Miscanthus growers wanted

Farmers and landowners looking to maximise returns from marginal land are being invited to consider planting miscanthus - a renewable energy crop with rapidly rising market demand - at this year’s Farm Business Innovation Show.

Grown for UK power generation, the crop guarantees returns on long-term contracts and promises a move away from the price volatility associated with traditional agricultural markets.

William Cracroft-Eley, from miscanthus specialist Terravesta will be speaking at the event, on the first day in theatre one at 13:15 and day two at 12:30, covering the cropping opportunities.

Terravesta works with growers to facilitate planting, provide free agronomic support, secure lucrative markets and offers long term index-price-linked contracts.

“Miscanthus is a crop that takes care of itself,” says William. “It’s a low input, high output option, and once established, no fertiliser is required, as the rhizome recycles nitrogen back into the soil.”

The perennial energy crop can grow to heights of up to 12 feet and can produce yields of 15 tonnes per hectare, with average net returns considerably greater than arable crops, at up to £528/ha.

“The crop thrives on poor grade marginal land, and can completely combat blackgrass due to its high canopy. Miscanthus also fits in well with the arable rotation as it’s cut in the spring, so won’t conflict with the cereal harvest.”

Terravesta is looking for more growers to help to meet the increased demand from whole bale power stations. “We’re offering growers 10-year retail price index-linked contracts, with guaranteed returns,” adds William.

William and the rest of the Terravesta team will be on stand number 612 at the Farm Business Innovation Show to answer any questions you have on the UK’s number one energy crop.