October 2024 – Cockle Park Farm Demonstrator Hub Update
At Cockle Park Farm, crops are progressing steadily, with the following notable observations during October. Miscanthus Giganteus and Miscanthus Athena™ remain green and healthy, with no signs of disease or pest damage. Eucalyptus trees are thriving, with some beginning to flower, while Alder shows signs of senescence alongside rust and insect damage. Poplar and Willow are transitioning into senescence, but 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.
Crop Diaries
Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops at Cockle Park Farm are progressing.
Alder
- All of the SRF Alder plants are starting to senesce.
- Buds are appearing.
- Insect damage has been found.
- Rust has been found.
- No hare damage has been noticed.
- SRF Alder at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Alder at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Alder at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Alder at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Alder at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Alder at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Alder at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
Black Locust
- The SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ plants are senescing.
- Hare damage has been observed.
- No disease issue has been found.
- Black Locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’ plot
- Black Locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’ plot
- Black Locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’ plot
- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
Eucalyptus
- The SRF Eucalyptus is still green and healthy.
- No signs of disease or insect damage has been observed.
- Some of the Eucalyptus trees are starting to flower.
- SRF Eucalyptus at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Eucalyptus at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Eucalyptus at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Eucalyptus at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Eucalyptus at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Eucalyptus at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Eucalyptus at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
Poplar
- The SRF poplar plants are starting to senesce and are turning yellow. No disease issues have been observed. Caterpillars have been seen. No hare damage has been observed.
- The SRC poplar is also turning yellow and starting to senesce. No disease issues or hare damage has been observed.
- The Italian SRF Poplar is still green and healthy. No disease issues have been found and no hare damages has been observed. Some of the English varieties have new shoots at the bottom.
- SRF Poplar at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Poplar at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Poplar at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Poplar at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- SRF Poplar at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
Miscanthus
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus plants are still green and healthy. No disease has been found. No vertebrate damage has been found. No insect damage has been found
- The Miscanthus Athena™ are growing well. There are no disease or insect issues. There is no hare damage.
- 0.5ha Miscanthus giganteus
- 0.5ha Miscanthus giganteus
- 0.5ha Miscanthus giganteus
- 0.5ha Miscanthus giganteus
- 0.5ha Miscanthus giganteus
- 0.5ha Miscanthus Athena
- 0.5ha Miscanthus Athena
- 0.5ha Miscanthus Athena
- 0.5ha Miscanthus Athena
- 0.5ha Miscanthus Athena
- 0.5ha Miscanthus Athena
Willow
- Most of the 0.5 ha SRC willow trees are now senescing.
- Some varieties are still green.
- No rust has been found.
- No hare damage.
- 0.5ha SRC Willow at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- 0.5ha SRC Willow at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- 0.5ha SRC Willow at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- 0.5ha SRC Willow at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- 0.5ha SRC Willow at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- 0.5ha SRC Willow at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- 0.5ha SRC Willow at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- 0.5ha SRC Willow at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- 0.5ha SRC Willow at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- 0.5ha SRC Willow at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
Sida
- The Sida is now yellowing.
- No hare damage has been seen.
- There are some small weeds present in the plot
- Sida at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- Sida at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- Sida at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- Sida at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- Sida at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- Sida at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- Sida at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
Reed Canary Grass
- The reed canary grass is now quite yellow.
- No disease, insect damage or hare damage has been seen.
- Reed Canary Grass
- Reed Canary Grass
- Reed Canary Grass
- Reed Canary Grass at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
Switchgrass
- The switchgrass look quite yellow.
- No disease issues have been observed.
- No hare damage has been seen.
- Switchgrass at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- Switchgrass at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- Switchgrass at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
- Switchgrass at Cockle Park Farm, October 2024
Plans and Actions
- The grass aisle look healthy and has been cut.
- Electric fence lines are being monitored regularly.