Rothamsted Research
Generally undulating, gently sloping site to the northwest, with hallsworth clay or clay loam and historic grassland vegetation used for silage and hay cuts. Planting of SRC Willow and Poplar, SRF trees, Miscanthus, and other perennial grasses took place during spring 2023. The plans below show the layout of the trial plots at the North Wyke hub site and the updates will keep you informed of their progress and performance throughout the trials.
| Address |
North Wyke, Okehampton, Devon. (Whiddon Down Land). |
| Latitude, longitude | 50.73405, -3.85502 |
| Grid ref | SX69199435 |
| What 3 words ref for entrance | ///producing.dozens.handbag |
Site Plans
Characteristics
| Mean Annual Precipitation (mm) | 1,043 mm |
| Mean Annual Temperature (°C) | 10.3°C |
| Altitude |
200 – 215 m |
| Exposure |
Trees to NW & SW boundaries. Smaller trees / hedge to SE. Sloping into small valley. |
| Topography |
Generally undulating, not steep. |
| Aspect |
Gentle sloping to NW. |
| Soil type |
Hallsworth clay or clay loam with smaller area of Denbigh clay loam, both slightly stony. |
| Current vegetation coverage | Grassland. |
|
Other relevant site info |
Project plans/actions
| Which biomass crops |
Planted (as of August 2023)
To be planted:
Variety trials planted (as of August 2023):
Variety trials to be planted:
|
| Planting goals/aim | |
| Agronomic dates (planting, harvesting schedule) | |
| Management methodology (spray off, nutrient additions, ploughing, site prep, others) | Site sprayed off, ploughed and cover crop established where trees will be planted, just ploughed where grasses will go. |
| Machinery to be used |
General Info
|
Field management history |
Grassland. Silage and hay cuts. Some grazing. |
|
Other site detail of note |
Some small patches of rushes. |
Updates
North Wyke Demo Event Report
20/09/2023
The event attracted a diverse audience of approximately 50 individuals from various sectors of the industry, including farmers, foresters, consultants, and researchers. Throughout the day, lively and constructive discussions laid the groundwork for the biomass industry’s development. Attendees left feeling enthusiastic and well-informed, eager to participate in future events dedicated to advancing the industry.
Hub Site Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – July 2023
26/08/2023
July 2023 – Hub Site Updates Sida Rhizomes were sent from RRes Harpenden for planting on 30/06/2023 They were stored in cold storage and planted out at the beginning of […]
Hub Site Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – June 2023
16/08/2023
June 2023 – Hub Site Updates The Willow variety trial was planted 7th/8th and 9th of June. When the weather changed mid-Month the conditions changed as well, very quickly, and […]
Hub Site Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – May 2023
14/07/2023
April and May 2023 – Hub Site Updates The areas for bare-root tree planting and SRC and SRF Poplar rods and stems were successfully sprayed off with Glysophate prior to […]
Planting at North Wyke by Miscanthus Nursery Ltd.
31/05/2023
Here in West Devon the first half of May was cool and damp. Spring arrived mid-Month, and the ground at North Wyke Farm quickly began to crack, as the partially waterlogged clay dried and baked hard in places, hard enough at last to get the tractor into the field without wrecking the soil structure.
Hub Site Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – March 2023
04/05/2023
March 2023 – Overview of progress to date Remedial ground-work The grassland site was in good condition ahead of taking management control. Silaging and grazing of the grassland continued to […]
Planting at the North Wyke Hub Site
28/04/2023
The flurry of planting at the various Biomass Connect hub sites continues. We've already reported on the planting at the BGI Hub site in Chesham and the IBERS hub site in Aberystwyth. We're pleased to report that the hand-planting of trees at the Rothamsted Research hub site in North Wyke has been completed this week too.
Planting at the North Wyke Site, Devon
28/04/2023
That’s the hand planting at the Rothamsted Research North Wyke hub site completed as well. It’s been a busy few weeks for the planting teams but great to be getting […]
Hub Site Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – February 2023
26/04/2023
February 2023 Extending the plough area for miscanthus varieties experiment guards. Not done yet. Ground conditions are improving by the day so possibly next week. Spraying. Still too cold. Will […]
Hub Site Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – January 2023
02/03/2023
January 2023 Risk Assessments for grazing, browsing and crop damage threats were undertaken. The cover crop of Perennial Rye Grass has established well. Plough is weathering nicely, and should work […]
Hub Site Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke
09/01/2023
December 2022 Silage cut on permanent pasture site: 26/8/22. Plot areas sprayed (glyphosate): 16/9/22. Plough and power harrow : 26/9/22 – 27/9/22. Grass sown in SRF and SRC plots (30 […]
Site sprayed off, ploughed and cover crop established where trees will be planted, just ploughed where grasses will go.
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Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, Devon, UK