SRC Willows and Miscanthus Best Practice Guides launched at National & European Ploughing Championships

Two booklets providing the latest practical guidance in the management and utilisation of Short Rotation Coppice Willows and Miscanthus as biomass crops were launched at the National & European Ploughing Championships today.

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, together with Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) Minister Brendan Smith TD welcomed the launch of these booklets which have been prepared jointly between Teagasc and Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) staff.

Speaking at the launch, DARD Minister Michelle Gildernew said: “For many years AFBI has been at the forefront of research into biomass crops and my Department is pleased to see the level of collaboration between AFBI and Teagasc in the publication of these guides which will be of great value to growers, and potential growers.”

Biomass crops can contribute to the reduction in the use of fossil fuels and a lowering of carbon emissions in line with EU and government targets in both the north and south of Ireland. DARD as part of their dedicated renewable energy research programme has supported the biomass research in AFBI at the recently established Environment and Renewable Energy Centre at AFBI Hillsborough. This has generated some of the research findings incorporated into the Miscanthus guide.

DARD is currently implementing its Renewable Energy Action Plan which seeks to encourage the development of renewable energy opportunities for agriculture. The publication of the Best Practice Guides for these biomass crops is an important step forward in encouraging their uptake.

Over the last few years the main developments in the north of Ireland have been through the planting of SRC Willows while in the south of Ireland much of the planting has been of Miscanthus. Future development of these crops will be largely dependent upon the economics of delivering heat from renewable resources such as these biomass crops as this will dictate the market opportunities which develop.

The publication of these Best Practice Guides will give farmers and growers the knowledge of how to take advantage of the opportunities in line with market demand and customer needs.

Notes to editors:

1. AFBI's Vision is as an internationally recognised and successful centre of excellence for scientific research and services in the biosciences.
2. DARD Renewable Energy Action Plan can be downloaded from the DARD website.
3. Both the SRC Willows Best Practice Guide and Miscanthus Best Practice Guide will be available on the AFBI and Teagasc websites after the launch.
4. Media enquiries to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.