Welsh Government Launches Agricultural Diversification and Horticulture Scheme with Support for Biomass Crop Growers
November 27, 2024
The Welsh Government has launched a new Agricultural Diversification and Horticulture Scheme designed to support farmers and land managers in diversifying their agricultural activities. This initiative provides significant opportunities for those interested […]
Connect Issue #7
August 22, 2024
Issue #7 of the Connect Newsletter is now available. The Connect Newsletters contain updates on project activities, details of the latest events, and news from across the wider biomass industry.
Aberystwyth Demonstrator Hub Update – July 2024
August 22, 2024
The Aberystwyth Demonstrator Hub is showing steady progress, with most tree and grass varieties growing well. Inter-row mowing and maintenance activities like gapping up and spraying have been effectively managed, though some plots are a little patchy and weedy. The newly planted crops such as sida, switchgrass and Silphium are being a little slow to establish.
Cockle Park Farm Demonstrator Hub Update – July 2024
August 22, 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.
Headley Hall Demonstrator Hub Update – July 2024
August 21, 2024
It's something of a mixed bag at the Headley Hall Demonstrator Hub this month. Most crops are doing well, but a few are struggling to get established.
Carbon for chemicals. How can biomass contribute to the defossilisation of the chemicals sector?
August 20, 2024
A new report from the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the Biomass Biorefinery Network outlines how the biomass sector is going to be key to the future production of the chemicals that underpin every day life.
Blooming Crop Margins
August 15, 2024
Demonstrator Hub sites at Chesham (Bio Global Industries Ltd. (BGI)), North Wyke (Rothamsted Research) and Headley Hall (NIAB) have reported on the successful establishment of Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI) compliant crop margins.
New report highlights potential areas for UK biomass planting up to the 2050’s
August 14, 2024
A recent report from the Energy Systems Catapult modelled planting scenarios for Miscanthus, short rotation forestry and SRC willow using the ‘Bioenergy Value Chain Model (BVCM)’ originally developed by the Energy Technologies Institute.
Biomass Connect at the Royal Welsh Show, 22nd to 25th July 2024
August 01, 2024
The Royal Welsh Show is the largest agricultural show in Europe, attracting about 250,000 people to its site in mid Wales over the course of the annual 4 day event. It features livestock and horticultural competitions, a huge area displaying agricultural machinery, trade stands and a range of events appealing to wider audiences such as horse logging displays, parachute aerobatics, and sheepdog trials.
Short Rotation Forestry: A Sustainable Energy Crop Solution
July 31, 2024
Short Rotation Forestry (SRF) is emerging as a key player in renewable energy and a recently updated article from Forest Research provides a comprehensive review of SRF.
Latest Information Resources
Miscanthus for Livestock Bedding Factsheet
A double-sided factsheet with nformation about a project growing Miscanthus as animal bedding on one side, and some general Miscanthus facts and growing, establishment and harvesting information on the other side.Miscanthus for Animal Bedding and Miscanthus - A factsheet.
Type: Factsheet
Date: December 2024
Crop: Miscanthus
Keywords:
Growers Story: Eucalyptus and the Frost Challenge
This case study explores the problems faced by the Bodsworth's in a Eucalyptus plantation in Wales due to frost damage.
In a bid to explore biomass production for household heating and as a potential revenue stream, David and Susan Bodsworth of Tanllan Farm, Llangeitho, are keen to share their experiences with the farming community.
The Bodsworths’ story at Tanllan Farm highlights some of the challenges faced by farmers seeking to diversify into biomass production. David commented that although the Eucalyptus tree has a great potential for producing biomass, perhaps the location of his site was not entirely suitable.
Type: Case Study
Date: 12th December 2024
Crop: Eucalyptus
Keywords: Growsers Story, Eucalyptus
Presentation: Erisa Senerdem, Unlocking Agricultural Biomass Potential: Lessons from Forestry and Global Market Insights.
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 8th November 2024, Erisa Senerdem brings valuable insights from global biomass markets for agricultural residues like sugarcane bagasse and palm kernel shells. Particularly pertinent were comments about the importance of product specification, seasonality of supply, price volatility and matching to end user technologies.
Type: Presentation
Date: November 2024
Crop: All Biomass Crops
Keywords: Biomass Connect Showcase
Presentation: Steve Smith, Carbon dioxide removal – the state of play and the global scale up challenge.
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 8th November 2024, Steve Smith shared the findings of the “State of CDR” report, emphasising the global need for carbon dioxide removal technologies. Whether it’s trees, peatland restoration, biochar, wood products, or BECCS, the majority involve biomass in some way.
Type: Presentation
Date: November 2024
Crop: All Biomass Crops
Keywords: Biomass Connect Showcase
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