Norfolk farmer Bill Lewis will be showcasing his record-breaking miscanthus crop at a farm walk on his unit at Kings Lynn on January 28.
The crop had a record yield this year, and yet it wasn’t quite two-years old. Achieving a tremendous 8.82t/ha, the result is the largest documented on a second-year crop to date.
Typically, the first miscanthus harvest comes three years after planting and is about half this tonnage. This yield increases each year, up to mature crops yielding 12 to 18t/ha for the rest of its 20-year plus crop life.
Visitors on the farm walk will have a chance to view the miscanthus, just before harvest, after it has finished senescing (drying out).
“We’re well ahead of our budgeted figures with this increased yield, and the harvest for 2016 should be double this record,” Mr Lewis (pictured above) said.
The trend to harvesting just two years post planting is likely to increase and offers growers a quicker return, according to miscanthus specialist Terravesta, which is promoting the farm walk.
Mr Lewis attributes the bumper miscanthus yield to careful planning, planting preparation and aftercare for the first 12 months after planting.
“We had 90 per cent establishment, and the support we’ve received from Terravesta has been invaluable,” he said. “They advised on our herbicide regime, which is very important in the establishment year, and we treated to control twitch grass and meadow grass. We also erected fencing to ward off rabbits, which can be a threat to the crop early on.
“Under contract with Terravesta, we got back £73.80/t less haulage, and harvested 133 tonnes of crop. We really didn’t expect to be making more than £8,000 in our second year. Next year the yield should double, with thicker canes and more of them. This year we’ve planted another 15ha and will plant another 4.0ha in the future.”
The Miscanthus farm walk at Abbey Farm, Kings Lynn, will take place on January 28 from 10.30 to 14.00. More information, including an online booking for the event, can be found at: www.terravesta.com.
