News

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.

The month of May has seen much activity at the Biomass Connect Demonstrator hubs. The very wet spring months have had an effect on pretty much all 8 sites but things are drying out everywhere now with the approach of summer. Sites such as North Wyke in Devon and Cockle Park Farm in Northumberland have only recently been able to get machinery on the land. Weed control has been a very difficult task for all demonstrator hub managers, some sites have been worse than others.

Summer is in evidence in the plots at Aberystwyth. Sowing of the grasses has taken place and the various trees are growing well in the most part. Frost damage from the winter has been overcome and gapping up completed. Some crops aren't faring so well though.

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.

Inter-row spraying and gapping up have been the main activities at the SRUC Boghall Demonstrator Hub in Edinburgh this May. The plots are looking good.

Inter-row spraying has been the main activity at the SRUC Auchincruive Demonstrator Hub in Ayrshire this May. The plots are looking good.

Early summer has been a busy one at the BGI Demonstrator Hub. There has been lots of platning, lots of gapping up and the more established plots are growing well. Weeds and pests have been managed as well.

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.

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has unveiled a new air quality leaflet developed by the Wood Heat Forum. This initiative addresses concerns about emissions from biomass boilers, highlighting their role in decarbonising the heat sector while maintaining low emissions.