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| Feb 2006 |
| The Interactive Online Magazine for Groundsmen and Greenkeepers |
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Weather is the No 1 concern of every Groundsman and Greenkeeper, it is the determining factor in everything we do. The more information we have about the weather, and the earlier we have it, the better we can plan our work.We recently posted an early weather warning on our site, which had been issued to us by Jim Dale of British Weather Services. Jim is an experienced International Risk Meteorologist, his company provides the professional weather services that we have available on the Pitchcare site. The early warning received some interesting comments including one from a member who warned of the dangers of headline grabbing speculation, basically accusing Jim of scaremongering, and pointing out the implications of last year's early warning which had proved to be over exaggerated. In his response Jim explained that he had not been a party to the previous warnings, they had been issued by the Met Office, and that the purpose of his warning was not to alarm but to assist people in terms of preparation. He stood by his forecast which warned of a severe cold front coming in from the north east and spreading across the country during this week It was some 48 hours before the BBC was up to speed repeating Jim's forecast almost word for word, arctic like conditions etc. Jim had supplied the advice to Pitchcare members at no cost and in good faith, and, like any other advice on the site, it is up to the individual reader to decide whether to accept it or ignore it. There are many things in our industry which are difficult to control or predict. Groundsman and Greenkeepers are forever making difficult decisions, and they may not always be right, but they do so with the best intent based on their knowledge and experience. Sticking your head above the parapet is something we have to do in our industry. So, when people like Jim do just that, let's give it a pat not shoot it off! Kind Regards David Saltman MD, Pitchcare | ||||||||||||||||||||
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New formulations include Wembley Way, the number one Sports Turf Renovation Mixture available and therefore ideal for high profile pitches that need to be “camera friendly”. After many years of research, new cultivars have been carefully blended to produce a turf with excellent colour, disease resistance and cleanness of cut, giving the visual merit necessary for today’s multi media world. Wembley Shade includes True Putt, Poa Reptans, proven under technical and field trials, to be the only suitable species to compete with Perennial Ryegrass under heavy shade and football type wear. When combined with top rated cultivars including Bizet and Verdi, they produce a sward of exceptional wear tolerance and density, ideal for today’s super stadiums. Dramatic results from STRI funded by DLF Trifolium Ltd: The final report of trials carried out at The Sports Turf Research Institute, Bingley shows increasing overseeding rates has a dramatic effect on the speed of establishment and quality of the new sward. The research examined the effects of different overseeding rates on the speed of recovery of a heavily worn perennial ryegrass sward, (simulating an end of season winter sports pitch). Overseeding is an important part of the renovation programme for intensively used winter games pitches. The higher seed rates markedly reduced the time required to achieve a surface deemed fit for use. The density and uniformity of sward produced at the end of the establishment phase was also improved. For a full version of the report or for details of the full range of Grass and Wild Flower Seed Mixtures including Johnson’s, contact on 01386 791102 or amenity@dlf.co.uk | ||||||||
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Tractor Demo Day - At the beginning of February Pitchcare staged a 'Which' style tractor test. With the kind co-operation of Ian Smith and his staff at St Albans School, 13 mid range tractors were put through their paces. There was an extensive list of testing criteria and, because of the variation in the machines, rather than a 'like for like' comparison it was more an assessment of the benefits and drawbacks of each. The full report on the testing is being compiled and will be published on the Pitchcare website during the week beginning 6 March. Bird Flu - Pitchcare members can help provide an early warning system for bird flu. With over 16,000 active Pitchcare members currently working in the British turfcare industry, we are in a good position to provide a vital early warning system to combat the threat of a potential bird flu epidemic in the country. Pitchcare members can play an active role in providing vital information about bird deaths they find on their land. More details. Cultivation Techniques - Implementing an Optimum Programme - In the first of his two-part article, Martyn Jones of the National Turfgrass Foundation, reviewed techniques in identifying soil physical problems. In this, the second part, various means of correcting deficiencies are explored and the pros and cons of each method are evaluated. Click here to read the full article. | ||||||||
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Sponsored by Syngenta the awards are open to students and Pitchcare members. All you have to do is write a 1500 word article about sports turfgrass - science, technology or management. A journalistic style will be required and should comply with the following guidelines:- 1. A title that attracts attention and stimulates interest. 2. A first paragraph that summarises the essence of the complete article. 3. The main content of the article that presents all relevant information and its interpretation to justify the article being written and published. 4. Good use of images/diagrams/tables. 5. Acknowledgments and list of references, if applicable, to all sources of factual or other information used. Closing date is 31 March 2006. Entries should be sent to Pitchcare at billadamsawards@pitchcare.com | ||||||||
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Issue 5 of our acclaimed hard copy magazine is out on the 6th March. For just £30 you can guarantee delivery of the latest Pitchcare Magazine, and a further five issues, direct to your door. Featured in the forthcoming issue are:  Tractor Testing – 13 mid range machines put through their paces.Pesticides – learning from our mistakes. Playing Fields – what is being done to protect them? Drop-in wickets – expertly done at the Telstra Dome. Grand National – preparations for the big day are well underway. Walter Woods – an interview with the greenkeeping legend. Plus all our regular features – Day’s Off, Reader’s Lives, Sods Law, A Day With, You Can’t Be Serious, and a whole lot more…… Click here to book the February/March issue of the Pitchcare Magazine. | ||||||||
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Fleet Line Markers has teamed up with Pitchcare to offer members a fantastic deal on all colours of 750ml Fleet Aerosol Line Marking cans. Fleet is a market leader in the supply of line marking equipment, manufacturing top quality machines and a range of robust, effective line marking materials used in top sports stadia and grounds. Over 25% discount is available for aerosols ordered during the months of February and March only. Aerosol cans NOW £5.95 plus VAT. Free delivery on 15+ cans. Fleet aerosols guarantee to produce crisp, bright and long lasting colours. Aerosols are available in white, black, yellow, blue, green, red, & orange. All are ozone friendly and CFC free. Suitable for all surface marking including, sports markings, stencils and playground markings. Click here to order. | ||||||||
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Here is a selection of jobs currently available:- Head Greenkeeper, Norway Gjersjoen golfcourse is under development, with 6 holes and driving range open for play. We are located in a scenic area just outside Oslo, Norway’s capital. As no pesticides are used, we are Norway’s first truly environmental course. Our new head greenkeeper should have several years of experience working on golf courses. He should be familiar with all relevant areas of work. Must be able to start work at the end of March. We can offer a competitive salary as well as a flat next to the club house. Sales Professional Boughton Turf Management are pleased to annouce the expansion of their Turf-care equipment sales division. We require an experienced sales person to cover Northants and parts of Cambs. Calling on Golf Courses,Local Authorities, Sports Clubs and other end users promoting, demonstrating and selling leading franchises within the industry. Ideally based around the Kettering area. Good package for the right person. Groundsman - Private School, Hertfordshire Groundsperson required to join the grounds team at this prestigious school. Reporting to the Head Groundsman you will work on multisports throughout the year maintaining the existing high standards. Ideally you will have grounds experience and an NVQ Level 2 in Sports Turf Maintenance or the equivalent, though training will be given to the right individual. To view the full list of jobs on offer click here. If you are looking for staff we have a number of qualified and experienced Groundsmen and Greenkeepers seeking employment. To view the complete list click here. You can advertise your vacancy on the Pitchcare site for just £100+VAT. Prices for inclusion in the hard copy magazine start from as little as £120+VAT and discounts will be applied to adverts taken across both mediums. Contact us for more details peter@pitchcare.com | ||||||||
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Ransomes Super Certes 61 £2400.00. 10 blade cylinder mower. 2005 model. As new/ex demo condition. Less than 2 hours work from new. C/W Collector box. John Deere 2653A £7950. Diesel Triple Mower 8 bladed floating heads, box kit, three wheel drive. Roberine 900 4wd £1950. Triple cylinder mower in good condition ideal for outfield etc. Sisis Autoturfman £700. Good condition 8 years old, Mark 2 model,used on a bowling green 3 times since new. Glasgow area. Supaturf Top line 2000 £250. Supaturf top line 2000 electric line marker,c/w 3 lane track extention,Charger & some spare parts. Excellent condition. No Vat. Can deliver local to Thames Valley, or, carrier at cost. Click here to view the full list of Used Machinery on offer, | ||||||||
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GCSAI Annual Conference - Being held in Galway on 1st and 2nd March. More details on www.gcsai.org/annualconference.html Amenity Forum Conference - The Weed and Pest Control Challenge. A conference for senior managers:- Warwickshire County Cricket Club - 1st March More details from Becky Dyer 01420 593200 or becky.dyer@bcpc.org Sports Turf Drainage Seminars - Three major seminars and demonstrations of sports turf drainage machinery at three separate venues in the South West of England:- Bodmin - 28 March Bridgwater - 29 March Bristol - 30 March More details from Tom Jones on 07785 295239 | ||||||||
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