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The business case for Miscanthus continues to strengthen in the face of rising uncertainty in the farming sector, due to attractive long-term contracts available and secure markets for the crop.
Lincolnshire grower, AHDB Monitor Farmer and Miscanthus advocate, Colin Chappell, manages 647 hectares of land along the River Ancholme in Brigg and grows 26ha of Miscanthus on unproductive fields. Colin will be opening his farm on 21 March to those keen to explore the benefits of the crop on a breakfast Miscanthus farm walk, hosted by Terravesta and run in partnership with the CLA.
“British farmers are stepping into the unknown. Our subsidy will disappear and Miscanthus has numerous positive attributes including long-term financial security, robust growing markets and environmental benefits,” says Colin.
“With Miscanthus you have to take a long-term view and look at the guaranteed returns available from an upfront investment. Farming is shifting rapidly, and we must change our approach if we want to stay viable.”
Colin supplies Miscanthus specialist Terravesta with whole bales which fuel Brigg Renewable Energy Plant, under a mile away from his farm, on a long-term contract. Terravesta has a 14-year contract with the power station, which in turn has long-term government support.
“Miscanthus is a hardy perennial crop, with an average return of £562/ha over a 15-year period, and long-term fixed price index linked contracts are available with Terravesta to grow and sell it. It takes approximately 4-5 years to make the money back but by year 5 growers are looking at approximately £700/ha net margin,” says Jacob Duce from Terravesta.
The benefits of Miscanthus far outweigh the upfront investment says Colin: “I don’t worry about blackgrass on the fields of Miscanthus, the leaf litter and high canopy combats it. The crop is low input, it’s not time consuming, it’s harvested in the spring when the rest of the farm is quiet, it’s carbon negative, it teems with wildlife and I can get 13 tonnes/ha easily on poor grade land, and that’s from a crop planted in 2006. Due to improved rhizome quality and planting techniques, new crops now have 90% establishment on average and are likely to yield at least 15 tonnes/ha.”
To book and find out more about the open day host, Terravesta, visit our events page.
Location: Brigg, Lincolnshire
