A MISCANTHUS open day at Orleton, near Ludlow, last week was attended by 75 arable farmers who, despite perfect harvesting conditions and acute fuel shortages, were still keen to view the new crop.

The farmers saw three hectares of MAFF-sponsored trials at Church House Farm, Orleton. The various planting methods and crop types were described, while a more mature plot was also shown.

The event, organised by Brightwells and Barclays Bank, was chaired by Tony Trickett, agricultural regional manager for Barclays, and the two main speakers were John Amos, director of Brightwells, who heads up their energy crop division, and Dr Mike Bullard from ADAS in Cambridge, a leading authority on miscanthus.

The farmers were told how miscanthus could be grown on set-aside and produce a crop for energy. Brightwells say they are very close to securing a substantial contract for marketing. With the energy crop scheme having been announced recently by MAFF, the opportunity of a 40 per cent grant on establishment was particularly interesting to those attending.

Following on from the meeting Brightwells, who already have forty acres of miscanthus planted with farmer partners, had commitments from several other growers in principle to take on a further 100 acres in the region.

With the expression of interest to MAFF due to be in not later than October 1, it was emphasised to potential growers that they should make a commitment in principle by that date to ensure a grant was available for the 2001 spring planting.

For details, contact John Amos or Ross Ivy at Brightwells on 01568 611166 or Mike White at Barclays for financial related matters on 01568 682280.