Making hedgerows pay their way: the economics of harvesting field boundary hedges for bioenergy

Existing landscape features, such as field boundary hedgerows, can contribute to food, fodder, material, and energy production for an EU bio-based circular economy. Recent trials undertaken by the project team in UK demonstrated that hedgerows be managed produce woodfuel of a quality meets industry standards. However, attractive farmers, from must profitable. This paper uses FarmSAFE model undertake financial assessment with data generated these trials. The net present value standard hedgerow management method (flailing every 2 years) was compared those alternative scenarios over 60 year time horizon. Using trials, results showed coppicing could provide profit farmer. sale woodchips into off-farm market found profitable if harvesting tree shears (medium scale capacity) or Bracke felling head (large capacity), but chainsaw (small unprofitable. When considering use on farm replace purchased woodchip heating oil, benefit farmer increased. Sensitivity analyses medium machinery (tree shears) made enterprise most resilient changes prices, grants, costs. is appropriate local whilst also being affordable farmers contractors.