Your eyes may have been drawn down below, to notice we have an And Finally today, covering a news story which arose earlier this week.

Concerning the teen who mowed a stiff message to Donald Trump into the grass on his family's property, yes the methodology is gleefully vulgar (so don't click if a grass appendage offends) - but behind the schoolboy titter tactics, there's a serious point.

Climate change and how our actions impact on the environment is becoming an ever more mainstream concern. Whilst certain world leaders may question the science, it would appear that ever increasing swathes of the population want to feel like they are doing the right thing with their consumer choices.

Making ethical decisions when spending on goods, is no longer the domain of a niche section of the marketplace. Buying whilst thinking about your purchase's wider implications is a practice becoming ever more common.

Just think about all the news stories we hear about retailers changing up their offerings to cater for this demand for more sustainable purchasing. Waitrose this week announcing they are running a bring your own container trial for produce such as rice, pasta and cereals, springs to mind for example. Major retailers clearly see customers wanting to spend their cash on environmentally friendlier products as a significant sector, ripe for exploiting. In the BBC's article on the story, it turns out that Waitrose even have someone whose job title is "head of corporate social responsibility",  who says they have implemented the scheme to "help the growing number of customers who want to shop in a more sustainable way".

I'm wondering therefore, are dealers seeing evidence in their stores of these developing consumer habits?

This week I read a think-piece specifically regarding agricultural machinery from a source called TradeMachines. The gist of the piece was that with the strides made in sustainable farming practices, oddly a consideration which may often be overlooked is when is it environmentally friendly to upgrade to a new machine?

An argument which the piece puts forward is that there are already a lot of agricultural machines in the world and to produce more is clearly a strain on the environment. Therefore, this piece posited, "The most sustainable option here is often to purchase machines second hand, extending their lifecycle and reducing the amount of waste in landfill."

They also argue that customers who are wanting to do their bit, should be looking to fix and make-do with their current machine, saying " . . it is generally less environmentally impactful to simply repair and reuse second hand farming vehicles."

The article does acknowledge however, that there can be an environmental argument for buying new. With technological advances a new machine may be more efficient and less harmful than its older counterpart. Although, the author does still belive that unless the new piece of kit is entirely solar powered, it still has a more significant footprint than simply keeping an existing machine going.

I do think this particular article has an agenda behind it to get people to buy second-hand machines from an online marketplace - however the points it raises will be opinions which some consumers will hold.

So is this a trend which our readers are seeing become more prevalent? Are whole good sales decreasing and servicing demands increasing?

Are customers wanting to prolong the life of their current machines, rather than buy new? And if they are, how much would you attribute this to a genuine concern for the environment - as opposed to simply not wanting to spend out on something new?

Equally, with all the advances made in the outdoor powered machinery industry recently, in terms of battery-powered kit and robotic offerings, are customers choosing to upgrade to these products as a means of doing their bit? Or again, do you not put a decision to make a purchase such as this, down to environmental concerns?

It will be interesting to hear to our readers' take on the subject. Please feel free to leave your thoughts below.

Family run dealers, Ben Burgess have opened a brand new, custom built depot just off the A14 in Ellington, near Huntingdon.

Ben Burgess have been serving the farming community since 1931 and has supplied grounds care equipment since 1962. As one of the two original John Deere dealers, the company also supplies several other brands in the agricultural, construction and grounds care industries including Grimme, STIHL, Hitachi, Manitou, Weidermann, Kuhn and Timberwolf.

The new, custom built depot, spanning 7.5 acres, is located just off the A14 at Ellington, Cambridgeshire, and includes a modern retail store and a state of the art workshop.

The recent opening event saw over 300 people from across the country attend. Guests were able to view products and machinery as well as see the technology from FarmSight and precision farming in action.

Tim Vasher, depot manager said, "The depot is light and modern and allows customers and families alike, to visit and enjoy all of the great products on offer. The location is convenient for customers who have seen it growing over the last few months to have their machines serviced, browse new machinery and the technology or bring their families to enjoy all the area has to offer. The team at Ben Burgess have worked incredibly hard to make this open day a success and they have succeeded. It is great to see existing and new customers here today and I would like to thank the team for their commitment to customers at Ben Burgess."

Ben Turner, managing director at Ben Burgess said, "It is often the case that business open events like this are restricted to those in the commercial world and not open to the general public, children and families. Here at Ben Burgess, we wanted to ensure that as many people as possible could come along and enjoy the great atmosphere and food. In so doing, we hope to inspire the next generation to learn more about the agricultural, groundscare and construction business."

The depot was officially opened by North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara. Shailesh supported the planning application for the depot and was complimentary about its architecture, position and appeal.

Shailesh Vara MP cutting the ribbon on the new depot with Ben Burgess md Ben Turner

Shailesh Vara MP said, "It is great to see so many faces and families here. Ben Burgess is going from strength to strength and engaging the next generation in this business. This depot is in a great location for the local farming industry and construction alike. I am honoured to be asked to come and open the depot today."

East Devon District Council have partnered with Devon Garden Machinery to have Ambrogio robot mowers installed into a key site to autonomously maintain pitches, freeing up their team to do other skilled tasks.

Forming part of a larger trial, the site which totals over 25,000m2, has several football pitches and a clubhouse area. The flagship Ambrogio L400 Deluxe (20,000m2 capacity) will be mowing the pitches, while a smaller Ambrogio L350i Elite (7000m2) will maintain around the clubhouse.

L-R: Steve Dommett and Simon Warne of Devon Garden Machinery with the Ambrogio L400 Deluxe

Devon Garden Machinery supplied and installed the robots with the support of Magic Distribution, suppliers of Ambrogio in the UK. Installed with the Honda powered Ambrogio NT60 wire laying machine, the full installation of over 6 acres was completed within a day.

Steve Dommett of Devon Garden Machinery, said, “It’s been a pleasure to work with East Devon District Council to provide a mowing solution that matches their aims for groundscare moving forward. We’re really excited for them to see the turf quality once both these robots have had a chance to settle in and transform the area.

"Robotic lawnmowers are a significant part of our long term plan. With Ambrogio we have a full range which allows us to provide a quality product for any customer, ranging from small intricate lawns, through to tens of thousands of square meters with commercial models.

"To be able to install two robots into this size area so quickly makes this a really feasible project and something we look forward to doing more of.”

DGM's Steve Dommett pushing the wire laying machine

Utilising their multichannel setup, the two Ambrogio models can be installed directly next to each other leaving no uncut area between the two installations. Depending on the application, Ambrogio robot mowers can also be set up to work within one installation, sharing their GPS data with each other to cleverly work around each other and increase the total area that can be covered.

John Golding, East Devon’s Strategic Lead - Housing, Health & Environment, said, “As part of our Transformation Strategy we are always striving to continuously improve what we do for the benefit of East Devon residents and visitors and this long term robotic mower trial is an exciting and interesting example of this.

"We are carefully assessing cutting edge technology to maintain our green spaces, to analyse the potential for this technology to reduce maintenance costs and improve quality. This will free up our permanent staff to work on more highly skilled tasks in our parks and gardens, as well as reducing our carbon footprint, as the machines produce up to 90% less CO2 emissions than standard petrol mowers and are much quieter.”

Service Dealer are pleased to announce uni-power as a Networking Sponsor of the 2019 Service Dealer Conference & Awards which returns to the DoubleTree by Hilton Oxford Belfry this November.

Taking place on Thursday November 21st, the theme for this year's Conference has been announced as Turning A Profit.

Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, said, "Service Dealer has a long association with uni-power and so we are very pleased to welcome them on-board for what is shaping up to be a most valuable day for our dealer delegates."

Phil Brown, md of uni-power, said, "uni-power are delighted to be announced as a Networking Sponsor for the Service Dealer Conference & Awards 2019. We are looking forward to meeting our current and future customers on the day

"The Conference is an ideal platform to promote the vast array of products and services we offer."

For more details about this year's event click here.

STIHL has announced a new end-user promotion on select tools for both professionals and homeowners that they say will support their 2019 TV advertising campaign.

The new promotion is available on Compact and Pro cordless models with a battery slot, and will run until 31st December 2019.

With every purchase of a tool from either range with the recommended battery and charger, based on the sets from the STIHL 2019 catalogue, customers will be eligible to purchase a second battery half price.

The company said in a statement that to provide STIHL Approved Dealers with flexibility when ordering, a number of kits made up of the standard Compact cordless sets are available with an additional battery. Alternatively, for models that do not come standard as a set - such as the Pro cordless tools (excluding models that require the connecting cable) - the tool, batteries and charger are now available as a promotional set, with the price of the second battery built in to the retail price.

STIHL say that to make it simple for dealers to order these promotional items, each kit has been set up with a single part number that encompasses all elements of the promotional campaign included in the offer.

Husqvarna will make a cash donation plus one of its robotic lawnmowers to the National Garden Scheme (NGS) charity in order to support the creation of a Swedish garden in Gateshead’s Saltwell Park this August.

L-R: Robin Costello, project manager, Terry Burke, VP & CFO, Husqvarna Division, Helen Cadzow of Cadzow Estates, Maureen Kesteven regional chairperson of the National Garden Scheme, Helen McArdle of HMC Group, Caroline Theobald. North East honorary consul for Sweden, and Stuart Bell of the Friends of Saltwell Park

Husqvarna has backed the summer project which will see the NGS combine with Gateshead Council, the North East Honorary Consul for Sweden, and sponsors, to create ’The Buzzing Garden’ - a Swedish-designed greenspace.

The Buzzing Garden will be open to the general public and is a reciprocal effort following the work of garden designer, Susie White, who brought a piece of England to the Västra Götaland region of Western Sweden in 2017.

This year, Swedish garden designers will return the favour with the help of Region Västra Götaland as a partner, to mark the 10th anniversary of the link between the North East and Western Sweden, which involves businesses, academia, culture and local authorities. Saltwell Park in Gateshead was chosen as it has been voted by the public as one of the UK’s top 10 parks.

The design will include a woodland, a meadow area and elements of a coastal landscape - its August opening will also coincide with the World Transplant Games which are being held in the town.

Maureen Kesteven, NGS regional chairperson, commented, “This project comes from the strong links that have been forged between, and in fact the friendships developed in, the North East of England and West Sweden. It could not have happened without the costs being covered by our sponsors, both local and Swedish businesses. We hope it will prove to be an attraction for tourists to the North East; a place for Swedes and others to bring their families and friends; raise the profile of the National Garden Scheme; as well as being an asset for the local community ”

Terry Burke, VP & CFO Husqvarna Division, added, ”Being a Swedish company and with our connection to gardens, Husqvarna is proud to be supporting this initiative which will give back to the local community of Gateshead and celebrate the link between Western Sweden and the North East.

”The work which the National Garden Scheme does to make the UK a greener place and also contribute to nursing and care charities is fantastic and we all in Husqvarna, are very excited to see the final outcome of this ambitious project.”

As part of its support for The Buzzing Garden, Husqvarna will install its Automower 520 which will work unassisted to maintain the grass of the garden.

German machinery manufacturer Ziegler is launching its cultivation products in the UK via importer Abrey Agricultural.

Ziegler Disc Master

Ziegler is based at Pottmes in Bavaria, and manufactures a range of disc and tined cultivators, Cambridge rolls and liquid manure tankers under its Ziegler Cultivation brand.

With its harvesting products it is also an OEM manufacturer for a range of other global names in the industry.

Abrey Agricultural, based at Saffron Walden, Essex, already supplies Ziegler’s harvesting products in the UK.

“We are delighted to add Ziegler’s outstanding cultivation range to our portfolio. The machines are robustly built, efficient, and easy to use and maintain, which is exactly the combination of assets that busy British arable farmers are seeking”, says Toby Abrey.

“Those British farmers who have already bought the Four-Wheel Turn header trailer regularly remark how much easier it makes towing the header behind the combine, and are impressed with its build quality. We believe they will soon be expressing similar opinions about the company’s cultivation equipment”.

Abrey Agricultural will be showing the Ziegler's 5m Disc Master Pro cultivator at Cereals 2019.

A new event for vineyard owners and managers - as well as wine makers and the drinks trade - will provide a showcase for the latest Landini specialist narrow tractors.

Landini Rex 4 Series

Viti-Culture 2019 is thought to be the first event to encapsulate all soil-to-cellar aspects of the wine trade and bring together a range of viticulture, wine-making and business solutions under one roof.

This free to attend show will be held on 11 July 2019 at Plumpton College, East Sussex.

Machinery dealer Horsepower UK, based at Selling near Faversham, Kent, supplies specialist equipment such as Wanner sprayers, Humus mowing and pulverising machinery, SALF orchard and vineyard access equipment, Weidemann wheel loaders and Ilmer handling equipment.

The company is also one of the UK’s leading dealers for Landini Rex 4 Series specialist fruit tractors which they will be featuring at the event.

These slim tractors are available in different configurations to suit a wide range of growing systems for grapes, soft fruit, top fruit and hops – any situation, in fact, where space for machinery is limited.

Vineyard versions of the Rex 4 can be configured to no more than 1.0m wide for example, and feature a choice of power outputs from 70hp to 102hp – and up to 112hp for the orchard/soft fruit models.

Service Dealer's sister title for professional end-users, TurfPro, has launched a modern new website where readers can catch up on blogs, features and news.

www.turfpro.co.uk is the place where readers can also find an archive of the TurfPro Weekly Briefing which is sent to subscribers every Monday lunchtime, details about forthcoming industry events, who TurfPro are and how to get in contact - as well as details on how to advertise with TurfPro.

Editor of TurfPro, Laurence Gale said, "The new site is in-keeping with the style of Service Dealer's website - and is a very welcome addition to our online portfolio.

"I hope our readers will enjoy its clear modern, styling, which will allow them to easily to locate a blog or feature from the Weekly Briefing which they wish to return to."

A teenager from Bishop's Stortford, made headlines around the world this week, even ending up on Jimmy Kimmel's U.S chat show, when the hard message he mowed for the visiting President regarding climate change, went viral.

Student, Ollie Nancarrow, 18 mowed the message 'Oi Trump' into the grass on his family's property - which just happened to be under the flight path that Air Force One was taking, delivering Donald Trump to Stanstead Airport on Monday.

Next to the salutation, artistically mown, was a classic depiction of what can only be described as a giant penis and testicles. This was also followed with a further mowed message saying 'Climate change is real' alongside a picture of a polar bear.

An aerial picture was Tweeted from Ollie's Born Eco account - his online marketplace connecting buyers with eco-friendly traders

Once the story was reported by local paper, the Bishop's Stortford Independent, it was picked up by media outlets worldwide and quickly went viral. 

Gleefully reported by newspapers and websites across the globe, Ollie's mowing skills were even appreciated by U.S late night chat show host, Jimmy Kimmel, who interviewed him on his show on Tuesday. 

As revealed in the above interview, the Essex police paid Ollie and his family a visit - prompting him to get back on his ride-on and cleverly convert the offending member into a sea turtle, further emphasising his climate change message.

During the interview Kimmel does ask Ollie what type of mower he used, to which he replies just a normal ride-on. However judging by the photo used in this subsequent piece in the Bishop's Stortford Independent, it' does appear to be exactly the sort of mower you'd expect to find in Bishop's Stortford!

The Husqvarna 115iL battery grass trimmer has been awarded 4.5/5 by TRUSTED REVIEWS.

The review focuses on the high performance, good design and high build quality of the trimmer.

Trusted review quote:

“The 115iL might be Husqvarna’s “light “duty cordless grass trimmer, but its size and performance fight well above that billing. At 4.2kg with battery, it’s a bit heavier and more cumbersome than many entry-level cordless strimmers, but the performance is anything but lightweight.

"It cuts a large circle, doesn’t fade in the face of tall wet grass or heavy weed growth, giving 20-30 minutes’ run-time with ease – even with the basic BLi10 battery supplied. For smaller lanes in the dry, the savE eco mode reduces noise considerably and offers plenty of extra run-time too.”

Read the article here:
https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/husqvarna-115il-cordless-grass-trimmer

“We were thrilled to receive 4.5/5, the review really puts the trimmer through its paces and the performance and durability shines through. This is a big seller for our dealers and this review will certainly excel this further.” Jonathan Snowball - UK Handheld Product Manager.

This year Cobra are introducing an exciting selection of lawnmowers into their already comprehensive range.

The two lawnmowers highlighted below are feature rich petrol and cordless models are expertly powered by Honda and 40v Lithium-ion battery power.

The Cobra MX3440V 40v Li-ion cordless lawnmower has a cutting width of 34cm / 13” and is ideal for small to medium lawns.

With exceptional performance and style, the Cobra MX3440V allows you to get more done without the need for petrol or electrical cables. Other features include quick charging, up to 30mins cutting time, a quality plastic deck and 5 cutting heights. The stocking dealer price is £121.00 ex VAT.

The Cobra MX534SPH self-propelled lawnmower has a 4-speed gearbox and a cutting width of  53cm / 21”.

Powered by a Honda GCV170 4-stroke engine, for unprecedented reliability and performance, this lawnmower is perfect for a medium to large domestic lawn and is able to collect, mulch or side / rear discharge. The stocking dealer price is £255.00 ex VAT.  An optional swing tip blade accessory is also available, which can both help to improve cutting and reduce risk of damage to the crank shaft.

For more information on Cobra products visit: www.cobragarden.co.uk or to become a Cobra dealer, please contact Andy Marvin on: 07771 581 296 or call our sales team: 0115 986 6646 today.

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