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2007

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Lilleshall National Sports Centre

Lilleshall National Sports Centre certainly provides a wide range of grounds maintenance challenges for estate manager Keith Fox and his team from ISS Waterers Landscape. ISS Waterers provide grounds maintenance services at the site through Leisure Connection plc to the principle client Sport England.

Lilleshall was originally built in 1831 as a hunting lodge and retreat for the Duke of Sutherland and his family. The site is now a National Centre of Sporting Excellence with residential and visiting users including the Football Association, British Gymnastics, The Grand National Archery Society and many other visiting sports teams.








The formal landscaped gardens are varied and quite beautiful. They include large grassed areas, an arboretum and an Italian garden. These are set in a secluded and spectacular setting. The site also boasts four purpose built football pitches with a further five natural pitches. There are also further grass training areas, a pitch and putt course, a bowling green and an artificial pitch all set within 370 acres of grounds.

The challenges faced by Keith are therefore extremely varied, therefore expertise and flexible working patterns in many areas is a key requirement. Balancing the requirements of formal areas and fine turf with the demands of winter sports and archery is no mean feat. Keith and his team have achieved exceptional results at the site. These high standards were rewarded with a British Association of Landscape Industries principle award for Multipurpose Site 2007.

Keith’s commitment to quality of work and presentation at Lilleshall show an understanding of both landscape and sports turf maintenance in a unique setting. He is also full of praise for his team of four who share his enthusiasm and work ethic. 

With all this responsibility and pressure for excellent results, Keith required grass seed mixtures that would provide high quality playing surfaces in the shortest possible time. "I always choose highly rated varieties," states Keith. "I realised that the Johnsons Sports Seed mixtures had an excellent combination of top rated varieties and the added benefit of being Turf Guard treated. The establishment of the grasses was quick, uniform and provided resilient wear tolerant, attractive swards. In particular Pitchmaster mixture has provided excellent results. I have been very pleased with Johnsons Sports Seeds and appreciate the interest and technical input on site from the company."

 

 

For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk 

 

   

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The Climate's Right for Johnson's Lawn Seed

GLEE 2007 has been another huge success for Johnson's Lawn Seed. New product "All Weather Lawn" caught the eye of both customers and press as the perfect mixture for our ever changing weather patterns. With the ideal combination of tall fescue and sheeps fescue, the mixture is suitable for both extended periods of drought and heavy deluges of rain. The addition of smooth stalked meadow grass helps maintain appearance and colour whatever the weather.

At a seminar on climate change running during the show, Johnson's Lawn Seed was mentioned over and over again for its appropriate range of lawn care products. "We have a reputation for leading the way on developing products which demonstrate environmental integrity," explains Marketing Manager, Miranda Harris. "We have a duty to educate customers and help change behaviour, as well as come up with solutions for them. Fortunately with the huge investment we make in research and development within our global organisation, we have been able to come up with sustainable products for the lawn care market."

Another product which is proving to be very popular is Easy Lawn, a mixture of tiny clover and grass seed. Bred specifically for a discerning market, the clover is micro and mixes well giving a lovely appearance as well as deep green colour. In recent independent trials, Easy Lawn came up top over 19 other seed mixtures.

Many visitors were impressed with the joint promotion on offer for garden centres. Each centre was allowed to choose a local school and donate half a dozen rugby balls branded with the JLS logo. "We are keen to promote sport and fitness in as many schools as possible," explained Miranda. "The Garden Centre should get some PR out of the initiative and the schools will get a few free balls. After all rugby is very topical at the moment."

 

For more information about Johnsons Lawn Seed products please call 01386 791113 or email info@johnsonslawnseed.com or visit the website www.johnsonslawnseed.com

 

 

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Tony Strickland Returns to DLF – again! 

DLF Trifolium UK is pleased to welcome back Tony Strickland, Assistant Trials Manager, who will be based at Didbrook alongside Grass Breeder, Chris Taylor.  He will be responsible for DLF demonstration plots, the oilseed rape and arable crop trials, and will assist Chris Taylor with the grass trials. He strengthens an already impressive set-up at DLF Trifolium for Breeding and Product Development. 


Tony is extremely well qualified for the position, having a degree in Agricultural Science (Crop Science) from Leeds University and considerable experience working in agricultural and amenity trials. 

He was Trials Manager for Perryfields Holdings (now DLF Trifolium) at Inkberrow from 1993 to 2000 and prior to that he spent 8 years as Trials Officer for Danish Plant Breeding (now DLF Trifolium) at Didbrook! 

Since leaving, Tony has been growing forage grass trials, producing early generation seed multiplications and running a nursery selling native wild flower seed and plug plants. 

Welcome back to Tony.

For more information on the agriculture range please call 01386 791101 or email forage@dlf.co.uk 

 

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UK Grass Seed Prices set to rise

A combination of factors will inevitably force the price of grass seed to rise says leading grass seed Supplier DLF Trifolium Ltd. “In recent years we are seeing fewer grass seed crops grown, says Derek Smith, Amenity Sales Manager for DLF. “No longer is there any subsidy on grass seed production so growers are looking at the most profitable crops to grow i.e. wheat. In addition to this factor is a higher demand for bio-ethanol crops such as oil seed rape and wheat in Europe.” 

“Already we are experiencing difficulty in contracting for 2008 grass seed production due to these competitive crops,” concludes Smith. 

The recent wet harvest in the main production areas of Western Europe has reduced seed yield by 20% for 2007 harvest thus compounding the problem further.

 

For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk 

  

 

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DLF Trifolium Triathlete Competes in Hamburg World Age Group Championships

 

 

Inspired by watching the Elite Women race the day before, Miranda Harris, Marketing Manager for DLF Trifolium slipped into the cold brown waters of the Alster lake in Hamburg at 8.40 on September 2nd to begin the Olympic Distance World Championships.  Racing against 75 women from all over the world in her age group was far more daunting than anything Harris had ever attempted in the UK and once the hooter had signalled the start of the race, she realised she was competing against some ferocious athletes. 

The mile long swim seemed further than usual, probably made tougher by an unsympathetic north wind ruffling the waters of the lake, however Harris exited the swim and began the long run through transition to her bike.  With over 2,400 bikes racked along the Ballindamn high street, it took some time before Harris could shed her wetsuit and begin the next 40km stage on her bike.  A keen cyclist, Harris always enjoys this part of the event and the fast, technical course suited her well.  Apart from one amusing incident with a camera man trying to capture her on TV, which she mistakenly took for a race marshal, the bike leg was uneventful and passed quickly. 

Back on her feet again after another lengthy transition, (adding another 1.5km to the 10km run), Harris soon realised all was not well for the last leg.  The 10km run seemed to go on forever and a Paula Radcliffe “pit stop” became necessary.  This meant losing a couple of minutes and just missing her target of under 3 hours. 

The cheering crowds on the last kilometre were awesome and the tremendous support for Great Britain helped to ease the pain on crossing the line.

Despite coming home with a total of 40 medals for the team, Harris’s age group top position was 4th, just proving how tough the competition was.  “I found it a really tough race and the build up really unnerved me,” says Harris.  “Although I didn’t quite make my target of 3 hours, I’m proud to have been part of the Great Britain team and its now back to the drawing board to see where I can improve for 2008.”  Harris has already qualified for Vancouver World Age Group Championships.

For more information please contact Miranda Harris
Tel: 01386 791120  Mobile: 0788 7897673
Email: mharris@dlf.co.uk

  

 

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TGA 2007 SHOW Recent visitors to the TGA Show, held at County Turf on 27th June, had the opportunity of winning £500 worth of seed on the DLF Trifolium stand.  A total of 12 managed to get “water droplets” through the smallest hole in the game board and were entered into the prize draw.  Other prizes of DLF caps and pens were won for those who were less accurate!  Drought Master Pro 29, was presented to the trade, a mixture containing highly STRI rated tall fescue varieties Masterpiece and Debussy.  This landscape mixture has been formulated to take advantage of the exceptional colour, leaf and shoot density, wear tolerance and disease resistance of exclusive new turf type tall fescue cultivars.  These cultivars have roots which will penetrate the root zone to depths of over 1m and when combined with Quatro sheep’s fescue and Limousine smooth stalked meadow grass, will produce a fine turf where water supply is restricted.  Sheep’s fescue improves fineness and visual merit but needs little Nitrogen input and will hold its colour well.  By including smooth stalked meadow grass, the mixture is well aimed at customers interested in long term drought tolerance as well as very good appearance under stress conditions.  It is also a choice mixture for areas of grass which have become waterlogged, a problem we have seen recently.   For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk      Back to Top       Grass Breeding & New Facilities For UK Grass Seed Business As part of the global grass breeding organisation, DLF Trifolium A/S, the UK subsidiary is delighted to have the opportunity to carry out its own grass trials on home grounds. Chris Taylor transferred to DLF Trifolium Ltd together with the CPB grass breeding programme, which was finalised in November 2006.  With 30 years of breeding experience behind him, he has been very successful in breeding agriculture ryegrass varieties for the UK Recommended List including Twymax, Twytop and some highly rated amenity varieties, Twysport red fescue and Twyplay perennial ryegrass.  Now in charge of all trialling activity for the UK’s leading grass seed company, he is based at Hailes Farm, Didbrook, near Cheltenham.  Breeding grasses for UK conditions is the main objective for Chris with overall responsibility for 5000 plots within 40 acres of land dedicated to amenity and agriculture varieties.  In order to complement this significant appointment for DLF, proposals have been submitted to the planning authorities to build new trials facilities to include offices and machinery storage at Hailes Farm, for the trials and plant breeding department.  This building will, when completed, become the main location for all trials functions in the UK including personnel, equipment, grass trials and additionally demonstration areas of amenity and game cover crops subject to planning permission! The new trial facilities will be completed by spring 2008.  In addition to these changes, there are significant developments within the UK business.  Excavation work started on 18th June at Thorn Farm, Head Office as the first phase of extending the warehouses by approximately 10,000 square feet.  An important element of the new building will be the installation of “roller racking” which will significantly increase the quantity of finished goods that can be stored.  Once the construction has been completed, hopefully by early October this year, the packing lines will be re-organised to be accommodated in one area with a direct link to the new warehouse.  These two developments are further significant investments by DLF Trifolium in the business which emphasises its commitment to creating the best seed business serving the UK market.   For more information on the amenity range please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk  For more information on the agriculture range please call 01386 791101 or email forage@dlf.co.uk      Back to Top       DLF Trifolium Triathlete Qualifies for GB Team Miranda Harris, DLF Trifolium's Marketing Manager has recently qualified for the Olympic Distance World Championships which will take place in Hamburg later this year.  Miranda had 4 chances to qualify this summer with races at Ellesmere, Rutland Water, Fishguard and Wakefield. The first two races went well, especially Ellesmere which was her first Olympic distance triathlon ever consisting of a 1500 metre swim, a 25 mile bike finishing with a 10km run.  The bike course suited Miranda well and her times were competitive but overall she was not quick enough to give her one of the top 4 places necessary for qualification.  Due to compete at Wakefield, two weeks following Dambuster, Miranda made a last minute decision to race at Pembroke instead due to a smaller field and more chance of qualification. Of the four qualifying races, Pembroke Triathlon is probably viewed as the toughest.  The race opened in the sea with a two lap swim including a 200 metre run in between.  Then on to a testing bike course which left Fishguard and followed the coastal road to St. David’s with a four mile climb to warm up.  The two lap course was just under 30 miles, nearly five miles longer than a standard Olympic course.  The run, also a two lap course, included a challenging jaunt along the inner breakwater followed by a kilometre climb on to the coastal path, for a further kilometre before retracing the route back to the harbour.  Despite promises of fine weather and a calm swim, Miranda was somewhat disconcerted with the inclement conditions on arrival at Fishguard.  Gale force winds and torrential rain made the usually pretty harbour of Goodick, Fishguard look very uninviting.  However there was no time to reconsider.  A mass start at 8.00 a.m. with nearly 200 competitors and the race was underway.  The first lap went well and Miranda managed to stay with a group of swimmers who offered some shelter in the increasingly rough sea.  However on the second lap, conditions worsened and the swimmers spread out.  Many of the competitors were forced to slow down in order to negotiate the choppy sea.  Out on the bike, and again a reasonably quick first lap but torrential rain and heavy gusts of wind made it impossible to take advantage of any steep descents.  Road safety was the main priority to avoid any chance of aquaplaning and Miranda was relieved to finish the bike unscathed.  The run was in true character, extremely wet under foot following all the heavy rainfall and hilly but elation soon took over as the realisation of finishing the race became a reality.  An email later that day confirmed her place in the Olympic distance team as well.  Needless to say she has opted to race the longer distance! For more information please contact Miranda Harris Tel: 01386 791120  Mobile: 0788 7897673 Email: mharris@dlf.co.uk     Back to Top         Whatever The Weather Johnson's Has It Covered You can rely on Johnson's Lawn Seed to have the best range available, but you can't rely on the weather. In fact our weather is becoming more unpredictable every day. Winters are becoming warmer and wetter, with fewer frosts. We had a scorching spring with a long period of drought, followed by deluges of rainfall. Whatever the weather however, Johnson's has a mixture suitable, and this year is no exception with the new mix launched at GLEE 2007. Not only is the weather a popular topic of conversation. Green issues, whether of climate change, carbon emissions, healthier living or environmental considerations, are becoming increasingly relevant to consumers. However we need to use these green issues to our advantage. "Adapting to, and mitigating climate change is not just an environmental concern, but one of the greatest economic opportunities of this century," explains Miranda Harris, Marketing Manager for Johnson's Lawn Seed. Lawns, in particular, offer good news for the environment. "A natural green carpet made from the finest, healthy grass can aid in the reduction of carbon dioxide missions, reduce energy consumption and thus contribute to efforts minimising global warming trends," concludes Harris. "We have a duty to educate consumers and help change behaviour. Fortunately with the huge investment we are making in Research and Development within our global organisation, we will have the necessary products available in our garden care range to demonstrate our environmental integrity and offer consumers a healthy alternative."  For more information about Johnsons Lawn Seed products please call 01386 791113 or email info@johnsonslawnseed.com or visit the NEW website www.johnsonslawnseed.com     Back to Top             Athletic Turf Article Read an article from Athletic Turf on the perception of players from the NFL in the USA regarding artificial turf. 'NFL players weigh in on grass/synthetic....' To read further please click here: Athletic Turf Article   Back to Top

 

 

DLF Trifolium take the Show on the Road

DLF Trifolium, has organised a series of seminars titled “Practical Sustainability” to help turf managers achieve a quality, sustainable turf surface.  The seminars, demonstrate the benefits and use of more frequent overseeding within any prudent turf management programme. 

“The R&A definition of sustainability in relation to golf course development and management,” explains Derek Smith, Amenity Manager for DLF Trifolium, “is optimising the playing quality of the golf course in harmony with the conservation of its natural environment under economically sound and socially responsible management.”

The events will cover all aspects including:

• Why oversow and which grass ?   - Derek Smith, DLF Trifolium
• Creating a receptive rootzone  - Martin Ward, Symbio
• Effective overseeding (practical)  - Keith Kensett, R & K Kensett
• Primo Maxx – Simon Barnaby, Syngenta
• Managing for a quality sward  - Andy Cole, PSD agronomy/ Henry Bechelet, S.T.R.I

This will be an exciting and interesting opportunity for all turf professionals i.e. greenkeepers and groundsmen interested in improving the quality of their course.  The events will be free of charge but numbers will be limited, therefore tickets will be on a first come, first served basis.  The course is recognised by BIGGA and greenkeepers will qualify for points towards Master Greenkeeper/3 CPD professional credits.

The venues include:

Belton Woods Golf Club, Grantham, Lincolnshire	28th March
Pedham Place Golf Club, Swanley, Kent	17th April
STRI, Bingley, West Yorkshire	19th April

The first event will on March 28th. Please contact Bev Underwood on the details below if you are interested in attending.

For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk 

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BTME 2007 

Exciting opportunity for Greenkeepers and Groundsmen to visit DLF Trifolium Breeding Station in Denmark 

Greenkeepers and Groundsmen visiting BTME 2007 will have an exclusive opportunity to win a trip to Denmark in 2007.  The competition, run in conjunction with Pitchcare, will be open to all visitors coming on to the DLF Trifolium/Johnsons Sport & Amenity stand - A16.  Two successful entrants will win the opportunity of an ‘all costs paid for’ trip to the largest breeding facilities in the world at DLF Trifolium A/S, Head Office and breeding station.  

This is where new varieties are being developed for changes in climatic conditions, future restrictions on inputs and demanding playing circumstances. Other places of interest included on the trip will be a premier football stadium and a leading golf club.  There will some excellent runners up prizes as well as an opportunity to preview the new Johnson’s Sport & Amenity and Pro Range mixtures for 2007. 

For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk

 

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BTME 2007

A revolution for Turf Mixtures from Johnsons 

We have had a real mixture revolution in the Johnson’s range for 2007. Using a combination of experience and technical trials from DLF Trifolium Ltd, we have radically re-formulated several of the blends. Most people design mixtures with a general application in mind, where they are not sure of the soil types, use and management a mixture will receive. The blends therefore have to be a compromise and able to adapt to the many variables. Not so for Johnson’s. 

The majority of the seed we sell in the Johnson's range is for the renovation of quality sports turf, so the key motivators when re-designing the blends are speed of establishment, performance and visual quality. The new mixtures make the most of the significant improvements made in turf grass breeding over the last 5 years. In addition the exceptional Turfguard seed coating is applied to all Johnson's mixtures.  

 

NEW J2
Now a 60% (95% by seed No’s) bent overseeding mixture. The fescue acts as a nurse crop, being able to germinate at a deeper sowing height, allowing the majority of bent to establish rapidly at the surface, providing proven close mown results.  

NEW J4
Following the success of J Fescue introduced in 2006, we have now updated J4 to an all fescue mixture specifically designed for golf course fairways. We have taken advantage of the faster establishment of the new strong creeping red fescue Almerita and the unique sheep’s fescue Quatro. The new mixture has improved colour and reduced requirements for fertiliser and water and will be very effective for links courses or clubs looking to follow a more sustainable management programme.  

 

NEW TEEMASTER
Teemaster is now the perfect Tee renovation blend. The high quality turf type ryegrasses have been increased to 70% of the mixture and they are combined with the new rapid establishing red fescue Almerita. The new mix guarantees even faster ground cover and a fine, dense and attractive appearance. 

NEW PITCHMASTER (formerly Wembley way)
Following its introduction onto the market 2 years ago, the No 1 ranked sports turf perennial ryegrass Bizet has taken Johnson's premier winte sports renovation mixture, Pitchmaster, to new levels of performance. The mixture of choice for many of the UK's leading clubs has been further improved with the increase of Bizet to 50% of the mixture. No other mixture offers the unique combination of outright wear tolerance with the colour and visual merit that Pitchmaster delivers.

Please visit us on stand A16 where you can view the new range of mixtures and find out about our competition to win a trip to Denmark – the two winners will visit our breeding station and see some of the courses and stadia where these revolutionary mixtures have been sown.

 

For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk

  

 

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