2008
New Priming Technology – Pre-Germ® offers great opportunities
A new priming technology called Pre-Germ ® which can be used on Smooth Stalk Meadow Grass, has been launched by DLF Trifolium. It offers excellent opportunities for high quality turf mixtures where wear tolerance is key. Pre-Germ® has many benefits which positively affect germination and is available on J9 Stadia in the Johnsons Sports Seed range.
Germination is quicker, by up to 7 days, and more uniform which means faster establishment and a more consistent emergence pattern respectively, even at lower temperatures or when soil moisture is reduced. Smooth Stalk is strongly rhizomatous and therefore ideal for a more dense, wear tolerant turf. With its strong spring re-growth, it is a natural repairer for damaged turf.
Another Johnsons Sports Seed mixture which has received a lot of favorable match reports is Pitchmaster, a 100% Perennial ryegrass mixture. Pitchmaster is well known for its rapid recovery and regrowth from wear. Its attractive colour and cleanness of cut provide the turf with exceptional visual merit thus making it very camera friendly for the premier games.
Colin Powell, Head Groundsman for Charlton Athletic has used Pitchmaster for 6 seasons and wouldn’t consider anything else. “The results are fantastic, I can rely on a really good recovery especially in the dormant months between December and January,” quotes Colin.
Another fan is Steve Kiddy, Head Groundsman at Sheffield Wednesday who has used Pitchmaster for the last 3 years with great success. “Everyone comments that the pitches look terrific – both the main ground and the training pitches which really get a lot of use,” explains Steve who has been at Sheffield Wednesday for 23 years. “It is the best mixture I have used, the take, the colour, the density, everything is good about it.”
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
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North West Turf chooses DLF
as sole supplier of Seed
DLF Trifolium is now the exclusive supplier of seed to North West Turf. "We have been selected due to our extensive varietal portfolio, clean seed, professional service and support, and exceptional results in the field," quotes John Hughes, Technical Sales Manager for DLF Trifolium.
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
For more information on North West Turf please click on the link: North West Turf
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Lead Levels in Artificial Turf
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According to an article in the American newspaper USA Today, lead levels have been found in synthetic fields. Users are potentially risking inhaling dust contaminated with lead and there is a possible risk of infection from turf burns.
Read the article here |
To read a further article about why grass should be the natural choice click here
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
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EPA to investigate Lead Threat in Artificial Turf
The USA Environmental Protection Agency has become the latest federal agency to investigate the potential threat from lead in artifical turf.
To read the full article please click here
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
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Recent developments at DLF show importance of breeding for the future
An investment in 7 million euros in Research and Development by leading grass seed organisation DLF Trifolium means new material and ideas for turf mixtures are guaranteed on a regular basis. With environmental issues becoming more topical and harder to ignore, the argument in favour of natural turf is becoming more important all the time.
Not only is grass safer and healthier to play on but it is cost effective and has many environmental benefits which are often unrecognised. Grass is a living plant and produces oxygen. It absorbs noise and heat as well as clearing carbon dioxide and dust from the air. Many new innovations from leading grass breeders are forthcoming, especially when there is such a large budget devoted to R and D as seen with DLF.
One innovation which has already caused a great deal of interest, especially amongst the environmentalists is the development of tiny clovers, known as MicroClovers. Once seen as a problem in grass swards, whether for professional or recreational use, clover is now being greeted enthusiastically, as seen in MicroClover Sports Mixture.
Sports turf surfaces are always under a lot of pressure, just like their players but this recent breakthrough in breeding, proven in STRI trials, will please everyone because it ticks both the environmental and performance boxes. Tiny clovers, known as MicroClover, are mixed with high quality turf grasses, which are selected for their slow regrowth, dark colour and disease resistance resulting in an dense and attractive looking sward which is also extremely hardwearing. This is very important, particularly for areas such as the goal mouth where ground cover can be difficult to achieve.
The appearance of a MicroClover turf will be superior to a traditional turf, as the clover weaves its stolons with the grass, spreading evenly and integrating its leaves homogenously into the grass. The dense growth of this mixture ensures that weeds are crowded out and new ones find it hard to establish. Permanent availability of Nitrogen from the clover feeds the accompanying grasses, adapting to growth habitat and the weather conditions; therefore the turf remains healthy, green and hardwearing, even during periods of drought. These mixtures are very poplar in Denmark as seen in the Aalborg Municipality. "There are fewer weeds in the ground and we have already sown 17 football fields with MicroClover mixtures," says the head of Operational Planning. Back in the UK, orders have been received from Calderdale Metropolitan Borough council in Halifax, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough council in Rotherham and City of Salford council.
As part of the global grass breeding organisation, DLF Trifolium UK has the opportunity to carry out its own grass trials on home grounds with an experienced team headed up by Chris Taylor. Chris has over 30 years of breeding experience with some highly rated amenity varieties included in his portfolio. Now in charge of all trialling activity 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 varieties. In order to complement this significant appointment for DLF, new trials facilities including offices and machinery storage at Hailes Farm for the trials and plant breeding department are currently underway and due to be finished next spring.
Another mixture to herald a breakthrough in breeding is All Weather Sports Mixture with turf credentials proven in independent trials. It combines ryegrass, smooth stalked meadow grass and new turf type tall fescue which has been purpose bred for the amenity market to produce a dense but very fine turf which benefits from a strong root system binding the root zone. Recovery rates are high too. This mixture is great for those looking for good appearance and the ability to cope well under stress conditions including water logged areas as well as long term drought.
The increasing importance of using turf type Perennial Ryegrass has been reflected with the new table in the BSPB Turfgrass Seed Booklet which means greenkeepers and groundsmen can incorporate advanced cultivars of Perennial Ryegrass into their mixtures. The new ‘Close Mown Ryegrass Trial for Greens’, cut to 4mm, features cultivars Sauvignon and Jessica as No 1 and 2 respectively.
Taking advantage of these outstanding results, Johnsons Sports Seed has included both Sauvignon and Jessica cultivars within its 2008 range in Taskmaster and Ryemaster mixtures. Ryemaster combines the two high flyers with Evita Perennial Ryegrass, which has been tried and tested at many top UK county cricket venues including The Oval.
Finally, a new priming technology Pre-Germ® which is used on Smooth Stalk Meadow Grass offers excellent opportunities for high quality turf mixtures where wear tolerance is key. Pre-Germ® has many benefits which positively affect germination and is available on a new mixture called J9 Stadia.
Germination is quicker by up to 7 days, and more uniform which means faster establishment and a more consistent emergence pattern respectively, even at lower temperatures or when soil moisture is reduced. Smooth Stalk is strongly rhizomatous and therefore ideal for a more dense, wear tolerant turf. With its strong spring re-growth, it is a natural repairer for damaged turf.
Not only has DLF invested in developing native trial facilities but they have recently completed the extension of their warehouse facilities by 10,000 square feet. An important element of the new building has been the installation of "roller racking" which has significantly increased the quantity of finished goods that can be stored. Completion of these important new facilities has co-incided with the appointment of sales manager Bob Scott, who brings many years of business development experience with him. He is technical sales manager responsible for the southern area.
These significant developments by DLF Trifolium, both in terms of breeding and investment in the business, emphasise its commitment to creating the most effective and competitive seed business serving the UK market as well as an organisation with environmental integrity.
For further information on the Johnsons Sports Seed and Pro Range Mixtures, please contact 01386 791102 or email: amenity@dlf.co.uk
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Natural Grass Gets The Green Light
With environmental issues becoming more topical and harder to ignore, the argument in favour of natural turf strengthens all the time. In a report written by the European Seed Association (ESA) titled "Why Choose Natural Turf" the evidence states clearly that turf grass is better for the environment. It is safer and healthier for the players as well as being a cost effective alternative to installing and maintaining artificial turf.
On the one hand, dedicated research and development has ensured that grass seed has evolved to cope well with unpredictable weather patterns from periods of drought to torrential rainfall, as well as shade and other climatic pressures. Grass is a living plant and produces oxygen; it absorbs noise and heat; it also clears carbon dioxide and dust from the air.
On the other hand an artificial pitch 'loses' 3 tonnes of material each year, just through normal play, with an effect on the environment and human health. Renewal of an artificial pitch produces 250 tonnes of waste including 105 tonnes of rubber granulates and 127 tonnes of sand. (Source: www.euroseeds.org)
In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has begun investigating potential hazards from lead in some artificial turf sports fields across the country. Two fields in New Jersey were closed in April 2008 after state health regulators found high levels of lead in turf fibre samples. (Source: www.usatoday.com)
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will play a supporting role in the investigation regarding health concerns posed by synthetic turf.
A report developed and managed by the Environment and Human Health Inc. entitled "Artificial Turf" has demonstrated that ground-up recycled tyres (tyre crumbs) used as in-fill material in synthetic turf, release chemical compounds into the air and water, constituting chemical exposure to humans and the environment. Health concerns include acute irritation of the lungs, skins and eyes. The report recommends that a moratorium is placed on installing any new artificial pitches which use these tyre crumbs. http://www.ehhi.org/reports/turf/
Research from Pennsylvania State University has identified that surface temperatures of synthetic turf surfaces are between 35-600 higher than natural turf grass surface temperatures. http://cropsoil.psu.edu/mcnitt/infill7a.cfm
Finally, players are concerned about the injuries associated with artificial turf which include burns, turf toe and foot lock. Therefore once you have considered all these factors - costs, health implications, environmental issues, injuries - and then look at the huge developments being made in grass breeding, the choice seems obvious.
Sources:
www.usatoday.com
www.euroseeds.org
http://www.ehhi.org/reports/turf/
http://cropsoil.psu.edu/mcnitt/infill7a.cfm
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
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More Effective Overseeding
To read the article published in Greenkeeper International in May 2008 entitled 'More Effective Overseeding' by Miranda Harris, Marketing Manager of DLF Trifolium Ltd
please click here
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
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Technical Innovations from DLF Trfiolium
Grasslands 2008 sees the launch of ForageMax brand from leading UK grass seed business, DLF Trifolium, which takes into account changes farmers need to address for their future success. As seen latterly it is becoming more important to make use of the naturally produced foods available from well maintained pastures. The pressure for extra cereal production for bio fuels and the increased demand for human food grains has led to very high prices for animal feeding products based on these arable products. Grass intake depends on quality and this starts with the grass mixture you sow.
ForageMax benefits from modern, highly trialled cultivars to bring a range of quality grass seed mixtures. The new range includes specialist mixtures, HorseMax Elite and DroughtMax with festulolium, a tall fescue/Italian ryegrass cross. Festulolium varieties offer improved persistence, stress tolerance, yield and quality when grown in conjunction with Red Clover. Also on show is iSeed, a fertiliser coating for grass seed that eliminates the need for seedbed establishment fertiliser and GrassMax overseeding mixtures, which have been proven in independent trials.
"Outstanding grassland performance results were announced recently following a comprehensive three year replicated overseeding trial at DLF Trifolium’s Didbrook research and development centre in Gloucestershire," explains Tim Kerridge, Agricultural Sales Manager at DLF Trifolium. "The benefits seen are worth over 40% per year in improved animal performance if you consider only D-Value and yield, without increasing fertiliser input. The trial results confirm the success of overseeding young grass to maintain and improve yields and forage quality."
For further information about ForageMax and the range of trialling activities at DLF Trifolium, please visit stand 306.
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
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The Green Square
You will find grass seed from DLF-TRIFOLIUM in prominent places all around the world and one of the places is right in the heart of Moscow, within the walls of the Kremlin. Recently The Danish Agricultural Council’s weekly magazine Foodculture published a short article about this subject…
‘If President Putin needs to take a break from the international political scene, he has the opportunity to take off his shoes and socks and change the political scene into another fresher one. The ornamental green lawns inside the red, Russian castle in the Kremlin are sown with Danish grass seed.’
"About 15 years ago, the first Danish grass seed arrived in Russia, and today we sell different grass seed varieties, both to the professional market as well as to consumers," says Jonathan Sveinbjornsson of DLF-TRIFOLUIM Moscow.
It is not only the elected officials who are enjoying the Danish grass. DLF-TRIFOLIUM is also the supplier of lawn seed to the soccer clubs Sparta Moscow and Dynamo Moscow.
"We were among the first suppliers on the Russian market and have become synonymous with high quality and credibility. The Russians have welcomed us with open arms and this has resulted in being recognised as the leading supplier of grass seed to the Russian market today," says divisional manager Torben Beck.
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
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Bob Scott joins DLF Trifolium 
The appointment of Bob Scott by DLF Trifolium Ltd is great news for Johnsons Sports Seed. With over 30 years experience in the turf business, Bob will be responsible for sales in the South of England. Bob has left a challenging sales and marketing role at British Seed Houses having spent 13 years gathering experience as well as contributing to year on year sales growth. "We are delighted to have such a dynamic professional sales person in the Johnsons Sports Seed team and look forward to reaping the benefits of Bob’s knowledge, experience and contacts," explains Derek Smith, Amenity Sales Manager.
Bob lives with his partner and soul mate Sue in Stroud with their two dogs, Cookie, a Springer Spaniel and Fraser, a black Labrador. They spend half of their lives walking the dogs around the splendid Cotswold's, and on any dog friendly beaches they can find during the winter months.
Bob’s hobbies include motorcycling, speedway, reading, music, natural history, gardening and photography. Last year Bob and Sue went to the British and German speedway Grand Prix, and with any luck hopes to mix business with pleasure and go the Danish SGP at Parken, now that he is working for a Danish company.
He supports his local speedway team, Swindon during the summer providing he is not away on business.
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
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New Priming Technology – Pre-Germ® offers great opportunities
A new priming technology used on Smooth Stalk Meadow Grass offers excellent opportunities for high quality turf mixtures, where wear tolerance is key. Pre-Germ® has many benefits which positively affect germination and is available on a new mixture - J9 Stadia from Johnsons Sports Seed.
Germination is quicker, by up to 7 days, and more uniform which means faster establishment and a more consistent emergence pattern respectively, even at lower temperatures or when soil moisture is reduced. Smooth Stalk is strongly rhizomatous and therefore ideal for a more dense, wear tolerant turf. With its strong spring re-growth, it is a natural repairer for damaged turf.
For further information on Pre-Germ® please click here to download the Pre-Germ® leaflet: Pre-Germ® Leaflet
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
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The Buyers Guide to Turfgrasses
The Buyer's Guide to Turfgrasses costs £3.50 plus postage and packaging and is available from DLF Trifolium. If you would like a copy, please email amenity@dlf.co.uk or call 01386 791102.
The Guide can also be downloaded free of charge - please click here if you would like a copy: Turfgrass Guide
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
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The only dedicated Sports Turf Seed Range available
Johnsons Sports Seed, the only range of sports seed dedicated to turf has made significant improvements for 2008. New cultivars included are Villa and Legendary Velvet Bent, which set new standards in shoot density and are perfect for sustainably managed golf greens. Independence Creeping Bent is rated No 1 with a dense, compact growth and excellent wear tolerance.
The increasing importance of using turf type Perennial Ryegrass has been reflected with a new table in the BSPB Turfgrass Seed Booklet which means greenkeepers and groundsmen can incorporate advance cultivars of Perennial Ryegrass into their mixtures. The new ‘Close Main Ryegrass Trial for Greens’, cut to 4mm, features cultivars Sauvignon and Jessica as No 1 and 2 respectively.
Taking advantage of these outstanding results, Johnsons Sports Seed has included both these cultivars in its range for 2008. Taskmaster and Ryemaster include Sauvignon and Jessica. Ryemaster combines the two high flyers with Evita Perennial Ryegrass, which has been tried and tested at many top UK county cricket venues including The Oval.
Other new formulations include Greenmaster, now with 80% Manor Browntop Bent, the No 1 rated cultivar for green’s use.
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
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Grass Breeding & New Facilities Strengthen Seed Business
2008 promises to be an important year for DLF Trifolium with significant expansion and development plans coming to fruition both in terms of production, research and development. As part of the global grass breeding organisation, DLF Trifolium A/S, the UK subsidiary has the opportunity to carry out its own grass trials on home grounds with an experienced team responsible for new opportunities, headed up by Chris Taylor.
Chris has over 30 years of breeding experience with some highly rated amenity varieties included in his portfolio. Now in charge of all trialling activity for the UK's leading grass seed company, he is based at Hailes Farm, Didbrook, near Cheltenham. He has been recently joined by Tony Strickland, who worked for DLF previously.
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 varieties. In order to complement this significant appointment for DLF, proposals have been accepted by the planning authorities, to build new trials facilities including 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. The new trial facilities will be completed by summer 2008.
In addition to these changes, there are other significant developments within the UK business. Excavation work started on 18th June 2007 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 has been the installation of "roller racking" which will significantly increase the quantity of finished goods that can be stored. Once the construction has been completed, by February 2008, 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, most effective and competitive seed business serving the UK market.
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@dlf.co.uk
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New Sports Mixtures get a Green Light for 2008
An investment in 7 million euros in Research and Development by leading grass seed organisation DLF Trifolium means new material and ideas are guaranteed on a regular basis. One innovation which has already caused a great deal of interest, especially amongst the environmentalists is the development of tiny clovers, known as microclovers. Once seen as a problem in grass swards, whether for professional or recreational use, clover is now being greeted enthusiastically, as seen in MicroClover Sports Mixture from the Pro Range of amenity mixtures.
Many years of breeding and selection have resulted in these revolutionary microclovers which, when sown in a turf mixture can produce outstanding results while at the same time having excellent green credentials! Microclover types have a compact growth and blend well with the sward giving a dense and grassy look. Clover fixes Nitrogen, therefore feeds the grass without the need for added fertiliser. Companion grasses are selected for their slow re-growth, dark colour and disease resistance. Together with excellent drought tolerance, this mixture offers an environmental alternative with the reduced need for both Nitrogen and water. The healthy and dense growth pattern helps to crowd out weeds and prevent new ones establishing so less herbicides too. All this is great news in terms of cost reduction and sustainability.
Also available for 2008 is the new mixture suitable for all seasons and all weather conditions.
All Weather Sports Mixture from the Pro Range heralds a breakthrough in breeding, with turf credentials proven in independent trials. It combines ryegrass, smooth stalked meadow grass and new turf type tall fescue which has been purpose bred for the amenity market to produce a dense but very fine turf which benefits from a strong root system binding the root zone. Recovery rates are high too. This mixture is great for those looking for long term drought tolerance, or the ability to cope well under stress conditions including water logged conditions as well as very good appearance. In fact you could call this an organic astro turf. All Weather has been launched in the Johnsons Lawn Seed range to the consumer market and has had a tremendous reception since arrival in-store this spring.
Green issues, whether of climate change, healthier living or environmental considerations, are becoming increasingly relevant. However we need to use these green matters 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.
Click here for further information on MicroClover Sport
MicroClover Sport
For more information please call 01386 791102 or email amenity@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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