Last Updated on February 24, 2026 by Sophie Wilesmith
With farm subsidies still uncertain until at least June 2026, when a reformed Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is expected to reopen, many farmers are turning to Miscanthus as a reliable and profitable option.
The crop is particularly suited to less productive land, allowing farmers to focus on higher-yielding fields while Miscanthus largely looks after itself. In addition to generating income, it helps stabilise soils, improve structure, and store carbon.
During the two-year establishment period, Miscanthus requires minimal inputs and no fertiliser. Although there is no harvest in these early years, the rhizome network actively strengthens and protects the soil, even in wet conditions.
Once established, a single spring planting can produce commercial yields for 20 years or more. A recent study across six farms found that average net returns reached £656.88 per hectare, after accounting for harvest and haulage costs.
The research
Research from the Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) at Aberystwyth University shows that Miscanthus thrives on waterlogged fields without significant yield penalties while also helping stabilise soil structure – a growing concern as extreme weather events become more common.
Farmers who are benefiting from Miscanthus on waterlogged land
Bill Lewis, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
At a farm near King’s Lynn, arable and sheep farmer Bill Lewis says Miscanthus transformed a historically unproductive field prone to waterlogging. After failed attempts at growing winter wheat, sugar beet, and linseed, the decision was made in 2013 to establish 15 hectares of the perennial crop.
“It’s low-lying land, around 20 feet below sea level, so surrounding land drains into it,” he explains. “We were spending a fortune on inputs and seedbed preparation for crops that failed. We had around 90% success with Miscanthus establishment, and the support from Terravesta has been invaluable.”
Lewis says careful seedbed preparation and early weed control are key, but after establishment, the crop requires minimal intervention. “There’s no fertiliser and next to no crop protection needed. It fits well alongside the rest of the arable workload.”
Rob Meadley, East Yorkshire
Similar experiences are being reported by East Yorkshire grower Rob Meadley, who planted Miscanthus in 2012 on flood-prone land that had delivered poor arable returns. Heavy rainfall shortly after planting left the young crop in standing water, yet it recovered strongly in subsequent seasons.
“Arable crops would never have survived those conditions,” he says. “The annual yield recovered quickly, and we’ve achieved bumper harvests above 13t/ha in strong years.”
Meadley adds that the crop’s low-maintenance nature has practical benefits, especially on land located away from the main farm. The dense canopy has also helped suppress blackgrass and improved field management overall.
A profitable alternative for less productive fields
Growers report that Miscanthus offers a way to improve whole-farm profitability by turning higher-risk areas into reliable income sources. For many, the alternative would be environmental grassland or low-return arable cropping.
Industry specialists say the crop’s ability to establish on waterlogged soils, combined with long-term contracts and minimal annual inputs, is prompting renewed interest as farmers look for resilient options in the face of changing weather patterns.
With more examples emerging from across the country, Miscanthus is increasingly being viewed as a practical solution for land where conventional cropping struggles – offering both environmental and economic benefits for growers willing to take a long-term approach.
