18 minute read
Killing weed
Many UK grounds maintenance companies and county councils are re-examining the use of glyphosate herbicides and seeking non-chemical weed removal. This is happening amid the continuing debates on the effects of glyphosate on our health and manufacturers’ claims that abandoning glyphosate weedkiller in favour of alternatives will cost grounds care businesses and councils more. Greg Bedson reports
The debate surrounding the use of Glyphosate, the active ingredient in the the popular weedkiller Roundup, rages on. On one side of the fence are those who are lobbying against its use, with claims that it is a carcinogenic, which also harms insects and other wildlife, while those in favour of the herbcide argue that evidence suggests these findings remain inconclusive and that if used correctly, it is perfectly safe.
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Globally, glyphosate-based weedkillers are used more than any other herbicide with an estimated 6.1 billion kilos sprayed worldwide between 2005 and 2014. This could be set to change as governments introduce stricter legislations surrounding its use. Austria became the first EU member to ban glyphosate in July 2019. Restrictions are also in place in Italy, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Germany is also moving towards a ban of the chemical by the end of 2023 amid concerns it is harming the insect population there.
Cost effective solutions Putting environmental and health effects aside, the economic impact of using weed killers is to be considered. Glyphosate weedkillers are quick to apply, thus keeping the costly manual labour to a minimum - particularly important to grounds contractors and councils having to manage large areas effectively.
A study carried out on behalf of Monsanto in 2016, before it was acquired by Bayer, found that glyphosate is by far the most cost effective solution for controlling weeds. In an economic analysis of highway median weed control, for example, glyphosate was 275% less expensive than alternative methods that included multiple mowing events and alternative herbicides.
Herbicides such as pelargonic acid will control small broadleaf weeds
The study also highlighted a key benefit of using glyphosate in managed turf areas including golf courses stating that “In recreational environments that include managed turf grass, glyphosate applications to dormant turf allow undesirable species of weeds and grasses to be controlled. This allows golf course managers to cost-effectively renovate fairways without the need for total replacement.”
This has been backed up more recently by Oxford Economics who looked at the costs of the potential non-renewal of glyphosate to the UK economy in 2017. One of their reports was on councils, finding total removal of glyphosate could increase household Council Tax bills by £7.80 for each of the 27 million households in the UK.
In addition, those who favour the use of glyphosate suggest that many of the alternative solutions are all faced with their limitations. Post-emergent herbicides such as pelargonic acid will control small broadleaf weeds, but will only partially damage perennial and large annual weeds for instance. Other naturally occurring broad-spectrum herbicides and acetic acidvinegar, all have similar limitations and thus aren’t necessarily a a commercially viable option. Flame weeding can be effective in certain hardscape situations, but cannot be used where flammable materials may be present and many weeds, grasses, perennials and sedges will rapidly re-grow after application.
Chemical free alternative There is however a product on the market, which claims to be “the easiest, most effective and most cost competitive alternative” to glyphosate. Foamstream – a herbicide-free alternative for weed, moss and algae control that is gaining interest across the landscaping industry as well as those involved in cleaning public areas and buildings. Leo de Montaignac, a co-founder of Weedingtech, the company behind Foamstream, explains that the product was developed in 2011, as they discovered “organisations of all types would increasingly want an alternative to traditional chemical herbicides. Whatever your position on the safety of traditional herbicides, we believed organisations would increasingly want to reduce their use of traditional herbicides in built up urban areas and would therefore need a highly effective, safe and cost competitive alternative.” Unlike many other products on the market, Foamstream can also be used to deep clean and sanitise outside spaces (such as those outside hospitals, bus shelters and in playgrounds), remove chewing gum, and remove some graffiti, which according to de Montaignac makes “the commercial case for Foamstream very compelling.”
Foamstream works by cooking the weeds it covers. The foam and hot water solution is a 99.5% water and 0.5% foam blend of natural plant oils and sugars which insulate the hot water, allowing effective heat transfer from leaf to root, killing the plant and stopping heat being wasted to the atmosphere.
Foamstream can be used on all surfaces including artficial sports surfaces
It can be used in all weathers, which is favourable among contractors and municipalities needing to plan their labour force effectively and minimise downtime which, with other methods, may occur as a result of undesirable weather.
The process works to reduce total weed growth in an area by not only killing the weed, but also sterilising surrounding seeds and spores. It can be used on all surfaces, hard, soft, porous artificial and historical. It is a safe and hazard-free for the operator and safe for use around people, animals, delicate ecosystems and waterways.
Foamstream is fast gaining a large customer base. In the UK its customers include Id Verde, The Eden Project, Manchester City Council, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Southern Water, and the Football Association.
Naturally, those extolling the use of Glyphostate are not going to sit back and loose the debate. Mark Buckingham, corporate engagement leader at Bayer, fights back suggesting “'Non chemical' does not necessarily equal 'green' or 'environmentally friendly' as the carbon footprint of heat and electricity based methods is significant and often ignored in the debate,” he says.
“For example manufacturers of the electric “Root wave” method have said a one operator unit burns 15 litres of diesel fuel per day to generate the necessary electric current.”
Buckingham also states that the vigorous testing Glyphosate is subject to, proves it is safe.
“There is an extensive body of research on Glyphosate and Glyphosate-based herbicides, including more than 800 scientific studies and reviews submitted to U.S., European and other regulators in connection with the registration process, that confirm that Glyphosate and our Glyphosate-based formulated products can be used safely and are not carcinogenic.”
Buckingham continues, “The EFSA, the U.S. EPA and other regulatory authorities around the world have comprehensively and routinely reviewed glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides for more than 40 years and their conclusions consistently support the safety of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides when used as directed.”
“Weed control methods like hot water/foam are not subject to EU regulation, they fall outside the remit of pesticide product legislation (Article 2 of EU Reg 1107). We know glyphosate is low risk for earthworms and bees for example, because applicants are required to submit scientific studies on these species for EFSA and other regulators to assess.”
Virulent control
Foamstream, a technique introduced to the landscaping industry by British based Weedingtech, offers herbicide-free solutions to controlling weeds, moss and algae and also extends its use to offer users deep clean and sanitisation functionality.
As we witness the devastating outbreak of the Coronavirus across the world, it is reassuring to hear that Weedingtech has in the past commissioned independent studies to show the affect Foamstream can have as a virucidal agent.
The product has already been approved for use as a biocide by the European Union and the Environmental Protection Agency. Although there is yet to be conclusive testing of Foamstream concerning Coronavirus (Covid-19), it is planned and Weedingtech is confident that the principle of applying extreme heat to the virus will help reduce its transmission. It is widely reported that the virus can survive on street furniture for up to 9 days, so a heat application to kill it in outside spaces such as bus stops, hospital congregation areas, supermarket car parks and parking machines, public space furniture, playgrounds and public exercise and sports facilities can only be a positive response.
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Euroflor Urban Meadows
From Scotland to the south east of England, Euroflor has been colouring the British countryside and providing food for pollinating insects
Dundee City Council After considering a number of options to reduce the cost of cutting grass, and seeing the results that other local authorities had achieved sowing Euroflor urban flower seed, Dundee City Council instigated a programme of sowings across the city.
Initially, the programme began with sowing very small areas throughout the city but these were strategically placed to give as much visual effect as possible. The areas were watched with great interest to see the outcome and the results were very encouraging, to such an effect that now the city has very large displays of colour throughout, targeting the main arterial routes in and out of the city.
Commenting on the programme, John Pratt, the council’s West Neighbourhood Services Area Manager said : “The mixtures selected were Flora Britannica, Contrast, Ground Cover and Chameleon and they have more than achieved the ‘wow’ factor the Council was looking for at these locations and to date they have received numerous emails, phone calls and letters from admirers. It has been a great success in Dundee to which we are going into our 3rd year with Euroflor and look to continue this into the future.”
Keele University Memorial Garden Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire The Memorial Garden was developed to manage the requests, which were coming into the University for memorial trees and to have one place for them to be sited - with so much expansion happening across campus it was becoming increasingly difficult to find a location.
Jane Barker, Head of Grounds at Keele University commentated: “ The garden area selected was a field
on the edge of campus that will never be built on, which means the trees are safe to be able to grow to maturity – we also specified fruit trees so that in the future free fruit will be provided for visitors.
“In addition. It was agreed to add flowers to the garden and the mixture Sarah Bouquet from the Euroflor urban meadow range was selected to provide season long colour. The garden, now five years old, has proved very popular with visitors and used for teaching sessions and popular with dog walkers and students alike as a place to relax.
North West Electricity – Transforming our spaces’ Whitehaven, West Cumbria Rigby Taylor’s Euroflor urban meadow flower seed mixes have played a key role in the success of Electricity North West’s ‘Transforming our Spaces’ project by revamping substations throughout the region with spectacular displays of colour from flower mixes that also attract a host of pollinators.
The colourful displays produced by the Euroflor seed mixes also drew laudatory comments from the local communities as well as council officials and MPs.
For example, commenting on one site, Copeland MP Trudy Harrison said: “Electricity North West has planted what was previously grassland, requiring regular and costly maintenance, into a beautiful and environmentally beneficial wildflower oasis…This is an economic, environmental and social win, win, win project which should be replicated all over the UK.”
Angie Thornton, Electricity North West’s Groundworks Delivery Manager, who is heading up the scheme, said: “We are all absolutely delighted with the results; the sites truly have been transformed from what used to be eyesores into beautifully vibrant areas for the local communities to take pride in and spaces for revitalising insects and wildlife.
“Eight substations were initially targeted last year and working closely with Rigby Taylor, various Euroflor urban meadow flower mixes were selected.
“These included Rainbow Perennials and Flora Britannica from Euroflor’s Project Pollin-8 range specifically designed to attract pollinators while also delivering high visual impact. The displays lasted through the summer and into October and November. Electricity North West’s ‘Transforming our Spaces’ project will return this year with the continued support from Rigby Taylor.
Hever Castle grounds and golf course Edenbridge, Kent As a result of the “fantastic success” of its displays of Rigby Taylor’s Euroflor urban meadow flower seed mixes, Kent-based stately home Hever Castle has expanded the total area planted this year to more than 5,000 square metres.
The meadow flower project on the 400-acre estate, which includes an adjoining golf course, was initiated by Hever Castle Golf Club’s head greenkeeper Rob Peers to “encourage visitors to both the golf course and the estate to fully enjoy and be immersed by and engaged with the complete site”.
The Euroflor seed mixes selected were Meadow Breeze, Rainbow Annuals, Bleuet de France (renamed Cornflowers) and Classic and were chosen in terms of being ‘best fit’ options in terms of colour and height, as well as in texture and form. The flower displays will last through the summer and into October/November. Rob continues: “The project has been an overwhelming success throughout the castle grounds and on areas of the golf course. In addition, I’ve never seen so many pollinating insects on the estate – a wonderful sight”.
Spring sowing for summer showing
Your Spring Collection Select from over 30 mixtures including, Banquet, Boulevard, Cornflowers, Classic, Colour Bouquets, Endurance, Flora Britannica, Fragrant Lawn, Ground Cover, Honey, Sarah Bouquet, Summer Lace, Super Blue Bee, Tudor Scent ✿ Combination of mixtures provides extended period of flowering from early/mid summer through to first frosts of autumn. ✿ First flowers appear approximately 50-55 day s after sowing ✿ An extensive range of colours, heights and growth habits ✿ Provides season long supply of nectar and pollen ✿ Choose a combination of 50g packs in the Discovery box selection or 1 kg packs of a single mixture An Ecological Initiative Project Pollin-8 is a Rigby Taylor initiative to help arrest the decline on the UK bee population. Crucially, springtime flowers provide an earlier seasonal supply of energy-rich nectar and pollen, sustaining pollinators when resources are most scarce. For more information on ALL the mixtures, flower species, site selection, sowing rates and testimonials, log onto: www.euroflor.co.uk
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ISEKI SF450 collector mower Topping the ISEKI SF mower range is the SF450 collector mower with ISEKI’s 46 hp diesel engine, a 1300 litre collector and a choice of out-front rotary decks or Muthing collecting flails. The ISEKI diesel engine provides ample power for the mower to cut and collect grass in the wet or dry, with the permanent 4WD system and automatic or selectable differential lock providing safe and sure-footed drive in all conditions.
The collector is turbine driven, drawing cut grass and leaves from the centre discharge deck straight into the collector via an oscillating internal chute, filling it from the back thus maximising the 1300 litre capacity. Two types of decks can be specified, a rotary or a Muthing Collecting flail. The ISEKI 60” rotary deck has swing-back blades and a quick two-point adjustment system to ensure that the required height of cut is maintained. The new Muthing 1.6m collecting flail with roller, can either be used in collection mode, with the flailed grass clippings or leaves deposited in the collector or by simply undoing four bolts and inserting the concave plate it becomes a cut and drop system, should that be preferred.
The SF450 will mow your grass or collect autumn leaves whatever the weather, keeping the same pristine finish. For more information visit www.iseki.co.uk
Mow-Town: top picks for ride-on mowers
Professional lap-bar innovation from Cub Cadet The award-winning design of the XZ5 Ultima series™ from Cub Cadet redefines the zero-turn mowing experience - with enhanced strength, re-imagined comfort and a best-in-class cut.
The latest steering lever lap bar technology combined with the extremely robust construction of heavy-duty components and high-performance engine makes the Ultima series the ideal professional machines for large lawn maintenance.
Powerful Kawasaki engines mean the machines reach up to 12 km/h, mowing up to 50% faster than front mowers and able to mow up to 12,500 m²h.
Available with cutting widths of 50” and 54” the two professional machines put owner/operator comfort at the forefront of their design with individually adjustable seats and high backrests for fatigue-free working as well as ergonomic soft grips, rubber floor mats and exceptionally low vibration values.
The open continuous tubular lightweight steel frame designed for strength and durability with its hinged/ removable floor pan allows quick and easy access to the fabricated deck and engine for ease of maintenance on the L127 (50”) and L137 (54”).
The range is ideal for mowing rolling hills and several obstacles up to five acres, with premium tyres, the largest in their class, that provide better traction and more stability and control. Cub Cadet continuously endeavour to improve product ranges, from lawnmowers, to zero-turns, lawn tractors to robotic mowers, by incorporating new and proven technologies, implementing innovative engineering solutions and offering a dealership service that delivers true advantages to you and your business. The Ultima series™ from Cub Cadet. Professional grade power for businesses and your lawns. For more information visit www.cubcadet.co.uk or contact Cub Cadet on 01869 363677
Toro’s Groundsmaster out-front rotary mowers The Groundsmaster 3200 and 3300 are two new out-front rotary mowers from Toro that bring customers reduced downtime and mowing cycles, multiple cutting options and year-round productivity.
There are two engine models – a 24.7hp for the Groundsmaster 3200 and a 37.4hp for the Groundsmaster 3300, both Stage V emissions compliant, with options of 152cm (60ins) or 183cm (72ins) rear and side, or rear-only discharge rotary decks, with or without mulching kits, or a 152cm flail deck. These machines are built to tackle any terrain and deliver a consistent cut while dispersing clippings evenly. With two rotary deck options: the standard deck has rear and side discharge and replaceable deck bumpers while the Turbo Force deck has rear discharge and welded deck bumpers. Mulching kits are available for both. Plus, there’s a fine cut flail deck option too, providing more productivity, versatility and value by making light work of shorter precision cutting as well as tackling longer, wetter, coarser grass.
All-weather, every season machines, the Groundsmaster 3200 and 3300 has Toro’s CrossTrax all-wheel drive system providing automatic traction control, shifting power to the wheels in slippery conditions and there’s an extensive range of attachments to guarantee multi-seasonal productivity. Further information can be found at reesinkturfcare.co.uk The tip-up cutting deck on the Groundsmaster 3200 makes servicing even easier. Toro’s Groundsmaster 3300 with flail option for extra versatility
Cuts up rough. THE ETESIA RANGE OF RIDE-ON AND PEDESTRIAN BRUSHCUTTERS
The Etesia range of brushcutters sets the industry standard. These powerful workhorses effectively deal with clearing vegetation from a wide variety of sites: long grass, weeds, bracken, brambles on woodland rides or orchards. Ease of operation and manoeuvrability ensure total efficiency and high output. Full product details at www.etesia.co.ukor put us to the test and contact us for a free onsite demonstration on 01295 680 120 With built-in rugged reliability, Etesia Brushcutters are designed to work in the toughest of conditions.
Attila 98X Kawasaki 24hp • 98cm cutting width 4WD model
Attila 98 Kawasaki 22hp 98cm cutting width
Attila 95 Kawasaki 18hp 95cm cutting width
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Etesia UK Ltd Greenway House • Sugarswell Business Park • Shenington • Oxon OX15 6HW Tel: 01295 680120 • email: sales@etesia.co.uk www.etesia.co.uk
