Unusual harvest equipment, such as wind-rowers, accumulators and large square balers, will dot the horizon around mid-Missouri and southwest Missouri over the next several months as Renew Biomass (a subsidiary of MFiber) completes their winter harvest of Miscanthus giganteus. Renew Biomass operates a manufacturing facility in Aurora, Mo., where they process the large Miscanthus bales.

“Miscanthus giganteus is a C4 perennial crop,” said Eric Allphin, Renew Biomass Director of Agriculture.

“Miscanthus is propagated by rhizomes. In the spring growth is initiated from buds on the rhizomes. A mature stand of Miscanthus can grow 10-15 feet in height. In the late fall the plant stops growth and begins to go dormant, this process is referred to as senescence. Harvest is typically delayed until winter or early spring to allow nutrients to move back into the rhizomes for use by the plant the following growing season,” Allphin continued.

Renew Biomass began their 2015-2016 harvest season in late December and will continue their 4,000-acre harvest until March. Renew Biomass grows Miscanthus on long-term contract agreements with farmers in southwest Missouri and mid-Missouri.

“The company was founded by a Midwest farmer-owned cooperative in 2011, which was later acquired by the ownership of Renew Biomass,” explained Allphin.  “The intent of the startup was to provide an additional cash crop for farmers that would grow on marginal or underutilized ground. Our vertically integrated system allows Renew Biomass to work alongside our farmers from soil preparation and planting all the way through harvest and transportation.”

Allphin continued, “The knowledge our local farmers bring to the partnership has been invaluable in establishing Miscanthus. Working together to bring in a new cash crop to the rural landscape creates jobs and keeps dollars at home.”

So far, Renew Biomass is seeing exceptionally high yields after unusual amounts of rainfall in 2015. This increase in tonnage will result in increased payments to the local farmers and allow Renew Biomass to process more product.

The Renew Biomass Manufacturing Facility is capable of processing 9 tons per hour at their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that was built in October 2014. Since the facility opened, Renew Biomass has developed several new markets for Miscanthus, which will have a long-term, positive economic impact on the community.