Exploring resilient cropping in wet climates: Miscanthus farm walk delves into strategies
May 15 @ 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Farmers are invited to attend a free farm walk in Norfolk to discuss how to thrive amid unpredictable weather with Miscanthus. Guests will discover resilient cropping solutions tailored to the UK’s increasingly erratic climate, showcasing the crop’s capacity to thrive even on flooded land.
This event will take place on Wednesday 15 May, running from 09:30 to approximately 16:00 and will be held at the farm of Miscanthus growers, Bill and Tom Lewis in Kings Lynn, west Norfolk, followed by a tour of Snetterton Biomass Power Plant.
Co-hosted by Miscanthus specialist – Terravesta, the UK’s fastest growing crop science organisation – NIAB and the UK’s biggest member owned rural cooperative – the AF Group, visitors will learn about growing, harvesting and supplying Miscanthus whole bales to Snetterton Power Plant. Additionally, discussions will feature the carbon sequestration capabilities of Miscanthus and alternative crops, and the importance of co-ops for UK agriculture.
Programme
9:30 Convene, tea and coffee with light snacks.
10:00 Introduction and talks.
- Terravesta introduction from company chairman, William Cracroft-Eley, and insight into growing and selling Miscanthus from customer account manager, Mark Coleman,
- Miscanthus harvesting overview from Graham Watts contractor, covering Miscanthus crop resilience in a wet year,
- An Introduction to AF and why co-ops are more important than ever for UK agriculture, from the AF crop inputs team,
- Insight into what crops to grow for strong carbon storage potential from Dr Lydia Smith at NIAB, who will outline the Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping project and how it will help farmers to grow more resilient crops,
11:00 Tour of Miscanthus crop.
12:00 Leave for Snetterton Biomass Power Station.
13:00 Lunch and networking in local pub followed by power station tour.
About the Miscanthus grower
Bill and Tom Lewis grow around 30 hectares of Miscanthus and believe that it’s a lucrative cropping option with a sustainable future. “The price for Miscanthus increases every year, as has our yield, and Snetterton power station has a long-term commitment to using the fuel.”
“We’re arable and sheep farmers, and Miscanthus is a secure buffer for the farm, when cereal prices continue to be volatile, and weather becomes increasingly unpredictable,” he says.
The walk is co-hosted by Miscanthus specialist, Terravesta. “The company supplies the rhizomes, supports farmers through growing and harvesting the crop, and buys bales annually, to supply power stations, which they have long-term contracts with,” adds Bill.
Long-term, secure contracts
“Terravesta has a long-term contract to ramp up supply to 25,000 tonnes annually into Snetterton Power Plant,” says Florian Ilias, Terravesta managing director. “We also have a long-term contract to supply Brigg Renewable Energy Power Plant in Lincolnshire.
“Farmers attending this event will have 10% off the cost for spring 2025 Terravesta AthenaTM planting,” adds Florian.
Farm walk and power station tour
Miscanthus farm walk at Abbey Farm, Kings Lynn, run by kind permission of Bill Lewis and his son Tom.
Format: Coffee and registration, followed by presentations by co-hosts, a tour of the Miscanthus crop, after which we will head to a pub close to Snetterton for lunch, followed by a power station tour.
Date and time: Wednesday 15 May 09:30 – approximately 16:00, depending on the time of power station tour.
Address: Abbey Farm, East Walton, Kings Lynn, PE32 1PP
Cost: F.O.C
Bookings: register free online www.terravesta.com/events