Carlisle-based New Holland dealer Lloyd Ltd has supplied one of the brand’s FR Forage Cruiser self-propelled harvesters to new biofuel company Energy Crops Consultancy (ECC). The machine has been fortified with extra protection and fitted with New Holland’s own purpose-built compact FB130 coppice header for use harvesting renewable energy crops such as SRC willow and poplar wood crops across the country.
ECC began trading at the beginning of this year. Using wood biomass primarily for energy generation, it is helping to create sustainable long-term renewable energy solutions to move away from the use of fossil fuels, with the added environmental benefits such as increased biodiversity, soil restoration, early pollination for bees and other insects, carbon storage, and natural flood management. The purchase of the New Holland forager means that ECC can offer a complete end-to-end service from field to end market, and is able to fully manage the whole process from start to finish, ensuring growers receive the quality harvest they need for a successful future with their energy crops.
Working with farmers and landowners across the country to grow and deliver high-quality sustainable end products derived from natural and renewable sources, ECC provides both practical advice and hands-on support. Services include land preparation, planting, management and harvesting of energy crops, as well as setting up supply chains to secure income for growers.
Harvesting energy crops is a precise procedure and must be done strategically to maximise yield and income, and ensure successful crops in two- to four-year cycles during a period of 30+ years.
Lloyd Ltd said it was proud to be able to support ECC in providing and customising the New Holland machine.
“This is such an exciting and innovative way of making use of the impressive technology and capabilities of the New Holland forage harvester, so we were delighted to be able to work with ECC to make it happen,” managing director Barry Lloyd said. “Our workshop team at Carlisle has really enjoyed tailoring the machine to ECC’s requirements as it’s such a different approach from how these machines are normally used.
“They’ve had the opportunity to apply their extensive skills and are genuinely excited at the finished machine. To know that it is going to be used to help with biodiversity and renewable energy too is great as these aspects are going to become increasingly important to the environment in future. We wish ECC every success and look forward to continuing to work with them as their business grows.”
ECC co-founder Neil Watkins said he had received excellent support from all the team at Lloyd Ltd.
“This new specialist forage harvester is a fantastic opportunity for us as it gives us scope to expand our offering which our growers will benefit from,” he added. “We look forward to working with Lloyd Ltd a lot more going forward.”
For more information visit: www.lloyd.ltd.uk or www.energycropsconsultancy.com.
