The proceedings from the Teagasc information day on energy crops,  held in Carlow on the 16th of February, are now available.

Speaking at the information day, Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director, said

Awareness events such as this Energy Crops Technical Training day will stimulate many farmers to consider the production of renewable energy crops on their farm. It will fuel many questions like “How can I, alone or with others, add value and develop a sustainable business opportunity within the emerging energy-from-land-based renewable sector?

Farmers have seen the food industry and other supply chains in which they operate become extremely competitive. Rationalisation and consolidation in other parts of the chain have left farmers either supplying, or being supplied with goods and services by a declining number of powerful companies. Farmers wishing to develop profitable and sustainable energy generation and supply, or business service 0pportunities will want to be an integral part of an efficient, effective and stable supply chain within the competitive energy market. Opportunities exist for biomass production, biodiesel, woodchip and pellet production, in addition to energy supply, distribution and marketing from waste, wind and water resources.

Farmers need to consider whether renewable crops are economical; what opportunities exist to supply the Irish energy market?; what renewable energy technologies are available?; and how can barriers be overcome to enter the market. Today’s event will challenge you to explore those opportunities and provide the information to make solid business decisions.

The information day was very timely, following the recent amendment of the Irish Rural Development Programme to include a bioenergy scheme for the growing of willow and miscanthus.

Teagasc have compiled the proceedings into an Energy Crops Manual 2010.

Contents

• Energy Crops Agronomy – lessons to date (Barry Caslin, Teagasc, Oak Park)
• The Case for Energy Crops (Dr John Finnan, Teagasc, Oak Park)
• The Economics of Biomass Crops (Fintan Phelan, Teagasc, Financial Management Specialist)
• Energy Crops and Greenhouse Gases (Dr Gary J. Lanigan , Teagasc, Johnstown Castle and Dr John Finnan , Teagasc, Oak Park)
• Application of Sewage Sludge and Biosolids to Energy Crops (Mark Plunkett, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle)
• Operation of the Bioenergy Scheme (Mel McDonagh, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food)
• Energy Crops Business Contacts
  • Quinns of Baltinglass (Main St., Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow)
  • JHM Crops Ltd (Adare, Co. Limerick)
  • Farrelly Bros. and Timberpro (Kieran Cross, Carnaross, Kells, Co. Meath1 , Irishtown, Balrath, Kells, Co. Meath)
  • Kilogen Green Service Company (Dublin Road, Kilkenny)
  • Natural Power Supply (Ballymountain, Ferrybank, Waterford)
  • Wexgen (Moyne Industrial Estate, Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford)
  • Leegen Ltd. (Skibbereen, Co. Cork)
  • Rural Generation (Derry City)
  • IFA Bioenergy Policy Position (Irish Farmers Association, Bluebell, Dublin)
  • Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) (Clonmel, Co. Tipperary)