Today’s Farm July/August 2025 - Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority

Short Rotation Coppice Willow – Best Practice Guidelines

The world’s gas and oil reserves are a rapidly depleting and increasingly costly resource to exploit and deliver. Ireland generally has a very limited fossil energy resource and as a result imports the vast majority of its requirement. In excess of 85% of the fossil fuel used to generate electricity is imported, principally oil and natural gas. Indigenous peat resources provide a small contribution (11%) with renewables providing only 3%. If the requirement for heat generation and transport fuels are added to the electricity total then Ireland has a dependency on imported energy in excess of 90% and this figure is increasing.

Date: 15 June 2015
Type: Report

Miscanthus Best Practice Guidelines

These guidelines are designed to introduce farmers to a new crop. They give guidance on the most appropriate location, land preparation, planting techniques and crop management required to grow miscanthus as a crop destined for energy use (or for other uses). These guidelines summarises ongoing current research and best practice. As further experience is gained, these guidelines will be modified.

Date: 15 June 2015
Type: Report