FARMERS are invited to consider willow as a low input, low maintenance crop which can be grown on marginal land to provide a profitable diversification.

Iggesund Holmen Group and The Farmer Network have organised a tour of farms in Cumbria on Monday (22nd) where willow crops are at varying stages.

The tour begins at Braithwaite Farm, Braithwaite, at 10.15am where Neil Watkins, of Iggesund Mill, will give an introduction to willow farming and farmers will see the crop that Steven Clarke planted in 2014.

The next visit will be to Rogerscale to see how the willow crop Jan Wilkinson planted in May is

doing. Lunch will be at Cockermouth mart with discussion and presentations on growing willow. A trip to the Iggesund Mill field which is at the pre-harvest stage will follow.

Mr Clarke encouraged farmers to join the tour. He said: "If I’m not out here for a week, I am shocked to see six inches of growth when I return. Now that we’ve cut back the willow

to the ground after the first year, I have only two years remaining until harvest. That will be a day

to celebrate. The payback will come in handy for other projects around the farm."

Booking is essential. Contact The Farmer Network Office on 01768 868615; text 07714 187034 or email: info@thefarmernetwork.co.uk