Following two years of research and investment, DLF will launch the new ‘DLF Select’ quality programme and seed range for the 2019 season. In a world where it is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve high purity standards, DLF have developed a new programme within their production chain to safeguard quality and ensure they remain the preferred, reliable, supplier to the top turf managers worldwide.

The Johnsons Sports Seed range has always been focused on quality, providing professional turf managers with the tools to deliver high performance turf that can handle the toughest challenges. 2019 will be no exception. Visitors to stand 214 in the new Red Zone at BTME will be the first to hear about the new and improved mixture formulations and cultivars across their golf and sports turf seed portfolio’s.

To support their continued investment, growth and increase in sales, DLF Seeds have announced the appointment of Alistair Eccles. Joining the amenity team as Regional Technical Sales Manager for Scotland and the North, Alistair’s new role will see him working closely with both customers and distributors, providing advice and support on the Masterline and Johnsons Sports Seed ranges.

Following a year of extreme weather conditions, a stop by the DLF stand, J100 at SALTEX, will be a must for Turf Managers preparing for autumn and winter overseeding operations. DLF Seeds market leading amenity and sport turf mixtures, from both the Johnson's Sport Seeds and Masterline portfolios, will ensure turf professionals achieve great results every time.

The Goodwood Estate relies on mixtures from across the DLF Seeds portfolio to deliver results site-wide. With a remit including two 18-hole golf courses, a cricket ground, gardens, an airfield, a racecourse and a motor circuit, General Manager of Sports Turf & Grounds, Phil Helmn, is certainly kept busy with such a momentous breadth of surfaces to prepare.

It’s feared that Jamie Murphy will face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after twisting his knee in Rangers’ 3-1 Betfred Cup victory at Kilmarnock.

PGG Wrightson Ltd and DLF Seeds A/S have reached an agreement for DLF to acquire PGG Wrightson Seeds. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals. PPG Wrightson Seeds is international market leader in the Southern Hemisphere within forage and turf seeds, with activities in New Zealand, Australia, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil.

A ‘historic and inspirational cathedral setting’ provides the backdrop for studies to the pupils at The King’s School, Gloucester. In charge of maintaining the 3 hectares of gardens and sports grounds across multiple sites is Head Groundsman Richard Bowman. When he re-joined the school for his second stint in 2011, having originally started as an apprentice in 1999, he made the switch to seed from DLFs’ Johnsons Sports Seed and Masterline ranges which looks to be a decision set to stay

When considering grass seed cultivars or mixtures, Horse racing provides a unique set of challenges. In contrast to golf and football, where fineness of leaf are top of the list, racecourse managers will require mixtures that offer fast establishment, greater density, good wear tolerance and rapid recovery. DLF’s Northern Regional Technical Manager John Hughes looks at the recent development in ryegrass technology and how tetraploids are becoming the number one choice for the renovation and repair of natural and hybrid grass surfaces.

In Russia's top football stadiums, the grass is growing. Across the world the fans are waiting. The countdown has begun. When the referee blows the starting whistle on the opening game, the world will discover the strength and resilience of DLF's latest turf varieties.

New for 2018 from the Masterline range are 3 exciting new ‘Colour Boost’ flower mixture formulations designed to create enhanced, attractive amenity spaces. Available in the UK through DLF Seeds, the range also provides an essential food source and habitat for many species of animals and invertebrates, especially pollenating insects.

While winter still sends its cold breath across Northern Europe, the countdown for this summer’s world-class football in Russia continues. Among pitch managers and chief groundsmen, expectations for perfect tournament pitches are sky high. The organisers, the players, and billions of football fans across the world expect nothing less than beautifully green and hard-wearing grass; the groundsmen will do their utmost to make it happen.

Now into the 3rd year of increasing the bent content of their greens, Wakefield’s Waterton Park Golf Club has achieved the biggest bent showing to date in 2017 thanks to the Johnsons Sports Seed J Nitro All Bent mixture. Head Greenkeeper, David Griffin, has maintained the course he describes as a ‘grass factory’ for the last 19 years and says, “it isn’t easy”.

Using the very latest data from mixture and official cultivar trials at the STRI, a number of mixtures from both the Masterline and Johnsons Sports Seed ranges have been revised and updated for 2018. Visitors to stand A20 at BTME will be the first to hear about the many new 2018 formulations, as well as a completely new mixture for cricket, Johnsons J Outfield.

The recent institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Industry Awards ceremony at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham hosted by talkSPORT radio presenter Mark Saggers, saw DLF’s Derek Smith and Alan Prickett from Ransomes present the Groundsman of the Year Award in front of an audience of almost 700 of the UK’s and Europe’s leading groundscare experts, as well as dignitaries from the governing bodies of sport and influential sports administrators.

Seed producers in northern Europe had a mixed season. Early spring was good all round and in Denmark the good growing weather lasted till harvest. Unfortunately the weather broke in Denmark just as the harvest began. An unstable mixture of sunshine and rain made harvesting difficult. In the Netherlands the latter part of the growing season was very dry, resulting in a low filling of seeds.

Leading seed breeders DLF will be returning to Saltex 2017, showcasing two of the company’s latest breeding innovations, 4Turf Tetraploid Ryegrass and the new Turf Type Annual Ryegrass Quickston. DLF’s technical team will also be on hand on stand J100 to offer advice on the latest cultivars and mixture selection from both the Masterline and Johnsons Sports Seed ranges

Sean McLean, Links Superintendent at Princes Golf Club, has months of careful preparation ahead of him. June 2017 sees his club join with Royal St Georges to host the 122nd Amateur Championships once again this year. Whilst Sean admits he likes to trial new products, he intends to rely on Johnsons Sports Seed mixtures for his course preparation.