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EDITOR'S BLOG

INDUSTRY INITIATIVE LAUNCHED
Wanting to help in terrible times
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

The owners of TurfPro will be donating 100% of new advertising revenue generated throughout the month of April to the Red Cross.

Just about emerging from the terrible world Covid pandemic, we are now facing another global catastrophe resulting from the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

I cannot put into words what I think about Putin and his cronies in Russia. It’s a terrible situation that is pure horror for the people of Ukraine. Alongside this, we can all see what is happening, with the escalation into a series of global problems in terms of the supply of fuel and resources - let alone the prospect of a further conflict of war in Europe.

This war is pushing the price of gas, oil and other vitals to record high levels not seen for years.

The consequences of this war will directly affect every sector, including our own. I see for example, that NFU Scotland has warned the huge surge in fertiliser prices has made business planning and nutrient management a 'financial nightmare' for farmers and growers.

They say how nitrogen fertiliser has rapidly increased in price, from just over £200 per tonne last spring to around £700 per tonne by the end of autumn 2021.

Phosphate and potash prices have also increased by over 70 percent over the same period.

Farming UK have also pointed out how grain prices have also been rising, but not to the same extent, leaving farmers questioning how fertiliser and other input cost increases can be managed and absorbed.

As my colleague Steve Gibbs explained in his recent blog in our sister title Service Dealer, the stock levels of machinery you’ll find in your local professional dealership could be influenced by by this disater.

Steve said, “Everyone in our sector is still acutely feeling the effects that the pandemic has had on delivery of stock. The way that production and shipment of wholegoods and components around the world is so intrinsically interconnected in the modern age, has been highlighted by empty shelves and waiting customers. Almost regardless of where a machine is principally manufactured, if there's disruption in the chain, the bumps are inevitably felt somewhere down the line.

"Now with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, there is another, horrific, disruption to the natural movement of the world's economy.”

These sentiments were also echoed by another colleague of mine Alan Mahon, editor of Service Dealer Ireland.

He said, “The economic sanctions that are imposed resulting from the invasion are already affecting business. The sanctions have driven up fuel prices to unthinkable levels. This is making it more expensive to operate machines, deliver equipment to our customers and keeping our sales reps on the road. If you throw in the price increase in commodities such as aluminium, steel and copper, which are used to manufacturer much of the equipment we sell, it makes for a bleak future”.

I’m sure all our turf professional readers will have already seen the price of fuel hit their budgets – along with similar price hikes to grass seed and fertiliser products. Most manufacturers will also be counting the cost of these rises in energy, raw materials and fuel costs, which as we all know will eventually have to be passed on to their customers and consumers.

Initiative launched

With all this considered I’m sure we all want to do what we can, however small it may seem, to help.

The message we’re hearing now regarding what is of the greatest benefit to give, has shifted from physical items to money. Cash, given to the correct places, seems to do the most direct good to help suffering Ukrainians - which is what we all want.

A truly great place to donate money right now is the British Red Cross. We can be confident that money donated here, is making a difference on the ground. As they say on their website, they are part of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which unites 15 member charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialists in different areas of disaster response.

As such, in wanting to play a small part in helping where our industry can, the owners of TurfPro, TAP, are pledging to give 100% of new advertising revenue generated across all out titles throughout the month of April to this amazing charity.

This is all additional advertising revenue gained from this TurfPro Weekly Briefing, TurfPro's website, Service Dealer Weekly Update, Service Dealer Ireland Update, Service Dealer's website, and the Garden Trader website. All of our digital channels.

TurfPro owner Duncan Murray-Clarke said, "We are not political, but what we're seeing in Ukraine isn't a political issue - it's a humanitarian crisis.

"We felt we had to do something and thought that donating all new digital advertising revenue earned in April, could be a way of our industry coming together to offer some help to the people of Ukraine.

"For our industry colleagues we hope this will be a way for them both to get across whatever messages they want to the UK turf professional community, whilst at the same time directly donating to an organisation that has teams on the ground, distributing aid directly to those who most need it.

"I know first hand how friendly and caring this sector can be, so I'm confident we can raise a significant contribution."

You can watch Duncan explain more on the Service Dealer YouTube channel below.

I agree wholeheartedly with Duncan. I think this is a tremendous initiative and one that I hope can generate a decent sum for the Red Cross.

For more information, please contact Nikki (details below), who'll be able to help you with prices.

Thank you.

NEWS

SHIPMENTS TO RUSSIA SUSPENDED
By major manufacturer

In the first WEB ONLY story, the manufacturer of land-based machinery says they are monitoring the situation and are abiding by international sanctions.

GREENKEEPERS SELECTED FOR OPEN SUPPORT REVEALED
150th at St Andrews

Gary Tonge was a team member in 2021 and is pictured raking a bunker on the 18th hole at Royal St George's

In our next WEB ONLY story, the team of almost 50 greenkeepers from golf clubs all over the UK and further afield will be supporting the home greenkeeping team at the The 150th Open.

GREENSIRON FINDS NEW UK DISTRIBUTION
Products from Wood Bay Turf Technologies

Specialist turf maintenance products from the Canadian manufacturer has appointed a new UK distributor.

Wood Bay Turf Technologies, based in Edmonton in Canada has appointed Henton and Chattell as its UK distributor.

The company is a manufacturer of golf, lawn bowling greens and other sports turf maintenance equipment. The company has been creating turf maintenance equipment since 1987, with products in the range being the greensIRON 3900 and greensIRON 6200 turf rollers; the fds9200 multipurpose turf dethatcher and the tungsten carbide tipped vertical cutting blade, dynaBLADE.

“We are delighted to be working with the team at Henton and Chattell to further support and develop our turf specialist dealer network in the UK," said Lyall Adams, president and CEO of Wood Bay Turf Technologies. "The company will work closely with dealers, building on the existing network and will support them with pre-sale enquiries, training and on-going aftersales assistance."

Henton and Chattell is a family owned business based in Nottingham, working with one of the largest dealer networks in the market, supplying leading brands of turf and garden machinery.

Peter Chaloner, managing director of Henton and Chattell said, “Over the last 32 years Wood Bay Turf Technologies have developed the highest quality products for turf care applications ranging from golf course management, lawn bowling greens and field sports."

GOLF'S SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPIONS TO BE CELEBRATED
At BTME next week

Golf course sustainability will be a key topic for discussion at BTME

BIGGA has teamed up with GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf to host a place for sports turf managers to meet and exchange ideas at next week's show.

BIGGA has teamed up with GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf to host a place for sports turf managers to meet and exchange ideas during next week's BTME.

GEO Foundation is an international not-for-profit, dedicated to helping inspire, support and reward credible sustainability and climate action across golf.

BTME takes place at the Harrogate Convention Centre next week from 22 to 24 March and during the event the GEO Foundation will be joined by a number of other partners to host the ‘Sustainability Lounge’, which BIGGA says will provide a dedicated space for attendees to find out more, get involved and join discussions about key sustainability issues with experts in their field.

The GEO Foundation also assures the OnCourse programmes for grassroots golf facilities, new developments and tournaments, each of which can lead to the widely endorsed and externally recognised GEO Certified label.

During BTME, the Sustainability Lounge is intended to be a gathering and meeting place and in addition to the team from GEO Foundation, experts from around the UK will often be on hand, including BIGGA’s own sustainability champion, James Hutchinson.

James, who is membership services manager for ecology and sustainability for BIGGA, said, “Of all the key topics up for discussion at BTME, among the most important will be the need for golf courses all over the world to adopt increasingly sustainable practices. With the changing availability of resources and rising costs, alongside an increasing awareness of the important role we can all play to protect the natural environment, golf has a massive part to play and I am excited that our colleagues at the GEO Foundation, and partners from other golfing bodies, will be joining us at BTME for what stands to be a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and discover new sustainable practices.”

The GEO Foundation will also be recognising Sustainable Golf Champions and will celebrate GEO Certified venues, with representatives invited to showcase what initiatives they have implemented at their golf facilities. There will also be prize draws for those who stop by to vote for a sustainability or climate action project shared by a fellow greenkeeper.

T H WHITE MOVE INTO COMMERCIAL ROBOTICS
New range taken on

Dealership has become a new regional dealer for range of robotic mowers.

T H White Groundcare has been announced as a regional dealer for the Belrobotics products from AMS Robotics.

With three branches in England at Redditch, Stockbridge and Tetbury (Knockdown), T H White are able to service the needs of customers in the Birmingham and West Midlands area, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Bristol, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey.

A spokesperson for T H White said, "These vast area mowers are perfect for turf farms and large private estates. By having GPS and RTK, this increases mowing capacity making them faster and more accurate.

"AMS products suit our existing professional customer base and we are frontrunners in the dealer network being able to supply this unique product to customers who don’t have time to cut grass."

COMPO EXPERT APPOINTS
New product manager

Compo Expert have appointed a new product manager

The German fertiliser manufacturer has announced the appointment of former product development manager at Agrovista Amenity.

German fertiliser manufacturer Compo Expert has announced the appointment of former Agrovista Amenity product development manager, Neil Pullen, as its new product manager.

Neil Pullen

Compo Expert say Neil brings his valuable insight of the sport turf sector to his new role, as well as a sound understanding of how their products meet the sector’s specific needs. In fact, he says he built his sales career through his understanding of the Floranid range of twin slow-release fertilisers, during his time at Kings Horticulture in the 1980s.

Within his new role, Neil will launch a wider range of products into the sports turf industry in Scandinavia, the UK & Ireland.

“My role will also involve customer research and working with Compo Expert chemists in Germany to help produce new and exciting technologies that will help to improve and maintain quality sports surfaces,2 Neil said.

Commenting on Neil’s appointment, Compo Expert managing director Gerald Bonner said, “Neil will ensure that the most up to date chemistry is being manufactured to create a product fit for our distributors and end users in the sports turf arena."

CELEBRATING 35 YEARS
With an Open Day

Family owned company say they are very proud to have reached this milestone.

Fentons of Bourne Ltd, the family-owned agricultural, estate and turf maintenance equipment supplier, is celebrating its 35th anniversary on 7 April with an Open Day at its head office in Kates Bridge near Bourne in Lincolnshire.

Some of the team at Fentons

The event will feature working demonstrations from manufacturers including Avant, Becx, Etesia , Farmtrac, Husqvarna, Homburg, Iseki, Major and more. Food and refreshments will be provided.

Commenting on his company’s milestone, Glen Bellamy said, "We are very proud that we have reached this milestone for the business. We have survived the precarious nature of various business cycles, the latest being the Covid pandemic, but we are still here and stronger than ever.

"I think our longevity is a combination of excellent customer service, the ability to adapt in a dynamic marketplace and a dedicated and loyal staff with unparalleled knowledge of the products we represent. We look forward to welcoming customers to Kates Bridge to help us celebrate on 7 April.”

KUBOTA'S CHARITY PARTNERSHIP CONTINUES
Benefits green space

Kubota's Rob Edwards with staff from Thomley

As part of its long term partnership with Thomley, the manufacturer has recently installed a new ride-on mower to help the three-man maintenance team.

Kubota has a long term partnership with Thomley, and has recently installed its latest G261 ride-on rotary mower to help the three-man maintenance team keep this green and pleasant space pristine.

Thomley is described as a special place in rural Oxfordshire, where the great outdoors brings together disabled and non-disabled children and adults to develop life skills and fulfil their potential.

Kubota's Rob Edwards with staff from Thomley

Founded in 1997 by parents of children with autism and other complex needs and registered as charity in 2001, Thomley’s eight-acre site near Thame delivers a programme of activities throughout the year from sports and outdoor play to creative pursuits and life skills.

In the grounds there’s a football pitch, playground equipment designed for the needs of disabled users, and one kilometre cycle track suitable for bicycles, tricycles and go karts. A new sensory garden has been created, and there are plans for a woodland area.

“Grounds maintenance is just one of our tasks, so having the Kubota mower makes a big difference,” explains David Francis, who heads up the team. “It takes about 10 hours to cut the whole grassed area, and there are different requirements according to its use.”

The football pitch, mini football and golf course fairways require the high level of presentation.

“I tend to cut those areas first and then it’s a quick job to raise the deck and top some of the longer areas. We also like to cut paths through long grass for the children to enjoy exploring, or produce a tidy area for camping.”

Kubota tractor business unit marketing manager Rob Edwards, added, “We have supported the Thomley Hall Centre for several years now. Thomley was identified though the employee forum several years ago as a deserving community organisation to support, and continues to be a key partner in the programme of Kubota community support activities undertaken in the surrounding area to our Thame head office. We are very pleased to continue our association with the loan of the very latest G261 ride on mower.”

Sponsored announcements

LANTRA & HOZELOCK-EXCEL TO PROMOTE KNAPSACK SPRAYER BEST PRACTISE
At BTME next week

David Fisher, Lantra Head of Industry Partnerships

A new initiative between leading land-based training body Lantra and sprayer specialists Hozelock-Exel aims to raise operator awareness of the mechanics of knapsack sprayers to improve performance and longevity of equipment.

BTME 2022

Lantra stand 168 Blue Zone

Raising operator awareness of the importance of sprayer maintenance is a key priority for both Lantra and Hozelock-Exel in what is a drive to reverse the throwaway culture endemic in the industry.

Units available to trainers include the Berthoud 16l capacity Vermorel 2000 Comfort, the 20l Cooper Pegler CP3 Evolution and giant telescopic lances, particularly helpful for arb applications.

David Fisher, Lantra Head of Industry Partnerships, says: “It’s only by working closely with industry experts, including manufacturers like Hozelock, that Lantra is able keep in touch with current industry requirements and trends and tailor our training appropriately.

"Our Instructors, who are key in ensuring relevant industry comment is fed into our development process, are particularly impressed with the Hozelock cutaway units that help demonstrate functionality so comprehensively, and discussions have also highlighted an opportunity for potentially including a maintenance module to some of sprayer courses – a great example of effective partnership in practice”

Continuing the theme, Hozelock UK National Account Manager Allan Wainwright said: “Sprayer lifetimes can be considerably extended by operators ensuring they complete checks regularly, especially before storing sprayers for winter and preparing them for work in spring.

“Contractors should avoid viewing professional sprayers as items disposable as soon as there’s a hitch. The more operators know about how sprayers work, the more likely they are to be able to diagnose and rectify any functionality issues.”

Hozelock-Exel is committed to a programme of product support for trainers and instructors nationwide to extend knowledge of knapsack and compression sprayers.

Lantra instructor Doug Price commented: “As a freelance instructor, constantly moving from place to place, I can feel a bit isolated. But the background support I receive by being part of the Lantra team makes me feel less of a `lone wolf`.

“Their industry links are invaluable,” he added, “and this latest initiative with Hozelock-Exel is a prime example of the backing Lantra provide and the mutual respect both have for each other’s brand."

Allan concluded: “I believe that Lantra’s network of fully qualified trainers will be able to inject know-how of sprayer function in a way that will allow students to engage more completely with what are vital products in the groundscare sector.”

www.lantra.co.uk
www.cooper-pegler.com
www.berthoud.fr/en/

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