facility Certificate, required for hosting the highest level of international competition – including the Olympics and World Athletics Championships.

For S&C Slatter’s experienced team, it was no sweat. Between them they’ve delivered athletics tracks across the country, from community to elite level.

Steve Ayres, Contracts Manager, S&C Slatter, commented:

“This project presented an immovable deadline and demanded the highest standards, but with our expertise, scale doesn’t impact our ability. Strong communication, adaptability and experience are what ensured our programme was delivered to schedule. Others might find the extra scrutiny a challenge – but we produce the best we can, whether for a local school or the highest levels of competition.”

An industry leader in North America, with over 7,500 installations in the last 40 years, the Alexander Stadium redevelopment marks the first UK installation for Beynon delivered under their exclusive partnership with S&C Slatter. Together, the leading manufacturer of World Athletics Class 1 Surfaces in the United States and one of the UK’s leading sports construction specialists, know what it takes to deliver superior sports facilities.

Jason Douglass, S&C Slatter Group Director, commented:

“We were delighted to work with Beynon Sports on this truly exciting project, producing world-class athletics facilities as part of the Alexander Stadium redevelopment.  

With a proven history of delivering sports facilities for the very highest levels of global performance, as well as for community use, we’re thrilled to have provided an outstanding facility for the City of Birmingham and elite athletes across the nation.” 

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