CALU Alternative Crops Demo Plots Open Evening at Welsh College of Horticulture

The Welsh College of Horticulture at Northop held a very successful Open Evening on Monday 11^th July.  The primary focus of the event was the Alternative Crop Demonstration Site which has been established on behalf of CALU (the Centre for Alternative Land Use, the fifth Farming Connect Development Centre).

The demonstration site houses a variety of plots where unusual, but potentially profitable crops are being grown.  Crops on display at the Open Evening included:

Sárpo potatoes, a variety of potatoes which have natural resistance to late onset blight and are, therefore, of particular interest to organic growers or indeed any grower seeking to reduce chemical inputs to their potato crops.

Calendula (marigold) which is used extensively in plant based cosmetics and toiletries and is particularly noted for its healing properties.

Camelina, an oilseed which produces an edible oil of increasing interest to the health food market because it has low levels of saturated fats and high levels of polyunsaturated fats.

Dwarf French beans, an easy to grow, nitrogen fixing crop which is ideal for farm gate sales.

Flax, a fibre producing crop which used to be grown in Wales in large quantities.

The evening focussed on the move from subsidy driven farming to enterprise driven farming as a necessity and opportunity.

Dr Colin Norton, CALU’s Head of Horticulture Development, was on hand to guide visitors and explain the different cultivation and management techniques required for a range of alternative crops and their potential uses. 

Mr Gary Newman of Plant Fibre Technology Ltd presented a talk entitled “Developing Alternative Crops in Wales – an entrepreneur’s view” and stressed the importance of market research before embarking on a new enterprise.  The audience was captivated by the prospects of changing crop technologies and opportunities

The weather for the event was perfect and after visitors had seen the CALU plots they were able to view the organic horticultural farm which is an another opportunity for alternative cropping.  Discussion was constructive and enthusiastic the meeting lasting until 10.15 pm as a result of the interest generated.