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| Jul 2006 |
| The Interactive Online Magazine for Groundsmen and Greenkeepers |
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The continuing drought, apart from putting the grass under severe stress, has other implications. Bruce Brockway, secretary of the Land Drainage Contractors Association, has spelt out the high risk of drainage trenches sinking or collapsing. Clearly this has major health & safety implications with some sports facilities becoming too dangerous to use. In his article on the Pitchcare website, Bruce points out that existing drainage systems are as likely to be damaged as new ones, and emphasises the need for constant monitoring. Whilst it is difficult enough for those with a few pitches or golf course to maintain, spare a thought for the people in charge of our racecourses. I was at a meeting the other day and, all credit to the grounds team, there was a respectable number of horses in each race. Nowadays, particularly over the jumps, trainers will withdraw their horses at the slightest hint of hardness in the ground. After each race there were various teams around the course replacing divots and forking the compacted areas. They did a fantastic job, although none of their efforts helped any of my horses - I didn't get one winner! I spoke briefly to the Head Groundsman at another race course recently, who said that with the continuing drought measures all his meetings may have to be farmed out to other courses. Unfortunately, the forecasters are predicting more hot weather throughout August, so good luck to you all. Regards David Saltman MD. Pitchcare | |||||||||||||||||
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The turf industry across Europe is under pressure with more and more people having to reduce inputs of water, fertiliser and pesticide, even on public green areas. Work carried out between the R & A and a group of Danish greenkeepers over the last 15 years has resulted in some remarkable results. Turf quality can be improved and inputs reduced by replacing weak meadow grass swards with a good quality fescue mixture. Increasing the frequency of over seeding has also been shown to have very positive effects, including reducing the stress levels of the greens staff, as fescues are more predictable to manage than meadow grass. Johnson's have a range of exceptional fescue over seeding mixtures proven to improve turf quality. This autumn customers can take advantage of some great promotional offers on three of our top mixtures (contact your local distributor for details). Johnson's J3 and J4 incorporate the unique sheeps fescue ‘Quatro’ having exceptional fine leaves, high shoot density, colour and drought tolerance especially under low N management programs. For purists and specifically greens renovation, Johnson’s offer J Fescue, specifically designed for fine turf renovation. Mixture details available at www.dlf.co.uk All Johnson's mixtures have the added advantage of the exclusive Turfguard coating, proven to increase establishment rates and improve plant health. For more information contact: Derek Smith, Amenity Sales Manager, Dlf Trifolium Ltd Tel: 01386 791102 Email: dsmith@dlf.co.uk | ||||||||
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Drought - A Special Report by BIGGA - Melissa Toombs delves into the affects of the drought and asks 'what steps can be taken to prevent our courses from drying out?'. From efficient irrigation to desalination the detailed report considers all options, plus some top tips for dealing with the problem. Read full report. Nematodes - Nematodes are a large and diverse group of non-segmented, microscopic roundworms that can inhabit both the rootzone and the turfgrass plants themselves. There are three main types of nematode but it is only the plant parasitic nematodes that have the ability to cause damage or disease to the turf. Dr Kate Entwistle discusses the increasing number of the latter found on amenity grass. Read full article. Sunken trench lines cause problems - Bruce Brockway of the Land Drainage Contractors Association flags up a potentially serious problem as the drought continues. Sports Operators are warned of the risks to trench lines caused by soil shrinkage. Read full article. Badger Damage - What can be done? - Badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, which makes it illegal to kill, injure or take badgers or to interfere with a badger sett. Interference with a sett includes blocking tunnels or damaging the sett in any way. There is, however, provision within the legislation to allow action to be taken. Read full article. How successful have your end of season renovations been? - Editor, Laurence Gale, has been out and about looking at some of the renovation works on local sports pitches. Some, particularly on school and parks sites, have been woeful and will have disastrous consequences for players as the new football season draws near. Read full article. | ||||||||
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Saltex 2006 - Windsor Racecourse on 5-7 September. For full details of the exhibition and a list of exhibitors please visit www.iogsaltex.co.uk. Ernest Doe Turf Care Show - The largest family-owned grounds care, agricultural and construction machinery dealer in the UK will be holding their annual Turf Care Show on Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st September 2006. The show will be held at the company’s head office at Ulting in Essex and will feature a range of machinery, products and services from hard landscaping to fine turf. For further information or to register please e-mail turfshow@ernestdoe.com or contact Emma Fry on 01372 471009. Danish Greenkeepers Conference 2006 - Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th October in Vejle in Jutland. For further details view the website www.greenkeeper.dk. | ||||||||
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The less than half price offer on the Rollcart Sprinkler finishes today. The offer price is £750 plus Vat, including delivery. A quality German made sprinkler, specially designed for professional use on large areas such as stadiums, sports fields, temporary greens, turf nurseries, riding paddocks or dressage arenas. Click here for details. Buy from the Fleet Linemarkers range during August and have the chance to get yourself their top of the range Kombi spray linemarker FREE. Any purchase will qualify you for entry into the free prize draw for this £505 machine. Play Grade Bark and Mulch - Discounted prices on bulk orders of 20 cubic metres plus. Fill in the form and we will get back to you with a price. Don't forget, you can set up a Pitchcare Store Account for your club, school, council or company and obtain 28 day credit terms, unique acccount holder recognition system and exclusive Pitchcare offers. At the moment, all new account holders will receive free subscription to the Pitchcare magazine for one year. | ||||||||
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£3900.00. 1650 Hours, 4WD, Diff Lock, 5 Blade Fixed Units. Ibea Vision Rotary Lawn Tractor c/w Collector £1450.00. Brand new shop soiled/tested. 15.5HP Briggs & Stratton electric start engine. Stothert & Pitt Roller £2000.00 Tandem ride-on cricket roller in good condition. Allett Shaver 20" £1850.00. Demo 10 Bladed Cylinder Mower. Ideal for all fine turf surfaces. John Deere 220a £1250.00. Just serviced, brand new cylinder and bottom blade, Toro GM1000 Pedestian Mower c/w Groomer, Wheels and Stand £1000.00. Will go straight to work, having been sharpened and serviced in March 2006. This is just a small selection of the Used machinery available on the Pitchcare site. To view more click here. Can you help? - we have a growing number of Groundsmen and Greenkeepers looking for machinery. Mowers, rollers, aerators, markers, are all wanted. Click here for more details. | ||||||||
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Groundsman - Premiership Football Club Training Ground, South London. Groundsman required to join existing team at this Premiership Football Club. Sole Groundsman - Private School, West London Private school with two sites close to main building, is looking to recruit a sole groundsman. Regional Sales Manager - Northern England An opportunity has arisen within a major UK Biotech business to take responsibility for Sales and Business Development. Deputy Head Groundsman - Racecourse - West London A major course within West London is looking to recruit a Deputy Head Groundsman. Grounds Maintenance Operatives and Foremen Essex and Kent. Working for large South East grounds maintenance company on prestigious contracts. Pitchcare Shop Administrator We are looking for someone to help us administer our new online store. To view the full list of Jobs available click here. If you're looking for staff then please view the Work required section. Advertising your vacancy on the Pitchcare site costs just £100+VAT, with no time limit, and gets your advert in front of 20,000 plus members. Placing your advert couldn't be easier, just click on this link. | ||||||||
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