As one of the key species within the Biomass Connect demonstrator hubs, the SRF Alder (Alnus spp.) continues to show resilience and steady growth across multiple locations. Here’s how the crop is progressing at various sites:

• Chesham: No significant updates were reported for Alder this month, with observations indicating stable conditions.

• North Wyke: Alder is showing healthy development, with glyphosate application completed in December to manage weed competition.

• Auchincruive: Signs of early spring are evident, with buds beginning to appear and no additional storm damage noted.

• Boghall: Similar to Auchincruive, small buds are emerging, signaling the end of dormancy. The trees have weathered recent storms well, with no new damage observed.

• Headley Hall: The Alder crop has come through winter in good condition, with buds starting to form. Grass aisles have been sprayed to control weed competition.

• Cockle Park Farm: Buds and catkins are starting to form, indicating healthy development. Glyphosate was applied in late February, and no signs of disease or pest damage have been reported.

• Aberystwyth: Early signs of spring are visible with swelling buds and the emergence of catkins. Grass maintenance has been completed to support healthy growth.

• Hillsborough: The Alder crop remains fully senesced with no active management undertaken this period.

Across the hubs, the Alder crop is generally progressing well, with signs of bud development as the season shifts. Weed management and ground preparation have been key focuses, ensuring that these trees are set up for healthy growth in the coming months.

Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), known for its hardiness and fast growth, continues to be monitored across the Biomass Connect demonstrator hubs. Here’s how this crop is progressing at each site:

• Chesham: Conditions have been challenging, with the site experiencing very waterlogged ground. No specific issues were noted for Black Locust beyond general site conditions.

• North Wyke: Black Locust plants appear healthy, though monitoring will continue into spring to check for any late-season die-off, which occurred last year. Glyphosate was applied in December for weed control.

• Auchincruive: The trees remain dormant, with no signs of budding yet. Some wind rock has been noted, suggesting the need for future stabilisation efforts.

• Boghall: Similarly, Black Locust at Boghall remains dormant with no visible buds. The trees have, however, avoided significant storm damage.

• Headley Hall: Plants are looking healthy, although a few suffered breakage from strong February winds. Buds have not yet emerged.

• Cockle Park Farm: All plants remain dormant, but hare damage has been observed, which will need to be addressed. Glyphosate was applied in late February to manage competing vegetation.

• Aberystwyth: Some plants show signs of die-back at the stem tips, and no new growth has been observed yet.

• Hillsborough: Early signs of bud development are starting to appear, indicating the end of dormancy is approaching.

Overall, Black Locust across the hub sites is still largely dormant, as expected at this time of year. Wind damage and pest browsing are the main challenges noted, alongside ongoing weed management. As temperatures rise, closer monitoring will continue to ensure a healthy start to the growing season.

Eucalyptus, valued for its rapid growth and biomass potential, has faced mixed conditions across the Biomass Connect demonstrator hubs this month. Here’s how it’s progressing at each site:

• Chesham: Trees have been checked and staked, with larger stakes used to combat wind rock. Despite these efforts, some wind-related movement was noted, and stability continues to be a focus.

• North Wyke: Eucalyptus has struggled with wind damage over the winter. Repeated staking has been necessary, but strong winds continue to snap stakes and impact trees with small root balls. Steel stakes may be considered to improve stability. Several stakes were replaced throughout the winter months.

• Auchincruive: The Eucalyptus here has been significantly impacted by frost, with many trees showing brown or dead leaves and some without any foliage at all. Sooty mould was also spotted, likely a result of frost damage. Ongoing monitoring will be crucial to assess survival as spring approaches.

• Boghall: Trees appear battered and lopsided due to wind, but most remain green and healthy. Encouragingly, there were no additional losses from recent storms.

• Headley Hall: Some trees show signs of frost damage, with leaves turning a reddish-brown. The team will continue to monitor whether these trees recover from the stress.

• Cockle Park Farm: Eucalyptus is generally growing well, with some early budding observed. However, some frost damage has been noted. Glyphosate was applied in February to manage weeds, and no pest damage has been detected.

• Aberystwyth: Signs of wind burn are visible, with some trees displaying entirely brown leaves. Grass maintenance has been carried out around the plants to reduce competition.

• Hillsborough: A few trees show signs of frost damage, and some required re-staking due to winter storms. Continued monitoring will determine if further intervention is needed.

Despite facing challenges from frost and wind, many Eucalyptus plots are showing resilience. Stabilisation and ongoing monitoring will be key to ensuring healthy growth as the season progresses.

Poplar, a versatile biomass crop known for its fast growth, is showing promising signs of early development across the Biomass Connect demonstrator hubs. Here’s an overview of progress at each site:

• Chesham: Both SRF and SRC Poplar plots reported no significant issues this month, with crops maintaining stable conditions.

• North Wyke: SRF and SRC Poplar are looking healthy. Glyphosate applications were completed in early December to manage weed competition.

• Auchincruive: Buds are starting to appear on most SRF Poplar trees, with no additional storm damage reported. SRC Poplar is also beginning to show bud development, suggesting a strong start to the growing season.

• Boghall: SRF Poplar trees are showing early bud development with no storm damage. SRC Poplar varieties are also beginning to bud, though with some variation between types.

• Headley Hall: SRF Poplar trees are looking healthy, with no signs of storm damage and buds starting to form. SRC Poplar has also handled winter conditions well, with buds emerging as the season changes.

• Cockle Park Farm: SRF Poplar is progressing well, with buds beginning to appear and no signs of pest or disease damage. SRC Poplar is still mostly dormant, though some early budding has been observed. Glyphosate was applied in late February for weed management.

• Aberystwyth: Bud swelling has been observed in both SRF and SRC Poplar plots. Some areas show standing water, which will be monitored to avoid impacting root health.

• Hillsborough: All Poplar varieties remain fully senesced, with no active management reported this month.

Overall, Poplar across the hubs is transitioning out of dormancy, with buds appearing at most sites. Weed control and monitoring for storm damage remain ongoing priorities.

Miscanthus, a key biomass crop known for its high yield potential, has been the focus of significant activity across the Biomass Connect demonstrator hubs this month. Here’s a detailed look at progress for M. giganteus, Athena, and the variety trials at each site.

Chesham

• M. giganteus: Quadrat harvesting took place on 18th February, with Rothamsted supporting the drying process. Yield data has been collected and is being processed.
• Athena: Spraying with glyphosate has been scheduled and will be followed by cutback within 24 hours to avoid crop damage.
• Variety Trials: Not applicable at this site.

North Wyke

• M. giganteus: Struggling in areas previously cut and manured, with thick grass competition reducing crop vigour. The team is planning a cut and spray operation when ground conditions allow.
• Athena: Growing well, particularly in the replanted section from 2024. Weed competition remains an issue, but the crop looks strong overall.
• Variety Trials:
  • 2023 Trial: Cut back and sprayed with glyphosate in February.
  • 2024 Trial: Recently sprayed and cut back.

Auchincruive

• M. giganteus: Sampling is scheduled for early March, with cutting to follow. No further lodging (brackling) has been noted.
• Athena: Also scheduled for cutting in early March, with no significant issues reported.
• Variety Trials: Not applicable at this site.

Boghall

• M. giganteus: Samples were taken on 18th February, with cutting scheduled for early March.
• Athena: Scheduled for cutting next week.
• Variety Trials:
  • 2023 Trial: Samples collected in late February, with some varieties showing mould and severe brackling. Cutting is planned for early March.
  • 2024 Trial: Also scheduled for cutting in early March.

Headley Hall

• M. giganteus: Harvesting is planned for early March, weather permitting.
• Athena: Scheduled for spraying and cutting in the first week of March.
• Variety Trials:
  • 2023 Trial: Harvested in February, with final cuts completed later in the month.
  • 2024 Trial: Looking stable, with topping planned when ground conditions improve.

Cockle Park Farm

• M. giganteus: Harvest completed on 25th February, with no major issues noted.
• Athena: Dry and awaiting management.
• Variety Trials: Not applicable at this site.

Aberystwyth

• M. giganteus: Quadrat harvests have been taken and samples are being processed for yield calculation.
• Athena: The plot has been cut back and sprayed, with good control of weeds achieved.
• Variety Trials:
  • 2023 Trial: Quadrat samples have been taken, with oven drying underway for yield assessment.
  • 2024 Trial: Plants have senesced well but require spraying and cutting back due to weed growth.

Hillsborough

• M. giganteus: Destructive yields were taken in early March, with some lodging noted.
• Athena: Also harvested in early March, though more lodging was reported post-storms.
• Variety Trials:
  • 2023 Trial: Experienced significant lodging. Harvests were taken in late February, with glyphosate applications planned for weed management.
  • 2024 Trial: Fully senesced and also showing lodging. Glyphosate treatment is scheduled.

Summary

Across the hubs, Miscanthus crops have faced a mix of challenges, from lodging due to storms to weed competition. However, critical management activities like harvesting, spraying, and cutting have been actively progressing. Data from recent harvests will offer valuable insights into yield performance and inform future crop strategies.

Willow (Salix spp.), a key biomass crop known for its fast growth and adaptability, is beginning to show early signs of spring activity across the Biomass Connect demonstrator hubs. Here’s how Willow plots and variety trials are progressing at each site.

Chesham

• SRC Willow: Budding has begun, signalling the end of winter dormancy.
• Variety Trials: Not applicable at this site.
• Management: Weekly inspections of fencing continue, ensuring deer and solar e-fencing remain in good condition.

North Wyke

• SRC Willow: Weed management is a current focus, with glyphosate applications carried out in December, February, and late February. Creeping buttercup and thick grass remain problematic in certain areas.
• Variety Trials: Gapping up was completed in February, replacing empty plots and guard rows that failed earlier in the project. Weed control is progressing well.

Auchincruive

• SRC Willow: Buds and catkins are now starting to appear, and no additional storm damage has been noted.
• Variety Trials: Not applicable at this site.

Boghall

• SRC Willow: Buds and catkins are appearing, and the crop looks healthy with no recent damage.
• Variety Trials: Some varieties are budding while others are still dormant, but overall, the crop is healthy and ready for the spring season.

Headley Hall

• SRC Willow: Trees are looking healthy, with buds forming on higher branches and stems.
• Variety Trials: Most varieties are budding, with some already showing new green leaves—an encouraging sign for the upcoming growing season.

Cockle Park Farm

• SRC Willow: Some varieties have begun forming catkins. No disease or insect damage has been observed, though hare damage was noted in some areas.
• Variety Trials: Not applicable at this site.

Aberystwyth

• SRC Willow: Buds are beginning to swell, and some plants are showing early catkin development.
• Variety Trials: Similar signs of budding and catkin growth have been observed. Standing water in some parts of the plot will need to be monitored.

Hillsborough

• SRC Willow: Fully senesced, with no active management reported this period.
• Variety Trials: Fully senesced with no further activity.

Summary

Willow across the demonstrator hubs is steadily emerging from dormancy, with early bud and catkin development at many sites. Weed management and fencing maintenance continue to be priorities to protect the young shoots. While most sites report healthy progress, some areas require ongoing monitoring, especially where waterlogging and pest activity have been noted.

As the season progresses, these early signs of growth are encouraging, and we look forward to tracking Willow’s development across the UK.

Sida (Sida hermaphrodita), a resilient perennial biomass crop, is at varying stages of development and management across the Biomass Connect demonstrator hubs. Here’s an overview of progress at each site:

• Chesham: Sida was cut back during a site visit on 18th February, with no further updates this month.
• North Wyke: Plants from the original plot were moved to gap up weaker areas on 19th February, with low weed burden noted and optimism for good regrowth this season.
• Auchincruive: Cutback is scheduled for the next available weather window.
• Boghall: Also scheduled for cutting as soon as weather conditions allow.
• Headley Hall: Cut back on 24th February, with inter-row spraying of glyphosate planned for the first week of March, subject to weather conditions.
• Cockle Park Farm: No visible plants have emerged yet, and the site will continue monitoring for early growth.
• Aberystwyth: Fully senesced, with significant weed grass growth requiring spraying and cutting back to prepare for the growing season.
• Hillsborough: Fully senesced with most stems blown away by storms, though early signs of green regrowth have been observed.

Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea), a hardy perennial grass suited for biomass production, is showing varied progress across the Biomass Connect demonstrator hubs. Here’s an overview of activity at each site:

• Chesham: No significant updates this month.
• North Wyke: Germination is uneven due to hand broadcasting of seed, but a good number of crop plants are present.
• Auchincruive: More seed is required for overseeding, with supply to be provided by Rothamsted Research Harpenden.
• Boghall: Re-sowing is likely needed, with Rothamsted Research Harpenden advising and supplying seed.
• Headley Hall: Showing signs of new growth, with green shoots appearing at the base of the plants following winter.
• Cockle Park Farm: Grass has turned yellow, but no signs of disease or pest damage were observed.
• Aberytwyth: No specific updates were provided for this period.
• Hillsborough: Grass has yellowed, likely due to frost. No active management has been carried out.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), a robust perennial grass valued for its biomass potential, is progressing at different rates across the Biomass Connect demonstrator hubs. Here’s an overview of activity at each site:

• Chesham: The crop needs to be gapped up. Additional seed was delivered on 29th January, with planting planned for spring when conditions allow.
• North Wyke: The crop appears thinner compared to Reed Canary Grass, possibly due to less winter resilience. Growth is uneven across the plot, likely due to hand broadcasting.
• Auchincruive: More seed is needed for overseeding, with supply to be provided by Rothamsted Research Harpenden.
• Boghall: Similar to Reed Canary Grass, re-sowing is likely required, with advice and seed supply from Rothamsted Research Harpenden.
• Headley Hall: Growth is slow, with no visible new shoots or green growth at the base of the plants.
• Cockle Park Farm: Leaves have turned yellow, but no signs of disease or pest damage have been noted.