Drax Power has appointed agronomy company Masstock Arable to advise its farmer suppliers about energy-crop growing techniques.

The consultancy agreement is the latest part of Drax’s Green Shoots programme, which has attracted more than 100 growers since it was set up last summer.

Under the scheme farmers, foresters and other landowners can enter into direct contracts with Drax to supply biomass for use in its power station near Selby, Yorkshire.

“We can help farmers recognise and benefit from the new energy opportunities open to them, specifically biomass from straw, coppicing and miscanthus, as well as other crops being investigated in our R&D programmes,” Masstock’s David Neale said.