Tag Archive for: With

Agrovista Amenity Partners with Worcestershire FA

/in , /by

Agrovista Amenity Partners with Worcestershire FA: Agrovista Amenity is proud to announce a new 12-month partnership with Worcestershire Football Association (FA) aimed at supporting the grassroots football community by providing comprehensive grass pitch care solutions.

As a recommended provider for all Worcestershire FA clubs and organisations, Agrovista Amenity will deliver a range of services designed to improve grass pitch care and maintenance. This includes detailed soil agronomy work, which involves testing soil content in Agrovista’s state-of-the-art laboratory. Based on these insights, tailored pitch care packages will be recommended to optimise turf health and pitch presentation.

Agrovista Amenity Partners with Worcestershire FA

Agrovista Amenity Partners with Worcestershire FA

Agrovista Amenity offers a wide array of expertise and products, including fertilisers, grass seed, and soil agronomy services. These resources are designed to address the unique needs of each pitch, ensuring that every club benefits from superior playing surfaces.

Jack Handsaker, the Lead Football Development Officer for Facilities and Partnerships at Worcestershire FA, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: “I am delighted to work with Agrovista to further enhance our offering to improve Worcestershire’s grass pitches. Our clubs and organisations will benefit from the great products and services offered this season.”

Dan Hughes, Head of Commercial for Agrovista Amenity, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: “Partnering with Worcestershire FA perfectly complements our #ForOurSports campaign, reflecting our dedication to supporting our customers at every stage. This collaboration is focused on improving football pitch standards throughout the county, ensuring clubs have access to top-quality agronomic advice and products for their players and communities.”

Worcestershire FA’s Chief Operating Officer, Ollie Williams, emphasised the strategic importance of partnering with local companies: “We want to work with Worcestershire companies to support Worcestershire football. This is a key part of our new 4-year strategy for 2024-28, and we would love to hear from organisations who can contribute to the growth and development of local football.”

Through this partnership, Agrovista Amenity and Worcestershire FA are committed to driving the growth of grassroots football by ensuring that clubs have the resources and support they need to maintain outstanding playing surfaces.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Data Access is Just a Click Away with Turfkeeper

/in , /by

Data Access is Just a Click Away with Turfkeeper: For the last 18 years Course Manager Geoff Smith has been spending hours meticulously setting up and inputting into an array of spreadsheets to help him manage the greenkeeping staff and grounds at the beautiful Abridge Golf Club in Romford, Essex.

‘All my spreadsheets were stored on a USB stick which I guarded with my life. It recorded everything I needed to manage all areas of the golf course including budgets and provided the necessary evidence and reports to justify everything we did. It didn’t bear thinking about if it was to ever get lost!”

Data Access is Just a Click Away with Turfkeeper

Data Access is Just a Click Away with Turfkeeper

Geoff joined the Abridge 18-hole, par 72 Championship golf course in 1996 and knows the greens better than anyone. He was a customer of Rigby Taylor, Headland Amenity and Symbio for around 12 years before they merged in 2021 to form Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS). “I love working with Origin, it’s been around 15 years now, and can’t praise them highly enough. They have great reps and some fantastic products. I put nearly all of my business through them.”

The course was first designed, in 1962 by renowned maestro of English Golf, Henry Cotton, whose outstanding feature was that both loops of nine holes started and finished at the clubhouse. It is considered one of the finest in the county and is an Open Regional Qualifying Course. It has held various Essex tournaments and was host to the PDC EuroPro Tour event in 2022. Geoff uses a combination of non-biological and biological products as part of an Integrated Turf Management programme. “The OAS reps work with me to choose products that complement each other well and ensure the very best outcome.  We have around 750 members and our course and greens are expected to be in the best possible condition free of disease”, adds Geoff.

In 2023 Geoff was persuaded to trial the OAS TurfKeeper web-based digital platform which is designed to replace all manual spreadsheets and ledgers. He had a demonstration from Kevin Scarce, Turf Keepers Product Manager and whilst impressed was reluctant to move away from his trusted spreadsheets.

With greenkeepers and turf professionals facing mounting pressure to justify every decision they make, from equipment purchases to project proposals, and with costs soaring and resources dwindling, the need for data-driven insights is critical. TurfKeeper is being used in many golf and sports clubs across the UK and is equipping turf managers and greenkeepers with the tools they need to maximise resources, streamline decision-making, and manage turf maintenance.

Geoff implemented Turfkeeper in July 2023 and after a couple of hours of training set about entering his information into the system. Geoff considers himself “Old school” and wanted to try it alongside his existing spreadsheets. “I shouldn’t have worried, it’s such a user-friendly system and works brilliantly. I love it and dropped my spreadsheets at the end of 2023. I now use Turfkeeper exclusively for all my data.”

At the heart of TurfKeeper lies a robust suite, from staff management to inventory control, task planning to budgeting. TurfKeeper provides greenkeepers with a central hub to oversee every aspect of their operations. “I use it for everything”, adds Geoff, “It’s only as good as the information you put into it though, so I spent a few days inputting – staff wages, hours, stock information, budgets, maintenance programme, etc and now it’s so easy to pull off the information I want.  That’s the beauty of Turfkeeper. It gives you graphics and pie charts to show to management or the Greens Committee – everyone loves a picture – it’s so easy to understand and takes no time to produce.”

Abridge Golf Club is set in 240 acres of beautiful parkland with some of the finest views over the Essex countryside. It’s a close-knit club and its members and a Greens Committee are encouraged to interact, question, and offer their suggestions. Geoff has a wealth of knowledge and is held in high esteem, but he does enjoy knowing he has data at his fingertips that he can show to back up his decisions or support his capital requests. His members requested the tees be cut by hand for a better finish. In seconds Geoff had a report that showed the extra labour required to achieve this and the associated cost that management needed to sign off on additional staff recruitment.

Geoff is supported by a team of nine, there are currently 2 other people in his team with access permissions to the system, his deputy Ben Scrivener and first assistant Jamie Blagdon. They both assist Geoff with stock control, applications and help assist with planning tasks in Geoff’s absence. Geoff now spends 30-45 minutes to plan for the week and month ahead, rather than the couple of hours previously.  “I use TurfKeeper for everything but primarily organising tasks for the greenkeeping team, stock control, and budget control.”

One of the most significant benefits of TurfKeeper is its ability to save time and resources. By automating repetitive tasks and eliminating manual paperwork, Geoff can focus his efforts on strategic decision-making and turf maintenance. “I am delighted with TurfKeeper, it has saved me hours of labour and I only have one platform to enter information into and extract data from. The team likes it because they can view the full picture, they know what is planned for everyone for the weeks and months ahead. I can’t recommend it highly enough.”

If you would like a free no-obligation 30-minute demonstration, call 07850 638 508 or visit www.turfkeeper.com

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Let gardens flourish with Wilkinson Sword

/in , /by

Let gardens flourish with Wilkinson Sword: In the summer, gardens are at their most beautiful, but it is also when they require the most attention.

Maintaining a vibrant and healthy garden during the hottest months of the year can be a fulfilling but challenging task and the right tools can make all the difference. Wilkinson Sword, a brand renowned for its precision and quality gardening tools, offers a range of products to help gardeners handle summer tasks with ease.

Let gardens flourish with Wilkinson Sword

Let gardens flourish with Wilkinson Sword

  1. Deadhead to encourage more blooms

Deadheading is a vital task for summer gardens. By removing faded flowers, you can stimulate your plants to produce more blooms instead of setting seed. This not only prolongs the flowering period but also keeps your garden looking neat.

Look for flowers that are wilting or have brown petals and use quality tools to make sharp, clean, and accurate cuts. The Wilkinson Sword Deadheading Snips are light, pocket-sized snips which make quick work of deadheading and are ideal for precise trimming, cutting herbs, flower collecting and arranging.

Trim off the faded flowers just above the first set of healthy leaves or buds being careful not to disturb the rest of the plant. Make deadheading a weekly routine to keep your plants blooming continuously. Summer heat can be harsh on your garden, making proper watering crucial. Ensure your plants receive enough water after deadheading, especially during dry spells.

  1. Prune to keep plants healthy

Summer is also the perfect time to trim and prune shrubs, climbing plants and perennials. Trimming helps in shaping the plants and promoting healthy regrowth by removing dead or diseased branches.

Identify areas for trimming such as overgrown stems or bushy sections. Use Wilkinson Sword’s Bypass Pruners to carefully cut lush new growth and unruly stems. The pruners feature precise and durable carbon blades and a soft grip handle, perfect for clean, comfortable cutting. Trim back overgrowth and shape the plants strategically to ensure better air circulation and sunlight penetration.

  1. Trim hedges to keep the garden tidy

Trimming hedges is an essential task to keep your garden looking tidy and well-maintained. Regular trimming not only shapes the hedges to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space but also promotes healthy growth by removing dead or diseased branches. It prevents hedges from becoming overgrown and disorderly, which can overshadow other plants and reduce sunlight penetration.

Use Wilkinson Sword’s Telescopic Hedge Shears to cut and trim tall and difficult to reach hedges with ease. The lightweight aluminium handles can be independently adjusted through four stages to ensure a safe and comfortable cutting position and the non-stick coated blade provides a defined, crisp cut.

  1. Weed to keep garden bed’s looking pristine

Weeds can quickly overrun your garden, competing with your plants for nutrients and water. Regular weeding is crucial to maintain a healthy garden.

Wilkinson Sword’s Carbon Steel Dutch Hoe makes it simple to remove weeds without disturbing your plants. Expertly crafted from high-quality carbon steel, the tool is reinforced in key areas for maximum strength and durability. The smooth, natural weatherproofed wooden handle provides a comfortable grip, while the strong, traditional carbon steel head removes weeds with ease. It’s best to weed straight after rainfall as the soil is softer, making it easier to pull weeds out by the roots.

To find out more about Wilkinson Sword and to explore the product range visit www.wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Power through autumn maintenance with Toro and AgriMetal

/in , /by

Power through autumn maintenance with Toro and AgriMetal: Autumn is a time of transformation for golf courses, sports grounds and other green spaces, but the season brings its own set of challenges. The good news? Reesink Turfcare has a host of innovative solutions from Toro and AgriMetal that will transform your autumn renovation routine, making leaf and debris clearance remarkably fast and easy.

The right tools for the job

Clearing fallen leaves and debris during this busy period is more than a matter of keeping the grounds looking tidy.

Power through autumn maintenance with Toro and AgriMetal

Power through autumn maintenance with Toro and AgriMetal

According to Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager at Reesink Turfcare, “Autumn is all about preparing the surface so it can get through the winter without too much damage and be ready to go in the spring. Removing fallen leaves from golf courses, sports grounds or other green spaces is a critical job that goes beyond aesthetic concerns. Indeed, left unchecked, this kind of buildup can smother even healthy, resilient turf in a matter of weeks.”

To avoid this outcome — and the risk of moss growth and disease — turfcare professionals must clear excess leaves at least once a week, but the handheld solutions traditionally used can be extremely time-consuming. However, with the right equipment, this daunting task becomes significantly easier, allowing your teams to focus on the finer details of course maintenance.

Toro and AgriMetal: The perfect partners for autumn renovations

Leader in the turfcare industry Reesink knows what it takes to tackle these autumn jobs effectively, simplifying and streamlining the process. That’s why the distributor offers the best solutions for leaf clearance available on the market, engineered by renowned brands Toro and AgriMetal. These machines are designed to meet, and exceed, the demands of today’s turfcare professionals, ensuring that your green spaces remain in top condition throughout the autumn and winter months.

Toro ProLine H800: Efficiency redefined

The Toro ProLine H800 stands out as a top choice for those looking to streamline their autumn renovations. This direct collect rotary mower is engineered for efficiency. Its Smart AirFlow system ensures that leaves and debris are vacuumed up quickly into an 810-litre hopper, allowing for longer collection times without the need for frequent emptying.

With a 41-litre fuel tank, the ProLine H800 provides the freedom needed to complete a full day’s work without interruption. As Jon notes, “The ProLine H800 is all about maximising productivity. It’s a machine that allows groundskeepers to focus on getting the job done.”

Toro Pro Force: Power meets precision

When it comes to clearing grass clippings and other debris from fairways, clubhouse grounds, or paved areas, the Toro Pro Force is your go-to machine. Towed by a Toro Workman MD Series or a similar utility vehicle, this turbine-style debris blower is both powerful and precise. Operated by wireless control, the Pro Force generates a strong airflow capable of shifting even the wettest, heaviest leaves in no time. This machine is all about delivering results quickly, allowing you to maintain large areas with minimal effort.

AgriMetal: Quietly versatile

For those seeking a tractor-mounted solution, AgriMetal offers some of the most powerful and quiet options available. The B35 and B50 blower models are perfect for tractors with 35hp and 50hp at the PTO, respectively. These machines are equipped with an impeller that increases airflow by 25 percent compared to similar models, making them some of the most efficient on the market. And because they require less energy at full throttle, they’re as economical as they are powerful.

AgriMetal’s collectors include the Multi Vac – pulled and powered by any 50hp+ tractor – and the Tuff Vac 4000, coming in two variants: PTO driven for use with a 35hp+ tractor or with its own 27hp engine. Both deliver a simple but effective proposition with a large exhaust area for more powerful vacuuming and less clogging, turf-sensitive design and a lightweight aluminium impeller for welcomed quieter use.

Preparing for autumn with Reesink Turfcare

As the unpredictable autumn season approaches, equipping your team with the right tools is essential for maintaining uptime in an industry that never stops. With Toro and AgriMetal’s advanced solutions, you can be confident that your grounds will be well-prepared for whatever the season throws at them.

Jon adds, “The key to successful autumn renovations is having the right equipment. With the machines we distribute at Reesink, there’s no reason why leaf and debris clearance shouldn’t be straightforward.”

To learn more about how Reesink Turfcare can support your autumn renovation plans, visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk, call 01480 226800 or email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk. Whether you’re managing a golf course, sports ground or any other green space, Reesink has the tools you need to keep your turf in top shape all season long.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

SHC Hire ensures reliability with Avant compact loaders

/in , /by

SHC Hire ensures reliability with Avant compact loaders: In the competitive world of hire businesses, reputation is everything. That’s why SHC Hire, with 10 depots spread across Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cumbria, insists on using only market-leading equipment.

For Matthew Wilson, the Managing Director of SHC Hire, choosing Avant compact loaders was a no-brainer.

SHC Hire ensures reliability with Avant compact loaders

SHC Hire ensures reliability with Avant compact loaders

“We used to have other loaders, but we were having trouble getting parts and general reliability,” Matthew explains. “Then we found Avant, and it was perfect for the job.”

Currently, SHC boasts four Avant 528’s available for hire. Part of the 500 series, these loaders offer a perfect balance of size and performance. Their compact dimensions and manoeuvrability make them ideal for a wide range of tasks, from construction to farming.

The 500 series loaders are well suited for a wide range of customer segments thanks to their power and straight forward hydraulics which is needed in many jobs. The 500 series can also lift amazingly heavy loads compared to the size of the machine.

“The Avants are used for a wide range of customers,” Matthew says. “Our builders love the 528’s because they can carry a tonne bag of sand round the back of a house, saving manpower. They can get into tight spaces too, which is beneficial for house renovations.”

Key to the Avant’s appeal is its versatility. With attachments like pallet forks and buckets, it can tackle a variety of jobs with ease. “One machine can do so many different jobs,” Matthew emphasises. “It gives us the flexibility we need because of our varied customer base.”

Matthew sources the Avant loaders through APSV, the main dealers for Avant compact loaders in the region. “We have a great relationship with Rob Atkinson and his team there,” he says. “The service and back-up we get from APSV is absolutely brilliant.”

As SHC Hire continues to grow and serve customers across the region, Avant compact loaders remain a reliable and essential part of their fleet. With their performance and support from APSV, SHC can confidently deliver on their promise of reliability and quality service.

For more information, please visit www.avant.co.uk

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.