Tag Archive for: turfgrass

Turfgrass prices expected to rise in 2024

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Turfgrass prices expected to rise in 2024: The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) has noted a concerning trend following a year of unpredictable and extreme weather conditions across the UK in 2023. Members of the association have reported that the changeable weather, combined with other factors, is likely to lead to an increase in turfgrass prices in 2024.

The past year saw a spectrum of climatic challenges, from prolonged summer droughts to heavy rainfall in autumn and winter. These conditions, exacerbated by stringent chemical legislation have
led to increased disease vulnerability and impacted turfgrass harvest yields.

Turfgrass prices expected to rise in 2024

Turfgrass prices expected to rise in 2024

The Met Office has highlighted the visible effects of climate change globally, including risks to water supplies, localised flooding, altered seasonality, heat stress, and the expanding habitat range of pests – all of which are concerns for the turfgrass industry. Predictions of warmer, wetter winters, hotter, drier summers, and more frequent intense weather events add further pressure to turfgrass cultivation.

Richard Owens, Chair of the TGA, stated, “Our members are finding 2023 to be a particularly challenging year for turfgrass production. This trend is expected to continue, necessitating an industry-wide adjustment in turfgrass pricing to offset the increasing costs of production.”

In addition to weather challenges, other factors contributing to the anticipated price increase include the rising cost of fertilisers and fuel, supply chain disruptions, and the need for more sustainable growing practices. The TGA is committed to supporting its members through these challenges, advocating for industry needs, and promoting best practices in sustainable turfgrass production.

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New digital Turfgrass Seed guide launched

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New digital Turfgrass Seed guide launched: The British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) has launched a new digital version of its Turfgrass Seed guide. The annually produced guide will continue to be printed. However, to reduce the reliance on paper and make the information in-guide more widely available, a new section has been added to the BSPB website.

Commenting on the move, BSPB technical manager Jeremy Widdowson said:

“This is the first time the Turfgrass Seed guide has been published fully on an interactive platform to offer greater accessibility for all UK users.”

New digital Turfgrass Seed guide launched

New digital Turfgrass Seed guide launched

The first guide was published in November 1976 and the following year it gained the title ‘Buying Turfgrass Seed’ which has since been simplified. Turfgrass Seed 2023 includes data and information to help guide seed choice for the amenity and sports grass sector. The information in the guide is largely provided from trials carried out by the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) to an agreed protocol.

“Trials conducted at Bingley, West Yorkshire, by STRI help to identify the characteristics of different cultivars. The guide reflects this by using parameters such as shoot density, recovery, colour and visual merit to help decision-making for pitch care, ground care and amenity professionals,” added Mr Widdowson.

It is hoped, by publishing the data and advice on the BSPB website, that more people in the industry will benefit from its content. Mr Widdowson was also keen to emphasise the environmental benefits of offering the guide in both digital and printed forms:

“BSPB is reducing its reliance on paper-based methods of communication and the Turfgrass Seed guide is another example where our operating practices can be made more sustainable. A little over 5000 copies will still be printed. However, this number may start to reduce in future years as users choose to access content digitally and minimise the environmental impact of producing guides like this.”

The Turfgrass Seed guide can be viewed at www.bspb.co.uk/turfgrass-list

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Turfgrass Growers Association demo day

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Turfgrass Growers Association demo day: The Turfgrass Growers Association are pleased to announce that the Turfgrass Summer Show is returning for 2022.

Following on from the success of the 2020 event, we are pleased to now announce the date for this year’s event Thursday 28th July. Turffit have very kindly offered to host the 2022 event. We are looking forward to welcoming all the members and the turfgrass industry to Kinross, Scotland.

Turfgrass Growers Association demo day

Turfgrass Growers Association demo day

This event attracts all those involved in turfgrass production, from growers to the ancillary industry and will host an excellent exhibition and demonstration to provide a great interactive opportunity for those who attend. The last TGA summer show was held in 2018 and after 4 years we are really pleased to bring the event back. This year’s event will showcase our hosts fine turfgrass where machinery, seed and crop protection companies can find a platform upon which to showcase and promote their latest technologies.

To compliment this year’s event, there is also a multitude of activities including some Scottish Highland games favourites. Test your strength by Tossing the Caber and Throwing the Hammer. Test your accuracy with the unique Glengoyne Malt Challenge (Haggis throwing!) or try your hand at Scottish Piping, there is an activity for everyone to enjoy! In addition to these Traditional Scottish activities, you can also take aim with Environmentally friendly Clay Shooting, Football Darts or try Archery with guidance from an experience instructor. There will also be a fantastic Falconry experience to enjoy!

We are also pleased to announce that in partnership with Trimax we will be hosting a celebratory meal to close the 2022 show at the prestigious Cannonball Restaurant, Edinburgh. The historic setting in the heart of the Old Town, and with fabulous views of Edinburgh Castle, will be an ideal place to celebrate our Turfgrass event with the growers and affiliated industries from across the UK and the wider world.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW

The event will also be registered for both BASIS and NRoSO points which will be available on the day. It’s an event not to be missed!

If you are interested in exhibiting, please contact admin@britishgrowers.org or visit TGA Summer Show 2022 – The Turfgrass Growers Association website.

On behalf of the organising committee, we look forward to welcoming you to the 2022 Turfgrass Growers Summer Show on Thursday 28th July 2022.

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Ken Siems launches Siems Turfgrass consultancy

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Ken Siems launches Siems Turfgrass consultancy: Ken Siems launches SIEMS TURFGRASS Consultancy Service and brings the world’s premier sand injection system, DRYJECT, to the UK and Ireland.

Siems Turfgrass LTD will operate two independent services available to golf courses, football clubs and all other grass sport surfaces.

Ken Siems launches Siems Turfgrass consultancy

Ken Siems launches Siems Turfgrass consultancy

SIEMS TURFGRASS CONSULTANCY

Providing site-specific golf course management consulting, tailored to support clients in improving all aspects of their golf course maintenance, from improved budget management to course construction and renovation.

Turfgrass Management

Staffing/Budget Management

Project Management

Maintenance

Water Management

Environmental Management

Individual Customised Consultancy Packages

DRYJECT

Dryject is the world’s number one sand injection service that aerates, topdresses and amends in one pass, with playing surfaces ready within 1 hour after treatment. Dryject is routinely used at thousands of golf courses around the world and now Ken is excited to bring this unique service to the UK and Ireland.

DryJect uses a high-speed, water-based injection system to blast aeration holes through the root zone to fracture the soil. The patented vacuum technology simultaneously fills holes to the surface with high volumes of sand or amendment. This means you can relieve compaction, increase water infiltration, reach the root zone with oxygen and amend your soil with high volumes of material all at the same time.  Using wet or dry sand, DryJect leaves the surface smooth and playable which results in no negative loss to club revenue.

ABOUT KEN SIEMS

Ken Siems is an internationally recognised turfgrass specialist with over 40 years’ experience at the top end of the global golf industry, including Augusta National in the USA, Loch Lomond GC in Scotland and Pestovo GC in Russia.  His consultancy business, Siems Turfgrass Ltd, provides site specific golf course management consulting tailored to support clients in improving all aspects of their golf course maintenance, from improved budget management to course construction and renovation.

A graduate of the world renowned Turfgrass Management Programme at Pennsylvania State University, Ken’s journey in golf has led him to work in some of the most challenging conditions possible, from extreme rainfall, to extreme heat, ice and snow – sometimes all in the one day!  Despite what nature has thrown at him, his passion for managing turfgrass has never wavered and he has consistently delivered and exceeded owner/client expectations throughout his career. His extensive knowledge and experience gives him an enviable ability to determine the appropriate course of action for any site specific challenge.

A Certified Golf Course Superintendent with the GCSAA and also Master Greenkeeper with BIGGA, one of very few in the world to hold both certifications.  Ken previously held the position of Golf Course Superintendent/Director of Agronomy at several notable golf courses and projects worldwide, most notably, Islington GC (Canada), East Sussex National GC (England), Loch Lomond GC (Scotland), Jinhai Lake GC (China) and Pestovo GC (Russia).  He also spent time in the UAE honing his golf course construction skills  as Project Manager for Tanto International Golf.

CONTACT
Ken Siems

Tel: 00 44 7577 659 426

Email: kenjsiems@gmail.com

www.kensiems.com

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Scottish turfgrass demo day a success

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Scottish turfgrass demo day a success: More than 100 greenkeepers, groundsmen and grounds maintenance contractors from across Scotland attended an amenity demonstration day at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club on 11th March, with those who braved the day’s stormy weather able to see some of the latest golf and sports pitch specific machinery and turf renovation equipment in action.

Featuring a range of machinery demonstrations from a wide selection of industry-leading suppliers, the maiden ‘Scottish Amenity Demonstration Day’ was jointly organised by Germinal GB, Allgrass Turfcare and Campey Turf Care Systems. The event was also sponsored by Cub Cadet, Seddon, Fairways GM, Fleet Line Markers and Steadfast Site Supplies and was kindly hosted by Falkirk Tryst Golf Club.

Scottish turfgrass demo day a success

Scottish turfgrass demo day a success

“Despite the weather’s best efforts to disrupt proceedings, the inaugural Scottish Amenity Demonstration Day was a great success,” explains Alan Thomson, Technical Sales Representative for Germinal in Scotland. “As a group of like-minded suppliers, we recognised that there are no amenity specific events in Scotland where greenkeepers, groundsmen and turf care professionals can talk to multiple manufacturers and suppliers in a single location.

“We therefore worked together to organise the free-to-attend event to give visitors the chance to talk freely with a range of manufacturers about the latest golf and sports-specific grass seed mixtures and to see a selection of cutting-edge turf maintenance machinery – including the latest electrical and emissions-free equipment – in action.”

John Rushforth of Allgrass Turfcare extended a special thank you to Falkirk Tryst Golf Club for hosting the event: “Head greenkeeper, Gary McCandless and his team worked miracles to ensure that, despite heavily waterlogged ground conditions and torrential rain in the days prior to the event, the majority of demonstrations were still able to go ahead.

“Unfortunately, the wet conditions did prevent some machines from operating, but the sheer number of attendees proved there’s a clear appetite for this type of event in Scotland and we are already discussing the potential for future events.”

“Feedback from the event has been extremely positive,” added Richard Heywood of Campey Turf Care. “It was genuinely very gratifying to see so many faces from within the Scottish amenity sector coming together to learn about new developments within the industry and to try out the latest amenity-specific kit. This type of event is as much about networking on a semi-social basis as it is about promoting the latest machinery, and we look forward to organising similar open days in the future.”

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