Grounds Management May 2021 Preview

Making sport possible WESLEY MATTHEWS

Q&A with awardwinning volunteer

COVID-19 UPDATE

A 12-month industry review

GRAY LEAF SPOT DISEASE How to spot the symptoms

GLORIOUS GOODWOOD An agronomist’s view of racecourse surfaces

May 2021 | £4.00

GROUNDS MANAGEMENT

MAY 2021

WELCOME Back to the future The UK is on course to have all social contact restrictions lifted on June 21 which, together with the rollout of nationwide vaccinations, will thankfully allow us all to get back to business and social activity – and will enable the GMA to plan a safe return of SALTEX in November.

We have been overwhelmed by the amount of exhibitors that have confirmed their attendance at the NEC and are equally pleased with the reaction to our visitor survey findings, which confirm that November is viewed as the optimum month to stage the exhibition. Our operations team are now working with the venue to deliver a safe event to help maximise exhibitors’ return on investment and ensure visitors get the most out of their attendance.

As a result of the pandemic, the GMA is also undertaking a thorough review of our membership, products and services and will be bringing about several exciting changes throughout this year and into 2022. We have already brought more training courses online and launched the inaugural #GroundsWeek initiative, to help raise the profile, status and standing of our profession, and plan to enhance our activities at next year’s event from February 28 to March 6.

We are very aware of some of the difficult and stressful challenges faced by our members during this difficult COVID year, and will continue to raise your profile and campaign on key industry issues on your behalf.

I hope you enjoy meeting up with friends and family again and look forward Next to seeing you all at SALTEX. issue of

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GROUNDS MANAGEMENT

Geoff Webb Chief Executive Officer Grounds Management Association

out from June 3

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REGULARS

FEATURES

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Industry news News and product innovations from across the industry

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GaNTIP update A pitch maitenance plan for Bedworth Eagles FC

Special Report: COVID-19 More than a year after the pandemic first hit, this special report reflects on how COVID-19 restrictions have affected the grounds care industry

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In Action Major Swift Roller Mower is a winner at Ludlow Racecourse and Wembley goes electric

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Maintenance tips What to do in June

An agronomists view of Goodwood All racecourses must retain the services of a turf consultant. But what exactly do they look for?

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Product Showcase Spotlight on data-driven technology, fertilisers and grass seed

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Gray Leaf Spot Part one of an in-depth look at gray leaf spot – a potentially devastating turfgrass disease

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60 seconds with...

Quickfire questions with award-winning volunteer groundsperson Wesley Matthews

This magazine is printed using paper from responsible sources

GROUNDS MANAGEMENT ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Editorial address: 28 Stratford Office Village, Walker Avenue, Wolverton Mill East, Milton Keynes MK12 5TW | t:01908 312511 GMA membership and general enquiries: t:01908 312511 | e:membership@thegma.org.uk Magazine subscriptions: Jo Cornford | t:01908 312511 | e:accounts@thegma.org.uk Subscriptions: £72 UK | £82 Europe | £112 rest of world Published by: James Pembroke Media ■ Editor: Karen Maxwell | e:editor@thegma.org.uk | t:07866 736597 Publisher: James Houston ■ Product editor: Emma Dance | e:emma.dance@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk Head of design: Simon Goddard ■ To advertise in this magazine: t:020 3859 7097 | e:sales@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk

GROUNDS MANAGEMENT is published monthly by the Grounds Management Association. All material is copyright of the Grounds Management Association and may not be reproduced without permission. The publishers do not accept responsibility for any advertisement appearing in the journal and cannot be held liable for editorial omissions or errors. The views expressed in the journal are not necessarily those of the Grounds Management Association.

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 3

UPDATE

UPDATE | NEWS

THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM GMA AND THE INDUSTRY

The GMA is looking for engaging speakers and educational topics for SALTEX Learning LIVE 2021

Award for KAR UK

CALL FOR PAPERS

SALTEX Learning LIVE 2021 ORGANISERS OF SALTEX are looking for the best speakers in the grounds management industry to showcase their knowledge at the show, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on November 3 and 4 2021.

Learning LIVE, SALTEX’s allencompassing education programme, provides advice, insight and real solutions to the biggest issues that the grounds management industry care about most. Organisers aim for the seminar programme to be engaging, informative and educational for attendees.

Since its creation in 2015, the most popular Learning LIVE sessions have been case studies and presentations from companies or individuals who are prepared to share their personal experience and learnings.

If you have a story to share or consider yourself a field specialist, then we want to hear from you.

Each proposal will be evaluated and those that most closely match the needs of the attendees will then be selected.

To submit a proposal visit: gmasaltex.co.uk/learning-live2021-call-for-papers/

KAR UK has been named as Kasco’s European Distributor of the Year 2020.

For over 50 years, Kasco – a family-owned company, has offered world-leading water quality solutions.

Today, the company manufactures high quality products such as fountains, surface aerators, diffused aerators, de-icers, circulators and beneficial bacteria to aquatic industries – all of which are designed to improve water quality.

KAR UK – a leading wholesaler of irrigation equipment in the UK, distribute the innovative Kasco product portfolio and, over the past couple of years, has seen an increasing demand for the products.

“It came as a bit of a shock to me,” admitted KAR UK regional sales manager Roger Lupton. “We were aware that we had an exceptionally good and buoyant year with Kasco products, but we didn’t know quite to what extent.

“To be awarded this, above all the other companies throughout Europe is a great achievement – especially during a pandemic.

It is very pleasing to be recognised for all the work we are doing with Kasco.” karuk.com

M OV E R S & S H A K E R S

New regional business manager for South West and Midlands DAVID TIMMS is delighted to be working with Toro again as the new regional business manager for Reesink Turfcare in the Southwest and Midlands.

“It’s great to be back working with Toro and Reesink,” says David. “I’ve had a love for the brand since working with them 18 years ago. The build quality, innovation and range that Toro provides is above and beyond competitors, so I feel very fortunate to be in a role where I can confidently sell the best machinery in the market. The most exciting part of the job is definitely the opportunity it provides to build on existing and new relationships with customers in the industry.”

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SPECIAL REPORT | COVID-19

COVID-19 – REFLECTING ON AN

EXTRAORDINARY YEAR IN GROUNDS CARE “The grass still grows” could have been the ground management industry’s slogan of 2020 – while we lived through a stop, start…stop again routine, nature carried on doing what it has always done, year-on-year, with or without an international pandemic. We look at how the past 12 months has affected the industry Andy Carmichael Freelance writer

Keep up to date with GMA news and information regarding COVID-19, visit: thegma.org.uk

8 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | MAY 2021

I N A R ECO R D - B R E A K I N G Y E A R for weather in the UK which, according to the Met Office, provided the sunniest spring, a summer heatwave and a day in October that broke all rainfall records, grounds staff – from volunteer to professional – had to continue managing their surfaces, fearful of what could happen if turf was left unchecked, and preparing for the moment we were given the go ahead to resume sport and outdoor activity.

Such has been the degree of change in our lives it is worth remembering how the last 12 months have unfolded. The UKwide lockdown was announced on March 23, as we watched the well-attended sporting spectacles at the Cheltenham racing festival and the Athletico Madrid/ Liverpool game at Anfield Stadium. A carefully managed sporting summer ensued, giving way to more lockdowns and tiered restrictions across the country. The impact of the pandemic has been felt across all sports, at all levels. It has not simply been a ‘rain stopped play’ pause, the unprecedented lockdown period forced the industry to adapt and ensure surfaces were ready for return to play, when allowed

Adapting to change During this past year, I have spoken with

many people that have been working tirelessly in turfcare environments.

Within the professional sector, head groundsperson Jim Buttar recently described how renovations at Twickenham were undertaken ‘out of sequence’ to retain pitch quality for the return of international rugby union games. Head groundsmen Greg Smith and Charlie Yeomans at the Universities of Nottingham and Warwick discussed the issue of furloughed grounds teams while multiple sports facilities on vast campuses still had to be managed. And rather than a face-to-face interview with Castleford Tigers’ grounds manager Stuart Vause, we had a virtual chat that was similar to the communication method he was using with club players to discuss the reasons why they were unable to use the rugby league turf he has been maintaining for many years – to award-winning standards.

At the volunteer level, there have been lone workers with no immediate game to prepare for yet no fewer tasks to do. It has been a particular lockdown struggle for many of us yearning for outdoor activity, yet the restrictions have prevented us from taking part in the community sport experience we crave. Without regular income from pitch hire and spectators, funding for grassroots sport clubs has fortunately been made available by the

COVID-19 | SPECIAL REPORT

The pandemic posed many challenges for grounds care professionals

national governing bodies of sport, aided by the continuity of elite-level competition that has continued to benefit from commercial partnership arrangements. Among the numerous financial support packages for sport clubs, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made ‘Return to Cricket’ awards available, the Football Foundation has allowed access to ‘Grass Pitch Maintenance’ funding support, Sport England has modified its funding streams to help people safely return to play, and there is the possibility of a small business grant if a club occupies premises. Crowdfunding also became a valuable opportunity for some clubs with Morpeth Cricket Club raising the £20,000 it needed to replace its net area.

What’s the next step?

Although the major UK sports competitions have identified solutions that will allow play, supporter attendance is still tentative. For mass participation sport we now have a Government roadmap for sports return, albeit with careful management, [the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium is one of the first pilot events] and the turf industry is set to proceed on this assumed timescale.

Paul Jackson, grounds manager at Tynemouth Cricket Club, and ECB pitch advisor, has been preparing surfaces throughout the last 12 months.

In addition to his club’s facilities, Paul maintains four winter sports pitches, a cricket square and ornamental beds at King’s Priory Academy, plus North Shields FC’s pitch, Forest Hall Young People’s Club and areas at King Edward Primary School. At times, nobody knew when those sites would be open again, but Paul knew the demand would be high and sporting seasons potentially extended to redress losses. “Rather hectic” is his modest appraisal of the year. Some people assume the whole nation spent lockdown watching Netflix, clearly not if they worked in grounds management.

Supporting efforts, such as Paul’s, have been the manufacturers, suppliers and advisors across the country. Martin Stephenson, amenity sales manager at Turfcare Specialists tells me the work has been different, but just as busy. When site visits were rendered impossible, technology came to the fore with clients sending images for assessment and guidance. Supply of products, personnel and equipment, always on exacting schedules to fit pre- and post-season renovations,

had an extra level of considerations.

This is not a sector with one single demand that can be met with a generic solution, there is a level of individual need and specification that has been maintained in the face of incredible challenges. My own club, Cleveland Hall Community Association, had been aware the 3G football training pitch needed replacing, and our club leader Bob Boustead used the temporary stoppage of the first lockdown as an opportunity to act.

SIS Pitches were commissioned after competitive tender, temporary access roads built, secure areas constructed and returning youth players found a stunning new facility on their return.

This is a scene that will greet thousands of sports participants around the country as restrictions are lifted. Sport has become so integral to our lives – socially, economically, and for mental health and wellbeing – that it has been a key feature of government considerations and briefings. For it to be possible, however, it needs a community of dedicated turf managers, employed and voluntary, at professional and grassroots level, all working to make their sports surfaces safe and accessible – and the grass will never stop growing. ■

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 9

BEST PRACTICE | GOODWOOD RACECOURSE

Gareth Phillips Consultant agronomist, PSD Labosport

AN AGRONOMIST’S VIEW OF RACECOURSE SURFACES Professional Sports Turf Design, Labosport (PSD) provides agronomic support to over 45 racecourses – but apart from going on a long walk and digging holes in tracks, what exactly do they look at? Gareth Phillips explains

12 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | MAY 2021

GOODWOOD RACECOURSE | BEST PRACTICE

sward coverage is essential.

Generally, varieties of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) are used on racecourses for repairs after racing and for overseeding the track during the renovation period. These include diploid and tetraploid plants, due to their ability to withstand vigorous wear and tear, to recover quickly and germinate in a range of temperatures throughout the year.

Racing lines generally have higher amounts of perennial ryegrass, outside of these areas the swards are usually very mixed.

Procumbent growth

Under British Horse Racing Association rules, all racecourses must retain the services of a turf consultant and produce the report as part of their racing licence requirements

GRASS SWARD DENSITY, the amount of cover and the growth habit of sward components all affect the way a racecourse track behaves underfoot. A consistent, dense sward offers a degree of surface cushioning and is also related to topsoil texture and moisture content. A lack of cover and wet, soft, heavy topsoil can cause horses to struggle to maintain momentum as energy is lost trying to get out of a deeper surface, whereas just getting a toe in is sufficient to enable purchase off the surface to maintain forward momentum.

Considering that a thoroughbred racehorse would be, on average, 500kg in weight and range from 4000kg (15hh horse) to 600kg (16.3hh horse) they are capable of significantly damaging the turf in poor conditions, so having a dense

As agronomists, we tend to talk about ‘procumbent’ growth – a word that originates from the Latin ‘procumbere’, which means to fall forwards, and this can be caused by several factors: • Excessive nitrogen applications • Frequent irrigation • Mowing in the same direction and along the same lines • Infrequent mowing frequency • Mowing in wet conditions • Infrequent raking to lift prostrate plant material • Stoloniferous grasses • Regular/frequent rolling Potential issues relating to horse racing tracks from procumbent growth relate to an increase in surface organic material. Stems lying on top of stems can create a soft, slippery surface with increased water holding potential, and a suitable habitat for pests and diseases.

Procumbent growth and excessive stoloniferous growth (rough stalked meadow grass, creeping bent grass etc.) results in a slippery racing surface – particularly on downhill sections and bends. This causes an increased risk of falling, with the plant material being severed by hoof action, resulting in loose yellowing plant material (dieback) when the divot is formed and creating larger areas of dieback than normal.

Control measures Excessive lateral growth restricts horses from moving forward. Grasses then tend to shallow root in the increased organic matter density at the surface interface and will

All-Weather Track Testing PSD Labosport have developed a series of tests to assess the condition and quality of the all-weather racing track. Results are used to ensure the track meets with BHA requirements and offers information on the track’s condition and performance expectations, so maintenance programmes can be tailored.

Testing involves in-situ assessments at agreed locations around the track and includes: surface depth checks; visual assessment of cushion (upper layer) and pad (lower layers); bitmac or membrane layers covering the formation layer; and infiltration rates through pad and through bitmac course/membrane – depending upon installation type.

Laboratory testing of sample materials collected at bespoke depths of the track include: moisture content; composition of material components; sand grading characteristics; mechanical shake test at room temperature and 4° and extraction of wax from parent material.

Orono Biomechanical Surface Tester (OBST) – Equestrian Surface Testing The OBST mimics the action of a horse planting its leg onto a surface – giving benchmark data prior to the upgrading of all-weather surfaces before and after track upgrades. It has also been used in trail work for temporary surfaces and arenas in the UK. It measures: • Cushioning – how the surface layers dampen shock during the loading phase • Firmness – how this affects the amount of support and how shock wave forces are distributed during the landing phase • Responsiveness and Rebound – referring to the resiliency of the surface to return to its original form, returning energy after the weight of the horse is applied • Grip – the tightness of the surface affects grip, which aids in absorbing shock during the landing phase and provides support and traction during push off and when turning

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 13

PART ONE

Photo R Clark, AGS

TECHNICAL UPDATE

A DETAILED LOOK AT GRAY LEAF SPOT

1

In August 2020, Gray Leaf Spot disease was confirmed as the cause of damage to a stadium pitch in the UK. Part one of this two-part series gives indepth information on the fungus, how it infects the plant and the symptoms that develop

Sabine Braitmaier Managing director, ProSementis GmbH

Dr Deborah Cox Lagan Valley Scientific

Dr Kate Entwistle The Turf Disease Centre

16 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | MAY 2021

LET’S START WITH THE FUNGUS. All living organisms have a Latin name; a scientific name that places the organism within a specific genus and species. This groups together organisms that share similar characteristics so that we know all organisms within a certain genus will look or act in a similar way. Within a genus, some individuals may show differences in form or function and we allocate a species name to show that there are slight differences present. We can further separate the species into sub-species, to focus on the differences of individual organisms. This orderly classification helps us to understand new or previously undescribed organisms in the early days of their discovery.

Uniquely, fungi have always been

ascribed two Latin names – one for each of their sexual and asexual stages.

For the fungus that causes Gray Leaf Spot (GLS) disease, the genus name of the sexual stage is Magnaporthe and that of the asexual stage is Pyricularia.

However, it was recently decided that fungal classification should be brought in line with all other organisms and there should be only one Latin name, regardless of the sexual/asexual stage of the fungus and that meant deciding which of the two names was the most appropriate. Although research has confirmed sexual reproduction of the fungus is possible in the laboratory, the sexual stage of the fungus has not (to our knowledge) been confirmed as occurring in nature. Quite possibly,

GLS is a fungal disease that can occur in warm- and cool-season turfgrasses and was initially identified in 1991, following the outbreak of a serious blight disease on a Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) fairway in the USA. Most notably, St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) and Kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum) are the most affected warm season grasses and Perennial Ryegrass (L. perenne) and Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) the most affected, commonly used, cool season turfgrasses. Due to its extensive use, not only in sports fields (as natural pitches and in various hybrid turf systems) but increasingly in golf courses and other amenity areas, L. perenne is arguably the most important turfgrass to be affected by this disease. GLS can develop aggressively in young plants and four to five-week-old seedlings are extremely susceptible to infection.

What are the symptoms of infection?

The disease symptoms will vary depending on the grass type affected and the age of infected plants. The most severe outbreaks tend to develop in newly established swards and they are a major concern where areas are regularly re-seeded with L. perenne.

It is important to mention that initial symptoms of GLS disease develop on turf areas that receive the most amount of sunlight and that shaded or partshaded turf area are less affected.

The initial symptoms are small, dark brown spots or lesions (1mm to 3mm diameter) on the leaf and stem tissues that may appear ‘watersoaked’. These lesions have a purple-coloured margin

2

3 Image 1 (opposite): General symptoms of GLS on L. perenne Image 2: Leaf symptoms of GLS infection on L. perenne Image 3: L. perenne plant with dark stem base

OUTBREAKS CAN CAUSE STADIUM PITCH DESTRUCTION WITHIN THREE TO FIVE DAYS

The simple life cycle of the Gray Leaf Spot foliar fungal disease Figure 1

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 17

Photo A Cole, iTurf Management

What turfgrasses can be affected by P. oryzae?

and may also have a yellowish zone of leaf tissue surrounding them. Individual leaves may also become twisted (Photo 2). When the disease is active, the number of leaf lesions will increase and will enlarge rapidly. In warm-season turf, infected leaves will die and become brown, giving a dark cast to the sward but in cool-season turf, the leaf infection develops into patches of dead turf that rapidly expand and coalesce. In the early stages of the disease, symptoms may be confused with those of heat or drought stress and in the later stages the disease can be misidentified as Pythium blight. In affected L. perenne turf, the stem base tissue often becomes dark brown in colour (Photo 3) and can lead to a costly misdiagnosis of Basal Rot Anthracnose disease.

Active GLS outbreaks can result in the partial or complete destruction of a stadium pitch within three to five days. One unmistakable symptom of this active disease is the development of a countless number of spores on the affected plant tissues. The spores are held away from the plant surface on specialised mycelial structures called sporophores and each sporophore will support several spores. The individual spores are pear-shaped and contain three separate cells. Their characteristic shape makes microscopic diagnosis of active disease quick and decisive. The mass of spores produced from each lesion causes the development of a gray, ‘velvet-like’ covering to the affected

Illustration Sabine Braitmaier

for that reason, it has been decided that the genus name for the causal fungus should be Pyricularia and the species that specifically infects amenity turfgrasses should be P. oryzae.

Although the currently accepted name for the fungus that causes GLS in managed amenity turf is Pyricularia oryzae there are published articles and scientific papers that have used the names Pyricularia grisea, Magnaporthe grisea or Magnaporthe oryzae. It is important to know is that they are all talking about the same disease problem.

Photo S Braitmaier

GRAY LEAF SPOT | TECHNICAL UPDATE

GMA MAINTENANCE TIPS

June operations Our monthly maintenance guide to help you keep your sports surfaces in top condition all year round Bowling Greens • By now the greens should be producing a very good playing surface.

• Verticut and groom regularly to help control annual meadow grass seed head production and to produce a more upright growing grass sward.

This will also provide a faster surface without the need to reduce the height of cut.

• Maintain a suitable height of cut, typically mowing four or five times per week.

• Disease pressures may increase this month and localised Dry Patch may start to appear however, this condition should not be confused with a poorly developed root system, which will also produce a rapid browning and drying of the surface.

• Surface aeration should not be neglected.

consider control methods.

• A balanced fertiliser application may be required towards the end of the month.

• Immediately after a game is finished, carry out minor repairs and overseeing.

• Weed control may be required, especially if none was carried out in May. • Continue to mow regularly, including courses that are rested over the summer.

Cricket Outfields

• Regular cutting is advised to thicken up the sward, generally cut no lower than 20-25mm.

• Irrigate as required where possible.

• Keep on top of turf grooming to help control the poa annua.

• Overseeding may be required.

• Make sure markings are bright and consistent.

• Control weeds if required.

• On the amateur side, if a renovation was completed then a light topping off of the sward may be needed.

• Cut on a regular basis each week with a ride on/pedestrian cylinder mower if possible, reduce frequency of cut and increase height of cut in hot dry conditions as growth rate decreases.

• Check outfield for broad/narrow leaved weeds and consider control methods if required. Only apply a herbicide when growth is active and ground/climatic conditions are favourable.

• Repair any worn/damaged areas as soon as possible.

Rugby League Pitches

Rugby Union Pitches

Cricket Squares

Football Pitches

• Continue using the verticutter, rake or brush to maintain a clean upright sward.

• Weed growth may be a problem, so

• Make sure any end of season renovation work is properly maintained.

• Important maintenance includes: regular irrigation; a balanced fertiliser application; overseeding areas that aren’t thickening up; cut regularly as conditions and growth allows to promote thickening sward; lightly top dress any uneven areas • Try to keep people and animals off the renovated areas.

• The end of season renovation should be completed by now.

• Post-renovation work will include: • Artificial irrigation, if inadequate rainfall occurs, to aid grass seed growth and establishment.

• A light topping of the new sward.

• A light rolling of some areas to refirm contact between newly germinated and establishing seeds and the soil profile.

• Erecting ‘keep off the grass’ signs for players and the general public.

Horse Racecourses

Tennis Courts

• Routine maintenance work over the summer months include: • Frequent artificial irrigation to produce a firm ground for race meetings • A liquid nitrogen fertiliser may be considered in June for the home straight, show paddock and ornamental lawns around the grandstand area. Alternatively, the whole racecourse might be treated to a light nitrogen application • Continue to divot and repair after each meeting

• Roll if there is still a suitable amount of moisture within the soil profile. Avoid rolling if there has been a prolonged dry spell as the soil surface may crack and crumble.

• Check nets and winding gears are in good condition.

• If there are any events, additional brushing and mowing may be carried out.

• Verticut and groom regularly, take care around renovated areas, with the blades probably needing to be raised over these areas.

Xxxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 19

PRODUCT SHOWCASE DATA DRIVEN TECHNOLOGY

SOIL SCOUT

A sensor system like no other Soil Scout is the first-ever soil sensor solution that allows you to place any number of fully buried wireless sensors all across an area, giving you a complete real-time underground weather map at your fingertips. It is the most advanced and cost-efficient soil monitoring solution

for professionals working in golf and sports turf maintenance.

By using Soil Scout, sports turf professionals become better informed by their data-driven agronomy. The system enables learning and controlling of soil conditions for optimised growth, as well as savings in operational costs and inputs. Golf courses and sports fields use Soil Scout to improve turf quality, minimise quality variations, and reduce maintenance costs, chemical usage and water consumption.

Soil Scout sensors measure soil moisture,

temperature and salinity, and transmit real-time data to the base station for uploading to our cloud server at regular intervals. You can log onto the web-based monitoring service for soil conditions anytime, anywhere with a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Soil Scout wireless sensors are easy and quick to install. The fully buried sensors don’t disturb turf maintenance, golfers, athletes, or players. You can start with a handful of sensors and add more later. Featuring a battery lifetime of up to 20 years, the sensors operate their entire life autonomously in the ground and do not need battery replacements, software updates or maintenance. soilscout.com

GGM GROUP

New robotic innovation The GGM Group has signed a new distribution agreement with Swiss manufacturer Ronovatec to promote an innovative new robotic mower for sports grounds maintenance throughout the UK. GGM Group plan to arrange the first public demonstration of the all new RoviMo, as soon as government restrictions allow. RoviMo’s intelligent design allows for the autonomous mowing of professional sports turf saving potentially thousands of man hours in the maintenance of sports fields and stadia.

The RoviMo is the world’s first intelligent electric vehicle capable of mowing patterns autonomously according to the guidelines of national football associations, UEFA and FIFA, precisely and over the shortest distance, horizontally, vertically and

with a chessboard pattern, at the touch of a button.

Supervision of the mowing process by an employee is not necessary.

Operated simply and efficiently remotely via an app, RoviMo can also be used for mowing other large green areas, such as company premises or parks, and will be developed to be utilised by golf courses. RoviMo® is a multifunctional equipment carrier, which will be able to carry out other work processes such as maintenance of artificial turf, line marking and various other labourintensive tasks.

RoviMo is currently in its final stages of development and field testing with the first machine installations in July 2021. GGM is planning to arrange several demonstration events over the coming months, current restrictions permitting. promo.ggmgroundscare.com/RoviMo

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 23

IN ACTION

Major is a solid win for Ludlow Racecourse

A sizeable portion of the racecourse’s 20ha site is grass, which has to be kept in top condition. “We have upgraded our mowing system to a new Major MJ71-400F and I think it plays a huge part in what we are trying to achieve Major Swift is elevating prestige here,” says Tom. and reputation at Ludlow The Major Swift Roller Racecourse in Shropshire Mower is a gear-driven rotary mower, which eliminates Racegoers, jockeys and owners issues associated with belt systems. appreciate Ludlow Racecourse for The four metre working width has 12 its easy, free-draining track and blades that overlap by 60mm, and six presenting race conditions, which rotors deliver high blade tip speeds of could be considered good and good75 m/s for consistent cut in a variety to-soft – even in a wet winter. Since of conditions.

Tom Moreland was appointed head “We can cover the ground much groundsman three years ago to faster than the previous mower, and by enhance track performance, racing is having it front-mounted, we can mow now at a new level. right up to the fences and around posts Tom’s GMA learning expertise and trees, without it being difficult for spurred specific changes in how the the operator,” continues Tom. course prepares for race days. Ludlow Ludlow Racecourse uses an 85hp holds around 16 race days between Kubota tractor to power the Major October and May. MJ71 and the team cut to British

Wembley goes electric INFINICUT FL mowers fit The FA’s sustainability agenda

Due to the FA’s drive towards increasing sustainable practices, Wembley Stadium is now the home of five lithium batterypowered 34” INFINICUT FL mowers.

When it came to acquiring a new fleet of stadium mowers, grounds manager Karl Standley says the electric route was the way to go. “Lockdown last year gave us the opportunity to really look in-depth at the different options available.

Three things really stood out for me with the INFINICUT machines – one was the battery life; another was the versatility,

The Major Swift Roller Mower is proving a winner at Ludlow Racecourse

Horseracing Authority specifications of four inches. “The real benefit of the Major is the quality of cut,” says Tom. “It leaves a really nice stripe, just like that of a cylinder mower. When we have the course prepared for race day, it looks stunning because of the way the mower leaves the grass, nicely cut, even, level and striped. I think I can safely say that I know a winner when I see one!” major-equipment.com

but perhaps the biggest thing was the balance. A football pitch will never be 100 per cent even, there will always be an undulation of a couple of millimetres here and there and with the INFINICUT, it almost ‘sticks’ to the surface. The floating head reads the pitch, every camber, every tiny movement and the whole team was very impressed by that and it shows in the quality of finish.”

Regarding noise reduction, Karl says they’ve had all five machines running together in preparation for a number of fixtures and “prep has never been quieter”. He adds: “The massive reduction in HAV for the operators is another important benefit and the INFINI’s came out with the lowest HAV score of all the equipment we have.”

The FA is now actively finding the previous mower fleet a new home at clubs and organisations at grassroots level. infinicut.com

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 11