... the key motivators when redesigning the blends are speed of establishment, performance and visual quality
cocksfoot, ryegrass and tall fescue, and over 4000 amenity plots of fescue, ryegrass and bluegrass were established. The first scores have been taken and, as spring approaches, staff will be harvesting and measuring the yields of these trials.
The company has been working with biotechnology in its research and development since the beginning of the 1990s, both in the form of traditional plant breeding and in the development of the next generation high-value clover and grass varieties. A broad technological platform has been built up within grass biotechnology, and a detailed knowledge and database of the genes of quality-related properties in grasses has been stored. This database is used to produce tailor-made grass varieties with improved characteristics, either via gene technology or by utilising the genetic information in their advanced marker-based breeding programmes.
In 1998, DLF entered into a cooperation consortium with the Risø National Laboratory within the field of grass biotechnology and, over the years, have built up a comprehensive network of partners and participated in a number of Danish and European research programmes.
These strategies include the development of technologies for biological containment to minimise the spread of active genes in nature. DLF recognise the concerns surrounding the use of plant biotechnology, namely that these genetically engineered plants will interbreed with conventional plants. The requirements for the seed of the future are substantial, better able to
survive extreme climatic conditions and more resistant to diseases. The market also demands continuing improvements in yield and quality while smaller and smaller quantities of nutrients will be sanctioned for use in the future. These challenges stimulate DLF’s endeavours to develop new high-value varieties, which also meet the demands of the future for environmental and economic sustainability.
To be launched at BTME is a real mixture revolution in the Johnson’s range. DLF Trifolium has radically re- formulated several of the blends. These have been designed for the renovation of quality sports turf, so the key motivators when redesigning 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 Johnson’s mixtures.
The new mixes include a new J4, an updated all fescue mixture specifically designed for golf course fairways. DLF 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. Other mixes that have been improved
are J2, Teemaster and Pitchmaster (formerly Wembley way). For all the latest information on the
Days OFF! 14
new mixes speak to the DLF staff who will be on hand at BTME 2007, on stand A16. You can also enter the DLF competition to win a trip to Denmark, either at the show, or via the Pitchcare website. Here you will visit their breeding station and see some of the courses and stadia where these revolutionary mixtures have been sown.
... or what Pitchcare readers get up to out of office hours
ROB SIMPSON, Managing Director, BASIS (Registration) Ltd: I joined BASIS eight years ago as Technical Executive Officer after twenty years advising farmers in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Northants, Hereford & Worcestershire, interrupted by a short spell working for BAYER in West Yorkshire. I became Managing Director almost three years ago and have enjoyed the challenge of taking BASIS forward during that time with a number of new initiatives including some in Amenity such as BACCS (BASIS Amenity Contractor Certification Scheme), POWER, BETA-Amenity, FACTS Turf and the BASIS Amenity Audit Scheme. When I am not working I enjoy all kinds of sport but especially rugby; I am a referee with the North Midlands Society and (still) a vice president of Newport (Salop) RUFC where I spent many happy Saturday afternoons and where my son plays now (at scrum half). I have two offspring, both now grown up; Hayley is 22, a qualified nurse but still looking for a job and Jamie, 25 and just about to start his first (real) job as a PE teacher at Bedstone College in South Shropshire. I also swim 2-3 times a week at the local pool in Ashbourne (my contribution to keeping fit) and, next January, I am cycling in Burma with some friends. A group of ex-Round Table Chairmen (myself included) cycled in Vietnam from Saigon to Hanoi in 2005 to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust and raised over £26,000, a total of 700 miles, on some testing roads (check out the Hai Van pass!). Since that trip we have been to Thailand and cycled from Chang Mai to Bangkok, about 1000 miles, making some new friends who are taking the trip with us to Burma in 2007. Now living in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, close to the office (sad?) but a very nice part of the world.
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