Cockle Park Farm (Newcastle University)

Cockle Park Farm, Northumberland (Newcastle University)

Open exposure, sheltered by a hedged treeline on western boundary and hedges to south and east. North facing aspect, gently sloping south to north and east to west. Soil is Luvic Stagnosols with Miscanthus and SRC willow planted in spring 2023. The plans below show the layout of the trial plots at the Cockle Park Farm hub site and the updates will keep you informed of their progress and performance throughout the trials.

Address	Cockle Park Farm, Newcastle University, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 3EA.
Latitude, longitude	Latitude: 55.2144/55°12’51″N Longitude: -1.6854/1°41’7″W
Grid ref	OS Grid: NZ201911
What 3 words ref for entrance	///headliner.adopts.erase

Site Plans

Characteristics

Mean Annual Precipitation (mm)	720 mm
Mean Annual Temperature (°C)	9-10ºC
Altitude	90 m
Exposure	Open, sheltered by a hedged treeline on Western Boundary and hedged boundaries to South and East.
Topography	Gently sloping South to North and East to West.
Aspect	North facing.
Soil type	Luvic Stagnosols of the Dunkeswick and Hallsworth Series.
Previous vegetation coverage	Winter wheat.
Other relevant site info

Weather Data – Recorded On Site

The weather data presented here are direct from the sensors on the weather station. The data have not been checked and may be inaccurate and reprocessed in the future. Gaps may appear in the data due to issues such as failed sensors, corrupted data-logger programs and low power system voltages at the weather stations. The Biomass Connect project assumes no responsibility for the data presented or for any loss which may arise (directly or indirectly) from reliance on the data.

Weather Data – Recorded On Site

Project plans/actions

Which biomass crops	Planted (as of November 2024) SRC willow (6-way mixture) (~0.5 ha) – planted 19th May 2023 Miscanthus giganteus (~0.5 ha) – planted 25th May 2023 Miscanthus ‘Athena’ (~0.5 ha) – planted 20th May 2024 SRC poplar (0.137 ha) – planted 4th May 2023 SRF poplar (0.125 ha) – planted 3rd May 2023 and 13th June 2024 SRF Eucalyptus (0.114 ha) – planted 3rd May 2023 SRF alder (0.028 ha) – planted 3rd May 2023 Black locust Turbo (0.034 ha) – planted 3rd May 2023 Black locust Turbo Obelisk (0.031 ha) – planted 10th April 2024 Reed canary grass 10 m x 25m 0.025ha – planted 8th May 2024 Switchgrass (upland ecotype) 10 m x 25m 0.025ha – planted 8th May 2023 Silphium – planted 9th May 2024 Sida – planted 4th June 2024
Planting goals/aim	Evaluate the performance of the biomass crops, including feedstock performance, agronomy, plant establishment and growth, disease and pest incidence, and economic costs.
Agronomic dates (planting, harvesting schedule)	Planting in spring 2023, harvesting of Miscanthus in winter 2023 and winter 2024.
Management methodology (spray off, nutrient additions, ploughing, site prep, others)	Wheat cover crop established (direct drilled) autumn 2022. Will be sprayed off and nutrients applied as per any soil test results. Prep pre biomass planting – plough, cultivate, plant Post biomass planting – grass margins between plots.
Machinery to be used	Relevant kit for above operations!

Project plans/actions

Which biomass crops	Miscanthus; willow; Eucalyptus; poplar; grasses.
Planting goals/aim	Various species for trial and demonstration.
Agronomic dates (planting, harvesting schedule)	Starting spring 2023.
Management methodology (spray off, nutrient additions, ploughing, site prep, others)	Primary cultivation = plough. Secondary cultivation = power harrow. Autumn/winter 22/23 = winter wheat cover crop on selected plots.
Machinery to be used	TBD

General Info

Field management history

Arable field growing combinable crops,

Historic WW, SO, SB, WOSR, WB.

Other site detail of note

To the south of the site is 18ha of Willow/Poplar Agroforestry currently in an arable rotation.

Updates

A biomass crops road trip with Professor Tim Volk

10/12/2024

"This firmed up Tim’s view that the Biomass Connect hub sites are “world class” and “world leading”. I think we all had a smile on our faces when he said that."

Demonstrator Hub Updates – November 2024

05/12/2024

The Biomass Connect Demonstrator Hubs across the UK have shown varying progress as winter approaches, reflecting both the resilience of certain crops and regional differences in weather conditions. Across the sites, senescence is a dominant theme, with many perennial crops entering dormancy while some continue to show growth in favourable conditions.

Presentation: Jeanette Whitaker, Harnessing Innovation – the Future of Biomass.

03/12/2024

In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 7th November 2024, Jeanette Whitaker (UKCEH) provides an overview of Biomass Connect and the various Biomass Feedstock Innovation projects, showing how their innovations are helping to shape the future of the biomass sector in the UK.

Cockle Park Farm Demonstrator Hub Update – October 2024

20/11/2024

At Cockle Park Farm, crops are progressing steadily. Overall health remains good, with no significant pest or disease issues reported. Maintenance activities, including regular fence monitoring and grass cutting, ensure a controlled environment for crop growth.

Cockle Park Farm Demonstrator Hub Update – September 2024

12/11/2024

Progress at the Biomass Connect Demonstrator Hub at Cockle Park Farm in Newcastle has shown mixed results in plant health across various species.

Cockle Park Farm Demonstrator Hub Update – July 2024

22/08/2024

Cockle Park Farm Demonstrator Hub is progressing well, with most varieties showing healthy growth and minimal pest or disease issues. Hand weeding, replanting, and mowing have been effective in maintaining plant health, although some pest damage and gaps in plant coverage have been noted.

Climate and Soil Data at the Biomass Connect Demonstrator Hubs

24/07/2024

As with all crops, the success, failure and overall yield of biomass crops is dependent on the weather. That’s why we have weather stations and soil dataloggers recording climate and soil data at each of our demonstrator hubs

Yit Arn Teh – Multifunctional Landscapes

17/07/2024

Added: 17th July 2024 Prof. Yit Arn Teh from Newcastle University gave an informative talk on multifunctional landscapes, biomass crops, and end-uses. His talk focused on how to design farms that are multifunctional, and the benefits and trade-offs of multifunctional landscapes.

Demonstrator Hub Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – June 2024

10/07/2024

Gapping up, planting and weeding have been the main activities at Cockle Park Farm this month and things are looking good.

First Demonstrator Hub Soil Data Published

27/06/2024

The first soil dataset from across the eight Biomass Connect Demonstrator Hub sites has now been published. This dataset contains the baseline measurements of key soil properties, including carbon, bulk density and pH, which are critical to assess the impacts of biomass crops on soils through future repeat sampling.

Demonstrator Hub Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – May 2024

25/06/2024

Summer is arriving at Cockle Park Farm and most of the crops are growing well. The weather has been mainly cloudy with some sunshine and some rain. We've had moderate temperatures and moderate rainfall.

Demonstrator Hub Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – April 2024

05/06/2024

All is looking good at Cockle Park Farm. There's been lots of activity throughout April with gapping up, replanting, spraying and general preparations for the growing season

Demonstrator Hub Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – March 2024

24/04/2024

All is looking good at Cockle Park Farm. There's been lots of activity throughout March and we are looking forward to seeing the results of our labour now that Spring is here.

Demonstrator Hub Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – February 2024

15/03/2024

The winter at Cockle Park Farm has been a very wet one with the occasional cold snap and frosts. Most things seem to be coping well with these frosts. General maintenance has been the order of the day during the dormant period with regular checks of the fencing and updates to the electric fence batteries. No spraying has been carried out and the ground has been too wet throughout for any machinery. The headlands have been sown with a grass/clover mix.

Biomass Connect Hub Site Updates – November 2023

07/12/2023

With Winter on its way, growth has all but stopped at the hub sites. So, rather than have an individual update for each Hub Site we have a quick round-up below along with some photos. Starting in the North and working our way south.

Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – October 2023

10/11/2023

October 2023 – Hub Site Update Crop observation made by hub site staff during October. Demo plot SRF Alder Is growing ok. Black locust ‘Turbo’ is doing fine but there […]

Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – September 2023

20/10/2023

September 2023 – Hub Site Update The following crop observations were made on a site visit on 27th September 2023 Demo plot SRF Alder growth is OK – the plants […]

Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – August 2023

06/10/2023

August 2023 – Hub Site Update In general, no post-sprays were applied to the Miscanthus area or other areas. The aisles between crops have not been sown with grass yet. […]

Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – July 2023

26/08/2023

July 2023 – Hub Site Update A front foot approach on the weed management control has been taken across the site. A Micron Herbidome sprayer and Wheeled strimmer are to […]

Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – June 2023

16/08/2023

June 2023 -Hub Site Update Like many of the Hub sites hosting the Biomass Connect sites, June has been very dry. Overall, the site was relatively weed free. This was […]

Cockle Park Farm, Newcastle Demo Event

15/08/2023

Biomass Connect Demo event – Cockle Park Farm, Newcastle University

15/08/2023

Biomass Connect with Newcastle University, supported by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) successfully hosted an informative demonstration event at the Cockle Park Farm, Newcastle University. The event provided a platform for attendees from the biomass industry to gain insights and engage in discussions focused on biomass production, agroforestry, land use and diversification. The event included a highly informative talk on multifunctional landscapes by Prof. Yit Arn Teh from Newcastle University, and detailed information on the ongoing agroforestry trials at Newcastle University by James Standen, the Director of Newcastle University Farms.

Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – April 2023

14/07/2023

April 2023 -Hub Site Update Planting has not been undertaken due to heavy rainfall in the area. This has prevented the completion of ground preparation needed prior to planting. When […]

Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – March 2023

05/05/2023

March 2023 – Overview of progress to date Remedial ground-work The arable site was in good condition. Baseline sampling took place after the winter wheat harvest and no specific remedial […]

Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – January 2023

01/03/2023

January 2023 Risk Assessments for grazing, browsing and crop damage threats were undertaken. The weather has been cold and the ground is frozen, recent snow can still be seen in […]

Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm

09/01/2023

December 2022 A wheat cover crop has been established by direct drilling in autumn 2022. Soil samples were collected for nutrient analysis and characterisation of soil properties to establish pre-planting […]