2016-12-06 Services and Organisation Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   6 DECEMBER 2016




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                              6 DECEMBER 2016

              AUSTRALIAN SPORTS TURF CONSULTANTS                                   [www.ASTCs.com.au
              Essential Equipment
              The following equipment is essential to undertaken successful maintenance of a natural turf
              sports field. Items have been categorized into two classifications (i) internal: meaning the club
              should own or have “immediate” access to this equipment and (ii) external: meaning you can
              lease, hire or seek an experienced contractor to undertake the work.
                  ¢   Mower — Internal — This can be a rotary or cylinder mower. A cylinder mower will
                     produce a better quality finish.
                  e   Irrigation — Internal — Should an irrigation system not be installed, access to water is
                     vital. The use of a travelling irrigator or an irrigation system called SumiRain®,
                     “similar” to a commercial soaker hose up to 100 m in length could be used.
                  e   Fertiliser spreader — Internal or external — A small walk-behind pedestrian spreader is
                     handy but for large applications a PTO driven or similar machine is recommended for
                      accuracy and labor etc.
                  e   Line marker — Internal or external — A machine that gets used routinely and could
                      always be more frequent. Paint should be preferred compared to using diesel or roundup
                      to line mark.
                  ¢   Knapsack, weed wick wiper and or weeding brush — Internal* - If you have suitable
                      storage, these items should be in your armory to target nuisance weeds on and off the
                     field. Pesticide applications and usage is to be adhered to.
                  e   Sprayers, boom and tanks — External* — If you do not have storage, nor are you licensed,
                      it is strongly recommended that you seck an external company to undertake your
                      chemical control applications.
                  e   Specialist machinery — External — This includes machinery like a top dresser to apply
                      sand, scarifier or topmaker to remove excessive thatch, verti-drainer or decompaction
                     machine to aerate and relive surface and ground compaction.
                  e   Storage — Internal — An area or unit that provides a safe working environment and can
                      safely story your equipment out of the weather is essential.

              Mowing
              Weekly mowing in summer and possibly extending it up to fortnightly in winter should be
              carried out to maintain an acceptable playing surface and desired height fit for purpose. More
              regular mowing will improve the turf quality, density and recovery. Some tips to following
              include:
                  e   The recommended mowing height of a blue and green couch sports field is 20 to 40
                      mm.
                  ¢   The mowing height of the turf does not have to get raised in winter.
                  ¢   Only 1/3 of the leaf blade should be cut at any given time so as not to stress the turfgrass
                      and to result in scalping. If significant amounts of thatch (dead grass) remain on the turf
                      surface following mowing, you’re not mowing regularly enough. Increased growth
                      could be as a result of recent wet weather, higher temperature and turf growth or
                      following a recent fertiliser application.
                  ¢   If irregular mowing practices are undertaken, it is likely that returned clippings (not
                      caught by a catcher) will exacerbate thatch levels within the profile.
                  e   Mowing shall be practiced by staggering directions to avoid the development of wheel
                      ruts.
                  e   Mower blades shall be sharp so as not to further damage the turfgrass, increase disease
                      risk to the turfgrass and produce a cleaner finish when mown.
                  e   With the exception of the cricket boundaries, do not mow-in the field line markings.
                      Use line marking paint instead.

              Reference #14R160614                                                      10 of 17| Page

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