It seems from all the recent news reports we are heading for a second wave of Covid-19. Just how this will affect our industry coming into the winter, nobody knows?

However, I read with interest the news from John Deere that they will not be attending any international turf trade shows in Europe and the CIS during the company’s 2021 fiscal year (1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021). 

This decision could well influence other leading manufacturers to do the same, putting even more pressure on whether next year’s GMA's SALTEX show, which is scheduled to take place March 3-4, will go ahead at the NEC?

There is also the fact that come October the country’s national furlough scheme will be ending. This will leave many companies with a very tough decision about the future of their staff and whether they are able to afford to keep them on?

This again will have a huge effect on our industry and will no doubt impact decisions on whether companies are willing or able to support their national trade shows?

If there is no appetite for shows during this pandemic, where does that leave both industry organisations (BIGGA and GMA) in terms of their operational costs? Both of these shows are the annual cash cows for both organisations.

If this decision by John Deere does lead to other organisations following suit, I fear for the future of these two shows - both in the short and long term. Even post-Covid, will there be the same appetite for the current format of these events?

Sporting progress

There is no doubt this pandemic is continuing to set many challenges in the way we can operate and get on with our daily lives. The priority for many companies is to stay afloat, retain staff and get on with the jobs in hand. As I have said before, the grass, weeds and trees never stop growing! There is always work required to maintain a living status.

This weekend we saw the start of the new Premiership football season, which will no doubt keep many grounds personnel busy for the next eight months. It was great to see Gareth Bale return to Tottenham, a great signing and one that will set the season alight.

Golf clubs seem to be doing well, with many clubs taking on new members, plus the recent spell of good weather has given many of the club greenkeepers the chance to undertake some autumn renovations to help prepare the course for the onset of winter. Plenty of aeration work is being done on greens, tees and fairways.

As for cricket, many club groundsmen have been posting messages on social media platforms regarding the success of their recent end of season renovations - especially aided by the recent good weather. I’m not sure how long this Indian summer will last though?

A chat with Rugby School's James Mead

As I said last week, I witnessed a demo of the Turf Tank One a robotic line marker at Rugby School, which went very well. A full report of the day will be published next Monday.

During my visit I managed to catch up with my good old friend James Mead, who was also celebrating his fifteenth year as head grounds manager at the school. I thought it would be good to find out his thoughts on how the industry has changed in the last fifteen years or so?

I asked James what have been the most significant changes he has seen in the industry in recent times?

James said, “The speed and resourcefulness of the internet, has been one of the most significant changes I have witnessed. The ability to find out information from fellow colleagues via the web and social media streams has been massive in terms of learning new skills and keeping up with the latest work practices. The Likes of TurfPro and Pitchcare and other industry magazines, have also helped enormously.

“This has been coupled with the advancement and provision of a wider choice of machinery and equipment to help us do our job more efficiently. I have consciously over the years, got the school to invest in good quality machinery and equipment. We now have a fine range of mowers and machinery to undertake all the tasks required to produce the high class sports surfaces expected at Rugby School.”

James explained, "It has been a trait of mine ever since I started in the industry, to ensure we have the appropriate machinery and equipment. I remember being one of the first school groundsmen to get a Verti-Drain when they came out in the 1980s whilst working for Kings Edward’s School in Birmingham.

"With so much cricket being played at Rugby School, I even took the opportunity to invest in a Blotter, which has been essential in helping us maintain our cricket playing surfaces."

James continued, “We have a fine range of ride on and pedestrian mowers at our disposal enabling us to cover the grounds efficiently while at the same time producing the right finish we desire for the sports surfaces we are preparing. As for cricket machinery, I am blessed with having some of the best equipment the market can supply. I have even designed my own set of raised covers with extension sheets, that can be fitted easily to enable us to cover up very quickly!”

James went on to say that he believed one of the other main drivers has been the increased supply and range of industry products now on the market. “We now have a greater selection of seed, fertilisers, bio stimulants and soil enhancement products to choose from,” he said. “We also have the ability to apply both liquid and granular fertliser products more efficiently and accurately using advanced spreader and sprayer technologies.

“However, it goes without saying, you are only good as the staff you have. When I started there were six members of the grounds team, we now have nine. Each and everyone of them have stepped up to the plate and brought with them a passion and drive to produce high standards that we as a school have chosen to invest in. The testament to this is the fact none of my staff have ever left since I started.”

James says he is proud of what they have achieved at the school. “Since I have arrived,” he told me, “we have managed to upgrade all the playing surfaces to county standard surfaces, especially the cricket ground. We now host Warwickshire county games each year.” He said they also have future plans to improve the rugby pitches in the Close with the installation of some drainage and automated irrigation systems to help improve their quality.”

James has worked in the industry for forty plus years, fifteen years of which have been at Rugby School. James said of these past fifteen years, “These have certainly been the most productive in terms of raising standards.”