JHM Crops - Willow
JHM Crops' expertise in the biomass sector and the successful development of markets for biomass mean that the demand for all biomass has significantly increased. To help meet this demand JHM is offering contracts to growers of Willow with the security of a long term market for the biomass produced.
A Fast Growing Woody Biomass with a Secure Market:
- Willow is a fast growing, high yielding tree species for biomass production which can be harvested every three years with one planting lasting for 19-25 years. It establishes easily and quickly from unrooted cuttings. At the end of year three it will have grown to 8 metres.
- The planting season for Willow is from early Spring- February/March- to late May and into June.
- Harvesting is from November to April with either direct chip harvesting, whole rod harvesting or billeting. JHM crops have found chip harvesting to be the most efficient method for achieving a biomass product ready for the market.
- Willow produces one of highest yields of biomass compared to other woody biomass crops. Yields of 7 to 12 tonnes of oven-dried material can be grown per hectare per year.
- Willow can grow on a wide range of soil types, and once established, can withstand both drought and occasional water logging with relative ease to a well-developed root structure.
- Willow's root structure means it can be used for treating waste water/sludge with the ever increasing pressures on the availability of suitable land banks for waste disposal. This may not be suitable in some instances and would need to be assessed on a case by case basis.
- Willow has an energy value of 19 MJ per kg at 0% moisture, however significant drying after harvest is required to achieve low moistures. In chip form material Willow is used in biomass boilers, CHP plants and power stations. It is also used as animal bedding.
- JHM Crops has secured biomass contracts so that any Willow we plant already has a market in place.
- Willow qualifies for the Bioenergy Scheme from the Department of Agriculture which allows 50% of establishment costs to be covered by a grant. It also benefits from boiler grants from SEAI and as an energy crop in the REFIT Tariff for co-firing biomass in power stations.
- JHM Crops looks forward to offering many more growers a 7 year contract for willow.