There’s no denying that it’s been a trying winter for UK farming so far. Storms and heavy rain have led to flooding across the country, with many farmers unable to access their land due to waterlogged ground conditions. But fear not, because it’s not all bad news!
Although we’d all like to see an end to these unpredictable weather conditions (sooner rather than later!), the good news for Miscanthus growers is that when the heavens do open, they’re often in a far stronger position than those growing cereals and other arable crops. While most of these require annual cultivation, the beauty of Miscanthus is that it’s a perennial crop that only needs to be planted once, and will continue to produce stable yields for 20+ years once established. As well as eliminating the time-consuming and weather-dependent job of replanting, Miscanthus also needs very little maintenance and minimal inputs thereafter. It even fares well in wet weather by nature – and its considerable height means it tends to remain much drier than other cereals (even at times like these!).
The crop’s remarkable resilience and hands-off qualities are among the key reasons that more and more farmers are now turning to Miscanthus. What’s more, its financial benefits are also extremely compelling, offering rare and valuable peace of mind and assured stability amid the many variables that farmers face. Terravesta is now offering best-ever, index-linked prices of £73+ per tonne through secure, 10-year growing contracts. Even better, growers can rest assured that Miscanthus prices will only continue to improve.
This is in stark contrast to the prices of wheat and other cereals, which are well-known for their tendency to vary wildly. In the volatile world of farming, nothing is ever certain and planting any crop can be a gamble – but the level of security Miscanthus offers means it is the safest bet for farmers looking for a low-risk, high-return investment and long-term peace of mind.
If you’re thinking about Miscanthus for your own farm, now is certainly the right time. Its February-April harvesting season is just around the corner – a quiet time for most farmers, as it doesn’t coincide with August cereal harvests. Its planting window (early March to mid-May) doesn’t conflict with that of any other major crops either.
To find out more about what Miscanthus could do for your farm, contact us to discuss your options with a Terravesta expert today.
