image expired

Terravesta is offering discounts for 2019 planting for new and existing growers and those interested are being encouraged to get in touch to scope out their options.

As more farmers look for long-term security, investing in Miscanthus presents a sustainable income as well as  benefitting the environment and, crucially, it thrives on unproductive farmland, so it doesn’t compete with food production.

According to William Cracroft-Eley, Terravesta chairman, there has never been a better time to invest in the crop. “The farming industry is in interesting times. We face high costs and challenging returns from annual crops, uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the CAP, as well as the huge threat of climate change.”

Miscanthus grows up to 12 feet high and has the potential to yield 15 tonnes per hectare, which can give the farmer a return of over £900 per hectare from mature yield.

William has been involved with Miscanthus since 2005 and Terravesta was set up in 2012. It’s the largest supply chain for perennial energy crops in Europe and works with over 300 Miscanthus growers in the UK. As a Miscanthus grower himself, William understands the pressures on UK farmers, and believes investing in a perennial biomass crop like Miscanthus will benefit farm businesses financially, but also environmentally.

“Land based emissions from agriculture are deemed number three emitter after power stations and road fuel, which the government is already tackling – we’re next!”

“Growing bioenergy crops such as Miscanthus, has the potential to mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions by storing carbon in the soil. It also reduces emissions of carbon and NOx (nitrogen oxides) into the atmosphere and uses less energy than conventional crops, due to limited inputs and limited tillage, as its planted once and is harvested annually for 20 + years,” he said.

The market for Miscanthus is seeing sustainable growth, and Terravesta is currently expanding with several different end-markets including whole bale power stations – currently supplying Brigg in Lincolnshire, and Snetterton in Norfolk, on long term contracts.

The company is also working with growers to install biomass boilers on the farm, to heat and power the property with home-grown Miscanthus. Other markets include horse and poultry bedding, consumer Miscanthus Briquettes, Miscanthus Heat Logs and Firestarters.

“What’s really exciting is the potential for biorefining Miscanthus, which opens up doors in construction, biofuels, plastic manufacture, and composite materials.”

“Miscanthus offers long-term financial benefits not only in the returns available, but in cost savings, using less horse power, less labour and inputs, therefore moving to a regime of greater business security. It also offers huge environmental benefits, which are becoming more important to our customers, who put some of this responsibility back to the farmer,” adds William.

What to learn more about how Miscanthus can work for you, check out our Growing Miscanthus information.