Growers are invited to a miscanthus farm walk and power station tour to explore potential benefits of the crop.
The event is taking place on Tuesday 24 September in North Lincolnshire at the farm of miscanthus grower, Colin Chappell, followed by a tour of Brigg Renewable Energy Power Plant.
Co-hosted by Terravesta and Woldmarsh, visitors will learn about growing, harvesting and supplying miscanthus whole bales to Brigg Renewable Energy Power Plant, and about the importance of buying groups in modern UK agriculture.
Miscanthus crop
Despite the challenging year, Colin says he’s expanded his farming operations, planting an additional 4.7ha of Terravesta Athena miscanthus this year in addition to his existing crop.
“British farmers are in unknown territory,” he says. “Miscanthus offers numerous advantages including long-term financial security, robust markets, and environmental benefits. With miscanthus, you have to take a long-term view and look at the guaranteed returns from an upfront investment,” says Colin.
Miscanthus benefits
Furthermore, he says it provides an income each year – with next to no inputs post-establishment – among other benefits.
“The Miscanthus fields teem with wildlife including reed buntings, reed warblers, redshank, curlew, linnet, deer, and many underground species that thrive due to minimal soil disturbance. The crop is also a valuable carbon sink,” he says.
According to Terravesta’s Florian Ilias, the company has a long-term contract to ramp up supply to 25,000t annually into Brigg Renewable Energy Power Plant. “We also have a long-term contract to supply Snetterton Renewable Energy Power Plant in Norfolk.
“Farmers attending this event will have 10% off the cost for spring 2025 Athena planting,” he concludes.
Bookings on the farm walk are free and places can be reserved at www.terravesta.com/events.
