Willows instead of cattle on Mayo farm

A MAYO farmer will plant part of his land with willows on Saturday, because he says the bio-energy crop is more profitable and less labour intensive than beef production.

Derek Hannick, at Knockmore, Ballina, says the crop is good for the environment. “I am doing my part to help Ireland reduce its carbon footprint.”

His crop is the first grown for Mayo Power, which plans to build a 100 megawatt fuel combined heat and power electricity generating plant on the former Asahi site in north Mayo, utilising mixed fuels. The company proposes to plant willow on about 20 hectares within 10 miles of the proposed power station site.