It’s good to talk timber
LOTS of people visited the Teagasc Forestry and Sustainable Living Section at the Tullamore Show and we were kept busy answering an eclectic mix of questions. Many questions related to timber harvesting. Here’s a flavour of the queries: ÷How do I know when my forest is ready for thinning? ÷How will the operation be carried out? ÷How do I go about getting a felling licence? ÷Are there grants to help me with this operation? ÷What is the best way to market and sell my timber? ÷How do I get in contact with potential buyers? ÷What price range can I expect? ÷Are there tax implications?
A good place for forest owners to get answers to the above questions is at one of the upcoming Talking Timber events.
These two conifer timber marketing events are organised by Teagasc, in conjunction with the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Irish Forest and Forest Products Association (IFFPA).
The events will address key concerns for owners when preparing for harvesting operations and will also provide private growers with the opportunity to meet foresters, timber buyers and harvesting contractors.
The events will take place on: ÷Thursday August 31, at Teagasc, Ballyhaise College, Co. Cavan; and, ÷Tuesday September 5, at the Horse and Jockey Hotel, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Registration is at 9.30am. Alternatively, you can pre-register online so that you don’t have to queue on the day.
Online registration is available at www.teagasc.ie/ forestry.
Demonstration
Both events will start with an outdoor demonstration organised by the IFFPA: participants will have the opportunity to view the quality of timber required by Irish sawmills and the best way to ensure such quality.
This will be followed by short presentations from Teagasc, the Forest Service (DAFM) and a representative from the Timber Industry Brexit Forum.
A private forest owner will also give his/her perspective and share experiences.
There will be ample networking opportunities as timber buyers, local companies and contractors will have stands at the venues.
This will provide the ideal platform for forest owners to meet the players and compare and contrast their approaches.
If you are planning to come to one of the two events, it is a good idea to put your thoughts together before meeting timber buyers.
Make the most of such an event as it is a valuable opportunity to meet and discuss your own forest with those buying timber in your area. Consider the following issues: ÷VAT ÷marketing of sale: thinning type, species, measurements, quantity, maps, tendering options ÷carrying out a timber harvest – quality of the work, payment, timber security ÷how will the timber be sold standing, at the roadside or delivered in? By weight or by volume?
These marketing days are a must for anyone whose forest is approaching a harvest, be it thinning or clearfell.
Further details are available from your local Teagasc office, your Teagasc forestry adviser or from www.teagasc.ie/forestry.