With current weather conditions continuing to affect traditional game cover nationwide, farms are now looking to Miscanthus as a low-maintenance, cost-effective and more reliable alternative. Unlike maize, sorghum and other typical cover options, the crop offers reliable game cover year after year, whatever the weather. It can also be grown successfully on problem land, and its hands-off nature means there is no need for fertilisers, chemicals or annual soil cultivation once it is established.
Andy Lee, Terravesta’s new farms advisory manager, explains: “Miscanthus is quickly becoming the game cover of choice because of its dependability. Game birds love that it provides excellent shelter and warmth, and for shooters it is particularly attractive – growing up to 12 ft. tall. Whilst there’s no feed value from the crop, game keepers are able to be more strategic with placing feeders, allowing for increased game control.
“For farmers, the annual spring job of planting, fertilising and spraying game cover crops – then ploughing, cultivating and replanting after the season is over (and hoping it all doesn’t fail due to droughts or floods!) – is a thing of the past with Miscanthus. Once established, that’s it – you have dependable, solid cover for all your future shooting seasons to come, even as seasons become increasingly less settled.
“What’s more, farmers can harvest the crop in February/March and by the shooting season, it will be 12 ft. high again,” adds Andy. “This means they can make yearly profits from their game cover. They can even buy back their crop in pellet form, as their own homegrown renewable heat source, through Terravesta’s Grower Fuel Loop (GFL) scheme.”
Terravesta is now offering best-ever prices of £73+ per tonne for 2014 crop. By committing to a 10-year RPIX-linked contract, farmers can benefit from guaranteed returns as well as invaluable, expert support at every stage of the process.
To find out more about any aspect of growing or burning Miscanthus, contact us today.
