North Wyke, Devon (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. |
| Previous vegetation coverage | Grassland. |
| Other relevant site info |
Project plans/actions
| Which biomass crops |
Planted (as of November 2024)
Variety trials planted (as of November 2024):
|
| 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
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.
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.
North Wyke Demonstrator Hub Update – October 2024
20/11/2024
Crops at the North Wyke Biomass Connect Demonstration Hub have shown mixed performance through October.
North Wyke Demonstrator Hub Update – September 2024
12/11/2024
At the Biomass Connect hub site at North Wyke, the crops have shown varied progress through September. The ground softened in mid-September due to cool, damp weather, allowing most crops to continue growing.
Biomass Connect and Rothamsted Research Host Successful Biomass Integration Event at North Wyke Demonstrator Hub
17/10/2024
Despite blustery and showery weather, Biomass Connect and Rothamsted Research successfully hosted an engaging event at the North Wyke Demonstrator Hub. The event attracted 47 participants from various sectors within the emerging biomass supply chain and focused on the practical integration of biomass crops—such as willow, poplar, and Miscanthus—into farming and land management systems.
North Wyke Demonstrator Hub Update – July 2024
27/08/2024
At the North Wyke demonstrator hub site, most varieties, such as SRF Alder and SRF Poplar, are progressing well, with healthy growth observed. However, some challenges have been noted, including the need for further maintenance on SRF Eucalyptus and the poor establishment of some newly planted Miscanthus varieties. Ongoing tasks include weeding, replacing damaged guards, and monitoring germination in recently sowed crops like Reed Canary Grass and Switchgrass.
Demonstrator Hub Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – June 2024
17/07/2024
Things are finally drying out at North Wyke with the warm but not unseasonable weather. It has been dry, the ground is now hard and we've been able to access the site with machinery to cut the long grass.
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 – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – May 2024
26/06/2024
Things are finally drying out at North Wyke and the ground has just become accessible to machinery. The plots are something of a mixed bag. Some are doing really well, others have a heavy weed burden and some have failed in part.
Demonstrator Hub Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – April 2024
30/05/2024
Things are finally drying out at North Wyke and the ground is almost ready to be driven on by tractors. As the crops begin to put on some summer growth we've been busy gapping up and sowing seeds plus taking visitors on tours of the plots.
Demonstrator Hub Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – March 2024
18/04/2024
Generally across the North Wyke site things have been looking healthy despite the very wet weather. Access to the plots with machinery still isn't possible due to the wet ground but we have been busy with other tasks as outlined in the Crop Diaries below.
Demonstrator Hub Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – February 2024
14/03/2024
Generally across the North Wyke site things have been looking healthy whilst dormant over the winter. Conditions have been very wet except during cold snaps when it has been below freezing. Given the cold conditions, it could be likely that some of the less hardy varieties may not have survived.
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 – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – October 2023
10/11/2023
October 2023 – Hub Site Updates The ground has become too wet for machinery other than the push-along strimmer. Mowing is therefore now stopped until spring. There is some standing […]
Hub Site Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – September 2023
20/10/2023
September 2023 – Hub Site Updates The weather this month was typical September weather. It was warm, but the soil has softened and is moist. All fences have been checked […]
Hub Site Update – Rothamsted Research – North Wyke – August 2023
06/10/2023
August 2023 – Hub Site Updates Access to the site has been fine since the ground dried out in May. A self-propelled trimmer has been used. Good at avoiding the […]
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 […]
Gallery
50.7693748
-3.9019086
Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, Devon, UK