Exploring willows as a commercial crop

Abstract

Salute to Agriculture [special supplement] The PEI Soil and Crop Improvement Association obtained funding from the PEI ADAPT Council to conduct trial studies at several provincial farms in order to assess the potential for shrub willows as a biomass energy cash crop. Association manager Tyler Wright notes that one tonne of willows is equivalent in energy output to 400 litres of heating fuel. Wright cautions that growing willows on a commercial scale for sale to biomass energy clients may not be economically viable at this time, but he encourages local farmers to consider joining together to grow willows as a way to reduce their energy costs in operating their farms. He suggests that if two or three farmers bought and shared the needed equipment, they would be able to significantly reduce their energy costs. {Article was supplied by the PEI ADAPT Council]

Date

2014-04-16

Issue

1

Title	Exploring willows as a commercial crop
Abstract	Salute to Agriculture [special supplement] The PEI Soil and Crop Improvement Association obtained funding from the PEI ADAPT Council to conduct trial studies at several provincial farms in order to assess the potential for shrub willows as a biomass energy cash crop. Association manager Tyler Wright notes that one tonne of willows is equivalent in energy output to 400 litres of heating fuel. Wright cautions that growing willows on a commercial scale for sale to biomass energy clients may not be economically viable at this time, but he encourages local farmers to consider joining together to grow willows as a way to reduce their energy costs in operating their farms. He suggests that if two or three farmers bought and shared the needed equipment, they would be able to significantly reduce their energy costs. {Article was supplied by the PEI ADAPT Council]
Journal	Island farmer
Date	2014-04-16
Volume	41
Issue	1