Source: www.TurfMagazine.com
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Monsanto Shareowners Approve Merger with Bayer
Monsanto has announced that shareowners of the company approved the merger with a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft. The merger agreement terms say that Monsanto shareowners will receive $128 per share in cash at the closing of the merger. The $57 billion deal is expected to close by the end of 2017.
Where to Turn Next in Regards to the DOL Overtime Rule?
As an employer, are you uncertain about what to do ever since a federal court judge in Texas issued an injunction, which froze the implementation of the DOL’s new overtime rule? Within days the Department of Labor filed a notice to the appeal the injunction. You’re not alone if you’re wondering what to do in regards to these developments.
New Mexico Researchers Examine Subsurface Irrigation’s Water Savings
New Mexico State University Extension Turfgrass Specialist Bernd Leinauer said subsurface drip irrigation, in particular, is the newest method in turfgrass efficiency. Last summer, Leinauer and his research team led a project to install a subsurface drip irrigation system in several tee boxes at The Club at Las Campanas in Santa Fe. At the beginning of December, Leinauer and his team started a study at the City of Albuquerque’s Paradise Meadows Park. While half of the park will use a traditional pop-up sprinkler watering system, NMSU will oversee the other half of the park, on which a subsurface drip irrigation system has been installed. In the next three to five years, NMSU researchers and City of Albuquerque officials should find out if the subsurface drip irrigation system helped conserve water.
Husqvarna Professional Products Partners With NHLA
Husqvarna Professional Products has partnered with the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance (NHLA). Husqvarna will provide resources for various initiatives, such as educational workshops and training programs, that the NHLA hosts.
KIOTI Tractor Introduces New Line of Implements
KIOTI Tractor has announced that more than 275 implements and accessories compatible with KIOTI’s tractor models are available. The new implement line is comprised of 19 product families including rotary cutters up to 20 feet, finish mowers, rear blades and scrapers, gear-driven tillers, landscape rakes, post hole diggers, disc harrows and snow blowers. The new implements are backed by Woods Equipment.
Juniper Acquires Turner Tree & Landscape
Juniper Landscaping, based out of Fort Myers, Florida, has acquired Turner Tree and Landscape in Bradenton, Florida. The new company will service Turner’s current client base while expanding offerings to include maintenance and design build services that Juniper provides. Turner will serve as Juniper’s 4th branch while providing additional capacity for large tree moving projects across all branches.
JCB Honored With 2016 AEM Award
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) recognized JCB North America with its “Pillar of the Industry” award. This award reflects the company’s work to improve the business environment for the equipment manufacturing industry.
Michigan Association Honors SiteOne’s Ross Buffa
Ross Buffa, an outside sales manager with SiteOne Landscape Supply in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, received the Supplier Partner Award from the Michigan Green Industry Association. The Supplier Partner Award is given annually in recognition of the supplier’s exemplary service and support of the Green Industry. Buffa was recognized during the annual Awards Banquet and Holiday Celebration that took place at the Lachmoor Club.
JCB Loadall Telescopic Handler Helps Raise Capitol Christmas Tree
The JCB 507-42 Loadall was called in to perform the honors of assisting with the installation of an 80-foot Engelmann spruce on the lawn at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The tree was transported from Payette National Forest in Idaho to stand in front of the United States Congress building. The Loadall, which can lift 7,000 lbs up to 42 feet, is manufactured at JCB’s World HQ in Rocester, Staffordshire, UK. Next year, JCB will mark 40 years of making Loadall telescopic handlers.
New WSSA Factsheet Explores Weed Seeds and Their Longevity
Did you know some weed seeds can lie dormant in the soil for more than a century and then sprout when conditions are right? A new factsheet available for free download from the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) dives into the topic of weed seed longevity, as well as how weed seeds travel, when and why they germinate, and ways they can be eliminated.
BOB-CAT Announces Updates to Zero-Turn Mower Line
BOB-CAT has announced improvements to the Predator-Pro and ProCat. The mowers now feature the all-new 61-inch DuraDeck XF cutting deck. The Predator-Pro 61-inch and 72-inch models now have upgraded to the Kawasaki FX1000V engine. The ProCat 52-inch mower also increased its engine power, from a Kawasaki FX651V engine to an FX691V engine. According to the company, the machines have been updated for smoother controls, better intuitiveness and more precise handling.
Driven Landscapes Launches Nationwide Franchise Sales Campaign
Driven Landscapes Franchising, LLC, announced that four qualified candidates in the state of Massachusetts will be awarded franchises and have their initial franchise fees waived, as part of the company’s regional expansion efforts. To apply for a Driven Landscapes franchise, the candidate: must be 21-years-of-age or older, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have a minimum 650 credit score and must have $25,000.00 (verifiable net worth) to invest in the business.
Wiedenmann North America LLC Named Importer of the Year
Wiedenmann was recently honored as Importer of the year for 2014 & 2015 at the awards ceremony held in Munich, Germany in June 2016.
Heaviland Plays Key Role in Carlsbad Office Renovation
Heaviland Landscape Management recently was on a team of contractors to create a new look for Ocean Point in Carlsbad. The 82,991 square-foot office space is in located in an area that attracts many tech companies. Together, the work of Heaviland, Unite Pacific, a team of designers and architects and multiple contractors created a new identity for Ocean Point through a complete exterior renovation. The Ocean Point Tech Center renovation project began in June 2015 and was completed this past October. Heaviland is contracted to maintain the landscaping and new outdoor space.
U.S. Lawns Promotes Brandon Moxam to Vice President
U.S. Lawns has announced the promotion of Brandon Moxam to Vice President. Moxam has worked at the company since 2007, when he was first hired as the Franchise Recruiting Manager. He was later promoted to become the Director of Franchise Recruiting, and then the Director of Brand Development.
Read last week’s news from the 2016 Irrigation Show in Las Vegas: Irrigation Show’s New Product Contest Winners, Plus More from Dec. 8