Centre for Alternative Land Use
Under previous funding CALU ran a range of projects at locations across Wales.
Many of the projects had open days where there were opportunities to talk to the experts running
the projects. Other projects generated factsheets which are still freely available for download by following
the links below.
For further information on each project, please click on the project name below.
Project name: | Energy grass demonstration plots |
Project manager: | Catherine Heywood, ADAS Wales Ltd |
>Project location: | Coleg Glynllifon, nr Caernarfon & Coleg Gelli Aur, Carmarthenshire |
Three species of energy grass (Miscanthus, Reed Canary Grass and Switchgrass) have been planted at each location to demonstrate the production process for these grasses. Open Days: Download the information sheet "Miscanthus - does it pay?" (pdf 97kb)
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Project name: | Organic herb production |
Project managers: | Dr Mark Simkin and Amy Dutton |
Project location: | Welsh College of Horticulture, Northop |
The project aims to determine: 1. The feasibility of herb production in polythene tunnel type structures including costing and production rates. Open Day: Wednesday 5th July Contact Amy Dutton for further information on this project: 01352 841000 |
Project name: | Farm Woodland Training Days |
Project manager: | David Jenkins |
Project location: | Across Wales |
Throughout 2006, Coed Cymru, on behalf of CALU will be hosted a series of training days. Subjects covered were: 1. Game Management (in conjunction with the Game Conservancy Trust). Focusing on habitat management and the choice and management of game crops and small scale rearing and release. The day will focus on upland stock farms and will include a presentation on the legal requirements of predator control and likley costs and incomes. |
Project name: | Blight Resistant Potato Trials - 2006 |
Project manager: | David Frost, ADAS Wales Ltd |
Project location: | Llanrhystud |
This project follows on from the successful blight trial demonstration project of 2005. The project will see plots of various potato cultivars established on-farm. New and existing Sarpo varieties will be assessed for their resistance to foliar blight, their tuber yield, and tuber blight post-harvest. FINAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE The final report from last year's project is available for download (pdf 236KB) - click here to open.
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Project name: | Demonstration plots for novel crops and potatoes 2006 |
Project manager: | UWB |
Project location: | Gwynedd, Flintshire, Pembrokeshire, Monmouthshire |
This project followeds on from the demonstrations in 2005. CALU, in conjunction with the School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Wales Bangor and the Sarvari Research Trust, established demonstration plots of a range of less common crops at four locations across Wales. The plots were used to demonstrate how to grow and manage a variety of alternative crops including:
A series of crop information sheets have been produced providing basic information on the agronomy and uses of all of the crops. For further information on the project, please contact CALU.
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Project name: | Alternative Tree and Shrub Species in Shelterbelts |
Project manager: | David Jenkins, Coed Cymru |
Project location: | Across Wales |
This project saw the establishment or modification of shelterbelts at four sites across Wales. During 2006 the sites were used to demonstrate that planting alternative species of trees and shrubs in shelterbelts has the potential to provide important areas of biodiversity habitat in the farm holding, to provide habitat linking and to act as a buffer to run-off neaer streamsides. Shelterbelts also provide the potential to produce low input fruit, seed and forestry products. Downloads: |
Project name: | Energy crops in Wales: A guide for industry and agriculture |
Project manager: | Catherine Heywood, ADAS Wales Ltd |
Project location: | n/a |
As a result of this CALU project, a new website has been developed and launched which provides a wealth of information on various bioenergy sources.
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Project name: | Exotic Mushroom Farming in Wales |
Project manager: | David Frost, ADAS Wales Ltd |
Project location: | ADAS Pwllpeiran and farm trials |
This project is looking at the feasibility of producing a range of mushroom varieties, using different growing media and a variety of growing systems. Composting woodchip for mushroom growing
The species under trial are:
Downloads:
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Project name: | Blight Resistant Potato Trials - 2005 |
Project manager: | David Frost, ADAS Wales Ltd |
Project location: | Llanrhystud |
A continuation of potato blight trials started in 2005. Evaluation of Sarpo varieties for vigour, ability to suppress weed competition and blight resistance. Evaluation of eating qualities. Evaluation of compost tea treatment as a prophylactic against potato blight. OPEN DAYS: WEDNESDAY 13th JULY 2005 and FRIDAY 9th SEPTEMBER 2005
Download the final report from this project (903KB, pdf)
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Project name: | Demonstration plots for novel crops and potatoes 2005 |
Project manager: | UWB |
Project location: | Five sites across Wales |
During 2005, CALU, in conjunction with the School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Wales Bangor and the Sarvari Research Trust, established demonstration plots at five locations across Wales. These plots were used to demonstrate how to grow and manage:
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For further information on any of CALU's activities, please contact us.