7-31 FB NEF Miscanthus

 New Energy Farms (NEF) has established an agreement with Performance Plants Inc. to commercialize new high yielding elite clones of Miscanthus energy crop.  NEF have been evaluating new clones of Performance Plants’ Miscanthus to identify those with specific yield and quality characteristics that have commercial applications in the near term to meet the requirements of end users of the next 2-3 years. Already, interesting clones have been identified with improved yield and growth characteristics. Clones of interest are being bulked up and taken to market volumes with NEF’s proprietary propagation technology, with market expansion delivered via the IT system developed jointly between NEF and Muddy Boots. The clones developed are vegetative and sterile, to allow easy establishment and utilization. Here’s company co-owner Dean Tiessen: “ We’re working with genetics, our primary focus is miscanthus as we see a lot of opportunity with that specific species. A little bit with willow and other woody species.”  Dean says it’s not a matter of “if” but when farmers start getting into the bio-fuels business as our country seeks energy independence.