Auchincruive Estate, Ayrshire (SRUC)
A sheltered flat north-south site, with sandy loam and current vegetation of barley stubble. Planting of a winter wheat cover crop took place in 2022, followed by Miscanthus, willow, poplar and Eucalyptus in spring 2023. The plans below show the layout of the trial plots at the hub site and the updates will keep you informed of their progress and performance throughout the trials.
|
Address |
Auchincruive Estate, Ayr. |
|
Latitude, longitude |
55°28’30.7″N 4°33’28.8″W (55.475184, -4.557993) |
|
Grid ref |
NS 38427 23117 |
|
What 3 words ref for entrance |
///plotted.improvise.miracles |
Site Plans
Characteristics
| Mean Annual Precipitation (mm) | 820 mm |
| Mean Annual Temperature (°C) | 12.9 °C |
| Altitude | 48 m |
| Exposure | Sheltered. |
| Topography | Flat. |
| Aspect | N-S. |
| Soil type | Sandy loam. |
| Previous vegetation coverage | Barley stubble. |
| Other relevant site info |
Project plans/actions
| Which biomass crops |
Planted (as of November 2024)
|
| Planting goals/aim | |
| Agronomic dates (planting, harvesting schedule) |
Planting: Spring 2023 and 2024. Harvest: Jan/Feb 2024. |
| Management methodology (spray off, nutrient additions, ploughing, site prep, others) |
– Ploughing/site prep Oct 2022 (Winter wheat cover – except on Miscanthus plots) + Glyphosate (early spring 2023). – Pendimethalin pre-ems (spring 2023). – Graminicide 3-6 weeks post planting. – Dow Shield 3-6 weeks post planting (if required). – Interrow weeding/spot spraying when required (spring/summer). |
| Machinery to be used | TBC. |
General Info
| Field management history | |
| Other site detail of note |
Updates
Demonstrator Hub Updates – February 2025
12/03/2025
As winter transitions into spring, activity across the Biomass Connect demonstrator hubs has been steadily progressing. Despite challenging weather conditions—marked by cold temperatures, frosts, and heavy rainfall—our teams have been actively managing crop health, conducting harvests, and preparing for the upcoming growing season.
Demonstrator Hub Updates – January 2025
12/02/2025
The past few months have presented a mix of challenges and progress across the Biomass Connect Demonstrator Hubs. Harsh winter conditions, including prolonged periods of frost, heavy rainfall, and multiple storms—most notably Storm Éowyn—have tested the resilience of crops.
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.
Ayrshire Demonstrator Hub Update – October 2024
21/11/2024
At the Auchincruive Demonstration Hub, crops have been showing natural seasonal transitions, with many entering senescence. Miscanthus giganteus remains thick and dense but is starting to brown from the bottom, while Miscanthus Athena™ has also begun senescing alongside the dying off of weeds. Eucalyptus trees remain robust and healthy, including recovery among previously droopy trees. Poplar and Willow exhibit varying stages of senescence, with some branches damaged by storm Ashley but no major structural issues. Alder is browning but holding onto its leaves, and Black Locust shows significant leaf drop. Birds have been observed among the Miscanthus and Willow, highlighting biodiversity benefits at the site.
Ayrshire Demonstrator Hub Update – September 2024
13/11/2024
September's updates at the Ayrshire Biomass Connect Hub reflected steady growth and resilience among various crops. While the alder and poplar showed signs of rust and minor insect or deer impacts, the Eucalyptus, Miscanthus, and willow plots thrived overall, with willow appearing especially lush. Miscanthus Athena also exhibited strong growth with minimal disturbance, contributing to the productive and green progress of the demonstration site.
Ayrshire Demonstrator Hub Update – July 2024
28/08/2024
At the Ayrshire Demonstrator Hub site, the biomass crops are generally progressing well, with species like SRF Alder, Poplar, and SRC Willow showing healthy growth and minimal pest or disease issues. However, some challenges such as rust on SRF Alder, insect damage, and weed presence, particularly in Miscanthus and Sida plots, require ongoing management to maintain crop health.
Demonstrator Hub Update – SRUC Auchincruive – June 2024
18/07/2024
Most things are growing well, including the weeds. June has been a busy month which included a visit from the Rothamsted Research team to plant the sida plug plants and the Italian SRF poplar plot
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 – SRUC Auchincruive – May 2024
26/06/2024
Inter-row spraying has been the main activity at the SRUC Auchincruive Demonstrator Hub in Ayrshire this May. The plots are looking good.
Demonstrator Hub Update – SRUC Auchincruive – April 2024
06/06/2024
Gapping up and replanting have been the main activities at the SRUC Auchincruive Demonstrator Hub in Ayrshire this April. The plots are looking good.
Demonstrator Hub Update – SRUC Auchincruive – March 2024
05/04/2024
Spring continues at the Auchincruive Demonstrator Hub.
Demonstrator Hub Update – SRUC Auchincruive – February 2024
20/03/2024
Scotland experienced some well-documented extreme weather at the beginning of the year with both of our SRUC demonstrator hubs suffering from Storm Henk and Isha. Despite the damage there are now signs of hope in most plots and work has commenced with spraying and planning for 2024.
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.
Tree Planting Technique
04/12/2023
Added: 4th Dec. 2023
Tree planting techniques by Bryan Elliot, filmed at the Biomass Connect SRUC demo event.
Hub Site Update – SRUC Ayrshire – October 2023
14/11/2023
October 2023 – Hub Site Update The SRUC Auchincruive Estate hub site in Ayrshire experienced a very wet, windy, and cold October Operational processes undertaken All plots have been strimmed […]
Auchincruive Estate, Ayrshire – Demo Event
08/11/2023
Added: 8th Nov. 2023
A short video of the successful Biomass Connect demo event at our Ayrshire Hub Site. Be sure to join us on our next event.
Biomass Connect Demo Event – SRUC, Scotland
07/11/2023
Biomass Connect together with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) successfully hosted two demonstration events at SRUC hub sites in Ayrshire and Edinburgh, Scotland. The events were attended by a diverse group of land managers, consultants, biomass processors, policy makers, and researchers.
Hub Site Update – SRUC Ayrshire – September 2023
20/10/2023
September 2023 – Hub Site Update Scotland experienced something of a heatwave at the beginning of September and then turned cold (and wet) later. Operational processes undertaken The Electric fencing […]
Hub Site Update – SRUC Ayrshire – August 2023
06/10/2023
August 2023 – Hub Site Update The weather was a mixed bag for August. Generally warm and wet – very windy on several days. Observations from the different plant plots […]
Hub Site Update – SRUC Ayrshire – June 2023
16/08/2023
June 2023 – Hub Site Update The Willow variety trial was planted on 13th & 14th June by the Rothamsted Research team and team members from SRUC. Conditions were hot […]
Hub Site Update – SRUC Ayrshire – May 2023
14/07/2023
April and May 2023 – Hub Site Update Glyphosate spraying of the plots for planting was undertaken and weed die-off is evident. This was followed by spot spraying some of […]
Hub Site Update – SRUC Ayrshire – March 2023
04/05/2023
March 2023 – Overview of progress to date Remedial ground-work The arable site was in good condition. Baseline sampling took place after the spring barley harvest and no specific remedial […]
Hub Site Update – SRUC Ayrshire – February 2023
26/04/2023
February 2023 It has been extremely wet. So wet, the ground is almost like quick mud. Nearly lost a welly! It will be several weeks before it has a chance […]
Hub Site Update – SRUC Ayrshire – January 2023
01/03/2023
January 2023 Risk Assessments for grazing, browsing and crop damage threats were undertaken. Auchincruive has had unusually high volumes of rain in the last couple of weeks, followed by a […]
Hub Site Update – SRUC Ayrshire
09/01/2023
December 2022 Summer weed control, cultivation and drilling complete. A winter wheat cover crop has been drilled on all wood crops plots but not on those due to have miscanthus […]
Base line soil samples have been taken, ploughing is in progress, Hopefully planting wheat cover crop week beginning 24 Oct 2022.
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Scotland's Rural College, University Avenue, Ayr, UK