Field Readiness

In order to have the best success with miscanthus, preparation is the key, when planning to grow miscanthus.

​

We have to start at the beginning. The field needs to be ready to receive miscanthus rhizomes. Starting at the most obvious place doing soil sampling as needed. It is advantageous to plant a crop that will add biomass to the land while still giving a return on that field. Typical crops to plant in preparation would be oats or rye. Leaving the straw on the field after harvest. This will protect the soil prior to planting and after planting during the winter, adding nutrients as the biomass breaks down.

​

Rhizome Harvesting

We have developed a custom made machine, who's sole purpose is to harvest rhizomes from the field in a single pass. The Digger scoops the soil from the ground and separates the rhizomes from the soil while cutting them into the right size pieces, giving each section the ability to produce a number of viable nodes. These rhizomes are then transferred to a holding bin; where they are loaded in our trailers for transport to your field for immediate planting. The main point here is that the rhizomes are only out of the ground for a few hours before replanting. Thus the rhizomes have the least amount of water loss and shock of transfer.