Cockle Park Farm Site plan
April 2024 – Cockle Park Farm Demonstrator Hub Update
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. New shoots are showing in the crops that have been harvested too.
April has been cool, cloudy, and damp for much of the month. Mainly with light rain and drizzle.
Crop Diaries
Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops are progressing.
Alder
- Re-planting of the SRF Alder was carried out on 21/03/2024.
- The area was sprayed on the 19/04/2024 with Glyphosate at 4 l/ha.
- The alder is now starting to grow and leaves are appearing.
- There is no pest or insect damage.
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- SRF Alder
Black Locust
- The SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ area was gapped up on the 10/04/2024 and cut down to 10 cm after planting. The area was sprayed on the 19/04/2024 with 4 l/ha Glyphosate. Hare damage has been observed but no insect damage has been observed. The Black locust ‘Turbo’ is starting to grow now with leaves starting to appear.
- The SRF black locust ‘Turbo Obelisk‘ area was sprayed on the 8/04/2024 with 4 l/ha Glyphosate. The Turbo Obelisk was re-planted on the 10/04/2024. No pest or insect damage has been seen.
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’
Eucalyptus
- Glyphosate was applied to the SRF Eucalyptus on the 19/04/2024 with 4 l/ha.
- Wooden stakes have been ordered and Bryan Elliot (Eucalyptus Renewables) recommendations have been followed for staking.
- No pest damage or insect damage.
- Some leaves have been damaged by wind.
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- SRF Eucalyptus
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- SRF Eucalyptus
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- SRF Eucalyptus
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- SRF Eucalyptus
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- SRF Eucalyptus
Poplar
The SRF poplar was gapped up on the 10/04/2024. Glyphosate was applied on the 19/04/2024 with 4 l/ha. The plants are starting to grow and new shoots are starting to appear.
- The SRC poplar was gapped up on the 10/04/2024. Glyphosate was applied on the 19/04/2024 with 4 l/ha. No insect damage has been observed but there has been some hare damage. Leaves are starting to appear.
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- SRF Poplar
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- SRF Poplar
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- SRF Poplar
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- SRF Poplar
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- SRF Poplar
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- SRF Poplar
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- SRF Poplar
Miscanthus
Glyphosate has not been applied yet to the 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus plot. New shoots are starting to appear from the old stumps. No pest damage or insect damage. has been seen. Weeds need to be controlled.
- Glyphosate has not been applied yet to the 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena™ plot. Re-planting has not been done as the ground is still not ready. No pest damage or insect damage has been observed.
Willow
- The 0.5 ha SRC willow area was sprayed on the 19/04/2024 with 4 l/ha Glyphosate.
- New shoots are starting to appear from the old stumps.
- Gapping up will be done as soon as the ground is ready.
- Hare and deer damage have been observed.
- No insect damage has been observed.
- All plants have green leaves.
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- 0.5 ha SRC Willow
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- 0.5 ha SRC Willow
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- 0.5 ha SRC Willow
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- 0.5 ha SRC Willow
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Switchgrass
- The switchgrass has not yet been drilled.
Plans and Actions
- Electric fence lines are being monitored, they were sprayed on the 19/04/2024 with Glyphosate.
- Holes in the fence have been fixed.
Gallery
