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Miscanthus can bridge the BPS funding gap

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  • 2 min read

With Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments due to be completely phased out by 2027, and progressive cuts already taking place each year, Miscanthus offers the buffer of a reliable, long-term annual income, complimenting food production and environmental schemes.

If planted in Spring 2022, the first harvest will be in 2024, where there will be at least a 50% cut in BPS subsidies, and by 2027,  the crop should be producing average yields of between 12 – 17 t/ha.

“Miscanthus will thrive on less productive land, improve your soils, store carbon and provide a steady annual income, well into the future,” explains operations manager, Russell Fraser.

“Many farmers we speak to are in limbo – waiting for the new ELM schemes to be fleshed out. Land put into Miscanthus is still arable land with an annual return similar to spring cereals, and the return from Miscanthus is fixed price, rising with the retail index annually, and not affected by the global cereal market, or rising input costs, which nobody has control of,” he says.

Russel explains that Miscanthus sequesters 2.35t net CO2/ha/year, improves soil organic matter, protects water quality, and crucially, doesn’t require any fertiliser.

“Miscanthus receives little or no cultivation in its 20+ year life span. Its root structure stabilises and feeds soils, as well as slowing flooding, thereby preventing soil runoff and subsequent sedimentation into our critical waterways,” adds Russell.

Growing Miscanthus

Terravesta supplies the Miscanthus Performance Hybrids, planting equipment, and expert agronomic support through the crop’s life.

100% finance is also available through Terravesta’s partnership with Oxbury Bank, and the company also secures long-term end-markets.

Visit www.terravesta.com/learnmore.