News

Future Countryside 2025 provided another valuable platform for addressing the big questions shaping the future of rural land use in the UK. Launched in 2023, this initiative has quickly gathered momentum, uniting 51 organisations around a shared vision for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient countryside.

A new series of articles exploring the role of biomass crops in sustainable farming and energy production is now available on the Energy Now online platform. The series covers a […]

Issue #10 of the Connect Newsletter is now available. The Connect Newsletters contain updates on project activities, details of the latest events, and news from across the wider biomass industry.

New drone footage, captured by Ben Flannery, offers a stunning aerial perspective of the demonstration plots. The images highlight the scale, layout, and diversity of crops on show, from towering Poplar stands to neatly planted Miscanthus and agroforestry arrangements.

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.

Biomass Connect played a prominent role at the recent Farmers Weekly Transition Live event, hosted at NIAB’s Headley Hall site in Yorkshire. The event coordinated by Mark Needham (IBERS) attracted a wide range of visitors eager to explore the opportunities and challenges of transitioning to more sustainable farming systems.

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.

Recent news that the SFI scheme is temporarily closed to new applications raises fresh concerns for those considering the transition to biomass cropping in England. This pause could signal a reduction in the financial support available in the near term.

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.