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 to be planted spring 2023.

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

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Site Plans

Cockle Park Farm Site PlanCockle Park Farm Soil Sample Locations

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.

Current vegetation coverage

Winter wheat.

Other relevant site info

 

Project plans/actions

Which biomass crops

Miscanthus and SRC Willow.

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

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 […]

Gallery

54.9791871 -1.6146608 Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK