IOG SALTEX 2012 EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS

Spaces will be limited, so please arrive early for your session

Tuesday 4 September

10.00
Promoting Best Practice & Standards in the Amenity Sector

Amenity Forum Chairman John Moverley discusses the critical issues and challenges facing the sector - including implementation of new legislation arising from the Sustainable Use Directive and implications of the Water Framework Directive

11.00-12.30
Water management - best practice

An open debate by an authoritative panel comprising representatives from the 'industry co-operative' that includes the Horticultural Trades Association, the Association of Professional Landscapers, the Turfgrass Growers Association, the Landscape Institute, the RHS and the Society of Garden Designers.


Wednesday 5 September

09.20 - 10.00
The new pesticides regulations - the impact on the sports turf manager

Jon Allbutt, Technical Director of Britrisk Safety, discusses the potential impact of these new regulations on managers of amenity turf. The new regulations are confusing and unclear on several very important issues for the amenity turf sector. Public amenity sites ("areas used by the general public or by vulnerable groups; areas in the close vicinity of healthcare facilities; protected areas") have been identified as being a particular risk with no scientific evidence to substantiate this. Is it now a statutory duty for users to complete a risk assessment before they apply a pesticide? Will there be any pesticides available for them to use? What is happening to the current statutory system that requires users to have a Certificate of Competence? Does the new duty to have an 'MOT' for sprayers apply to all amenity application equipment together with the associated costs? Will there be large 'no spray zones' imposed that will exclude whole areas of important fine turf?"

10.15 - 11.15
Managing Winter Kill
David Cole, Golf Course/Estate Manager, Loch Lomond Golf Club

In the winter of 2009/10, the greens at Loch Lomond suffered from devastating winter kill. This session will give an insight to the damage that occurred and the precautions that were taken in 2010/11 to prevent similar problems.

11.30 - 12.30
From Grazing to Scottish
Open Status in Five Years
Chris Haspell, Course Manager, Castle StuartGolf Club

Chris will discuss his experiences of building a links golf course and it's grow in. He will also describe the journey towards the Scottish Open 2011, the event, the rain and the recovery.

13.00 - 14.00
Organic Matter - Friend or Foe
Paul Lowe, Technical Sales Manager, Symbio

Measuring organic matter levels is becoming very popular, almost an industry standard procedure. This information can be invaluable to green keepers and grounds men. However, how do we decipher between thatch and organic matter and why it is important to do so. This seminar will discuss the various differences between problematic thatch and beneficial organic matter, the problems with working to a figure, the difference between drainage and percolation rates and how you can turn the thatch to your advantage.

BIGGA CPD Credits - 0.5 CPD credits are available for each seminar.
A CPD register will be available at the end of each seminar.

14.30

Open Forum: Contractors and contracting - maintaining quality and awareness

A series of speakers and panel of experts from The Contractors Forum - and others - discuss how contractors can help inform debate and support the continued delivery of quality services

Thursday 6 September

10.30-12.30

Cost-effective procurement: getting the best from machinery purchases in a tough financial climate

At a time when all spending is under the closest scrutiny, this workshop session will help attendees avoid costly mistakes when procuring kit, by looking at best practice approaches to procurement, how to avoid costly pitfalls, knowing what the right questions are that a machinery buyer should ask, how to ensure you get the right kit for the job, as well as tips and advice on how to procure kit cost effectively in such a tough financial climate.

Horticulture Week technical editor Sally Drury will lead the session and be joined by an expert industry panel.

13.00-13.45

Arboriculture - tree safety &
inspections: the owners' obligations

Presented by Rhoderic Taylor, chairman,
AA Education & Training Committee

14.00
The new National Amenity Sprayer Operators Register (NAsOR)

The launch of a new scheme for sprayer operators in the amenity sector (a Continuing Professional Development scheme).

Presented by City & Guilds

Please visit www.iogsaltex.co.uk for updates on the IOG SALTEX Education Programme