BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Biomass Connect - ECPv6.16.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.biomassconnect.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Biomass Connect REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20210101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230223T160000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230223T170000 DTSTAMP:20260605T002827 CREATED:20230119T140423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230322T085053Z UID:10000029-1677168000-1677171600@www.biomassconnect.org SUMMARY:Biomass Connect Webinar No. 3 DESCRIPTION:Biomass Crops – Some Interesting Alternatives\nSome biomass crops are bigger and leave a greater impression than others whilst others might be  humbler but still get the job done. Eucalyptus trees can produce exceptional yields of hardwood timber when the right species is planted in the right place. There are plenty of options with numerous species that can thrive with everything the UK climate can throw at them. Reed Canary Grass is at the other end of the spectrum – this is a short term\, lower yielding perennial that is cheap to establish and easy to remove making it a perfect energy crop for a tenant farmer. Our panel includes environmental farmer John Hawkins and expert silviculturalist Bryan Elliott.  \n\n Register Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \nOnce registered\, use the button below to join on the day. \n Registered Participants Join Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n   \nSpeakers: \nJohn Hawkins \nJohn Hawkins – Bagber Farms – Farmer\nJohn is a third generation tenant arable farmer in Mid Dorset. He grew up on the farm but then after a BSc in Maritime Studies was commissioned into the Royal Navy. Later he travelled extensively as a security consultant which gave him an insight into global problems issues and solutions before realising that there is no place like home. In a period of agricultural change his primary initial role on the farm was to look for ways to diversify the business to support the families involved. This led to planting a 5000 tree cherry orchard (agroforestry) and committing 10 years to adding value to his fruit. The organic knowledge and steep learning curve in horticulture then paved the way to take over as Managing Partner of the Business 6 years ago within the background of 10 years min till arable rotation. 4 years ago using support from Mid Tier CS and Wessex Water and other complementary systems he turned his whole farm into a giant experiment (a sort of shot in the dark pre policy pre ELM’s trial) to see if Regenerative Agriculture was a viable alternative to intensive production whilst still seeing if he could grow food and energy crops more sustainably. Reed Canary Grass was a catalyst for this change and  initially grown on contract. It has been trialled on farm for 7 years now. Current themes include using Soil Carbon increases to maximise Nitrogen efficiency on farm especially with Perennial Crops with a Biomass.. Everything is driven by a practical observation of Science and tested rigourously to compare it to previous arable rotations within the confines of a rented farm. \nBryan Elliot \nBryan Elliott\nManaging Director of Eucalyptus Renewables. Bryan has developed an innovative silviculturally based\, UK company\, that is focussed on delivering an expertise in developing a UK wood supply chain through growing crops of various targeted Eucalyptus species.  \nEucalyptus Renewables are involved with various BEIS projects delivering establishment\, and silvicultural protocols with a sole objective of creating a thriving and sustainable timber crop. The existing annual yield of Eucalyptus fibre is currently expanding with around half a million Eucalyptus trees successfully established throughout UK over the last four years. SRF Timber harvesting operations will initiate between 4 and 6 years of age thinnings\, with rotation lengths between 8 and 25 years dependent upon timber objective strategy.  \n\n \n Register Here\n \n  URL:https://www.biomassconnect.org/event/biomass-connect-webinar-no-3/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.biomassconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Webinar3-Social-Media-Slide-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230119T163000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230119T173000 DTSTAMP:20260605T002827 CREATED:20221216T084720Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230117T140547Z UID:10000020-1674145800-1674149400@www.biomassconnect.org SUMMARY:Biomass Connect Webinar No. 2 DESCRIPTION:Emerging Markets for Biomass Crops\nPerennial crops like willow\, miscanthus and poplar were once simply termed energy crops. This is no longer the case. The versatility\, quick growth and high yields means that these crops are now being considered for all sorts of other uses including pharmaceuticals\, bio-packaging\, bio-composites\, fodders and forages and biochar. R&D efforts are also pushing the potential for cascading several uses for different components of the same crop – the so-called biorefinery approach. These are really exciting times for biomass. This webinar will provide the latest news on emerging markets for biomass crops. \n \n Register Here\n \n \n \n \n \n Once registered\, use the button below to join on the day. \n \n Registered Participants Join Here\n \n \n \n \n \n Speakers:\nWilliam Cracroft-Eley \nWilliam Cracroft-Eley  – Terravesta\nWilliam Cracroft-Eley is the Chairman of Terravesta\, the UKs largest miscanthus company. He has been growing Miscanthus on his Lincolnshire farm for 20 years. The company is involved in all aspects of cultivation\, management\, harvesting\, processing and marketing of Miscanthus. Terravesta are currently engaged in the BFI-funded Omenz project which stands for ‘Optimising Miscanthus Establishment through improved mechanisation and data capture to meet Net Zero targets’. \nOMENZ will deliver improvements on the entire Miscanthus establishment process\, including approaches to producing planting material\, field preparation\, innovative agri-tech\, new planting techniques\, and cutting-edge technologies to monitor establishment in the field. \nJ J Leahy \nProf. J J Leahy – University of Limerick\nProf J J Leahy is currently an associate professor  in the Dept of Chemical Sciences at the University of Limerick where he is involved in teaching\, curriculum development and research in the area of  waste management and renewable energy.   He currently heads a research group consisting of chemists and chemical engineers that is focused on chemical technologies for biofuels and biorefining  from wastes. \nProf Leahy currently is leading the BioWILL project\, an Interreg NWE funded project focusing on Integrated “Zero Waste” Biorefinery utilising all fractions of Willow feedstock for the production of high value salicylates from willow bark for medical applications\, safe\, food quality packaging material to replace fossil derived plastics\, a feedstock in an innovative bio-energy anaerobic digestion system producing biogas and natural fertilisers. \n \n Register Here URL:https://www.biomassconnect.org/event/webinar-2/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.biomassconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Webinar2-Flyer-For-Web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20221215T163000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20221215T173000 DTSTAMP:20260605T002827 CREATED:20221122T144506Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221209T140653Z UID:10000013-1671121800-1671125400@www.biomassconnect.org SUMMARY:Biomass Connect Webinar No.1 DESCRIPTION:Land preparation – starting off on the right foot\nEnsuring that your land is prepared to a high standard is absolutely critical if you are to ensure long term success of your biomass crop. When you plant you are making a 20-year decision. It is important to avoid haste\, and to ensure proper implementation. This could otherwise lead to poor establishment\, gappy plots\, lost yield and reduced income. This webinar will provide the necessary ‘need-to-know’ information on what to do when to ensure success during the establishment phase. \n  \n \n Register Here\n \n \n \n \n \n Speakers:\nMike Cooper \nMike Cooper – Miscanthus Nursery Ltd\nOriginating from a farming family\, Mike spent 32 out of his 50 years of continued employment with one Agricultural merchanting company as a highly committed manager with a good understanding of commercial Agricultural and the ability to build strong relationships in the industry. \nGrowing perennial energy crops in support of annual food crops has interested Mike since 1984 when one of the first Miscanthus and SRC trial plots was planted in Devon and run by Jon Harvey head agronomist with the Ministry of Agriculture at Starcross Devon. \nSince 2009 Mike has been running Miscanthus Nursery Ltd (MNL)\, growing some c2000 acres of Miscanthus and consulting on a further c3000 acres. MNL is a Grower Cooperative owned & operated by a group of Farmers who understand the importance of this crop in supporting environmental Agriculture and climate change. \nNeil Watkins \nNeil Watkins – Energy Crops Consultancy Limited (ECCL)\nNeil Watkins is Managing Director of Energy Crops Consultancy Limited (ECCL) and an Independent Adviser on energy crops. In ECCL Neil has formed a company which can carry out all aspects of biomass production from site and variety selection\, through planting\, growing and harvesting carried out by an in house team and equipment  as well as marketing of final product.  He has over 15 years’ experience in establishing\, promoting\, and developing markets for energy crops working with hundreds of landowners and growers.  He is a proven innovator and has actively participated in varied research projects covering all aspects of the biomass energy sector. Neil has been a member of several working groups influencing and advising government policy\, and his knowledge and experience\, particularly in Short Rotation Coppice production is recognised both nationally and internationally. \n  \n \n Register Here URL:https://www.biomassconnect.org/event/biomass-connect-webinar-1/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.biomassconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Webinar-1-Poster.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR