Reed grass is an abundant yet underutilized natural resource in Finland. Harvested from shorelines and wetlands, it provides significant environmental benefits and opens up new possibilities for utilizing biobased side streams.
Reed is highly versatile, and its harvesting and processing bring notable ecological advantages. Harvesting not only clears shoreline and wetland areas but also removes excess nutrients from water bodies, helping to combat eutrophication.
After harvesting, it’s essential to collect the cut material to prevent nutrients from re-entering the ecosystem and to avoid further eutrophication. Harvesting can also be used to clear wetland areas for purposes like grazing.
Reed grass can be repurposed in multiple ways, including as a soil amendment to enhance organic matter in fields, as a construction material for reed roofs, as biofuel, or as pellets and bedding material.
Summer-harvested reed poses no risk of germination when used on fields, while winter-harvested reed may contain viable seeds. For winter-harvested material, application is recommended on well-drained fields, and composting can further reduce germination risks.
Ruokomestarit – innovations and environmental solutions from reed
Ruokomestarit is an innovative company that not only harvests reed grass but also processes it for various applications. They ensure that all harvested biomass is removed, delivering environmental benefits such as reducing eutrophication and preventing methane emissions from decaying plant matter. The company is owned by Sauli Tikka and Henrik, Richard, and Fredrik Jensen.
In addition to harvesting and processing, Ruokomestarit manage the logistics of transporting the biomass from harvest sites. The company has developed reed pelletizing technology, which optimizes transportation, storage, and usage options.
They are also exploring new technologies, such as a baler for compactly packing harvested reed and a mobile pelletizing unit that processes the biomass directly at the harvest site. These innovations improve logistics and expand the product’s potential, particularly for use as bedding and growing media.
Ruokomestarit are investigating the use of reed grass as a sustainable alternative to rubber granules on artificial football fields. This ecological and practical solution could substantially reduce plastic use, and the Ministry of the Environment is financially supporting this “Reed Granule” (Ruokorouhe) project.
Operating year-round and utilizing both summer and winter harvesting methods, Ruokomestarit invest in cutting-edge technologies to lead the way in biobased side-stream utilization. Their work supports sustainable development while offering practical solutions for farms and other customers.
Looking for a reed harvester?
You can contact companies specializing in reed harvesting directly or use the KiertoaSuomesta.fi platform to offer reed biomass or post a purchase listing, if you’re seeking reed for purposes like bedding!
Learn more about reed grass in agriculture (in Finnish): Ruoko – ELY-keskus