The Groundsman October 2019

THE

GROUNDSMAN WWW.IOG.ORG

OCTOBER 2019 £4.00

ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE IN GROUNDS MANAGEMENT

HEADINGLEY HEROES The team’s secrets behind its world-class surfaces

IOG AWARDS FINALISTS

SALTEX PREVIEW Get the most out of this unmissable event!

INS IDE

LEARNING LIVE COMPLETE PROGRAMME CAMPAIGN FOR NEW AMENITY STANDARD SALTEX SHOWCASE: THE MOST EXCITING LAUNCHES ALL THAT’S NEW IN AERATION NOVEMBER MAINTENANCE TIPS THE LATEST TURF NEWS

We reveal the 2019 shortlist page 19

Contents REGULARS

October 2019 IOG AWARDS SHORTLIST

05 Welcome

Sport’s vital profession gathers

Discover this year’s finalists page 19

07 Update

A new chair for the IOG, and other stories from the industry

14 GaNTIP update

Saving Keswick FC’s grounds after devastating flooding

16 SALTEX news

All you need to know about this year’s innovative event

53 Product showcase

23

The best aeration buys for quick and easy results

58 Tools and guidance

Turf care advice for November

FEATURES 19 IOG awards finalists

We reveal the talented bunch who made this year’s shortlist

23 SALTEX Learning Live

The complete programme of educational sessions you can attend at this year’s event

28 Best practice

ON THE COVER

28

Emerald Headingley’s head groundsman, Andy Fogarty, on what makes world-class sporting grounds

SALTEX returns to the NEC, Birmingham to showcase your industry

33 Tech update

The Amenity Forum on why now is the right time for a brand new Amenity Standard

36 SALTEX showcase

The most exciting groundscare products launching at SALTEX this year

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THE GROUNDSMAN

Editorial address: 28 Stratford Office Village, Walker Avenue, Wolverton Mill East, Milton Keynes MK12 5TW t: 01908 312511 Managing editor Karen Maxwell e: kmaxwell@iog.org t: 01908 552987 Features editor Colin Hoskins e: editor@iog.org t: 07785 293077 Product editor Lizzie Hufton e: lizzie.hufton@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk t: 01225 337777 IOG membership and general enquiries t: 01908 312511 e: membership@iog.org Magazine subscriptions Jo Cornford t: 01908 312511 e: accounts@iog.org Subscriptions £72 UK, £82 Europe, £112 rest of world Publisher James Houston Head of design Simon Goddard Group ad sales manager Lee Morris e: lee.morris@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk t: 0203 859 7097 Published by James Pembroke Media

The Groundsman is published monthly by the Institute of Groundsmanship. All material is copyright of the Institute of Groundsmanship 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 Institute of Groundsmanship.

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Welcome

Contributors

Sport’s vital profession gathers

Karen Maxwell Managing editor

The overriding message at every SALTEX is: “Take time to educate yourself”, because the show provides the perfect opportunity to do just that. Whether by attending the Learning LIVE debates and presentations, by finding out about the latest training and education courses, or by checking out the thousands of products on view from almost 300 exhibitors all under one roof at the Birmingham NEC, the whole event is designed to inform, educate and enthuse you.

Colin Hoskins Features editor

Also, at this year’s show – on October 30 & 31 – we will be revealing the findings of our independent industry research, ‘Groundsmanship – Sport’s Vital Profession’, and providing more details about our ‘Grounds4Sport’ campaign to help raise the profile of the sector and to give turf a ‘reboot’. In addition, our regional pitch advisors will be on hand to give advice and guidance as well as to present the latest updates from the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme after having visited more than 5,000 football pitches and creating the largest data set ever recorded for grassroots sport. And, of course, celebrate with us at the IOG Awards, too – this year hosted by the BBC’s Dan Walker.

Ian Mather-Brewster GaNTIP national account manager – cricket

Whether you are setting out on a career in sports turf management or simply want to become a volunteer, I would encourage you to check out the many training and education courses available to enable you do that.

Visit the IOG Hub and help yourself to a copy of our latest IOG Prospectus which outlines a wide range of integrated learning packages to give you the choice of access online, in the classroom, or in the workplace through our blended learning approach. The wide choice has been designed to suit your needs and your lifestyle.

John Moverley Amenity Forum chair

There’s nowhere better than SALTEX to find out more about everything related to turf. And remember, entrance is free.

See you at SALTEX! Steve Hewitt Amenity Forum

Geoff Webb Chief Executive The Institute of Groundsmanship

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Chris Bennett SALTEX press officer

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U P D AT E

Update

READ MORE

IOG NEWS

Read all the latest news and updates, and discover what members are entitled to www.iog.org

THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM THE IOG AND THE INDUSTRY

David Carpenter has been on the IOG Board for nine years

NEWS

FUNDING PLAN

WOMEN’S SPORT CASH SPORT IRELAND IS to invest more than €3m (£2.7m) to create more sporting opportunities for women and girls in the country.

The funding will be made available for national governing bodies of sport through the relaunched Women in Sport Programme.

WEMBLEY WIN

GREEN STADIUM IOG NEWS

DAVID CARPENTER BECOMES CHAIR OF IOG AS DAVID CARPENTER takes over as chair of the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), he says his three-year tenure in the post will be a case of evolution not revolution. “I see my role as being one of continuity and building on the excellent work of a great Board,” he says. “And one of the ways forward is by utilising every aspect of market intelligence possible so that the IOG can continue to bang the drum for the industry.”

With a pedigree of success in his former roles with the (as was) Sports Council and the Lottery Fund, David – who has been an IOG Board member for nine years – is certain he can make a difference.

He says that much of the ammunition for this campaign will come from the IOG’s most recent industry survey, ‘Groundsmanship – Sport’s Vital Profession’, the results of which will be released on 30 October at SALTEX (Birmingham NEC).

“The research not only reveals the value of the industry but also highlights an important area that really needs to be championed – and that’s the fact that KEEP IN TOUCH

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not enough young people are taking up groundscare.

“That’s something I really want to change. The Young IOG Board has been a fantastic initiative, but we need to continue to lift the image and profile of a career in this industry.

“It is clear that job satisfaction is high – once people enter this sector they tend to stay in it – but we must do more to not only address salaries but, importantly, to also promote the high skill sets that are required to maintain our sports surfaces.

“Today’s grounds professionals can justifiably be called turf scientists and their work is essential to the success of sport. That is a message that we must drum home again and again.”

He adds: “We have to improve the skills and knowledge of everyone involved in turf care. And we have to continue to raise the profile of the IOG and cement its status as the ‘go-to’ organisation for everything to do with turf care and playing surfaces. It will be a five- to 10-year programme and I can’t wait to get started.”

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WEMBLEY STADIUM HAS been awarded the highest standard of sustainability by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

Achievements at Wembley, which is owned and operated

by The Football Association, include donating soil from the pitch to local parks.

WIN FOR AGS

BEST IN BUSINESS ADVANCE GRASS SOLUTIONS (AGS) won the Best New Business category at the 2019 Best Business Awards. The judges said the firm had come up with a sound formula for that perfect playing surface and the AGS management had set “credible foundations around a solid business model”.

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U P D AT E

NEWS

TRAINEES

Ransomes Jabobsen takes on engineering apprentices GROUNDSCARE MACHINERY FIRM Ransomes Jacobsen has added 12 new engineering trainees to its apprenticeship scheme.

The programme is now in its seventh year with 27 apprentices working through the craft, welding and technical areas of the manufacturing process.

The machines the apprentices help build are used at major sporting venues from Ipswich to Dubai.

Simon Rainger, operations director at Ransomes Jacobsen, views the scheme as a long-term commitment to manufacturing in Ipswich and wants it to continue benefitting young people in the area.

He said: “We’ve been manufacturing

FUNDING QUESTIONS

SCHOOLS NEED FUNDING CLARITY in Ipswich for 187 years and we’ve always employed local people, and we want to continue that with younger generations. We need to develop future experts by learning from our current staff, and that gives young people the chance to learn a valuable skill and build a career within Ransomes where they are highly valued team members.

“The apprentices are very well received in their work areas, and their rate of learning is a direct result of the one-on-one time they spend with trained staff.

“To date, the scheme has been very successful, and we’re looking to attract a wider range of people with our 2020 apprenticeships. We currently have a particular focus on showing females the career opportunities available within a skilled factory setting because we want this opportunity to be for everyone.”

People who are interested in finding out more about the 2020 apprenticeship scheme can contact Jo Barber on 01473 276271 or e-mail jbarber@textron.com

NEW RESEARCH COMMISSIONED by the Sport and Recreation Alliance shows that primary schools need greater certainty over the long-term funding of the PE and Sport Premium in order to deliver sustainable improvements in school sport.

The research, conducted by Durham University’s Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, shows that the lack of clarity surrounding the future of this funding, combined with yearto-year allocations, makes it harder for schools to plan for the future and to spend the money effectively. The research also concludes that more schools need to report on how they spend the funding they receive to enable a better assessment of its impact.

Alliance CEO Lisa Wainwright said: “This report shows that primary schools, and the wider sport and recreation sector, need greater clarity from government over the future of this money.”

AWARDS

CRICKET WORLD GROUNDCARE AWARD WINNERS THE WINNERS HAVE been announced of the Cricket World Cricket Groundcare Awards 2019, which recognise the dedication and hard work of groundscare individuals in maintaining and producing cricket squares and outfields for recreational clubs, schools and universities in the UK and Ireland.

The winners are: Pete Clark, Alcester & Ragley Park CC, Warwickshire Andy Harris, Buckingham Town CC, Buckinghamshire Laurie Turner, New Ifield CC, Kent Graham White, Sissinghurst CC, Kent

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Cliff Clark, Harlow CC, Essex Nick Bull, North Leeds CC, Yorkshire Martyn Crowther, Bradshaw CC, Yorkshire Martin Woods, Wargrave CC, Berkshire Bob Carder, Stamford School, Lincs Craig Keast, Wells Cathedral School, Somerset.

A special award was presented to the Kent Cricket Ground Association “for its outstanding work as an organisation in assisting clubs in Kent with maintaining their cricket playing facilities”.

DIARY DATE

CONFERENCE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE THE 2019 AMENITY Forum Conference, called 21st Century Amenity Management, will focus on innovation and taking an integrated approach to weed, pest and disease management.

Speakers include Professor Michael Eddleston from the University of Edinburgh who will talk about human health, and Dr David Hughes of Syngenta who will discuss new technologies and innovations in the amenity sector.

To buy tickets for the event, on Thursday 10 October at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent, visit amenityforum.co.uk/ conference/the-amenity-forumconference-2019

U P D AT E

NEWS

MOVERS & SHAKERS Meet the people taking on new challenges in the industry

1 JOHN MAY

DEERE & COMPANY

THE DEERE & COMPANY board of directors has elected John C May as a member of the board, effective immediately, and to the position of CEO, effective 4 November, 2019. May has served as Deere’s president and COO since April 2019. The 50-yearold joined Deere in 1997 and became part of the senior management team in 2012 as president, agricultural solutions and chief information officer. Last year he was named president, worldwide agriculture and turf division, with responsibility for the Americas and Australia, the global harvesting, turf and utility and crop care platforms, and the intelligent solutions group.

NEWS MEMBER BENEFIT

CLAIM YOUR FREE PARKING AT SALTEX

John May

2 KEVIN HARDEN

BRITISH SUGAR TOPSOIL

Kevin Harden

10 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019

KEVIN HARDEN, FORMERLY responsible for business development and key accounts at Harrowden Turf, has joined British Sugar TOPSOIL as a sales manager.

Kevin’s role will be to generate new business for British Sugar TOPSOIL’s production facilities at Bury St Edmunds and Wissington near King’s Lynn. Kevin will be working alongside National TOPSOIL manager Andy Spetch and colleagues Natalie Gudgin, Grace Townsend and Kim Campton.

During his time at Harrowden Turf, Kevin served as chairman of BALI’s East Anglia Region.

IOG MEMBERS CAN claim free parking at the NEC, Birmingham, when they visit SALTEX on 30 and 31 October. Members from all categories can obtain one free car park voucher for their visit. To receive your voucher, simply visit the IOG Hub (on stand C180) and show your membership card. Vouchers are limited to one per Corporate, Corporate PLUS, Independent School and Organisation/Facility membership category.

BRANCH NEWS

YORKSHIRE BRANCH ARE QUIZ CHAMPIONS CONGRATULATIONS TO THE Yorkshire Branch, winners of the 2019 IOG National Quiz.

Branch secretary, University of Leeds grounds & gardens team leader and IOG Board member James Wright, received the Cup from IOG exiting chair David Teasdale.

The Leicester Branch were runners up.

U P D AT E

NEWS

FIELDS IN TRUST

UK’s best park named STANLEY PARK IN Blackpool, Lancashire has been named the UK’s Best Park 2019. The announcement was made on the Fields in Trust Blackpool’s Stanley Park

Facebook page after 16 weeks of voting.

A record 364 parks, recreation grounds, playing fields, country parks and green spaces were nominated and 36,832 people helped to decide the winner.

The parks to top the vote in each of the home nations were: Antrim Castle Gardens in County Antrim (Northern Ireland); Cyfarthfa Park in Merthyr Tydfil (Wales); and Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline (Scotland).

IN MEMORY

WILLIE MORTON 21 APRIL 1961 – 19 JULY 2019 EVERYONE WHO HAS been involved in the Watsonian community over the past threeand-a-bit-decades had the pleasure of coming into contact with Willie Morton.

From the day he joined George Watson’s College in Edinburgh in 1986 until the day he died in July, aged 58, Willie was a constant presence at the school grounds and, in particular, at Myreside.

Many will remember Willie – who served Stirling County, Watsonians, Penicuik, Warwickshire and his country with distinction – as a top-quality cricketer. But for those involved with the Watsonian community he will be fondly remembered as the head groundsman who helped produce quality pitches at Myreside and kept the rest of the school grounds looking splendid.

Willie fell in love with cricket at Stirling County under the watchful eye of Raymond Bond. He moved south to Birmingham to follow his cricketing dream with professional outfit Warwickshire in 1984. A back injury put an end to his playing career but he returned to Scotland to play for Watsonians, Stirling County and Penicuik as well as coach at club and international level, particularly the Scotland under-19s.

Former Scotland cricket captain George Salmond, who knew Willie for 31 years and worked with him at George Watson’s, said: “All too soon in his magnificent innings, one of life’s beauties has returned to the pavilion. It was an honour to be a teammate, opponent, work colleague and friend of Willie, a gem of a human being.”

“It was an honour to be a teammate, opponent, work colleague and friend of Willie, a gem of a human being”

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PRIZE WINNERS

TOP GREENKEEPERS JASON NORWOOD, OF Rudding Park Golf Club in Harrogate, has been named the UK’s top student greenkeeper at the 31st Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards. Jason wins a seven-week scholarship at the University of Massachusetts, and a trip to the GCSAA’s Golf Industry Show in Orlando and to Toro’s headquarters and R&D centre.

Tom Bromfield, of Trentham Golf Club, was named Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year.

PL ASTIC PLEA

‘DITCH THE CUPS’ PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CLUBS are being urged to eliminate single-use plastics from their stadia. The British Association for Sustainable Sport and Friends of the Earth are advocating football clubs taking up measures already in place across a number of other sports and venues, such as Lord’s and the Oval cricket grounds, and Twickenham rugby stadium.

Fans can opt for reusable cups

PRODUCTION RUN

MOWER FIRST PRODUCTION OF ARIENS’ zeroturn mowers will commence at the company’s factory in Great Haseley, Oxfordshire. It’s believed these will be the first zero-turns to be manufactured in Europe. AriensCo says there has been exceptional growth in demand for zero-turn mowers in the UK and Europe, following similar trends in the US, where sales have soared.

Thanks to GaNTIP, Cumberland FA and club volunteers, Keswick FC’s grounds are now in excellent condition

KESWICK FC FLOODS REVISITED With the help of GaNTIP and Cumberland FA, Keswick FC’s grounds bounced back from devastation

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n the night of 5 December 2015, Keswick suffered some of the worst flooding in living memory, and Fitz Park, the home of Keswick Football club, was one of the places hit hardest.

My initial visit took place as the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme (GaNTIP)’s regional pitch advisor (RPA) under the instruction from the Cumberland FA, with a representative of the club and Cumberland FA present. A full assessment of the flood damage was undertaken,

A sports contractor was brought in to clear up the pitch after the �oods

14 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019

and photographs helped to capture the destruction for others to see.

There were stones, gravel and hundreds of tonnes of silt. In places it was quite deep and covered the vast majority of both the first team and junior pitches. Some ground maintenance machinery was also damaged.

CLEAN-UP EFFORTS

The club volunteers worked many days to remove the debris from the pitches. This was difficult because the main pitch was flooded a further three times over the next

By Ian Mather-Brewster National account manager – cricket

few weeks. The RPA and the County FA, with Sport England/Football Foundation flood funding that was available at the time, advised and supported the club to arrange a sports turf contractor to clean up the main pitch and carry out a full renovation. This work was carried out in early summer 2016.

The junior pitches were cleared and then renovated during the rest of the summer.

Since the flooding took place, along with the County FA, I have visited the site regularly. When pitch inspections were arranged in the area, we would visit the club just to check that everything was OK. This is a clear indication of how working in a programme with the County FA is making a difference and is giving continued support in the most difficult of circumstances.

An official follow-up visit was arranged and carried out in early August 2019. The pitches were in very good condition and the club volunteers continue to work hard.

Support from the RPA network and County FA is now in place and the club has a point of contact for any concerns regarding the playing surface.

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Visit www.iog.org for more details about GaNTIP

PREVIEW

S A LT E X

SALTEX 2019

By Chris Bennett SALTEX press officer

PLAN YOUR TRIP!

There’s no better place to exchange knowledge, ideas and inspiration than at this year’s SALTEX

D

uring the two-day event, from 30-31 October at the NEC Birmingham, more than 500 brands will be on show in three large halls containing a plethora of exhibitors. They’ll be showcasing machinery, power and hand tools; seeds, turf, aggregates and treatments; landscaping materials; arboriculture, horticulture and forestry products; commercial vehicles and much more.

With such a diverse range of exhibitors, SALTEX 2019 has something for everyone and regardless of budget the show can meet your requirements.

BEST FOR INNOVATION

There are 33 SALTEX 2019 Innovation of the Year Award entries this year – from robotics to hybrid mowers, state-of-theart irrigation and grow lights. Check them out in the SALTEX Show Guide, visit the exhibitor stands, then head to Theatre Four at 3.15pm on Wednesday 30 October where the winning product will be awarded with SALTEX 2019 Innovation of the Year.

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DEMOS

The new show feature – the Eco Village – offers a programme of daily demonstrations in cutting-edge sustainable technology

allowing visitors an opportunity to witness the products in action.

A number of market-leading batterypowered mowers will be featured, such as the new INFINICUT Rotary and FX model; Allett will be demonstrating the new Uplift 86E rotary mower as well as the C34E cylinder mower; and Overton UK will be displaying the Mean Green commercial electric mower range.

Linddana is introducing an environmentally friendly electrical wood chipper with a powerful 96V Lithium-Ion battery pack; Husqvarna is showcasing its new electric brushcutter, telescoping pole hedgetrimmer and Commercial Automower; visitors can see the MSA 220 C-B in action – the most powerful cordless chainsaw in

“With such a diverse range of exhibitors, SALTEX 2019 has something for everyone, regardless of budget” 16 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019

the STIHL range; Sherriff Amenity will be revealing how Carbon Gold’s new organic, chemical-free biochar products could significantly improve soil and sward health.

Avant Tecno will be explaining the benefits of the e6, which it claims is the world’s first loader using a Lithium-Ion battery; and Fleet Line Markers will be demonstrating its new and innovative Cog Line Marking System.

Outdoor demonstrations will also be taking place on the grass area directly outside the SALTEX halls 6, 7 and 8, providing an opportunity to see larger equipment in action.

GAIN CPD POINTS BY ATTENDING FREE SEMINARS

Learning LIVE, SALTEX’s free education programme, will feature 57 CPD-accredited seminars and panel debates and more than 100 expert speakers. Designed for all sectors of the groundscare industry, Learning LIVE presentations will focus on topics such as disease management, industry research, best practice, mental health, diversity in the workplace, synthetic turf standards, funding and climate control.

The programme has been developed and curated alongside leading industry partners and influencers to provide support, insight and real solutions to the biggest issues that the audience care about most.

ASK THE EXPERT CENTRE

The IOG Hub (C180) offers an opportunity to gather best-in-class sports turf management advice from IOG regional pitch advisors linked to the Grounds & Natural

FREE CAR PA R K I N G

Get your voucher for free car parking from the IOG Hub (C180)

o ers isitors t o da s pac ed ith i d str acti it

Turf Improvement Programme, led by the IOG and supported by The Football Association, the England & Wales Cricket Board and the Football Foundation.

NETWORK AND HAVE FUN

SALTEX offers excellent networking opportunities. A visit to the Lawn Care Legends free networking event should be on every landscaper’s itinerary. Lawn Care Legends is a thriving online community for all landscapers and gardeners to showcase their work and knowledge and ultimately support one another.

Some of the Legends’ topics being addressed this year include marketing a business, dealing with stress and pricing a job correctly. Hundreds of attendees are expected and over £2,500 worth of sponsor prizes are up for grabs.

This networking opportunity is taking place on the first day of SALTEX at 2pm in concourse suites 22 and 23 by the SALTEX entrance and all are welcome.

Also taking place on the first day of SALTEX is the Women in Turf networking event. This is a fantastic opportunity for all women who work in the groundscare sector to discuss job opportunities and career progression. If you would like to attend this event, email kmaxwell@iog.org

expertise on perfecting a CV; how to excel in interviews; negotiating your package; being a better interviewer (for employers), proactive job searching; and the pros and cons of being self-employed.

THE SALTEX COLLEGE CUP

Returning for its fourth successive year, the SALTEX College Cup, sponsored by Toro and Reesink, will see students from UK-based colleges embark on an academic test of turf management knowledge in which the winning college will get the opportunity to visit Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium.

You can watch the winner’s announcement in Theatre One on the first day of SALTEX at 3:30pm.

PATHOLOGY AND SOIL SCIENCE LIVE

Hosted by renowned turf consultant Alex Vickers and MD of the Turf Disease Centre Kate Entwistle, Pathology and Soil Science LIVE will allow visitors to look in detail at the symptoms of some common turf grass fungal disease problems, as infected plants are displayed on a large screen.

Informal demonstrations will be available on daily on the IOG Hub (C180) in Hall 6.

Don’t forget to bring your soil samples!

SUPERCHARGE YOUR CAREER

Industry expert Frank Newberry will be hosting the popular Job Clinic sessions at the IOG Hub (C180) between 9am and 3pm each day. Available as a one-to-one or group session, Frank will be offering his

SALTEX 2019 is free to attend. To register and beat the queues visit www.iogsaltex.com Follow SALTEX on Twitter @IOG_SALTEX and Facebook www.facebook.com/IOGSALTEX

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HOW TO GET TO SALTEX The NEC’s central location ensures it is at the hub of the UK motorway network including the M1, M5, M6, M6 Toll, M40 and M42.

IOG members from ALL membership categories can obtain ONE FREE car park voucher at SALTEX. To obtain your free parking voucher just visit the IOG Hub (stand C180) and show your membership card (vouchers are limited to one per Corporate; Corporate PLUS; Independent School; Organisation/Facility membership).

If you wish to travel by rail, you can get a 20 per cent discount on advance tickets from Virgin Trains. Birmingham International station is next to the NEC, It’s only 1 hour 10 minutes from London Euston and 1 hour 46 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly!

If travelling by air to Birmingham International Airport, follow signs to the SkyRail Link, which is free and has a travel time of 90 seconds, or get a taxi which you can find outside the passenger terminals.

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INDUSTRY AWARDS The annual IOG Industry Awards celebrate excellence and has proved to be a fantastic networking opportunity for the past 11 years

FINALISTS ARE ANNOUNCED!

MORE ON S A LT E X

The most exciting new products launching this year page 36

The finalists have been announced for this year’s IOG Industry Awards, which acknowledge the passion, dedication and challenges faced by grounds staff across all levels of sport

INDEPENDENT JUDGING IS NOW TAKING PLACE

Commenting on the awards, IOG chief executive Geoff Webb says: “With so many memorable sporting events to celebrate this year, the IOG Industry Awards’ shortlist rightly includes the grounds teams that have created the playing surfaces across all sports for such sporting drama. In addition, of course, this year’s awards also recognise the efforts of grounds people at all levels and at sporting venues of all sizes.

“This is the 11th consecutive year that the awards have uniquely provided a national stage for the achievements of everyone involved in groundscare and we should applaud everyone who took the time to enter as well as those who have reached the shortlist.”

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S A LT E X 2 0 1 9

INDUSTRY AWARDS

IOG AWARDS 2019 FINALISTS IOG Toro Most Promising Sports Turf Student • Callum Allsop, Leicester City FC • Daniel Hill, Harlequin FC • Lee Morgan, Arnold House School, London

IOG Rigby Taylor/Top Green Young Grounds Person • Pierre Bagot, Stade Rennais, France • Ollie Deeming, Northampton Saints • Nick Pepper, Gloucestershire CCC IOG Volunteer Sports Grounds Team/Individual • Andy Cambridge, Foxton FC, Cambridgeshire • Trubshaw Cross Ladsandads, Newcastle, Staffordshire IOG NGB Community/Grassroots Sports Club Grounds Team/ Individual • Harborough Town FC, Leicestershire • Norton Sports Charity, Stockton-on-Tees

IOG AMS Robotics Public Sector Sports Grounds Team • Prestige Grounds Ltd, Wiltshire • Yeovil Recreation Centre, Somerset IOG Bowling Grounds Team/ Individual • Polly Bowls Club, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire • North Mymms Bowls Club, Hertfordshire Warwickshire CCC’s Gary Barwell won two awards last year

20 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019

IOG SCH Supplies Best Managed Artificial Surface • Ipswich Town FC • University of Warwick

IOG Ransomes Environmental and Ecology Strategy • Cardiff University • City Football Academy, Manchester

IOG Headland Amenity Professional Cricket Grounds Team • Essex CCC • Sussex CCC IOG Cub Cadet Infinicut Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team • All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon • Devonshire Park, Eastbourne • The Queen’s Club, London IOG John Deere Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team • Huntingdon Racecourse • Redcar Racecourse • Warwick Racecourse IOG Professional Rugby Football League Grounds Team • Castleford Tigers, West Yorkshire • Leigh Sports Village, Greater Manchester IOG Compo Expert Professional Rugby Football Union Grounds Team • Gloucester Rugby • Northampton Saints IOG Professional Football Grounds Team For English Leagues 1 & 2, National League, National League North/South, Scottish Championship & Leagues 1 & 2, Ireland & Wales Professional Leagues • Charlton Athletic FC, London • Colchester United, Essex • Swindon Town FC

IOG SGL Professional Football Grounds Team For Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premier League • Croke Park, Dublin • Leicester City FC • Tottenham Hotspur FC

IOG Redexim Charterhouse/Kubota University/College Grounds Team • Cardiff University • Nottingham University IOG Growth Products Independent School Grounds Team • Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh • Rydal Penrhos School, Colwyn Bay, Wales IOG SISGrass International Award • Andy Cole, iTurf Management • Alan Ferguson, FIFA • Dean Gilasbey, ProPitch Management

SPECIAL AWARDS

Two awards will be presented at the IOG Industry Awards dinner – on the evening of the first day of SALTEX, Wednesday 30 October – which is hosted by BBC TV presenter Dan Walker. The dinner will take place at The Vox, located in Resorts World, Birmingham NEC. The awards are: • The IOG Grassmaster Outstanding Achievement Award • IOG Ransomes/DLF Alex R Millar Award – to the person chosen as the outstanding winner across all award categories

Visit www.iog.org/awards for more details. The IOG reserves the right to enter/shortlist any application into the most relevant category(ies) based on sport(s), size and resources.

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LEARNING LIVE

S A LT E X

TOP TRAINING

Plan your day of learning with turf care industry leaders

T

his year’s Learning LIVE programme has something for everyone in groundscare and open space management.

You can choose from 57 free-to-attend interactive debates, educational and networking

sessions, which will take place in four seminar theatres and will be hosted by 100s of industry experts at this year’s SALTEX event.

Register your place on the Learning LIVE page at www.iogsaltex.com or attend on a first-come basis at the show.

oost o r i d str a d technical knowledge at one of the Learning LIVE sessions

TIME

TITLE AND SUBJECT

SPEAKER(S)

10:00 – 10:30

Groundscare in the Social Media Spotlight How to deal with social media criticism to survive in a world of raised expectations.

Gary Barwell, head groundsman, Warwickshire CCC; Neil Stubley, head of courts & horticulture, AELTC; Karl Standley, head groundsman, Wembley Stadium; Alex Latto, assistant head groundsman, BT Murrayfield

10:40 – 11:10

Creating Champions The story of the grounds staff’s contribution to this summer’s biggest weekend of sporting success – from the ground managers’ perspective.

Neil Stubley, head of courts & horticulture, AELTC; Karl McDermott, head groundsman, Lord’s Cricket Ground

11:20 – 12:00

Groundsmanship – Sport’s Vital Profession The IOG will present the results of its latest independent research that charts the changes, challenges and opportunities of the turf sector. Including an update on the IOG’s Grounds4Sport initiative.

Carol Doran, consultant research lead; Geoff Webb, IOG CEO; Nyree Ambarchain, Stand Agency

12:10 – 12:40

The UK’s Busiest Stadia How grounds teams cope with multiple fixtures and multisports, often with very quick turnaround times.

Karl Standley, head groundsman, Wembley Stadium; Ryan Golding, head groundsman, Leeds Rugby; Jim Dawson, head groundsman, BT Murrayfield; Stuart Wilson, pitch manager, Croke Park

12:50 – 13:20

Long-term Strategies for Natural Turf Pitches The National Governing Bodies of sport outline their forwardthinking strategies for the provision, improvement and maintenance of natural turf sport pitches.

Representative from the ECB & Mark Pover from The Football Association

13:30 – 14:00

Tennis Tactics Planning, building and delivering world-class courts in record time, and lessons for those with budgets of every size.

Danny Negus, head groundsman, Devonshire Park Tennis Club

14:10 – 14:40

Galloping Ahead The challenges of managing three different racecourse surfaces.

George Hill, clerk of the course and Jon Harris, estates manager, Lingfield Park Racecourse

14:50 – 15:20

UEFA Pitch Programmes An update on the pitch support programmes led by Europe’s governing body of football.

Lee Guerriero, UEFA pitch and technology specialist

15:30

SALTEX College Cup Award ceremony Announcing the competition’s winning team 2019.

Presented by Dan Prest, IOG head of technical & learning, and Lee Guerriero, UEFA pitch and technology specialist

TIME

TITLE AND SUBJECT

SPEAKER(S)

10:00 – 10:30

Managing Stress in the Workplace Do you suffer from mental anxiety? If so, you’re not alone. Share your views and coping mechanisms with others in the industry.

Karl Standley, head groundsman, Wembley; Graeme Farmer, pitch manager, Leicester City FC

10:40 – 11:10

Improving Pitches at Grassroots Level GaNTIP team of regional pitch advisors share exciting progress and informative data collated from more than 5,000 pitches assessed and improved at grassroots level.

Jason Booth, IOG learning & technical director; Tom Rowley, GaNTIP key account manager (football), Ian Mather-Brewster, GaNTIP key account manager (cricket)

11:20 – 12:00

The Tottenham Experience Find out how the new Tottenham Hotspur FC stadium was built, from the groundsperson’s perspective.

Gary Lee, head groundsman, Tottenham Hotspur White Hart Lane Stadium

12:10 – 12:40

Staying at the Top of your Game How to fill any knowledge gaps that grounds managers at elite level may have.

Adrian Kay, head groundsman, York Racecourse; Les Gibbs, grounds manager, The University of South Wales; Neil Stubley, head of courts & horticulture, AELTC

www.iog.org THE GROUNDSMAN 23

LEARNING LIVE

S A LT E X

continued TITLE AND SUBJECT

SPEAKER(S)

12:50 – 13:20

Encouraging Diversity in the Workplace Learning the lessons from sport, to encourage more diversity in the grounds industry workplace.

Funke Awoderu, senior inclusion & diversity manager, The FA Group; Anthony Facey, grounds manager, Colchester UFC training ground

13:30 – 14:00

Introducing Hybrid Pitches into Cricket How cricket is learning lessons from football. Learn about the ongoing research by County Cricket grounds and England’s Centre of Excellence.

Andy McKay, head groundsman, Sussex Cricket; Gary Barwell, head groundsman, Warwickshire CCC; Will Relf, sports grounds manager, Loughborough University

14:10 – 14:40

Accessing Education in Groundsmanship What are the barriers preventing access and understanding of our industry and profession?

Alison Robinson, chief executive, Myerscough College; Bojan Jovanovic, apprenticeship course manager, sport turf, Askham Bryan College; Paul Campbell, senior lecturer, work-based horticulture, CAFRE; Lee Price,employer services manager, Myerscough College

14:50 – 15:20

Bowled Over!

An anecdotal look back on a lifetime career in cricket groundsmanship.

Chris Wood, international pitch advisor

TIME

TITLE AND SUBJECT

SPEAKER(S)

10:00 – 10:30

Disease Management Examples of modern-day turf disease management techniques.

Dr Christian Spring, research operations manager, STRI; Glenn Kirby, technical manager, UK & Ireland, Syngenta; Daniel Ratling, head groundsman, Whitgift School.

Chaired by the Amenity Forum’s John Moverley

10:40 – 11:10

Sustainable Grass for the Future of Turf Management New methods are being used to deliver more sustainable grass varieties. Of particular focus will be the topics of nitrogen-use efficiency, drought tolerance, biomass production and disease tolerance.

Sam Horner, amenity seed specialist, Limagrain; Derek Smith, amenity sales & marketing manager, DLF Seeds; Jayne Leyland, product manager seeds & line marking, Rigby Taylor

11:20 – 11:50

Funding & Expert Advice for Community Pitch Care Where to look for grounds maintenance and funding advice.

GaNTIP regional pitch advisors Phil Jeggo and Kevin Duffill, with Matt Bartle, managing director, TRI-Sports Consultancy

12:00 – 12:30

Pitch Grading Framework Pilot Scheme How you can get involved in the IOG’s Pitch Grading Framework to improve pitch quality standards.

Tim Nicholls, Framework project manager; Geoff Webb, IOG CEO; Jason Booth, IOG learning & technical director

12:40 – 13:10

21st Century Turf Management Grounds personnel have a wealth of tools for managing highend turf surfaces, which has led to an increase in the quality of turf surfaces and increased user expectations. This session will explore some of the ways in which 21st-century turf management can be linked to other aspects of a sports facility.

Dr Tom Young, technology manager, STRI

13:20 – 13:50

Weather... or Not? The impact of the weather and climate change An entertaining and comprehensive talk on how day-to-day weather and longer term climate change impacts on our lives and what we might do to maximise the positives and mitigate the negatives.

Jim Dale, founder and senior consultant meteorologist, British Weather Services

14:00

Question Time with the Amenity Forum An opportunity to question the assembled panel on current topics and issues at a time when the turf and amenity sector is facing considerable challenges particularly in terms of the use of pesticides post-Brexit.

Chaired by the Amenity Forum chair John Moverley with panellists: Dr Dan Jones, Advanced Invasives; Will Kay, Languard; Peter Corbett, Rigby Taylor; Richard Salmon, Prolawncare

TIME

TITLE AND SUBJECT

SPEAKER(S)

10:00 – 10:30

Passing the Baton at Twickenham Catch up on the career of former head groundsman Keith Kent – on the highs and lows of working at the most famous rugby stadium in the world.

Keith Kent

10:40 – 11:10

Pesticide 2020 and Beyond With a number of widely used insecticides, fungicides and herbicides having been withdrawn in recent times, what further changes can we expect in 2020 and beyond? This seminar will explain the current status of PPP, which are being withdrawn or introduced, and how you can get the optimum results from them.

Dr Colin Mumford, technical support manager, Bayer

11:20 – 11:50

Harlequins and Hockey How a drop-in pitch was planned, installed and used at The Stoop.

Paul Sykes, head groundsman, The Stoop

12:00 – 12:30

Integrated Turf Management Chemical-free sports pitch management.

Adam Witchell, head groundsman, Forest Green Rovers; Andy Jackson, grounds manager, Stoke City FC

12:40 – 13:10

Managing Parasitic Nematodes with Seaweed The positive initial results of a four-year research project into utilising an extracted seaweed product to support plant health.

Andy Owen, international technical manager, ICL; Tamsin Williams, PhD student, Royal Holloway University, London

TIME

24 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019

LEARNING LIVE

TIME

continued TITLE AND SUBJECT

S A LT E X

SPEAKER(S)

13:20 – 13:50

Building a Pitch Policy & Budget Meeting the demands of stakeholders with improved and muchused playing surfaces on a restricted budget.

Andy Spetch, volunteer head groundsman, Bury St Edmunds RFC

14:00

Hybrid Turf at Community Level Year 2 results of the Sport England trial test pitches and how the success being achieved in football will also impact rugby union and rugby league playing surfaces at community level.

Dr Iain James, technical director, TGMS

TIME

TITLE AND SUBJECT

SPEAKER(S)

10:00 – 10:30

Natural Not Chemical With chemicals such as chlorpyrifos and imidacloprid now removed from the groundsman’s armoury, nature has its own answers to combat chafer grubs and leatherjackets – solutions that are equally effective and come at a reduced cost to the environment and to clubs. This seminar will explain how nematodes can fill the gaps in the market.

Dr Minshad Ansari, CEO, Bionema

10:40 – 11:10

Life Without Propiconazole In the last four years, over 80 per cent of the value of the turf fungicide market has either been revoked or is under revocation.

This session will summarise long-term trials (by an independent organisation) which show prevention is better than cure and illustrate the importance of timing, mixing modes of action and how the performance of modern fungicides can be improved.

Peter Corbett, industry expert

11:20 – 11:50

360° Management Why you should be managing upwards, sideways and down in your organisation.

Frank Newberry, IOG approved management trainer and consultant

12:00 – 12:30

Setting Pitch Standards by using Big Data With more than 500 field assessments carried out to date, ProPitch can use collated data to characterise what makes a surface great and sets standards for the three critical areas of construction – quality, performance and grass health.

Eric O’Donnell, managing director, Sports Labs

12:40 – 13:10

Pupil Power How top-class sports surfaces can help in the success of independent schools.

Giles Roberts, estates manager, St Peter’s School; Lee Marshallsay, grounds manager, Charterhouse; Danny Beckley, head of estates & grounds, Harrow School

13:20 – 13:50

How to Progress your Career in Groundsmanship Tips and hints on how to get a job and progress your career in groundsmanship.

Members of the young IOG Board – including John Wright, stadium head groundsman, Southampton FC – and industry Job Clinic expert Frank Newberry

14:00 – 14:30

How to Attract Young, Diverse People into the Turf Sector Have your say on the challenges of attracting young, diverse people into the industry and compare these with those faced in the US industry.

IOG Young Board members; Pam Sherratt, turf grass specialist, the Ohio State University; Ian Lacy, lead project advisor, Tom Irwin Advisors, USA

14:30 – 15:00

Introducing the Groundskeeping Community App The FA’s Grass pitch strategy and how digital technology will help improve grassroots pitches.

Tom Rowley, GaNTIP key account manager (football); with FA facilities investment managers Chris Smith and Mark Coulson

TIME

TITLE AND SUBJECT

SPEAKER(S)

10:00 – 10:30

It’s Only Long Grass!

An overview of natural grass horse racing surfaces including agronomy and development of technologies to further improve turf quality.

Gareth Phillips NDT, LCGI, senior agronomist, Professional Sportsturf Design/Labosport

10:40 – 11:10

Environmentally-friendly Turf Maintenance Environmentally-friendly options for top-level turf maintenance, including water management, reduced chemical usage and improved waste management.

Romain Giraud, R & D director, Natural Grass; Hugo Senlis, assistant, Albatros Golf Course

11:20 – 11:50

Class Acts at Independent Schools How independent schools can balance internal demands on sports pitches with those of outside use, with a focus on costings, timings and benefits to the school, as well as the problems – and solutions – of quick turnarounds on multi-sport pitches.

Ian Avery, head of grounds, Sutton Valence School

12:00 – 12:30

Making an Exhibition of Yourself An introduction to self-promotion for turf care professionals.

Frank Newberry, IOG approved management trainer and consultant

12:40 – 13:10

Earn While You Learn – a Guide to Apprenticeships in the Turf Care Sector An interactive Q&A session on how to attract and recruit capable young people into the sector and what progression routes are available.

Richard Ayling, grounds manager, Merchant Taylors' School; Chris Gray IOG learning programme architect

13:20 – 13:50

Someone to Turn to in Time of Need Perennial can help alleviate worry, stress and anxiety by providing support that helps people who work in horticulture and grounds management regain control and plan for the future.

Helen Waddington, head of casework, Perennial

www.iog.org THE GROUNDSMAN 25

LEARNING LIVE

S A LT E X

TIME

TITLE AND SUBJECT

SPEAKER(S)

10:00 – 10:30

Recruit for the Future Why more technicians are needed to support the sports turf industry and why problems associated with the current lack of recruitment must be addressed.

Keith Christian, director, BAGMA

10:40 – 11:10

Groundsmanship in the Media ‘Jimmy the Mower Man’ took the sports industry by storm by sharing his passion for improving local sports facilities on social media. He will talk about how he attracted media interest and promoted our profession, while a professional marketing consultant will also offer advice.

Jimmy the Mower Man (James Broadhouse); Miri Buac, Stand Agency

11:20 – 11:50

The Maintenance of Synthetic Sports Surfaces A roundup of what’s new and the latest technology being used in the maintenance of synthetic sports surfaces, to ensure optimum surface performance and longevity.

Colin Corline, project manager, SAPCA

12:00 – 12:30

Planning a Play Area How to design a successful play area set in natural surroundings, where children want to stay and social interaction is promoted.

Includes examples of a selection of playgrounds plus videos with user interviews.

Gerry O’Sullivan & Rinske Wassenaar, The Children’s Playground Company

12:40 – 13:10

The Value of Play in the Landscape Creating shared spaces that are fun, interesting, challenging and engaging is important - it impacts on community cohesion, health and wellbeing, physical activity and connectedness.

Play England trustees Beth Cooper and Simon Fagg

13:20 – 13:50

Pesticide 2020 & Beyond The regulations relating to plant protection products (PPP) have had a significant impact on turf management. With a number of widely-used insecticides, fungicides and herbicides having been withdrawn in recent times, what further changes can we expect in 2020 and beyond? This seminar will explain the current status of PPP, which PPPs are being withdrawn or introduced, and how you can get the optimum results from them.

Dr Colin Mumford, technical support manager, Bayer

14:00 – 14:30

Spraying Safety The importance of reading product labels; equipment checks; what to look for with knapsack and boom sprayers with a link to NSTS; why calibration is essential, including nozzle selection and checks.

Paul Bannister, Amenity Training and Consultancy

14:40 – 15:10

Environmentally-Friendly Groundscare Examples of how to reduce your carbon footprint.

Ben Connell, grounds manager, Ipswich Town FC; Adam Witchell, head groundsman, Forest Green Rovers

15:15

Innovation Award short listers and winner announcement

TIME

TITLE AND SUBJECT

SPEAKER(S)

10:00 – 10:30

How to Motivate your Staff There are many ways to be an effective manager. Your management style must adjust based on personality style and what motivates each employee. Learn how to motivate and retain your team members to produce a positive turn on your investment in time, energy and money.

Sara Hey, vice president business development, Bob Clements International, USA

10:40 – 11:10

Data-driven Sports Turf Management Empowering grounds managers by showing the surface as a useful performance tool and enabling a sustainable approach using factual data for decision making.

Reece Watson, Raw Stadia

11:20 – 11:50

Latest Standards and Guidance on the Design and Construction of Sports Surfaces A review of the latest standards and best practice in the sports surfacing industry, from facility design and construction through to surface performance and testing.

Eric O’Donnell, SAPCA Professional Services Group

12:00 – 12:30

Tree Management and Biosecurity Tips on good tree management, including the importance of biosecurity and why the arboricultural and horticultural industries should work together more closely.

John Parker, senior technical officer, Arboricultural Association

12:40 – 13:10

Enabling Sport in the Community How a charity dedicated to enhancing the scale and scope of sport is shifting the goalposts to create opportunities for sports and access to green spaces.

David Cobb, grounds manager, Bath Recreation

“Choose from 57 free-to-attend interactive debates, educational and networking sessions in four seminar theatres” 26 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019

ELITE SPORT

BEST PRACTICE

WONDERFUL WICKETS! This year’s heroics by England’s Ben Stokes helped highlight the contribution that playing surfaces make to superb sporting performances.

Andy Fogarty, head groundsman at Emerald Headingley, tells us more

A

By Colin Hoskins Features editor

28 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019

ndy Fogarty has seen plenty of top-class cricket during his 23 years as head groundsman at the Emerald Headingley Cricket Ground, home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. And before that he had 14 years as part of the grounds team at Lancashire CCC’s Old Trafford venue in Manchester. But, he says, nothing prepared him for that “wonderful day” in August when Ben Stokes hit an unbeaten 135 against Australia to help England win the third Ashes Test match.

“It was quite an eerie experience, actually, particularly during the last over and especially for the last ball,” he says, reflecting on what many describe as the greatest batting achievement in England’s cricketing history. “We had a packed house, yet you could hear a pin drop every time an Australian bowler approached.

And, as Ben Stokes continued to score runs, there was an overwhelming roar from the crowd; a crescendo of noise that I’ve never experienced before. It made the hairs on your arms stand up!”

Ben Stokes’ heroics were, in fact, the latest evidence of a summer series of outstanding sporting achievements where, once again, the skill of UK grounds personnel played a key role – by producing top-class playing surfaces that effectively inspire fantastic sporting performances.

TWO YEARS IN PLANNING

For 57-year-old Andy Fogarty, though, the preparation of the Headingley pitch was, he says, a case of “business as usual”. Well, almost. “We started planning two years ago for this year’s fixtures, knowing that we’d be staging One-Day International and World Cup games as well as the Test just a few months after having our new

BEST PRACTICE

south stand completed,” he says. “We’d earmarked five of our 13 first class pitches for these important games and, during the past year, did manage to keep the number of games on these to the minimum, bearing in mind we’re also committed to a very busy domestic fixture list that evolves around Yorkshire CCC games.”

ELITE SPORT

Andy Fogarty has had over 37 years in the business

HEAVY CLAY SURFACES

In the build-up to each major event of this summer – the Australian Test included – Andy and his five-strong grounds team adopted their tried and tested wicket/ pitch preparation regime, which begins three weeks before the first ball is bowled on each of the heavy clay surfaces.

He explains: “We start by ‘thinning out’ the grass (cutting to 5-7mm high – from 25mm) to achieve nice, even coverage with no ‘creeping grass’, by scarifying and by using a push rake with brush attachment.

We then flood the pitch, perhaps watering heavily for 30 minutes, letting it soak in, then watering again to ensure we get enough moisture into it. Then, during the following two weeks, we instigate the process of rolling (using a two-tonne roller), brushing and cutting to produce the required surface. I want a smooth and pliable surface where the grass isn’t ‘pushed’ into it.

“Of course, what we do and when we do it is dictated by the weather – so, it may mean having periods when we don’t water and have the sheets or mobile covers on, perhaps for three to five days, to enable the surface to ‘firm up’. At these times [with the sheets or covers on] we keep a constant eye open for disease such as Fusarium, which we tend to simply ‘brush out’.

“Always with one eye on the weather and one on the pitch, it would be fair to say that Andy consistently achieves the required surface using an expert mix of groundsmanship skills and experience” www.iog.org THE GROUNDSMAN 29

ELITE SPORT

Andy and his team have a tried-andtested pre-match routine for the ground

“When the season ends, usually towards the end of September, Andy and team will initiate a concerted programme of aeration and hollow coring”

“We follow this process up until four or five days before the game, ensuring that the surface is drying nicely and, once the players arrive (usually two days before the first competitive ball), the surface should be perfect.”

Always with one eye on the weather and one on the pitch, it would be fair to say that Andy consistently achieves the required surface using an expert mix of groundsmanship skills and experience.

And with such a busy fixture list – which this year included games immediately after the Test –Andy and his team may at any one time have three wickets/pitches at different stages of preparation while, at 30 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019

the same time, there are the practice net areas and the outfield to maintain.

All the Headingley pitches have been re-laid, starting in 2007 and taking seven years in total.

“They’d been down for around 19 years and had become ‘tired’,” adds Andy. “They began to struggle with pace and variable bounce, but now all the pitches are the same, being laid on 6in of stone with 7in of Ongar loam (30/35 per cent clay) on top and finished with Barenbrug BSAR Extreme seed, which has always given me what I want in terms of germination, establishment, colour and wear tolerance.

Every time a pitch was out of action,

starting in the September, it had a full season of no play so, effectively, had 18 months of establishment before we used it for academy or colts games. The following year it may have seen a one-day game. So, it was three years before it was back into full use.”

When the season ends, usually towards the end of September, Andy and team will initiate a concerted programme of aeration and hollow coring, particularly on the outfield that was reconstructed in 2009 to eliminate a 4ft ‘slope’ at either end (north and south) of the square. It also had a new ring drain installed. Then, in midFebruary, they will start the pre-season preparation work ready to once again host another season of first-class cricket!

Check out the IOG’s Cricket Pitch training courses. Visit: www.iog.org/ learning for more information

i

TECHNICAL U P D AT E

A new standard would help clarify the subject of chemical use

SETTING THE STANDARD IN AMENITY MANAGEMENT Why there’s no better time than now to introduce a brand new, recognisable, sector-wide Amenity Standard

N

By Steve Hewitt Amenity Forum

owadays, there is much greater public and political interest in weed, pest and disease management, especially linked to chemical use. The reasons why chemicals are used in the process of providing safe, healthy amenity spaces and sports surfaces is not always clear to the public, who can see chemicals as merely hazardous substances.

This article introduces the development of a new sector-wide standard for amenity, which could be a real game changer.

PRESSURES ON CHEMICAL USE

By John Moverley Amenity Forum chair

A number of local authorities have sought to restrict the use of pesticides recently, which demonstrates growing unease about chemicals, with decisions influenced perhaps more by politics and emotion rather than science and fact. Therefore, the wider public

“Organisations want to employ staff of the highest standard, but currently there is no universal way to recognise standards”

users of amenity spaces need to have clear assurances that all those involved in creating and maintaining safe, healthy sports grounds and other amenity spaces operate at the highest professional standards; they need to know that, whether using chemical or non-chemical methods, such operations are undertaken by competent, trained personnel following welldesigned and managed plans.

At the same time, organisations responsible for amenity management are often under severe pressure to reduce costs. They see the management of amenity spaces as a target for savings. However, the pressure to reduce chemical use can frequently work directly against such objectives, significantly increasing cost rather than making savings.

RECOGNISING QUALITY

Organisations want to employ staff and contractors of the highest standard, but currently there is no universal way to recognise standards. In certain sub sectors there are excellent quality-assurance schemes, but these, such as the BASIS operated ’Lawn Assured‘ can be very specific. The time is now right to introduce a recognisable, sector-wide assurance www.iog.org THE GROUNDSMAN 33

T E C H N I C A L U P D AT E

AMENIT Y FORUM

standard for amenity, just as the Red Tractor is now widely accepted in the food sector.

Organisations that meet the Amenity Standard will be able to demonstrate that they operate to the highest professional standards and are members of a recognised quality-assurance scheme that carries out regular audits to confirm the quality of their work.

WHAT IS THE STANDARD?

The Amenity Standard is a bespoke quality management standard that has been developed, as a partnership, by all sides of the amenity sector. Those holding it will be committed to an integrated approach to amenity management and to the highest professional standards.

The Amenity Standard is designed to: Provide an industry benchmark Provide a basis for continuous improvement Focus on quality as an objective Provide assurances about the quality of the approved organisation and maintenance of the amenity space Involve all sides of industry in ownership of the standard within a partnership framework Ensure that quality-assurance scheme operators recognised under this standard use auditors with technical knowledge and experience of the sector concerned Promote confidence in organisations operating and providing resources in the amenity sector by provision of a robust and transparent standard.

The reasons for chemical use in amenity spaces are not always clear to the public

A technical advisory group for the amenity sector provides advice to the Amenity Forum and expert representation is drawn from all sides of industry. The technical advisory group comes to a consensus on the minimum levels of workmanship, services, products, testing, and the training and competency of operatives needed to meet the standard.

PROVIDING ASSURANCE

In essence, the Amenity Standard seeks to provide a common measurement of quality for organisations undertaking amenity management operations. All amenity organisations that want to work under this standard will belong to a quality-assurance scheme managed by an operator that is recognised by the Amenity Forum. They will measure the performance of the approved organisation against the Amenity Standard.

This will provide assurance that operations undertaken in that amenity space are of high quality and meet the high expectations of the Amenity Standard.

As said previously, there are several quality-assurance schemes already established in amenity, although not all sub sectors are currently catered for. Over time the aim would be to achieve full coverage, either through developing new assurance schemes or by those sub sectors working with existing scheme operators to meet their needs.

The Amenity Standard will be operated by the Amenity Forum which will maintain, review and regularly update matters as required. They will audit each scheme operator to quality assure that they are

operating to agreed standards. In turn, the scheme operators audit their members and approved organisations to assure that they are meeting the requirements of the Amenity Standard.

A SIGN OF QUALITY

Those meeting the Amenity Standard would carry a card and display a logo that will convey to the public and customers that the organisation has in effect a ‘licence to practice’ and that they can be assured that operations undertaken are at best practice standards and fully meet legal requirements. It will convey that the badge-holding organisation is committed to seeking to provide safe, healthy and fit for purpose amenity spaces.

The need to move quickly on this cannot be over emphasised. Clearly, embedding the Amenity Standard will need time; it is not a quick fix. Its introduction will need to be accompanied by a communication strategy both externally and internally.

However, if this step is not taken, the great progress made to date in increasing the recognition of the professionalism within the amenity sector may be threatened and methods of amenity management, certainly in terms of chemical use, could become more and more restricted. It will not always be easy, but it is the right step at the right time.

CONCLUSION

The introduction of a sector-wide Amenity Standard provides a major opportunity to further emphasise the profile of the sector and the essential tasks it performs in seeking to produce safe, healthy amenity spaces fit for purpose. What happens in amenity impacts upon every UK citizen every day and certainly ensures the provision of quality sports surfaces, now expected by all. The window of opportunity is now. As said previously, of course it will take time to communicate and embed.

However, this was the case for the Red Tractor and its recognition and success is now widespread.

The standard will be formally launched and presented in more detail at the Amenity Forum conference on 10 October at the Pirelli Stadium at Burton-on-Trent. The conference is now recognised as a mustattend for all involved in, or with an interest in, amenity. This year’s theme is 21st Century Amenity Management.

i 34 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019

For further information contact admin@amenityforum.co.uk

Product showcase

HUSQVARNA

BATTERY AND ROBOTIC SOLUTIONS

FOCUS ON: SALTEX PREVIEW

30-31 October 2019 www.iogsaltex.com

HUSQVARNA IS RETURNING to SALTEX to present innovations in battery and robotic solutions.

New product launches will include professional battery brushcutters, lawnmowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers and accessories.

Battery and robotic solutions are at the forefront of Husqvarna’s vision of a more efficient, cleaner way of working.

The SALTEX display will be “unlike anything we have done before”, the company says. Husqvarna will also give daily demonstrations in the Eco Village. www.husqvarna.com/uk Stand H040

BARENBRUG The new SISGrass machine has stitched the pitch at Barcelona’s Camp Nou

SIS PITCHES

SIS GOES ELECTRIC SIS PITCHES AND SISGrass are proud to announce the launch of their second-generation SISGrass machine, which is also 100 per cent electric, meaning efficient, quicker and quieter installation. The machine can stitch a full-size football pitch in just seven days using electricity.

SIS Pitches is the first to use this type of technology in its large machines, and is seeing huge benefits already, with installations completed at FC Barcelona’s training ground, followed

by the main ground at Camp Nou. SISGrass is a 95 per cent natural grass pitch that has the characteristics of a natural pitch, with synthetic fibres inserted into the surface, offering more playing hours and faster pitch recovery than natural surfaces.

SISGrass uses cutting edge laser systems to guarantee accuracy when injecting fibres uniformly over the entire pitch www.sispitches.com Stand G222

PRICE TURFCARE

THREE YEARS IN BUSINESS! FOUNDED JUST THREE years ago, Price Turfcare has come a long way in a short time. It is the UK and Ireland distributor of the Ventrac multiimplement compact tractor and Ryan turf maintenance equipment and will return to SALTEX year this with a bigger stand and more products than ever. Founder Rupert Price says that, since the company started, “we have

36 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019

Price Turfcare’s sales have grown over its three years of trading

increased sales, year-on-year, with most Ventracs being sold with multiple attachments”. www.priceturfcare.com Stand B124

NEW RYEGRASS

BARADONA IS A BRAND new perennial ryegrass from Barenbrug’s European turf breeding programme. The variety is primarily bred for winter sports wear tolerance but has density and fineness of leaf applicable to summer sports also. It is one of only two cultivars in the top 10 on both S1 and L1 tables in BSPB/STRI Turfgrass Seed 2019.

Its mean score of 7.7 on both tables is unsurpassed. In 2020, the variety will feature in Barenbrug Sport Range products Elite Sport and Multi Sport.

Find out more on the stand at SALTEX. www.barenbrug.co.uk Stand G055

ARGO TRACTORS

ITALIAN STYLE

ARGO TRACTORS IS returning to SALTEX to raise the profile of its Italian Landini tractors. While the complete Landini range extends to highly sophisticated tractors with up to 225hp for agricultural tillage operations, the focus at SALTEX will be on the smaller models – mechanical drive compact tractors from 54hp to 75hp, and fullsize mid-range tractors from 70hp to 113hp. These models are well-suited to turf care and grounds maintenance, providing high productivity and fuel efficiency. www.argotractors.com Stand K120

PRODUCT SHOWCASE S A LT E X P R E V I E W

AGRONOMIC SERVICES

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

STIHL

CUTTING EDGE MACHINES

TAKING CENTRE STAGE at STIHL’S SALTEX stand will be the new RMA 765 V PRO cordless mower. Visitors can preview its innovative features: 63cm magnesium twin-blade cutting deck, height-adjustable front wheels for zero turn, and variable speed controlled via the digital cockpit. Visitors will be able to see the new MSA 220 C-B, the most powerful cordless chainsaw in the STIHL range. Powered by a 36 V Lithium-Ion battery, it guarantees consistently high-quality cutting. The new BR 800 C-E blower, with a blowing force of 41N, will also be on display. www.stihl.co.uk Stand H070

MCCONNEL

ROBOCUT RC28 LAUNCH

MCCONNEL’S ROBOCUT has earned a reputation for performing in the toughest working environments. Now the Robocut range is expanding with the launch of the Robocut RC28, a mower developed for fine turf applications where a light footprint and minimal surface disturbance is paramount. The all-new machine is now entering full production. It allows remote-controlled mowing of level land and slopes of up to 55-degrees. www.mcconnel.com Stand A095

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AGRONOMIC SERVICES WILL BE highlighting its disease-prevention packages, helping turf managers to reduce their fungicide applications and focus on plant health.

David Snowden of Agronomic Services says: “This is a win-win situation for the environment and for the customer’s budgets, particularly with the restrictions on fungicides.

Floratine has been prescribing plant nutrition and preventative health for

Agronomic Services will focus on plant health at SALTEX

sports turf for more than 20 years. We are the experts in this field.”

For technology capable of reducing inputs, Floratine Foliars has extensive experience in plant health. www.agronomics.co.uk Stand F100

RIGBY TAYLOR

100 years of Rigby Taylor AS RIGBY TAYLOR celebrates its 100th anniversary, the company’s SALTEX stand is one not to miss. This year it will once again showcase a comprehensive range of innovative products and services, including: Next generation robotic line marking – also being shown in action on the outside demonstration area Low invasive drainage

Rain Bird irrigation rotors and controllers New autumn fertiliser, nematicide and fungicide programmes, and more.

All will be showcased and explained using touch screen technology by the company’s technical specialists. Plus, a free cup of coffee awaits every visitor! www.rigbytaylor.com Stand G060

MARK HARROD

MOBILE GOAL INNOVATION MARK HARROD IS SET to score a major result with an advance that will save pitch managers time and money.

Fourteen years after it launched the Easylift goal, which allowed equipment to be pushed and pulled around site after raising the frame above the playing surface, the latest innovation is a leap forward – a goal with “multi-directional mobility”.

The new DevoShift, designed for synthetic and high-quality pitches, allows site personnel to steer a full-sized goal through perimeter access gates as narrow as 6ft wide.

Launch of the goal coincides with the

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introduction of BSEN16579, a new standard aiming to tighten up goal safety by eradicating pinch points. www.markharrod.com Stand G181

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE S A LT E X P R E V I E W A range of new Eliet machines will be shown

INFINICUT

ROTARY WITH REEL QUALITY THE BRAND NEW SM34 Rotary Mower will be the main attraction at the Infinicut stand at this year’s SALTEX. The SM34 can be used as a traditional mower or as a stand-alone vacuum. Its mode of traction comes from the Infinicut reel mower, paired with a deck constructed using MTD’s state-of-the-art stamp-tooling equipment. It has both a front roller and rear traction roller, which means it creates stripes usually only achieved with a professional reel mower.

The brand’s cylinder mower range will also be on show at SALTEX. Available in a range of working widths from 22in to 34in, the Infinicut FX and

FL offer excellent cut quality, striping and quiet operation thanks to the Lithium-Ion battery power source.

The range’s environmental credentials mean that it will also be demonstrated in the new SALTEX Eco Village area. www.cubcadetturf.com Stand H075

PSD GROUNDSCARE

WHAT’S NEW IN LANDSCAPING

DEMON INTERNATIONAL

The pressure is on DEMON INTERNATIONAL IS one of the leading UK manufacturers of industrial pressure washers. Over the last few years, as emission regulations on engines have changed, Demon has produced a range of Honda-powered LPG engines for its Mini-Bowsers and Hurricane combi machines. LPG offers a reduction of 60 per cent for CO2 and greatly reduced hydrocarbon emissions. Recently Demon has also reintroduced the Tornado

Electron battery-powered pressure washer using Lithium-Ion battery technology. Demon is currently the only manufacturer making an industrial battery pressure washer at this time.

It now manufactures a machine based on the successful range of Tornado Mini-Bowsers offering two hours of constant cleaning with re-charging times of two to four hours. www.demon-pressure-washers.co.uk Stand F105

AMS ROBOTICS

AUTOMATICALLY BETTER VISITORS TO THIS year’s SALTEX exhibition will have a unique opportunity to see Belrobotics automated mowers and ball collector, along with the AMS ball wash and transportation system.

AMS Robotics, the UK’s official distributors for Belrobotics robots, will be have a stand featuring the robot technology in action.

With more than 55 locations across the UK, the automated turf

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maintenance company currently provides golf driving ranges with an all-in-one service solution that automates outfield mowing along with ball collection, washing and transportation. It also offers a robotic mowing service for large green space areas such as sports pitches, golf par three courses, public spaces or private estates. www.amsrobotics.co.uk Stand A040

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PSD GROUNDSCARE IS giving visitors to SALTEX the opportunity to see a range of innovative and time-saving landscaping solutions. Highlights include the launch of the next evolution in green-waste shredding from Belgian manufacturer Eliet, as well as a number of other new Eliet machines. Also on the stand will be high-quality machinery to manage the challenge of long-grass and bank mowing, including the new Koppl Taurus two-wheel tractor, which can operate on slopes up 50 degrees. www.psdgroundscare.co.uk Stand G120

MAJOR EQUIPMENT

SWIFT RESULTS

THE NEW 7.3M Major Swift Rollermower will make its debut at SALTEX this year. The double-wing design of the MJ71-730T increases productivity and efficiency without affecting the quality of the cut. The wings fold to 2.6m for transportation between sites.

Despite its size, the unit is surprisingly manoeuvrable and it’s made from high-strength Strenx steel, so that it’s relatively light weight to avoid creating compaction. Phil Cole from Cotswold Turf Care, who has been using the new machine, says: “We have a small team, so a reliable wide area mower is essential. The Swift is a great performer and always leaves an excellent finish.” www.major-equipment.com Stand J112

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE S A LT E X P R E V I E W

TYRE-LINE

TESTED TYRES

KUBOTA

TOUGH STUFF TRACTOR AND GROUNDCARE manufacturer Kubota will be showcasing its range at this year’s SALTEX. As well as promoting its Kubota Care warranty programme and first class aftersales support, there will also be a variety of machines on

display including the premium L2602 model, powerful RTV-X1110 and B Series range of tractors, equipped with high quality Kubota engines to deliver extra durability and reliability for a wide range of jobs. Visit the stand to find out more about the range. www.kubota-eu.com Stand C070

DLF SEEDS

A chance to win SPORTS, LAWN AND WILDFLOWER seed will be in focus as DLF Seeds returns to SALTEX. The team will give mixture advice across the Johnsons Sports Seed and Masterline ranges.

Visitors will also have the chance to win tools for overseeding, worth over £600.

DLF’s new turf type tetraploids are perfect for winter overseeding as they are bred for rapid germination even under low soil temperatures. To help

make the process more effective, DLF has teamed up with ForthRoots to give SALTEX visitors the chance to win the new RyeSeeder, perfect for recovery seeding, and MultiTool, which eliminates the need for tractor-mounted overseeding during the playing season.

There will also be information about the DLF Pro Flora wildflower range. www.dlf.co.uk Stand J100

AGRITREND

PLOUGHING AHEAD

AGRITREND DESIGNS SNOW ploughs and will be exhibiting an ideal product for grounds professionals at SALTEX. THE SPV-3 plough is a versatile option for muncipal, public space and roadway snow clearing.

It’s ideal for front mounting so grounds staff can turn a grassland tractor into a snow clearing tool ready for use on car parks and access ways. It’s a centrally pivoting

V-plough – making it easy to access and work in confined spaces, and its robust build means it will last.

Agritrend is also the importer and distributor of Biard Sprayers in the UK. These are tractor-mounted models with capacity from 200 litres to 1,200 litres and booms from 6m to 15m. www.agritrend.co.uk Stand K105

to SALTEX this year, bringing its knowledge and product portfolio of groundscare, ATV/ UTV and small agricultural tyres.

Tyre-Line provides both original tyres and wheels plus aftermarket solutions.

With 30 years’ experience, the team supplies customer-specific tyre and wheel fitments from its purpose-built facility in Daventry, Northants. The company’s aftermarket division is the sole UK distributor of Carlisle and ITP tyres and wheels. It also offers tyre pattern conversions (agri to turf and vice versa), bespoke wheel and tyre fitments and specialist patterns and fitment advice for all groundscare machinery. www.tyreline.com Stand D082

CHARTERHOUSE

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

AFTER LAUNCHING TO much acclaim earlier in the year, the OxyShot will be taking centre-stage on the Charterhouse Turf Machinery stand at SALTEX 2019. Suitable for use on a variety of sports surfaces, visitors will see how the air-injection unit can relieve compaction, improve drainage and revitalise growth without the need for chemical applications. Find out more about it on page 54.

The Charterhouse team will also be on hand to discuss the many new and future developments from Redexim, including the re-modelled Speed-Seed range. The popular dimple-seeder range has been extended to feature four new working widths – 1.1m, 1.5m, 2m and 2.3m.

For situations where drill lines need to be avoided, the Speed-Seed range is a popular choice. A spiked sarel roller creates 940 holes per square metre, with a rear brush then sweeping the delivered seed into the mass of holes leaving a groomed finish in its wake.

With model sizes to suit a variety of environments, the Speed-Seed range is ideal for overseeding large or small areas, quickly and with ease. www.charterhouse-tm.co.uk Stand K070

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE S A LT E X P R E V I E W

GREENMECH

New woodchipper TORO & HAY TER

NEW LAUNCHES TORO WILL SHOWCASE a range of new products at SALTEX this year.

Siteworks and landscaping will be a big focus, with new trenchers and turf renovation products, such as slit seeders and aerators being launched.

Toro will also be displaying the new TurfMaster HDX, a highly productive machine with a 30in deck to help landscape professionals cover more ground in less time whilst providing excellent manoeuvrability and control compared to similar size mowers. www.toro.com Stand E065

TURFIX

ADVICE & PRODUCTS

TURFIX, THE PITCHMARK GROUP subsidiary formed at the beginning of 2019, will be exhibiting at SALTEX with the latest products and developments.

Turfix acts as Pitchmark’s UK distribution arm, offering premium pitch solutions to the professional sports turf sector. The service includes bespoke advice, education and supply of a wide range of innovative products. www.turfix.co.uk Stand E125

LIMAGRAIN

MM SEED ON SHOW

LIMAGRAIN UK WILL showcase its grass seed mixtures, including the market-leading MM60 and MM50, on the company’s stand at SALTEX. MM60 is a 100 per cent Ryegrass formula for winter sports renovation. MM50 is perfect for cricket squares, tennis courts, golf tees and fairways. All MM mixtures are treated with Headstart Gold to give rapid, even germination. www.lgseeds.co.uk/mm Stand G041 KEEP IN TOUCH

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GREENMECH WILL SHOWCASE three versions of its new EVO 165 woodchipper at SALTEX. The EVO will be displayed in petrol, diesel and tracked form. The EVO features a new heavy-duty flywheel, delivering greater processing power. The onepiece chassis has increased durability, while a new safety bar system minimises nuisance tripping. Visitors to SALTEX will be the first to see the tracked EVO. www.greenmech.co.uk Stand J052

BLEC

SOWING THE SEED 4m BLECavator will be highlights on BLEC’s stand at SALTEX. The Turf-Seeder has front notched ring rollers that crush lumps, level the soil and create small pockets in the ground for the grass seed; seeds are then distributed at 5-50gm/m2, before

the rear rollers split the shallow ridges formed by the front rollers to maximise germination.

The BLECavator 400HD is the latest addition to the heavy-duty stoneburier range. www.blecmachinery.com Stand M080

NET WORLD SPORTS

Drinks and discounts SPORTS AND GROUNDS equipment retailer Net World Sports returns to SALTEX offering prizes, discounts and refreshments – as well as advice and information on its range of sports equipment.

Visitors to the stand can claim a free drink, have a go on the boxing machine to win prizes and receive a discount code worth 10 per cent off all

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products online.

The stand will also showcase the brand’s top-of-the-range products, including the Forza Alu110 Box Goal and 360-degree wheels; Luxury Portable Forza team shelter, a new product launch exclusive to SALTEX; Wembley wheel transfer line marking machine and carrot tuft markers; and Forza aluminium folding POD goals.

Net World Sport’s customer portfolio includes Manchester United, Somerset County Cricket Club, FA Wales, Oswestry School and the Canadian Premier League. To book a timed meeting slot with the team at SALTEX, visit the link below. www.networldsports.co.uk/ saltex-2019 Stand C107

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE S A LT E X P R E V I E W

HEADL AND AMENIT Y

FERTILISERS IN FOCUS

SCH Supplies will be sponsoring an IOG award again

SCH SUPPLIES

THE TEAM FROM Headland Amenity will be on hand at SALTEX to discuss the recently released H-Cote range of mini-granular controlled-release fertilisers, along with the rest of the brand’s range of turf nutrition, health and management products. As well as H-Cote, disease management will be a highlight on the stand, with Headland’s DewCure in focus. www.headlandamenity.com Stand G050

SCH SPONSORS AWARD FOR THE SECOND consecutive year, SCH (Supplies) will be sponsoring the IOG Best Managed Artificial Surface Award at the IOG Industry Awards, held during SALTEX. The choice to sponsor again follows the success of last year’s Industry Awards.

The choice of award was easy to make as SCH manufactures a range of artificial maintenance equipment.

This year’s most popular artificial surface products have been the DCR Decompaction Rake and HSTS98 Artificial Surface Towed Sweeper.

The DCR Decompaction Rake and optional DCRCA Chemical Applicator

are designed to apply chemicals to long-fibre synthetic sports surfaces.

The chemical is applied by a dribble/ drip bar mounted in front of a row of scarifying tines. The tines open up the surface to allow the chemical to penetrate deep into the fibres. The tines also help to remove compaction.

The autumn and winter months are ideal for the Artificial Surface Towed Sweeper (Ref: HSTS98), as debris on outdoor courts can quickly deteriorate playing conditions. The Sweeper can be used on many different surfaces due to the height adjustment feature. www.schsupplies.co.uk

JOHN DEERE

Mower makes its debut JOHN DEERE IS launching its first commercial electric battery-powered walk-behind rotary mower at SALTEX. The new PRO 43B produces zero emissions and offers intuitive handling, fast charging and a high level of operator comfort. It is designed to enable professional users to easily cut smaller grass areas and clean up edges in public spaces, without the disturbance and nuisance caused by noise and fumes.

The 36V mower’s new Powerhead carries two rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries and switches automatically to the second battery when the first one is empty. Charging capacity is 6Ah as standard, with a full electric charge taking 2 hours 20 minutes and providing up to 500m2 mowing capacity.

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is 43cm and there is a choice of seven cutting heights from 22 to 80mm, easily set by a central lever. The mower comes with a 45-litre capacity grass bagger that features a simple TurboStar ‘bag full’ indicator flag, and a height adjustable handlebar.

The new John Deere PRO 43B mower will be available in 2020. www.johndeere.co.uk Stand E080 The new PRO 43B mower will be launched at SALTEX

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KAR UK

NEW HUNTER ROTORS

VISITORS TO THE KAR UK stand at SALTEX will be first to find out about the new range of Hunter TTS rotors.

Irrigation wholesaler KAR UK will be unveiling the new rotors, which provide maximum uniformity and longevity. Using Hunter’s Total Top Service technology, the units can be serviced from the top, so there’s no more digging or surface damage. www.karuk.com Stand E053

ETESIA

BRUSHCUTTERS, MOWERS & MORE ETESIA WILL BE launching three new products at SALTEX, including a ride-on mower, the new facelift Attila brushcutters and electric wheelbarrow.

Also on show will be the recently relaunched PRO46 PHTS3 single-speed self-propelled and PRO46 PHE3 push pedestrian mowers; and the new AK60 & AH75 pedestrian brushcutters. www.etesia.co.uk Stand E085 twitter.com/the_iog

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE S A LT E X P R E V I E W

DENNIS

SISIS

FIRM FAVOURITES AND NEW MODELS A BRAND NEW range of mowers from Dennis will be launched at SALTEX, heading up a stable of maintenance products for every type of playing surface that will be on the stand.

Details of the new mowers are being kept tightly under wraps until the show, but visitors to the Dennis stand will also see the brand’s current equipment, including the Razor Ultra 560, designed specifically for fine turf. The Razor Ultra has a 560mm (22”) cutting width and includes an 11-bladed cutting cylinder, ultra-

ESTABLISHED EXPERTS e is sta i eo ha d to o er ad ice

short wheelbase for undulating surfaces, tungsten tipped groomer, and compact handle design for extra manoeuvrability. The popular Dennis FT510 and G860 mowers will also be available for visitors to see.

Dennis’ experienced staff will be on hand to offer advice about turf maintenance and it will also be a good opportunity for visitors to find out more about upcoming educational events for grounds keepers. www.dennisuk.com Stand E070

PELLENC

POWER TO HAND PELLENC UK HAS chosen SALTEX 2019 to launch four new batterypowered hand tools. Full details are being kept under wraps until the show opens, but a new pedestrian mower and ULiB will be two of the new

products to join the portfolio.

Other products on the stand will include the new Alpha range of OnBoard battery tools. The Pellenc Alpha range sees two new batteries (P260 and P520) which can be directly fitted to the tools or fitted to a new harness.

Also available to view will be the Airion 3 new generation hand-held blower, Rasion pedestrian rotary mower, Helion hedgecutter, Selion chainsaws and polesaws and the Prunion and Vinion pruning shears. www.etesia.co.uk Stand C085

KING FEEDERS

NEW SCREENER

KING FEEDERS UK is pleased to announce the launch of its new Ecogreen compact mobile screener at SALTEX 2019.

A breakthrough for businesses requiring compost and woodchip screening on the move, the screener can be legally towed behind a typical 4x4 pick-up, or similar vehicle, with a 3.5 tonne capacity. It can be built to be trailer loaded, or it can be trailed

48 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019

with its own axle and draw bar.

The Ecogreen has a quick release screening drum and choice of meshes. The aggressive drum ensures fast, efficient operation with low running cost per tonne. www.ecogreencomposting.co.uk Stand H085

SISIS will return to SALTEX this year bringing its expertise and a selection of its current product range .

The SISIS range of pedestrian scarifiers come highly recommended by sports turf maintenance staff, and two of these products will be featured on display – the Rotorake 600HD and the Auto Rotorake MK5. The new SISIS Veemo HD heavy-duty scarifier will also be on the stand. Aeration is vital to the health of sports turf and the tractor mounted SISIS Multitiner (available in 1.8m and 1.2m working widths) will significantly help to reduce turf compaction, thatch build-up and boost the overall health of the turf.

SISIS staff will also be on hand to offer advice throughout the two days. www.sisis.com Stand E070

SHERRIFF AMENITY

AWARD-WINNING APP UPDATED

SHERRIFF AMENITY’S PRECISIONPRO app won the second SALTEX Innovation Award in 2018 and, this year, the brand will be showcasing an updated version of the app on its stand, as well as new organic, chemical-free biochar products.

PrecisionPro now has a new mapping function, rain shroud and updated user interface, and one lucky visitor to the stand will walk away with the new app.

Sherriff Amenity is also joining forces with Carbon Gold at SALTEX to showcase the new Biochar Raw and Biology Blend products. www.sherriffamenity.com Stand E060

PRODUCT SHOWCASE S A LT E X P R E V I E W

SGL

SHINING LIGHTS

THE BRAND NEW BU grow lighting range from SGL Lighting makes grow lights possible for sports clubs that never had the budget before, and will be revealed at SALTEX. The company’s goal is to enable high quality grass growth for everyone, and due to advanced engineering and clever production, that day has come. The BU products stand for low investment costs, minimised shipping costs and reduced operational costs. In addition, SGL has optimised accessibility and user friendliness with its ‘get it, build it, use it’ method: 1. Get it: order online and get it shipped on one pallet within a few business days; 2. Build it: assemble the BU products yourself; 3. Use it: plug and play! Find out more on SGL’s stand at SALTEX. www.sglsystem.com Stand G223

REESINK TURFCARE

Up front with Toro

NEW TO REESINK Turfcare’s line-up and launching at SALTEX are two outfront rotary mowers from Toro’s nextgeneration GM3000 series.

Bringing a unique balance of productivity, durability and value to the UK’s groundscare customers, the new machines have all the benefits outfront rotaries are known for, but with significant performance enhancements.

There are two engine models – a 24.7hp and a 37.4hp, both Stage V

Toro will launch two new mowers for 2020 at SALTEX

emissions compliant, with options of 60ins or 72in rear, side, recycling and flail cutting decks.

Reesink will also showcase a wide range of Toro’s existing models, as well as its other brands Otterbine, and – on a separate stand – TYM tractors. www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk Stands H010 and E010

S&C SL ATTER

ONE-STOP SHOP LABOSPORT

CUTTING EDGE MACHINES

LABOSPORT IS A global authority on the design, construction and performance of sports surfaces. The company understands the needs of athletes, facility managers and sports federations, and its skilled consultants and technicians can support your project at any stage from initial design through to testing, certification and diagnostics. The team works across all sports and surfaces with grassroots organisations, schools, universities and professional clubs and elite international venues. Labosport holds an expansive scope of certifications for laboratory and site testing (including FIFA, World Rugby and FIH) and its technical competence and integrity is assured through its ISO17025 accreditation. The company’s multidisciplinary approach has supported its clients for more than 25 years. Visit the team at SALTEX to find out more about what they can do for you. labosport.com Stand E196

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S&C SLATTER PROVIDES in-house expertise through every stage of the sports construction process.

From concept design and planning, to construction, refurbishment and maintenance, the team has the knowledge and experience to reduce risk and deliver exceptional facilities.

The company works closely with clients to create artificial and natural

sports turf pitches, MUGAs, athletics tracks, car parks, roadways and grounds infrastructure. This year S&C Slatter acquired White Horse Contractors, a leading provider of soil and water engineering for sports and landscape construction, expanding the depth of services on offer. www.sandcslatter.com Stand F185

ICL

CONTROLLING WEEDS AND PESTS

VISITORS TO ICL’S stand at SALTEX will be able to find out more about Lockstar, a new residual, preemergent herbicide that controls a broad spectrum of weeds.

Elsewhere on the SALTEX show floor, ICL’s international technical manager Andy Owen will be leading a seminar entitled Managing Parasitic Nematodes with Seaweed.

This will be held on the second day of SALTEX in Learning LIVE Theatre Two at 12:40pm (see page 23 for full details of the programme). Andy

will be providing an insight into ICL’s unique four-year research project which is exploring the effects of seaweed products on turf grass plant parasitic nematodes. www.icl-sf.co.uk Stand K030

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

A E R AT I O N

TERRAIN AERATION

HAMMER TIME

ENABLE LEISURE AND Culture (ELC) recently called on the services of Terrain Aeration to deal with waterlogging problems at Tooting Common, London – where the six senior football pitches became waterlogged in the winter season – along with Garratt Park and Fishponds Playing Fields.

Terrain Aeration’s Terralift was brought in to apply deep penetration aeration to relieve the problem. The machine uses a JCB road breaker hammer to drive a hollow probe 1m into the soil. This is needed, especially on made up ground, and because it is usually so compact at depth it requires the hammer to get through. Once the probe reaches the optimum depth, compressed air is released up to a maximum of 20Bar (280psi). This blast fractures the compacted soil to allow drainage and deep aeration. www.terrainaeration.co.uk

The Terralift will solve your waterlogging problems

Andrew Brough and the versatile SISIS Quadraplay

SISIS

Single-pass sensation ANDREW BROUGH, HEAD groundsman at Wolverhampton Rugby Union Football Club, claims that the SISIS Quadraplay single-pass maintenance system has helped him in his personal quest to improve the standard of pitches.

Following advice from Keith Kent, former head groundsman at Twickenham, he purchased the SISIS machine. He said: “Keith told me a lot about his thoughts on basic pitch requirements, what he felt was the best approach and also the best equipment to use. He told me that, in his opinion, the SISIS Quadraplay was

SCH SUPPLIES

The versatile D Turf Care System

ROBUST AND VERSATILE THE D TURF Care System has a variety of interchangeable attachments, including corers, slitters, aerators and sorrel rollers, and more.

The robust frame has a category-1, three-point linkage tractor mounting as standard, with other categories supplied upon request. A weight tray is incorporated in the design

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which allows the option to add up to 250kg of top weight to gain the desired penetration depth. The removable floating roller with adjustable scraper bar will push back any plucked divots without closing the penetrations.

The Mounted Deep Aerator attachment features nine heavy-duty aeration discs on

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the best way forward for us.”

The SISIS Quadraplay multiplepurpose, single-pass maintenance incorporates a mounted frame for up to four implements such as grooming rakes, spikers, slitters, rollers and brushes. The implements can be fitted to the mainframe in any order and can be independently adjusted to achieve the desired effect. Compact, robust, versatile and with the ability to carry out up to four operations simultaneously, the Quadraplay makes life easier for grounds personnel. www.sisis.com

a 50mm stainless steel axle; the deep mounted slitter with replaceable tines attachment is a fine-turf slitter equipped with slender blades.

On the hollow tine corer, the revolving discs fitted with hollow spoon tines delve into the turf surface to remove, on average, a 75mm (3”) core. www.schsupplies.co.uk

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

A E R AT I O N

ECOSOLVE

CHARTERHOUSE

DRILL SKILLS

HOT SHOT THE OXYSHOT FROM Charterhouse Turf Machinery proved the perfect solution to compaction and poor drainage at Ipswich Town FC. Ben Connell, grounds manager explains, “Despite aerating with solid tines throughout the season, during the wet winter we had some problems with waterlogging on one of our academy pitches. I called Peter Knight of Bury Turfcare in December, who deduced there was a pan layer roughly 400mm down causing these areas to hold water. As the OxyShot can work down to a depth of 500mm, he brought the unit in to shatter the pan layer and since then, this area has been free-draining.”

The OxyShot machine uses a single 25mm probe to inject air into the soil in four directions, at a pressure of up to 110psi.

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The OxyShot airinjection unit in action

Ben was so impressed with the results, he had the OxyShot back a few weeks later to carry out further spot treatments on another problem area. “We worked on an area roughly 10m2 and the results were fantastic.

We had some really significant rainfall throughout the winter and while some surrounding areas were very wet, the test patch was free-draining and clear of any puddling. Nine months later and we’re still seeing the benefits of the work, with no compaction to report.” www.charterhouse-tm-co.uk

A dry summer and droughted out rootzones mean that fine turf, centre circles and goal areas can benefit from Drill n Fill or Deep Drill aeration, operated by contractor Ecosol Turfcare, this autumn or next spring.

The specialist aerator’s 31cm deep ducts mean that water can percolate down to the roots and the filled drainage ducts remain effective for months. Soil amendment applied with the sand backfill can improve nutrient uptake. Compaction after a heavy summer season will also be relieved.

The Drill n Fill does not damage greens and they can be put back into play within a few hours of treatment.

Ecosol Turfcare also offers the Graden linear aerator which rips out thatch, introducing grooves 40mm deep which can be filled with sand. www.ecosolve.co.uk

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

A E R AT I O N

VENTRAC

NO CORE CONTRAPTION TRADITIONALLY IN THE UK, we are used to using dedicated equipment – mostly tractor-trailed and walkbehind machines – for aeration.

The recent introduction of the Ventrac multi-purpose tractor – with

over 30 attachments – into the UK, means there is now an alternative that can be used for a multitude of groundscare operations.

The AERA-vator vibrates and loosens the soil beneath the grass

The Ventrac 4500 with AERA-vator

without destroying the turf. It creates a hole without bringing a core to the surface, leaving the turf ready for use.

With a working width of 1.52m and a depth of 70mm, the vibrating heads create six holes every 300mm (66 holes per square metre), with the hole size regulated by the drive speed. The slower the forward speed, the larger the hole.

The tines can be replaced individually or by quickly changing the entire mounting heads. The AERAvator has the Ventrac Mount System, allowing for easy attachment changes, and comes with a standard jack stand for easy mounting. An optional overseeding kit is available.

The all-wheel-drive Ventrac 4500 is rated for slopes of up to 30 degrees and is capable of handling a wide range of turf conditions. www.ventrac.com

#SoMuchChoice

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Machines for all Aeration applications.

See us at Saltex 2019 on Stand K070

www.charterhouse-tm.co.uk | 01428 661222 www.iog.org www.iog.orgTHE THEGROUNDSMAN GROUNDSMAN 55

S A LT E X 2 0 1 9 S E E u S AT S ta n d H 0 7 5

U LT I M AT E T U R F M A N A G E M E N T. The cassettes of the TMSYSTEM™ provide verticutting, shallow solid tining, brushing, cleaning etc. for the remedial and curative maintenance on all sports turf surfaces.

Compatible with most mainstream OEM triplex and fairway mowers to improve the health and playability of sports turf surfaces. Resulting in exceptional overall surface quality and appearance to benefit both playing surface and player alike.

Thatchmaster RazorCutter UltraGroomer Scarifier TurfClean PowerBrush SarelRoller StarSpiker SMARTVibe™ StaticBrush SMARTCut™

www.infinicut.com @Infinicut

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o ad ertise i the c assi ed section of The Groundsman please contact: Lee Morris T: 0203 859 7097 E: lee.morris@ jamespembrokemedia.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE IN THE GROUNDSMAN CONTACT LEE MORRIS:

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www.iog.org THE GROUNDSMAN 57

Tools & guidance MAINTENANCE CALENDAR AND WEATHER UPDATE

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NOVEMBER OPERATIONS BOWLING GREENS

Regular out-of-season work will be undertaken from now on for the autumn/winter period. Drag brush daily, or as ground/climatic conditions allow, to maintain a dry surface with upright grasses.

The height of cut will typically be 10–12mm, so just keep the grass topped if required.

Earthworm activity, as well as any sign of leatherjacket presence, will need to be treated.

Mild, humid autumnal weather will be ideal conditions for a Fusarium attack – so keep a close eye on the situation to prevent it developing.

Aeration, probably with slit/chisel tines from now, should not be neglected.

Keep leaves off the green by removing them on a regular basis.

TENNIS COURTS

Leaves will continue to be a problem so do not ignore them and brush or rake them up on a regular basis. Moss may also be a problem on some courts. If this is severe then consider controlling moss using chemical application.

Earthworm activity might be high, with surface casts smothering some of the sward.

Regular switching and drag brushing will be needed.

Disease potential can be high during November, so watch out for initial signs of attack. Do not neglect mowing – keep the grass topped over the coming weeks.

Aerate if ground conditions are favourable.

CRICKET SQUARE

Carry out regular observations of the surface to check that grass health is good.

Regular drag brushing will help disperse worm casts and keep the grass upright. Top the square at 18–25mm height of cut if the ground/climatic conditions and growth allow.

If any material in topdressed tine holes has sunk, carry out additional topdressing, although be careful not to apply too much.

Maintain any perimeter fencing.

CRICKET OUTFIELD

Aerate if ground conditions are suitable. Continue to be vigilant for pest and disease outbreaks.

Repair areas as required if outfield is used for winter sports. Make sure the markings are clear and accurate.

FOOTBALL

Aerate the pitch when the ground conditions are suitable.

Topping may still be required, although try and keep it as high as possible to allow for maximum amount of coverage going into the winter.

Divot as often as possible to help maintain an even surface.

Sanding of high wear areas may be required: ensure hand forking takes place beforehand.

58 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019

GOLF COURSE

Consider mowing the greens with hand mowers from now on.

This will reduce wear on the green from heavy ride-on mowers as well as travelling between greens. In addition, ride-on mowers can be prepared for their end-of-season service at the same time.

Continue divoting fairways.

Aerate greens with slit tines.

Remove leaves from greens, tees and parts of the fairway. Consider starting any tee extensions or bunker renovations. Tees that are taken out of service for the winter period should have been completely renovated by now: finish off with any turfing as necessary.

RUGBY UNION

Continue with aeration wherever possible. Occasional topping of the grass may still be required, especially in the south of the country. Replace divots on higher quality pitches, while chain harrowing on basic quality pitches will remove divots from the pitch for collection at the pitch edge.

RUGBY LEAGUE

The traditional playing season should now have come to a close and the surface been renovated.

Constant switching and light drag brushing would be advantageous to stand the grass up and dispense with any morning dew.

If the surface is stable enough, some type of aeration might be able to commence to aid root growth and drainage, preferably vertidrain to a maximum depth.

Make sure the pitch is protected to the best of your ability, to alleviate footmarks from unwanted visitors once the overnight frosts start coming.

Complete any remedial jobs around the stores or edges of the pitch in the next few weeks.

On the amateur side, pitch protection is essential now that winter is upon us.

Any game that has a chance of destroying the pitch should be looked at as maybe being moved or replayed. It only takes one bad session or game to put you back for the rest of the winter. Constant pitch repair by way of divoting or chain harrowing will help you maintain levels. Drag brush if possible to stand what grass you have back up. A vertidrain or slitting of the surface is also advised.

HORSE RACECOURSE

Carry out general observations of the course to check against damage as this is typically the start of the National Hunt season.

Prepare and repair fences/jumps prior to and after each meeting.

Fallen leaves could be a major problem on some parts of a course. A light topping of the grass may still be required.