News

Tim Fell is the new Chairman of the Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA).

Fell, whose company Tillers Turf has been growing turf in Lincolnshire for 25 years, took over from Robert Adcock when members gathered at the STRI for their Spring meeting.

He is an active ambassador for turf and is determined to raise further the profile of the association as a body of highly knowledgeable professionals, passionate about their product.

“Members of the TGA are already leaders in the industry when it comes to innovation, quality and service. We want to continue to set the standard for turf production in this country”, he says. “I would like to see the TGA Standards for Cultivated Turf being used universally in any specification for turf.”

His two year stint as Chairman comes at a time of unprecedented challenges for the turf industry. The recession is having a major impact on the income of turf growers, some of whose businesses are underpinned in large measure by the property market. The highly specialist sportsturf market is less affected. Other pressing issues facing turf growers today include the reduction in the numbers of pesticides, and water restrictions.

Fell praised the work of the TGA Council, Chief Executive Tim Mudge and the association’s former Chairmen for the substantial progress made in promoting the benefits of turf and addressing matters affecting turf production: “The TGA has worked hard to raise the awareness of the benefits of turf to the Water Industry and Local Authorities. The message is getting through that turf is the unsung hero of the landscape.”

Scotts hosted the Turfgrass Growers Association’s Spring members’ meeting at the STRI recently.

Representatives from a number of growers and TGA affiliates gathered to hear a series of presentations. The first was from Andy Newell from the STRI who provided an overview of the Institute and its work before Michael Fance took to the floor with a potted history of The Scotts Company and its products, research and development and its new grass seed range.

Before lunch, guests were able to venture outdoors to see the latest trial plots for themselves. After lunch, Dr. Ruth Mann discussed her research into Glyphosate-tolerant products, a subject of great interest to growers following the withdrawal of chemicals that control annual meadow grass.

Commenting after the meeting, TGA Chief Executive Tim Mudge said: “Once again we’ve enjoyed a number of interesting and thought-provoking presentations at our Spring event and we extend our thanks to Scotts for their support and hospitality. These events provide a platform and meeting place for members which enables them to get the latest news and meet industry colleagues, suppliers and customers.”

The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) recorded its best ever turn out for a members meeting recently when growers from across the UK gathered in Peterborough.

2008 has been an eventful year for the association and the meeting was an ideal opportunity for Chief Executive Tim Mudge and the TGA council to feed back their progress to the members and affiliates present. They heard a varied programme of presentations on a diverse range of subjects, with Andy Cole from the STRI the first to take the floor with a presentation on the history of turf grass development. He was followed by Marcel Hoekstra from Clean Greens who had travelled from Holland to introduce UK growers to the benefits of UV crop protection in the treatment of pathogenic fungi. TGA council members then provided an update on association and industry matters including the forthcoming pesticide vote and the 2009 Turf Show.

A presentation on reaching potential customers was delivered by Fiona Tarpey from England Marketing and the focus remained on marketing after lunch with a presentation on the TGA’s 2008 PR and marketing activity by Ellie Tait of Forte Marketing kicking off the afternoon session. Jeremy Steele and Lindsey Byrne from Tack Training drew the programme to a close as they led a discussion on the key aspects of leadership in senior management.

Commenting after the meeting, Tim Mudge said: “There are some very important issues affecting growers at the moment and as an association we’re working hard on our members’ behalf to address them. With the current economic climate, and the prospect of changes to EU pesticide regulation, the theme of our meeting was very timely. It gave members the chance to get information on all aspects of their business. Feedback was very positive and this event is becoming an important date in their diaries.”

The TGA is pleased to welcome Sovereign Turf as a new member.

Sovereign Turf Limited is a family owned and run business which has grown turf for gardens and specialist applications at its site near Woodbridge since 1988. Managing Director David Waring commented: “Sovereign Turf Limited has always recognised and supported the need for a strong association that clearly represents the needs of turf growers. With the work that appears now to be starting and a renewed effort in making itself relevant to the marketplace, the TGA once again appears to have the basis for a credible voice in our industry. We are pleased to rejoin the TGA and support it once again in its future plans.”

The TGA’s Chief Executive Tim Mudge commented: “The TGA has had a very productive year, which is reflected by our growing membership. We have many important issues on the agenda for 2008 and the input of all members is invaluable.”

The Turfgrass Growers’ Association (TGA) has written to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, urging him to utilise the benefits of turf in alleviating the effects of climate change, following the publication of his draft London Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

The association which represents more than 70 turf growers and affiliated companies, collectively responsible for more than 70% of the UK’s cultivated turf production, stresses that turf can help mitigate the effects of flooding, extreme temperatures and drought, which were the primary environmental concerns highlighted in the publication.

In addition to recommending turf as the ideal medium for reducing environmental contamination, the letter highlights its ability to reduce rainwater run-off and subsequent surface flooding, to absorb rainwater and replenish underground aquifers and to cool the urban environment during hot weather.

The association also voiced support for Mr Johnson’s proposal to lead an ‘urban greening programme’, calling on him to make green spaces “integral in the design of all new developments, not just an afterthought”. TGA Chief Executive Tim Mudge commented: “It is important that the lead for this vision comes from the top and that it is supported by an able and willing industry. We feel that TGA members are best placed to implement the best quality turf to help improve the environmental conditions in London and other major cities.”

Stand bookings are now being taken for the 2009 TGA Turf Show which will be held at Q Lawns on Wednesday 24th June.

The biennial event is the only opportunity for turf industry companies to exhibit their products and machinery to UK turf producers. In recent years, it has also attracted growers from France, Italy, Ireland, Turkey, Finland, Germany and Spain.

Stand space is available from £500, with affiliate members of the TGA receiving a discount on their booking. Machinery demonstrations run throughout the day and companies with mowers, turf harvesters and cultivation and handling equipment can also book demonstration areas on turf or hard ground.

Turf industry companies visited the Q Lawns site in Norfolk on 17th September to tour the site and discuss the layout and show programme. Chief Executive Tim Mudge was pleased with the turnout.

“A good number of company representatives attended to view the site. Everyone was pleased with the layout and with the facilities on-site and we’ve already taken a number of stand and sponsorship bookings. We’re more focused than ever on getting as many growers as we can to the 2009 show, members and non-members, and I’m confident it will be the best yet.”

To obtain details of stand and sponsorship opportunities, please call Joanna Lazell at the TGA office on 01507 607722 or email joanna.lazell@pvga.co.uk.

Turf industry companies who are interested in exhibiting at the 2009 TGA Turf Show are invited to visit the Q Lawns site in Norfolk on Wednesday 17th September.

Starting at 11am with a tour of the show site, there will be the opportunity to discuss stand spaces and machinery demonstration requirements and to ask any questions about the show which will be held on Wednesday 24th June 2009.

Lunch will be served from 12.30 – 1.30pm. Please do come along – the TGA values your input.

Please let Joanna Lazell at the TGA office know if you wish to attend by calling 01507 607722 or emailing joanna.lazell@pvga.co.uk.

The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) has joined the ‘Forum for gardening with wildlife in mind’.

Set up three years ago and led by Natural England, it brings together more than 70 of the UK’s wildlife and horticultural organisations from both the private and public sector, joined by a common desire to protect the future of gardens in the UK and to see those gardens become more wildlife-friendly.

Last summer, it launched a campaign called ‘Let our gardens live: a manifesto for gardens, people and nature’ which aimed to highlight the importance of gardens to people and wildlife to policy makers and outlined some of the actions needed to be taken to protect gardens.

The campaign revealed how in London, an area 22 times the size of Hyde Park has been lost through gardens being paved over, a figure which has shocked TGA Chief Executive Tim Mudge: “The TGA has been extremely concerned about the growing trend for paving over lawns for some time.”

“Lawns keep our cities cool and help protect our homes from flooding through the drainage of rainwater, unlike other surfaces such as patios and decking. Our member growers have invested heavily in the development of turf that’s tolerant of drought, waterlogging and heavy-use so that everyone can enjoy their lawn regardless of whether they live in the city or the countryside.”

“The Forum aims to reverse the trend by using research, education and promotion to encourage property owners, developers, planners and central government to do all they can to protect gardens and green spaces and the TGA has pledged its support to this important initiative.”

Coventry-based forklift manufacturer Moffett hosted the Turfgrass Growers Association’s Spring members’ meeting recently.

The event was held at the Draycote Hotel near Rugby and attended by more than forty TGA members and affiliates.

As well as enjoying the superb hospitality, guests heard presentations on a diverse range of subjects, with Moffett�s Director John Bailey first to take the floor, providing an update on the company’s latest product developments. The focus then turned to turf, as Mike Butler from Compo Professional spoke about plant nutrition and the use of slow-release fertilisers. The final guest speaker of the day was Andrew Kneeshaw from the Farm Energy Centre who stimulated a lively debate with his talk on ‘Understanding your carbon footprint’.

After lunch, the Moffett team led guests into the hotel grounds for a demonstration of its range of truck-mounted forklifts.

Commenting after the meeting, TGA Chief Executive Tim Mudge said: “We had a fantastic turnout of members to the event to enjoy another varied programme of talks on industry and business-related subjects and we extend our thanks to Moffett for their support and hospitality. These events provide a platform and meeting place for members which enables them to get the latest news and meet industry colleagues, suppliers and customers”

John Bailey of Moffett added; “We were delighted to take the opportunity to host this event, as it gave us the chance to meet our existing and potential customers. In addition to this it was an excellent forum for all things related to turf production.”

Members of the Turfgrass Growers Association and representatives from its affiliated companies gathered at Thornhaugh near Peterborough recently to receive an update on the association’s activities and to discuss issues affecting turf production.

In addition to presentations made by TGA council members on topics including the revised Water Bill, withdrawal of key chemicals by the EU and the association’s ongoing soil project, a presentation on the use of plant growth retardants by Dr. Ruth Mann from the STRI stimulated lively debate. She was followed by Paul Hayden from Tack Training who led a fascinating discussion on effective negotiating, including tips on strengthening your position using intelligent questioning and gave some startling facts about the impact of concessions on profit.

In the afternoon session, Chris Hartfield from the NFU took to the floor to deliver a presentation about working in cooperation with the TGA, his role as Horticultural Adviser and the involvement of turf in his team’s remit.

TGA Chief Executive commented after the meeting: “I’m pleased that so many of our members and affiliates attended. The TGA is involved in a number of important industry matters and we like to ensure our members are kept informed every step of the way. Because we are working more closely with other industry bodies, we thought it would be useful for our speaker programme to reflect that.”