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

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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 

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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

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

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Red Fescue Varieties for Sustainable Golf

By: Asbjørn Nyholt, Product Manager Prodana Seeds A/S

When low levels of nitrogen (60 kg N/ha a year) are applied, only the dense top-rated varieties of red fescue such as Cezanne provide an attractive putting surface. Contrary to expectations, the slender creeping red fescue thrives better than chewings fescue, according to trials carried out at DLF-TRIFOLIUM’s breeding station in Store Heddinge, Denmark.

Varieties for sustainable golf
"Thanks to people’s environmental awareness and Royal & Ancient’s vision of sustainable golf, interest in using red fescue for greens has increased significantly. This places huge demands on the characteristics of the varieties, as additives such as fertilisers, fungicides and water must be kept to a minimum. Levels lower than expected possible a few years ago," explains plant breeder Niels Christian Nielsen. "The trials established on our two trial greens back in 2003 show that there is a huge difference in how both species and varieties react when the application of nitrogen was reduced. In principle, it is only the very best varieties that perform well at such low levels of nutrition." 

In August 2006, the first series of trials on greens concluded at DLF-TRIFOLIUM’s breeding station at Stevns.

Results from Stevns
In this article, the results described concern red fescue. The trials also included browntop, creeping bent, velvet bent, perennial ryegrass and various mixtures, but these will be covered at a later point.

60, 120 and 200 kg N/ha for red fescue
The first three year round of trials on the two trial greens at Stevns ended in August 2006. Back in 2003, a trial was conducted using three levels of fertilisation: 60, 120 and 200 kg N/ha annually and with six different varieties of red fescue. The fertiliser was applied in liquid form and diluted using a watering can. Crystalline fertiliser from Kemira NPK 14:3:18 and 15:0:0 was used. It was applied once every 2-3 weeks, in total around 10 times per year. The cutting height was 5.5-6.0 mm. It was vertically cut 2-3 times a year and top dressed a few times, which is less than is done in practice. 

Cezanne slender creeping red fescue performs perfectly even when the quantity of nitrogen is reduced from 200 kg N/ha (right) annually to 60 kg N/ha (left). Note the greater root depth at 60 kg N per year.

Calliope chewings fescue largely retained its shoot density when the quantity of nitrogen is reduced from 200 kg N/ha (right) annually to 60 kg N/ha (left).

		Quality, general evaluation, August 2006			Shoot density August 2006
		60 kg N/ha	120 kg N/ha	200 kg N/ha	60 kg N/ha	120 kg N/ha	200 kg N/ha
Chewings fescue	Calliope	6.0	8.0	6.5	7.0	8.5	7.5
	Rossignol	3.5	3.5	6.5	6.0	7.0	6.5
	Kiruna	5.0	6.0	7.5	6.5	7.0	7.5
Slender creeping red fescue	Cezanne	8.0	8.0	9.0	7.5	8.0	8.5
	Leonora	4.5	4.5	5.5	4.5	5.0	5.0
	Smirna	5.0	5.0	6.5	4.5	5.0	5.5

Table 1: The general evaluation was a visual assessment at the end of the trial, and shoot density was assessed by counting 3 15 mm plugs per plot.

		Weed % of coverage
		60 kg N/ha	120 kg N/ha	200 kg N/ha
Chewings fescue	Calliope	12.0	3.5	3.0
	Rossignol	27.0	14.5	8.0
	Kiruna	15.0	6.0	2.0
Slender creeping red fescue	Cezanne	1.0	1.0	0.5
	Leonora	13.5	3.5	2.5
	Smirna	5.0	3.5	1.5

Table 2: The proportion of weeds (mainly annual meadow grass and algae) was calculated as the degree of coverage at the end of the trial.

Cezanne and Calliope
The overall score generally falls 1 to 1.5 points as the application of nitrogen is reduced. In the same way, density (table 1) falls and the proportion of weed increases as the quantity of nitrogen is reduced (table 2). The best results on greens were therefore achieved by using the densest varieties, as these top-grade varieties retain sufficient density at low nitrogen applications for them to still offer an attractive putting surface. The tables show that Cezanne is, of the tested varieties, the one best suited to low nitrogen applications, followed by Calliope. 

Trichophylla varieties do best
"Against expectations, we see that trichophylla varieties (slender creeping red fescue) manage better than commutata varieties (chewings fescue). My expectation was that commutata varieties, which die down earlier, would have been better equipped to survive the winter. My results show that trichophylla varieties start to grow earliest in the spring, survive drought best in summer and get through the winter best. The Commutata varieties have difficulty getting started in the spring at low nitrogen levels," comments Nielsen.

Trygve Armlid found the same tendency based on the recently concluded Nordic variety test for greens: "Among red fescue types, trichophylla varieties were better on greens than commutata varieties. This is partly because they achieve a higher shoot growth during the establishment year, as they establish themselves more quickly, and because growth begins earliest in the spring the following year. There was no tendency for commutata varieties to survive the winters better than the trichophylla varieties."

New trial green
Now that the old trial has finished, new trials were sown in the autumn. One trial involves a growth trial on a green, the other will form part of the project in co-operation with DGU, DJF and KVL, which will include the new trial green at Sydsjælland Golf Club at Mogenstrup. See www.turfgrass.dk for more information.

DLF-TRIFOLIUM will investigate the effect of wear at various nitrogen levels on Poa annua and sown species. A wear machine, which is similar to golf play, will be used for the wear treatment.

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

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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 

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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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Days Off 

... or what Pitchcare readers
get up to out of office hours

Article published in Pitchcare Magazine

MIRANDA HARRIS, Marketing and Communications Manager, DLF Trifolium (Johnsons Sport & Amenity): Sport is a relevant part of my job as well as my life outside of work. At work I am involved in turf for premier football pitches and tournament golf courses but, when I am finished with my suit and and briefcase, it is tarmac that I turn to.....

To read the full article please click here:  Days Off

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A secret of SUCCESS

Article published in Pitchcare Magazine

In the heart of the Danish countryside, surrounded by 72 hectares of test fields, resides the main research and development site of DLF Trifolium. Their history goes back over 125 years, to 1872, when it was established as a seed grower and producer. Nowadays, the DLF group is a co-operative, owned by around 5400 individual seed growers....

To read the full article please click here:  A Secret of Success

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DLF Competition 

Article published in Pitchcare Magazine

Exciting opportunity for Greenkeepers and Groundsmen to visit DLF Trifolium Breeding Station in Denmark.  Your chance to win an ‘all costs paid for’ trip to the largest breeding facilities in the world

To read the full article please click here:  DLF Competition

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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.  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 Johnsons. 

The majority of the seed we sell in the Johnsons 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 Johnsons 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
ollowing 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 winter 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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Article on DLF Trifolium by Laurence Gale - Pitchcare 

"SEED companies invest a great deal of time and money into the development of new varieties. It takes between 12-15 years to breed, select, trial and market a particular grass variety. In addition there is a need to sustain and manage a distribution network that can serve its customer base. One such company is DLF Trifolium which breeds, manufactures and sells grass seed to both the amenity and agricultural markets throughout Europe."

To read further please click here

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

 
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Exciting new range of drought tolerant mixtures go into trial

Significant improvements in tall fescue cultivars together with the interest in more drought tolerant species, has resulted in DLF Trifolium putting a range of new formulations into trial.  The new mixtures, to be sown this autumn, will assess the best formulations for the future and will be available for all customers and interested parties to visit, alongside other landscape, wildflower and sports turf demonstration trials. 

In addition, DLF will sow mixtures under different nutrient programmes to assess requirements in line with customers looking to adopt more sustainable maintenance programmes. 

Pro26 Ecosward, a mixture with tiny clovers known as microclovers bred by DLF Trifolium, is looking particularly green at the moment, under the drought conditions.  These tiny clovers are able to tolerate drought exceptionally well.  They produce a natural source of fertiliser for the grass, so are very suitable for low maintenance situations. 

A new mixture, Pro29 Drought Master has been formulated to take advantage of the exceptional  colour, density, wear tolerance and disease resistance of new tall fescue cultivars Masterpiece and Debussy.  By including Limousine, the UK’s leading smooth stalked meadow grass, and a dark leaved perennial rye grass, the mixture is aimed at customers interested in long term drought tolerance who require a mixture with very good visual merit as well.

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

 
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Article by Miranda Harris of DLF Trifolium on Danish grass breeders and the different varieties of fescues being developed for suitablility for golf courses.
To read further please click here 

 
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