Preston Farms near Basingstoke, Reading, has a whole farm approach to sustainability that stems from a long tradition of environmental and conservation measures. Two years ago, the farm introduced 40ha of miscanthus to complement its regenerative farming ambitions.
Preston Farms has 800ha and crops 650ha with a wide and diverse rotation, and the farm team has been operating zero-till practices for the past two years.
“The introduction of miscanthus allows us to answer many questions asked of British agriculture regarding land use,” head of farming Craig Livingstone said. “Miscanthus coupled with several higher tier options has allowed us to turn high-risk/low-reward land in the arable rotation into consistent and secure income while enabling us to prepare for new opportunities as carbon budgeting tools and markets develop.”
Mr Livingstone said Preston Farms and its sister farm Lockerley estate felt that miscanthus fits the overall objectives of the business.
“That is to enrich and enhance our soils, to deliver net-zero-carbon farming, to create a more biodiverse estate, to be a profitable farming business and develop our social responsibility within our local and wider communities,” he added.
The miscanthus is planted on heavy clay land with inconsistent net margin potential from the arable rotation.
“Before Miscanthus, the fields could cost us as well as make us money,” Mr Livingstone said. “The miscanthus is thriving here and Phil Benson Contracting, which, harvested and baled it, commented how strong it looked for a first harvest.”
The soil was prepared before the miscanthus went in and Terravesta supplied the rhizomes and planter, while the farm provided a team to plant the crop.
“Establishment was straightforward, and where the rhizome didn’t take in year one, it’s filled out in year two. It’s a healthy crop and was 9ft tall in some places before being cut this year,” Mr Livingstone said. “The miscanthus has helped us to spread risk because we receive an income each year from the harvested crop, which is baled and sent directly to whole-bale renewable energy power plants to generate electricity for local homes.”
Farmers considering planting the carbon-negative crop miscanthus can now benefit from a finance package to cover virtually all upfront costs for crop establishment, as well as new direct, long-term offtake agreements with end-users, with 10- to 15-year index-linked annual returns.
Under the new contract, Terravesta will supply its performance hybrids, planting equipment and agronomy throughout the crop’s life, ensuring successful crop establishment by committing to a minimum number of plants emerging under its new planting promise.
Miscanthus farm walk
Preston Farms is hosting a farm walk with Miscanthus specialist Terravesta on May 26, 2022, to showcase the crop to other interested farmers. Details at:
