Biobaler for Harvesting Willow - Demonstration

To date, short rotation coppice (SRC) willow in N Ireland has been harvested using either the cut and chip method with a modified self propelled grass harvester or by harvesting whole rods using the Stemster.

A new Canadian Biobaler designed for harvesting and baling woody brash in woodland now appears to offer potential for harvesting SRC willow plantations. Following harvest, the bales are allowed to dry naturally prior to chipping for use with automatic feed boilers or for using whole in big bale boilers such as the Farm 2000.

A harvesting workshop organised by CAFRE will examine the current methods of harvesting the crop including the demonstration of the new Biobaler. The performance of this system will be compared with the cut and chip system during the demonstration and subsequently. All three harvesting systems will be discussed, examining where each system is appropriate to use.

The workshop will be held at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus on Wednesday 1 December at 10.45am.

The workshop is open to all who have an interest in willow production and if you are interested in attending, please contact Denise Andrews at CAFRE on 028 9442 6756, or denise.andrews@dardni.gov.uk  to book a place.

The Biobaler, a potential new method of harvesting SRC willow will be demonstrated at a CAFRE workshop at Loughry Campus on Wednesday 1 December