Cockle Park Farm, Northumberland (Newcastle University)
Open exposure, sheltered by a hedged treeline on western boundary and hedges to south and east. North facing aspect, gently sloping south to north and east to west. Soil is Luvic Stagnosols with Miscanthus and SRC willow planted in spring 2023. The plans below show the layout of the trial plots at the Cockle Park Farm hub site and the updates will keep you informed of their progress and performance throughout the trials.
| Address | Cockle Park Farm, Newcastle University, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 3EA. |
| Latitude, longitude | Latitude: 55.2144/55°12’51″N Longitude: -1.6854/1°41’7″W |
| Grid ref | OS Grid: NZ201911 |
| What 3 words ref for entrance | ///headliner.adopts.erase |
Site Plans
Characteristics
| Mean Annual Precipitation (mm) | 720 mm |
| Mean Annual Temperature (°C) | 9-10ºC |
| Altitude | 90 m |
| Exposure | Open, sheltered by a hedged treeline on Western Boundary and hedged boundaries to South and East. |
| Topography | Gently sloping South to North and East to West. |
| Aspect | North facing. |
| Soil type | Luvic Stagnosols of the Dunkeswick and Hallsworth Series. |
| Previous vegetation coverage | Winter wheat. |
| Other relevant site info |
Weather Data – Recorded On Site
The weather data presented here are direct from the sensors on the weather station. The data have not been checked and may be inaccurate and reprocessed in the future. Gaps may appear in the data due to issues such as failed sensors, corrupted data-logger programs and low power system voltages at the weather stations. The Biomass Connect project assumes no responsibility for the data presented or for any loss which may arise (directly or indirectly) from reliance on the data.
Project plans/actions
| Which biomass crops |
Planted (as of November 2024)
|
| Planting goals/aim | Evaluate the performance of the biomass crops, including feedstock performance, agronomy, plant establishment and growth, disease and pest incidence, and economic costs. |
| Agronomic dates (planting, harvesting schedule) | Planting in spring 2023, harvesting of Miscanthus in winter 2023 and winter 2024. |
| Management methodology (spray off, nutrient additions, ploughing, site prep, others) |
Wheat cover crop established (direct drilled) autumn 2022. Will be sprayed off and nutrients applied as per any soil test results. Prep pre biomass planting – plough, cultivate, plant Post biomass planting – grass margins between plots. |
| Machinery to be used | Relevant kit for above operations! |
Project plans/actions
| Which biomass crops | Miscanthus; willow; Eucalyptus; poplar; grasses. |
| Planting goals/aim | Various species for trial and demonstration. |
| Agronomic dates (planting, harvesting schedule) | Starting spring 2023. |
| Management methodology (spray off, nutrient additions, ploughing, site prep, others) |
Primary cultivation = plough. Secondary cultivation = power harrow. Autumn/winter 22/23 = winter wheat cover crop on selected plots. |
| Machinery to be used | TBD |
General Info
|
Field management history |
Arable field growing combinable crops, Historic WW, SO, SB, WOSR, WB. |
|
Other site detail of note |
To the south of the site is 18ha of Willow/Poplar Agroforestry currently in an arable rotation. |
Updates
Demonstrator Hub Updates – November 2025
05/01/2026
November brought a clear shift into winter across the Biomass Connect sites, with widespread senescence observed in most crops. Storm events during the month (including Storm Claudia) caused localised wind damage, particularly to taller crops and previously weakened trees, though most sites reported minimal long-term impact. Pest pressures remained low overall, though hare and badger activity was noted at some hubs. Phenotyping of Miscanthus and woody crops continued at several sites, and preparations for winter maintenance and early spring actions are underway
Demonstrator Hub Updates – October 2025
18/11/2025
October marked a clear transition into autumn across the Biomass Connect sites, with widespread senescence observed in most crops. Storm events early in the month (notably Storm Amy and Benjamin) caused localised wind damage, particularly to taller crops and weaker trees, though most sites reported minimal long-term impact. Pest pressures were low overall, with only isolated aphid clusters and insect activity noted. Phenotyping of Miscanthus and woody crops was carried out at multiple sites, providing valuable data on growth and senescence patterns.
Demonstrator Hub Updates – September 2025
06/11/2025
September marked the transition into autumn across the Biomass Connect sites, with many crops beginning to show signs of senescence while maintaining good overall health.
Demonstrator Hub Updates – August 2025
11/09/2025
August brought a mix of warm, dry spells and a few violent storms across the network, producing a clear split between robust growth in some crops and drought- or wind-driven stress in others. Management this month focused on routine tidy-ups and targeted interventions where pests, wildlife or weather had caused damage. Several sites also prepared for autumn respray/mowing programmes for underperforming grass plots.
Demonstrator Hub Updates – July 2025
13/08/2025
July brought classic “grow and mow” conditions across the network—regular rain, warm spells and plenty of canopy push—so most plots moved on well while teams focused on tidy‑ups and close pest monitoring.
Demonstrator Hub Updates – June 2025
09/07/2025
With the growing season now in full swing, biomass crops across the UK are showing strong progress — despite being one of the driest and sunniest months of May on record. From willow leafing up and Miscanthus shoots reaching knee-height, to poplars, Eucalypts, and alders putting on good height, activity has been brisk at every Demonstrator Hub.
Demonstrator Hub Updates – May 2025
11/06/2025
With the growing season now in full swing, biomass crops across the UK are showing strong progress — despite being one of the driest and sunniest months of May on record. From willow leafing up and Miscanthus shoots reaching knee-height, to poplars, Eucalypts, and alders putting on good height, activity has been brisk at every Demonstrator Hub.
Demonstrator Hub Updates – April 2025
14/05/2025
With longer days and rising temperatures, April marked a clear transition into the growing season at the Biomass Connect Demonstrator Hubs. Across the UK, signs of spring have been unmistakable — leaves have emerged, new shoots are appearing, and variety trials are showing steady progress.
Demonstrator Hub Updates – March 2025
16/04/2025
As spring begins to take hold, the Biomass Connect Demonstrator Hubs across the UK have been busy monitoring plant development, preparing plots, and carrying out essential early-season management.
Demonstrator Hub Updates – February 2025
12/03/2025
As winter transitions into spring, activity across the Biomass Connect demonstrator hubs has been steadily progressing. Despite challenging weather conditions—marked by cold temperatures, frosts, and heavy rainfall—our teams have been actively managing crop health, conducting harvests, and preparing for the upcoming growing season.
Demonstrator Hub Updates – January 2025
12/02/2025
The past few months have presented a mix of challenges and progress across the Biomass Connect Demonstrator Hubs. Harsh winter conditions, including prolonged periods of frost, heavy rainfall, and multiple storms—most notably Storm Éowyn—have tested the resilience of crops.
A biomass crops road trip with Professor Tim Volk
10/12/2024
"This firmed up Tim’s view that the Biomass Connect hub sites are “world class” and “world leading”. I think we all had a smile on our faces when he said that."
Demonstrator Hub Updates – November 2024
05/12/2024
The Biomass Connect Demonstrator Hubs across the UK have shown varying progress as winter approaches, reflecting both the resilience of certain crops and regional differences in weather conditions. Across the sites, senescence is a dominant theme, with many perennial crops entering dormancy while some continue to show growth in favourable conditions.
Presentation: Jeanette Whitaker, Harnessing Innovation – the Future of Biomass.
03/12/2024
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 7th November 2024, Jeanette Whitaker (UKCEH) provides an overview of Biomass Connect and the various Biomass Feedstock Innovation projects, showing how their innovations are helping to shape the future of the biomass sector in the UK.
Cockle Park Farm Demonstrator Hub Update – October 2024
20/11/2024
At Cockle Park Farm, crops are progressing steadily. Overall health remains good, with no significant pest or disease issues reported. Maintenance activities, including regular fence monitoring and grass cutting, ensure a controlled environment for crop growth.
Cockle Park Farm Demonstrator Hub Update – September 2024
12/11/2024
Progress at the Biomass Connect Demonstrator Hub at Cockle Park Farm in Newcastle has shown mixed results in plant health across various species.
Cockle Park Farm Demonstrator Hub Update – July 2024
22/08/2024
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.
Climate and Soil Data at the Biomass Connect Demonstrator Hubs
24/07/2024
As with all crops, the success, failure and overall yield of biomass crops is dependent on the weather. That’s why we have weather stations and soil dataloggers recording climate and soil data at each of our demonstrator hubs
Yit Arn Teh – Multifunctional Landscapes
17/07/2024
Added: 17th July 2024 Prof. Yit Arn Teh from Newcastle University gave an informative talk on multifunctional landscapes, biomass crops, and end-uses. His talk focused on how to design farms that are multifunctional, and the benefits and trade-offs of multifunctional landscapes.
Demonstrator Hub Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – June 2024
10/07/2024
Gapping up, planting and weeding have been the main activities at Cockle Park Farm this month and things are looking good.
First Demonstrator Hub Soil Data Published
27/06/2024
The first soil dataset from across the eight Biomass Connect Demonstrator Hub sites has now been published. This dataset contains the baseline measurements of key soil properties, including carbon, bulk density and pH, which are critical to assess the impacts of biomass crops on soils through future repeat sampling.
Demonstrator Hub Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – May 2024
25/06/2024
Summer is arriving at Cockle Park Farm and most of the crops are growing well. The weather has been mainly cloudy with some sunshine and some rain. We've had moderate temperatures and moderate rainfall.
Demonstrator Hub Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – April 2024
05/06/2024
All is looking good at Cockle Park Farm. There's been lots of activity throughout April with gapping up, replanting, spraying and general preparations for the growing season
Demonstrator Hub Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – March 2024
24/04/2024
All is looking good at Cockle Park Farm. There's been lots of activity throughout March and we are looking forward to seeing the results of our labour now that Spring is here.
Demonstrator Hub Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – February 2024
15/03/2024
The winter at Cockle Park Farm has been a very wet one with the occasional cold snap and frosts. Most things seem to be coping well with these frosts. General maintenance has been the order of the day during the dormant period with regular checks of the fencing and updates to the electric fence batteries. No spraying has been carried out and the ground has been too wet throughout for any machinery. The headlands have been sown with a grass/clover mix.
Biomass Connect Hub Site Updates – November 2023
07/12/2023
With Winter on its way, growth has all but stopped at the hub sites. So, rather than have an individual update for each Hub Site we have a quick round-up below along with some photos. Starting in the North and working our way south.
Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – October 2023
10/11/2023
October 2023 – Hub Site Update Crop observation made by hub site staff during October. Demo plot SRF Alder Is growing ok. Black locust ‘Turbo’ is doing fine but there […]
Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – September 2023
20/10/2023
September 2023 – Hub Site Update The following crop observations were made on a site visit on 27th September 2023 Demo plot SRF Alder growth is OK – the plants […]
Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – August 2023
06/10/2023
August 2023 – Hub Site Update In general, no post-sprays were applied to the Miscanthus area or other areas. The aisles between crops have not been sown with grass yet. […]
Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – July 2023
26/08/2023
July 2023 – Hub Site Update A front foot approach on the weed management control has been taken across the site. A Micron Herbidome sprayer and Wheeled strimmer are to […]
Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – June 2023
16/08/2023
June 2023 -Hub Site Update Like many of the Hub sites hosting the Biomass Connect sites, June has been very dry. Overall, the site was relatively weed free. This was […]
Cockle Park Farm, Newcastle Demo Event
15/08/2023
Biomass Connect with Newcastle University, supported by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) successfully hosted an informative demonstration event at the Cockle Park Farm, Newcastle University. The event provided a platform for attendees from the biomass industry to gain insights and engage in discussions focused on biomass production, agroforestry, land use and diversification.
Biomass Connect Demo event – Cockle Park Farm, Newcastle University
15/08/2023
Biomass Connect with Newcastle University, supported by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) successfully hosted an informative demonstration event at the Cockle Park Farm, Newcastle University. The event provided a platform for attendees from the biomass industry to gain insights and engage in discussions focused on biomass production, agroforestry, land use and diversification.
The event included a highly informative talk on multifunctional landscapes by Prof. Yit Arn Teh from Newcastle University, and detailed information on the ongoing agroforestry trials at Newcastle University by James Standen, the Director of Newcastle University Farms.
Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – April 2023
14/07/2023
April 2023 -Hub Site Update Planting has not been undertaken due to heavy rainfall in the area. This has prevented the completion of ground preparation needed prior to planting. When […]
Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – March 2023
05/05/2023
March 2023 – Overview of progress to date Remedial ground-work The arable site was in good condition. Baseline sampling took place after the winter wheat harvest and no specific remedial […]
Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – January 2023
01/03/2023
January 2023 Risk Assessments for grazing, browsing and crop damage threats were undertaken. The weather has been cold and the ground is frozen, recent snow can still be seen in […]
Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm
09/01/2023
December 2022 A wheat cover crop has been established by direct drilling in autumn 2022. Soil samples were collected for nutrient analysis and characterisation of soil properties to establish pre-planting […]
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55.2144224
-1.6854568
Cockle Park, Morpeth NE61 3EA, UK