JHM Crops Ltd.

Open Day Success 2010 JHM Crops Ltd

As advertised here and elsewhere the JHM Crops Ltd annual Open Day took place on February 20th at Kilfinny near Adare Co. Limerick. The day was officially opened by John Cregan T.D. and was an unqualified success with over 250 patrons attending from all over Ireland and beyond. The result of this is that JHM have now a huge interest from farmers who want to plant the crop this year. We at JHM with our end-use markets secured are in prime positions to offer farmers the long-term security that is missing in many other farming sectors. The Open Day offered those interested an insight into these markets as well as providing all the relevant information on planting, crop husbandry and harvesting that are JHM’s core areas of expertise.

After registration and introductions the day began with a number of high profile guest speakers who have real influence on a national level in the Miscanthus/Biomass sectors. Joe Hogan Managing Director with JHM Crops began proceedings with an overview of the Miscanthus industry and JHM’s role in it. For the first time JHM can say with confidence that demand for Miscanthus outstrips current supply and therefore it is absolutely vital that we plant as much Miscanthus as possible this year to meet this ever-increasing demand. The first guest speaker was J.J. Kavanagh- IFA Treasurer and Leader of the IFA Project Team on Renewable Energy- who spoke very enthusiastically about the benefits to farmers that Miscanthus can bring and about JHM’s exemplary record in the sector to date. It is very encouraging to have strong IFA support behind the Miscanthus industry in general and JHM Crops in particular. Barry Caslin- Teagasc Bioenergy Specialist- spoke next and provided a comprehensive rundown of Teagasc’s outlook for the industry. JHM Crops have benefitted from a close working relationship with Teagasc that has benefitted both parties. This is reflected in the faith Teagasc have in JHM as one of the few companies with a very strong record in all aspects of the Miscanthus business. Next to speak was Brian McAleer of ESB and it was very encouraging to hear how positively a major national utility company such as ESB view Miscanthus. He emphasised the 30% biomass co-firing target in the peat power stations and the important role Miscanthus must play in achieving that target using indigenous crops. The fact is there is simply not enough Miscanthus in the ground to supply the amounts ESB will take on. Tom Knitter of Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) offered a policy outlook as well as offering assistance to anyone interested in end uses in the sector. Though it is clear that SEI were slow in earlier years to support Miscanthus this is now changing and we can finally say the support from all sectors is evident. Shay Riordan of West Limerick Resources provided a regional insight into what JHM Crops has done for the West Limerick area and the huge potential for all in the area and beyond to develop the markets further. West Limerick Resources have at all times been very supportive of JHM and Miscanthus and we look forward to working closely on many projects with Shay and WLR into the future. It was then left to John Cregan TD to officially open the event while offering some very encouraging words to JHM and all involved in the industry from growers to those involved in harvesting, processing, energy supply and end users. It is crucial that government is made aware of the progress being made in the industry as well as any challenges we meet and we are grateful very grateful for John Cregan’s presence and enthusiasm.

After the speakers there was time for the large crowd to look at the many interesting and varied exhibiting stands. We are grateful to all those who exhibited as all areas of the Miscanthus business was covered: planting/growing/harvesting the crop, storing the crop, burning Miscanthus logs/pellets/chip in a boiler or stove, future markets such as bio-oil, as well as funding options for those wanting to get involved in the supply chain. There was also a very interesting exhibit from Anton Sieverdingbeck who has a Miscanthus company in Germany. He had on display many other uses for Miscanthus that may not have been known to many beforehand. These include insulation in buildings, motorway barriers, furniture (there is already a line of furniture in IKEA made from Miscanthus), garden pots and indeed as a component in any industrial use. There was ample time for patrons to find out about all aspects of the business as well as purchase JHM Miscanthus Logs and Animal Bedding from the JHM Store. Bus tours were also taking place throughout the day to local plantations of Miscanthus at various stages of maturity. Those on the bus tour could also see Miscanthus being harvested by JHM‘s contractors (this was done purely for demonstration purposes as harvesting time is not until April) providing an example of how it should be done. As well as this there was also a visit to the first domestic boiler burning Miscanthus pellets in Ireland at Barry O’Shaughnessy’s farm. The boiler is a Benekov Prime 20 boiler and heats two houses offering a huge saving compared to oil which was formerly in use there. Barry is also a grower with JHM and has ten acres of Miscanthus. Two acres will yield enough Miscanthus to heat Barry’s two houses leaving Barry to sell the rest at profit. This is a model that can be very easily replicated by present and future growers of Miscanthus with JHM. All who went on the bus trip were very impressed by what they saw of the crop, the harvesting demo and the pellet boiler providing us with very positive feedback at the end of the day.

Overall it has been the most successful Open Day JHM Crops Ltd have had to date and the demand from growers to grow the crop is higher than ever. Since the deadline for application for this year’s grant is 31st March the focus is now on assisting all interested parties with their applications. If anyone is seriously thinking about growing Miscanthus this year we at JHM Crops are more than happy to help you and we would ask you to contact us as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We would like to thank again all our guest speakers, exhibitors and everyone present on the day for helping to make Open Day 2010 such a success.