Energy Crops

adne

Can anyone point me in the direction of good scource for info on growing energy crops... Anyone know if this would be possible on west of Ireland Land!!!:D

reilig

adne wrote: »

Can anyone point me in the direction of good scource for info on growing energy crops... Anyone know if this would be possible on west of Ireland Land!!!:D

Look at yesterday's farmer's journal. There's an advertisement for a company seeking growers of willow. They have open evenings in hotels in the midlands and west over the next few weeks. They are offering guaranteed rate contracts - so you know what your return would be before you even plant the stuff.

Don't know about the land quality in the west, I'm in the same boat myself. One thing I do know is that I could grow rushes as an energy crop if there was some use for it

Oldtree

Willow has no problems growing here, nor does poplar.

The main point of concern would be to plant a number of varities so that if a disease strikes it would be unlightly to kill your whole crop.

Most soils have sufficient nutrients for most trees, so most soils would be ok.

A main problem would be if you have winter flooding or soft lands, which would make the harvesting a problem. saying that tis dry as a bone at the moment and not too soft, but i'm not sure I could rely on that for the long term.

Couldn't we all make a fortune from rushes

always read the small print.

An alternative for a wet site is to plant alder (as a pension fund). It grows quickly and can tolerate water around its roots for long periods in the winter. It also sets nitrogen in the soil. It is not a conifer and will not acidify your soil.

tophat

Miscanthus, or Elephant Grass may be an option.
Depending on soil type/conditions: does it flood during the winter?, is it deep enough (it's planted at 4-6 inches), is there rock present, or if it's boggy type land (will you be able to get it out in the spring time when you will be harvesting it?).
Doen't take a lot of inputs after year 2, and should last/recrop annually for at least 15 years.
You need a contract to supply to draw down the dept. of ag. grant, which is approx E600/acre.
Long term returns around 6 tonne/acre or more depending on soil/weather conditions.
No crop in Year 1 and continues to establish up to Year 4.
You can draw REPS4 up to 10 Ha or 25% of your holding.
You can keep your Area Aid & your SFP doesn't have to be stacked.

Oldtree

From the horses mouth, so to speak:

Have a look here as a starting point:

http://www.teagasc.ie/topics/crops/energy.asp

then ring them with all your questions, thay are very helpful

Colmm23

Check out this website.
Its Farrelly bros in meath and the project their undertaking.

http://www.timberpro.ie/willow-project.html#willowcalendar