From pig farmer to Miscanthus grower

“You plant it once, and then you're set for 20 years.”
From pig farmer to miscanthus grower – the story of farmer Mathy Verrijt from Milheeze
After running a pig farm for years, he was looking for a new use for the plot of land next to his home. Growing corn year after year yielded hardly anything, while costs continued to rise. Through an advisor, Sander (an acquaintance from the pig trade), he came into contact with Dealin.Green. And so began the story of a new crop, a different perspective on agriculture, and an app group full of growers who keep each other on their toes. We spoke to him about his experience with miscanthus and his outlook on the future.

What kind of business did you have?
“I had a pig farm with land attached to my house. When I stopped doing that, that piece of land remained. A good hectare where corn was grown every year. At some point, you start thinking: what else could I do?”

How did you end up at Dealin.Green?
"Through Sander van Ansem (Dealin.Green advisor). I knew him from the pig trade. He came by the farm once and told me about Paulownia trees. That really sparked my interest. I went to a meeting, but my soil type turned out to be unsuitable. Then Miscanthus came into the picture. 

What appealed to you about Miscanthus?
“The fact that you only have to plant it once, and that after the first few years it requires little work. For example, I don't have to worry about annual soil cultivation. Ideal, especially since the plot is also somewhat awkwardly located. An additional advantage, in my opinion, is the extra income from carbon credits and the end materials made from the fibers. I really see a future in biobased construction.”

Did sustainability or extra income also play a role?
“I didn't count myself rich, but in the long run it should be able to compete with corn. And at my age—I'm 64—you don't want to invest in cultivation and harvesting every year. Miscanthus grows on its own, requires little maintenance, and the harvest is straightforward.”
How did the contact with Dealin.Green go?
“Well. I met several people from the team at the beginning. When I started to have doubts about Paulownia, they really helped me think things through. Miscanthus simply turned out to be a better fit for my situation.”

How did the planting go?
"We planted on April 30, 2025. It was exciting—I had always had pigs, of course, so this was really something different. Fortunately, John, a good friend who used to work for us and now grows rhubarb, helped out. He suggested tilling the soil and also helped with the planting. My wife and two sons helped too. John has also planted Miscanthus in four other places in the neighborhood. The five of us are in a WhatsApp group with Sander. That way, we keep each other informed and help each other where necessary. 

“I see it as an investment: yield in a few years, low maintenance, and low risk. That suits my situation—and the times we live in. A crop for the future!”

What struck you about the growth?
"The growth took some getting used to. With potatoes and corn, everything comes up at about the same time. Not so with Miscanthus: some plants emerged after five days, others only after five weeks. After planting, I irrigated twice to ensure good establishment. And I sprayed once against weeds. Now it all looks neat and I see uniform growth. 

What are your expectations for the coming years?
"I don't expect a harvest in 2026. We will mow or chop the crop to make it stronger. In 2027, we want to start harvesting for real. It's great that I can already rely on Dealin.Green to take care of the sales, so I don't have to worry about that. 

What advice would you give to other farmers who are unsure?
“There's no need to hesitate. The risk is small, especially if you do it on a smaller plot that is less suitable for conventional crops anyway. You plant once, and then you're set for 20 or 25 years. Isn't that ideal? And the market for biobased construction is only getting bigger, I'm confident of that.”

Would you recommend Dealin.Green?
“Yes, absolutely. They are knowledgeable and have a good network. That's important with this type of cultivation. You don't want to be dependent on a contractor who does it ‘on the side’. You need a partner who really thinks along with you and knows the market.”

Curious about what Miscanthus or Paulownia could yield on your plot?
📩 Send an email tooffice@dealin.greenor call 085 1072 190 for a no-obligation consultation with an advisor in your area.