March 2024 – Headley Hall Demonstrator Hub Update
Headley Hall Site Plan
A busy month at the Headley Hall site but the site is still pretty wet at the moment, there have been a few breaks in the weather but only long enough for things to dry out slightly before the rain returns and makes everything wet again.
Crop Diaries
Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops are progressing.
Alder
- The SRF alder plants are looking healthy, with some buds forming.
- There are some weeds in the rows between plants but they aren’t too prevalent and we will get on to this when possible
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- SRF alder at NIAB Headley Hall, March 2024
Black Locust
- The SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ plants are looking strong after winter and have started to show a yellow flower. We sprayed in between plants on the 18/3/2024.
- The SRF black locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’ plants were removed on 6/3/2024 and the area was sprayed off on 18/3/2024. We are waiting for a better kill on the weeds before re-planting.
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- Black locust flowers
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- Black Locust
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- SRF alder at NIAB Headley Hall, March 2024
Eucalyptus
- The SRF Eucalyptus plants are suffering a bit of wind rock; we are currently righting them.
- The majority of plants are starting to show red tips at the tops and on the leaves.
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- Eucalyptus at NIAB Headley Hall, March 2024
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- Read leaves on Eucalyptus at NIAB Headley Hall, March 2024
Poplar
- The SRF poplar is still holding up well. A few buds are starting to form on the trees.
- The SRC poplar is all looking healthy. It has held up well to the winds and buds are starting to form on the branches.
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- SRC Poplar at NIAB Headley Hall, March 2024
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- SRC poplar buds
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- SRF poplar plot
Miscanthus
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus plot at Headley Hall was sprayed on the 11/3/2024 with 4 l/ha glyphosate and cut them down to 15cm, 20 hours after spraying on 12/3/2024. New shoots are starting to appear from the old stumps.
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena is planned to be re-planted in mid-April.
- The 2023 Miscanthus variety trial needs to have guard plants planted in the harvest measurement area.
- The 2024 Miscanthus variety trial plot is still to be worked ready for planting.
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- Green shoots on the 2023 Miscanthus variety trial plants
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- Miscanthus giganteus cut down 28-3-24
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- Miscanthus variety trial
Willow
- The plants in the 0.5 ha SRC willow plot are looking good and standing strong, some of the willow is very tall (3m and more). All trees have leaves on them and flowers are forming/ formed.
- The SRC willow variety trial was harvested on the 13th and 14th of March.
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- Insects on willow stump
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- SRC Willow
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- Willow height (>3m)
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- Willow variety trial plot following harvesting
Sida
Waiting on the weather improving before planting the Sida.
Reed Canary Grass
We are waiting for the ground conditions to improve before planting the reed canary grass.
Switchgrass
The Switchgrass plot area has been ploughed ready for the start of the grasses trial.
Plans and Actions
- The grasses demo plots need to be sown once the seed arrives and the weather is suitable.
- The Willow variety trial needs to be harvested.
- The area around the trial still has not been worked for the SFI mix to go around the 0.5ha misc. or in the middle of the trials as grass paths. We are waiting for the better warmer weather to get this job done.
- We are waiting to take the fence down as this will need to be removed to get the SFI and grass areas sown.
- A Biomass Connect demo day is to be hosted at the North Wyke Demonstrator Hub on May 16th.
Gallery
