Growing Miscanthus giganteus in the Netherlands for use in district heating networks and construction products.
A carbon negative plant-based innovation for climate change mitigation.
Miscanthus x giganteus is a perennial rhizomatous grass.
As well as providing raw lignocellulosic biomass for sustainable markets, materials and products, it also increases organic matter in soils, stores carbon and enhances biodiversity. It is suitable for various Danish agricultural support schemes.
After it is established, this sterile, non-invasive hybrid grows to a height of up to 3.5 meters per season. Miscanthus receives little or no cultivation during its 20+ year lifespan and its root structure stabilises and improves soil quality and slows down flooding, preventing soil and nutrient run-off into watercourses.
The Danish district heating sector utilizes biomass extensively as a sustainable and renewable energy source, contributing significantly to the country’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy security.
Danish agriculture faces multiple challenges.
Global agriculture suffers from soil degradation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, nitrogen runoff, farming profitability issues and carbon emissions.
Innovative solutions for sustainable farming are supported by the Danish goverment.
Miscanthus can help to ease these concerns.
Miscanthus, a high-yield perennial grass, presents a sustainable solution with its remarkable ability to address multiple agricultural challenges at once.
The crop has been cultivated in Foloumgard of Aarhus University for over 30 years.
Speak to a successful Danish Miscanthus grower
Jacob Eskelund Nielsen
Gelsted, Fyn
Mobile +45 20 81 17 40
Email jacob.nielsen @ terravesta.com
Miscanthus Terravesta Athena ™ growth cycle
Terravesta Athena (TM) Miscanthus giganteus grows well in Denmark due to its adaptability to the country’s temperate climate and its resilience to cooler temperatures. The plant’s robust root system and ability to thrive in various soil types, including the less fertile soils common in Denmark, make it an ideal crop for this region.
Additionally, Denmark’s relatively high precipitation levels provide adequate water supply for the growth of Miscanthus, while the long daylight hours during the growing season support its photosynthetic efficiency and biomass production.
Jutland has a more continental climate with greater temperature variations and slightly lower annual rainfall. Fyn has a milder climate with moderate rainfall and temperatures, while Zealand has a more maritime climate with milder winters, cooler summers and higher humidity. Despite these regional variances, the on average wet conditions and cool temperatures collectively contribute to the successful history of cultivation of Miscanthus giganteus Terravesta Athena (TM) in all parts of Denmark.
Moreover, when harvested, the biomass of Miscanthus giganteus has the advantage of drying efficiently in swathes, as it does not absorb additional moisture from rain, ensuring a reliable and high-quality energy source.
Terravesta rhizomes are planted for propagation only and harvested on demand. For spring 2025 planting, the order deadline is 10th December 2024.
Terravesta ATHENA TM is normally planted in spring after the late frost when the soil is still moist and temperatures are around 8⁰ C.
The first shoots will appear when the outside temperature reaches 15⁰ to 20⁰ C in late spring or early summer, depending on latitude.
It then grows rapidly, reaching heights of 3 metres and more by the end of the summer, when it begins to shed a large proportion of its leaves, which cover the soil and return nutrients to it.
As it gets colder at the end of autumn, the plant will extract the last of the nutrients from its stems, which will turn from green to red and then gold, and store them in its rhizomes.
When the soil begins to dry out at the end of winter and can be driven on, it is time to cut the crop and leave it in the swath for a week or so to let the last of the sap out of the stems.
Once dried, when the average moisture content of the cut crop has reached 10-14%, it is time to bale and transport to the end user.
Use cases of Miscanthus giganteus
Biofuel production Miscanthus giganteus is often grown for its potential as a biomass feedstock for bioenergy and biofuel production.
Pulp and paper The fibrous nature of Miscanthus giganteus can be used in the production of biodegradable packaging, printing and tissue paper.
Flood tolerance: It withstands flooding and is suitable for areas prone to periodic flooding. Its deep roots anchor it to the ground surviving temporary flooding.
Game cover Dense and tall it provides excellent cover and shelter, winter food and forage, and suitable nesting sites for game birds.
Biodiversity It increases habitat diversity within agricultural landscapes, supporting wildlife species including small mammals, insects and pollinators.
Farm efficiency Once established, it is self-sufficient. It takes time and inputs off unproductive land.
Carbon sequestration It absorbs CO2 in the above-ground biomass and below-ground root systems. This builds up organic carbon, which improves soil fertility.
Soil improvement Its deep roots improve soil structure and fertility by adding organic matter and increasing microbial activity without damaging drainage systems.
Erosion control Its extensive root systems stabilise the soil and prevent erosion. It is often planted in erosion-prone areas such as river banks and hillsides.
Phytoremediation Although its effectiveness may vary depending on the specific contaminant, Miscanthus absorbs contaminants from soil and water.
Animal bedding The long, fibrous nature of Miscanthus makes it suitable for animal bedding. It is used in stables and barns for horses and cattle.
There is so much more to discover about Miscanthus.
Why opt for Miscanthus?
- Low input crop: Minimal maintenance needed.
- Versatility: Thrives in various soil types.
- Resilience: Survives water submergence.
- Sustainability: Supports biodiversity.
- Profitability: Stable low risk income.
Miscanthus offers growers a stable annual income and considerable benefits for soil and water. It grows on less productive land, including flooded fields.
Miscanthus is unique in that it offers growers stable and reliable returns over the long term.
Terravesta guarantees its growers stable and increasing prices by indexing its long-term contracts to inflation.
The low input nature of Miscanthus protects growers from changes in input prices. Although the crop can be affected by climate variability, it is robust and can recover from severe drought and flooding. The rhizomatous nature of Miscanthus allows it to bounce back after such exceptional events.
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Terravesta Athena ™ rhizomes deliver bigger, quicker, more consistent yields, unbeatable quality and higher calorific value.
Terravesta Athena ™, the preferred second generation ligno-cellulosic biomass and biofuel crop has undergone rigorous selection and development to ensure increased and stable yields, suitability for a wide range of climatic and soil conditions and increased tolerance to periods of drought.
Higher yielding
Earlier harvest
Hardier plants
Higher calorific value
Lower ash content
Miscanthus scientifically proven to be carbon neutral
Terravesta ATHENA TM Miscanthus giganteus biomass is carbon neutral in bale form at the factory gate, with all previous production and logistics emissions accounted for in the net in-ground carbon capture calculation.
Miscanthus has the potential to capture net 0.64 tonnes of carbon (2.35 tonnes CO2e) per year in the ground, the amount being proportional to the biomass yield but excludes the actual biomass itself.
In Terravesta’s current use case (unabated power generation) the carbon contained in the biomass is released to the atmosphere which is then reabsorbed by the crop during its next growth cycle.
Alternatively, if the crop is used for long-lived products such as fibres, building materials, biochar or bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), this carbon saving can be added to the actual SOC sequestration, resulting in up to the equivalent of about 7 tonnes per hectare (about 0.5 t C/t biomass) or about 26 t/ha CO2e of additional carbon sequestration per hectare per year.
Definition: CO2e or CO2eq stands for CO2 equivalent.
Propagation of Miscanthus
A rhizome (ancient Greek: root mass) is the main stem of the Miscanthus plant that runs horizontally underground, in the case of Terravesta ATHENA TM up to one metre in diameter. It has the ability to send up new shoots and grow roots from its nodes. Rhizomes store starch, protein and other nutrients, which become useful when new shoots need to be formed.
Propagation involves planting rhizome cuttings harvested from specialist nurseries to ensure fresh and vigorous rhizomes for optimum establishment.
Miscanthus giganteus offers practicality, sustainability and stable returns to farmes.
Farming incentives for Miscanthus
Farmers with established Miscanthus crops are eligible for a range of agricultural support schemes in the UK and across Europe. This support covers measures aimed at improving land management to promote both sustainability and biodiversity, as well as improved crop production. In most cases these schemes relate to soil management, integrated pest management and nutrient management, all of which are directly related to the unique qualities of the crop.
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Planting equipment
For optimum establishment, Terravesta recommends the use of a specially designed semi-automatic Miscanthus planter.
The planter is operated by 4 people and is calibrated to a row-to-row distance of 75 cm (29 in) and an in-row distance of 78 cm (31 in). 3 to 5 hectares may be planted a day.
The average planting rate is 17,000 rhizomes per hectare. This leaves plenty of room for the rhizome to spread and grow without encouraging competition between species.
The advantages of growing Miscanthus with Terravesta.
Successful planting protocol
Terravesta employs effective planting techniques to ensure the best outcomes for Miscanthus growth.
High performance hybrids
Terravesta has developed high yielding, more vigorous and robust Miscanthus giganteus hybrids.
Special planting machinery
Growers have access to Terravesta planting equipment which is optimised for Miscanthus.
Book a call with an expert today.
Tell us about your farm and the caracteristics of the fields you want to cultivate.