Miscanthus provides growing market for horse bedding

• Super-absorbent ideal for farming

• Excellent diversification opportunity

• Good returns if willing to sell direct

A new opportunity has opened for farmers to supply miscanthus as a sought-after animal bedding – particularly for the equine market.

Expansion is driven by the growing demand from Biosorb, a family-run business led by third-generation farmer James Martin, based at Weeley, near Clacton. Miscanthus is a reliable and profitable long-term diversification, he says.

Regional growers are being sought to supply some 3,000 tonnes of dry miscanthus material annually. This material will feed into a dedicated bedding production line, including a bale breaker, chipper, hammer mill, and packing station.

The family business encompasses a 120ha home farm plus an additional 120ha of leased land. James and father Roger sold their livestock and invested in cutting-edge bedding machinery to focus on producing high-quality bedding materials.

“We’ve been in the hay and straw merchant and bedding supply business for three generations. Diversifying into miscanthus bedding was a natural step. It’s incredibly absorbent, making it the most sought-after bedding in the equine industry.”

As well as recruiting neighbouring farmers growing miscanthus to supply his business, James planted 12 hectares of Terravesta Athena miscanthus in 2024 and plans to expand further in the spring of 2025.

“I’ll have my first commercial harvest in 2026,” he explains. “But I’ll be able to top it and harvest some cane in spring 2025.”

James is working in partnership with miscanthus specialist Terravesta, which has established long-term contracts with power stations in Norfolk and Lincolnshire, as well as other regional bedding markets in the UK.

The company collaborates with an increasing number of local farmers to supply whole miscanthus bales annually under long-term, index-linked contracts.

Grower support

James Martin provides a guaranteed offtake agreement for all miscanthus grown under this initiative. In collaboration with Terravesta, unused surplus biomass is supplied to power station customers, further safeguarding growers’ investment.

“Demand for miscanthus bedding has outstripped our current supply,” says James. “This is a great opportunity for farmers to secure a reliable, long-term income stream while contributing to a sustainable industry.”

Miscanthus is a perennial crop that offers numerous benefits for growers. It is known to improve soil health, and requires minimal maintenance after establishment. It also thrives on less productive and flood-prone fields.

The crop stores 2.35t of CO2e annually in the soil. James’ regional market is supported by Terravesta, which takes any surplus miscanthus to supplement supplies it already delivers to regional power stations.

Farmers near Essex and the surrounding counties are now being invited to set aside land and invest in planting miscanthus.

With the first harvest expected in the second year after planting, the crop is seen as a viable, long-term diversification option.

James takes care of the cutting, baling, chasing and transportation, which is all factored into the £55/t price which goes back to the grower.

Business model

The business model is structured to provide a turnkey service – with the crop being handled by Biosorb from harvest onwards.

Growers receive a guaranteed income of £55/t net of dry miscanthus material. This includes all harvest and transportation costs. Additional payments are available through Sustainable Farming Incentive actions.

Miscanthus has a lifespan of 20  years or more. The crop requires minimal maintenance after planting but it is a long term investment.