At Birchwood Farm in Saxilby, Lincolnshire, father-and-son arable farmers Ian and James Willox are proving that Miscanthus is more than just a biomass crop – it’s a smart solution for awkward land and an increasingly valuable part of their farm strategy.
Farming 260 hectares of owned land and contract ground, the Willox’s manage a range of soil types, from blowing sand to heavy clay. With all land dedicated to arable cropping, they’ve been growing Miscanthus since 2012, covering 35 acres, after planting it on a problematic clay field that had struggled with blackgrass.
“It’s a tricky field,” Ian explains. “Wet at both ends and with a hill in the middle. You never get it quite right. But Miscanthus took well to it, and we haven’t looked back. It’s a good crop for land that’s hard to manage.”
Consistent returns, minimal inputs
While Ian is quick to point out that Miscanthus won’t compete with a bumper 4-tonne wheat crop, “compared to a 2.5 to 3 tonne wheat crop, it definitely holds its own,” he says. “And without any of the inputs, no fertiliser, no sprays, no real management costs once it’s established. That’s a big plus when margins are tight and growing seasons are unpredictable.”
Encouraged by the performance, the Willox’s are considering expanding their Miscanthus area. One candidate is a floodplain field at the bottom of the farm, regularly saturated by the River Till. “It’s in wheat at the moment, with a bit of barley, but we think Miscanthus would do much better there, it’s pretty resilient stuff.”
Ian has been working with a local adviser on Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) plans, and Miscanthus has a role to play there, too. “We’re taking the no-insecticide payment on our Miscanthus land,” Ian says.
A role in the wider Miscanthus supply chain
The Willox’s are also playing a key role in supporting the wider miscanthus supply chain. Ian stores rhizomes for Terravesta, the UK’s leading miscanthus supply company, in two large freezer containers on the farm. As rhizome quality and planting precision improve, maintaining optimum storage conditions has become even more important.
“We keep them cool and moist here on-site,” Ian explains. “Just before planting, they’re delivered direct to growers in top condition.”
A crop for the future
For the Willox family, miscanthus has proven to be a reliable, low-maintenance crop that makes sense on underperforming land, and it’s helping future-proof the farm both agronomically and financially.
“In farming, there’s always change,” Ian says. “But if you can take tough land and turn it into something consistent and resilient – without the variable costs and hassle – then that’s a win. Miscanthus has been that crop for us.”
