Hayley Stoddart

Straw: what is it good for?!

Transcript

1. Harley Stoddart Research Manager for Industrial Uses, HGCA
2. Straw - What is it Good for?! Energy Potential from UK Arable Agriculture Harley Stoddart Research Manager for Industrial Uses at HGCA
3. Straw
4. How much? 2011 Grain/see d Productio n Harvest Index for grain/seed (%) Proportion of total biomass as straw (%) Straw available for collection & baling (%) Available Straw (thousand tonnes) Wheat 15,257 51 43 60 7,718 Barley (winter) 2,200 51 43 60 1,113 Barley (spring) 3,294 51 43 60 1,666 Oats 613 47 47 60 368 Oilseed rape 2,758 35 35 50 1,379 Total 12,244
5. Current Uses of Straw 2011 Straw production (thousand tonnes) 12,244 Animal bedding 5,800 Carrots (over wintering) 405 Energy (electricity) 250 Mushroom compost 40 Export 80 Total 6,575 Remainder (incorporated) 5,669
6. Issues to consider • Pros: • Additional profit (Pro) • Cash flow boost (Pro) • Reduced disease & slug problems (Pro) • Reduced fuel usage by not chopping straw (Pro), and • Faster combining speeds (Pro) • Cons: • Replacement cost of lost nutrients (Con) • Loss of organic matter (Con) • Soil compaction (Con) • Possible rain delays to subsequent cropping (Con)
7. Conclusion: • By supporting all markets for straw, we will encourage more straw on the market.
9. Thank you