The UK’s largest grass seed supplier, DLF, have announced the completion of a £3.5m investment programme to increase production efficiency and meet market demand across the domestic, landscape and sports turf sectors. The introduction of new mixing plant technology known as ‘Titan’ to the breeding centre in Inkberrow, Worcestershire, promises to both continue and improve seed quality, increase capacity and play a huge part in supporting the growth of DLF’s UK operations.

With experts predicting that droughts like the one in UK 2022 are likely to become more frequent turf managers will be looking for ways to reduce the impact on their surfaces, while maintaining sward health and density during prolonged periods of hot and dry weather. Looking at golf courses in particular, many clubs have made major steps forward since the last major drought incidence, but what can they do now to further mitigate the impact in future? Stuart Yarwood MG, Regional Technical Manager at DLF and Anne Mette Dahl Jensen Product Development Manager at DLF explores how drought-tolerant Fescues are fundamental in effective fairway management.

Market demand for a blend of resilient Fescue cultivars and high percentages of native Hard Fescue has seen the introduction of J Sustain-Fairway from DLF. J Sustain-Fairway is the latest in a strong line up of fairway mixtures from Johnsons Sports Seed which already includes J Fairway, J Rye Fairway and J Premier Fairway, offering a range of sustainable options to suit all needs and budgets.

DLF Seeds recently opened the doors of their research & development centre in Didbrook, Gloucestershire, to host more than 20 members from the UK Lawn Care Association (UKLCA). Following presentations from the DLF team on current and future challenges in seed selection and turf management, attendees were treated to an informative tour around the trial plots to see and compare the cultivars of both today and tomorrow…

Win £200 of wildflower seeds (Choose from our Colourboost or Proflora ranges) & Get a behind the scenes tour, for you & your team to see our production facilities (with lunch included).

Leading global seed breeders DLF are pleased to be playing host to the last event in a packed summer season of seminars and events for the UK Lawn Care Association (UKLCA). Open to members, the visit to the trial plots and research facility at Hailes Farm, Didbrook, will take place on Tuesday 11th July with only a limited number of spaces remaining.

DLF’s continued focus on breeding environmentally responsible varieties has seen the introduction of a number of exceptional cultivars, helping facilities and turf managers achieve their own objectives for more sustainable management. In trials for the Chewings Fescue category, DLF’s Orionette demonstrated a high-quality sward that is more drought tolerant and resistant to disease, reducing the reliance on inputs. It is therefore no surprise to see its inclusion in a number of top-performing DLF golf mixtures and find it ranked as number one in the 2023 BSPB Seed Guide!

The green, green grass of Chipping Sodbury Golf Club in Bristol is now complimented with a carnival of colours including reds, pinks and purples thanks to the introduction of wildflower seed from DLF. The project is now into its third year and was the brainchild of Deputy Head Greenkeeper Craig Swindells who, together with support from the membership, has successfully introduced 800sq.M of outstanding visual impact together with all-important food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife.

DLF is establishing a Partner Farm programme comprising demonstrations and trials on dairy farms from as far north as Dumfries and as far south as Somerset. The aim is to showcase new varieties, species and mixtures growing in real-life situations.

With drought-like conditions becoming more common, turf managers can begin future-proofing their surfaces now with deep-rooting, drought-tolerant grasses such as 4turf® tetraploid perennial ryegrass from DLF. Research conducted at DLF’s RadiMax root-screening facility has shown 4turf® to deliver deeper rooting and a better visual appearance when starved of water, compared to the performance of traditional diploid perennial ryegrasses.

From the very first day that legendary guitarist KK Downing decided to establish a golf course, Astbury Hall Golf Club in Shropshire has only ever used MM grass seed.

Giles Simpson has been the tenant at Manor Farm, Yenston, near Templecombe for a decade and has been contract rearing youngstock for two local dairy farmers for nine years, as well as having 150 of his own beef cattle. He is also the agronomy manager for Pearce Seeds based at Sherborne.

Opened in late 2019, Stoneham Lane Football Complex comprises 64sq.Km of artificial and natural sports pitches – supporting grass roots football for players of all ages and abilities. Part of the FA’s Parklife Project, the maintenance of the Complex falls under the remit of Hampshire FA Facility Operations Manager Pete Hussey who, in conjunction with seed from DLF, keeps the five grass pitches fit for more than 425 matches per season.

Rhys Butler, Links Manager at Royal St. Davids Golf Club in Wales has been announced as the winner of the DLF Sustainability Seed competition held at BTME 2023. Regional Technical Manager Stuart Yarwood MG recently visited Rhys to present the prize of a Greenstester – the perfect tool for monitoring speed, trueness and greens performance.

MM and Designer grass seed on a variety of sports pitches at the prestigious Millfield School

With climate change, there is a fear that new fungal diseases will appear or that known fungal diseases will become more serious in the future and compromise quality.

DLF launches new Corporate Visual Identity (CVI) and a revitalised logo. These changes follow a period of years where the company has gone through a rapid expansion and development.

As drought conditions continue and more restrictions come into force around water usage over the coming weeks, it is hard not to notice that many local authority sports grounds, gardens and public spaces have fallen victim to heat, particularly in terms of visual merit.