Using forestry to boost profits and build up a farm pension pot

LOG ON to the Teagasc forestry channel on Youtube, to hear for yourself from Andrew O’Carroll how forestry keeps him farming.

A farmer based in north Kilkenny, Andrew won one of the awards at the RDS Forest and Woodland Awards. He talks about his ‘family pension pot’, how the forestry on the farm allowed him to lease in better land thereby improving farm viability. His Teagasc drystock advisor Terry Carroll discusses Andrew’s farming system and how forestry has improved overall farm viability while Minister of State Andrew Doyle TD discusses the benefits of farm forestry, the RDS Awards and enhanced government support.

Talking Timber

If you missed this year’s Talking Timber events or you would like to hear the key messages again, Teagasc recorded proceedings at this year’s Talking Timber event that took place in Mountbellew Agricultural College, Co Galway.

Aodan Kealey of Murray Timber Group explains the various timber categories, qualities and current prices at the outdoor timber demo. For instance, he shows the difference between logs that are worth €85-100 per tonne compared to logs worth €35/t in one of these videos.

The indoor presentations are also worth watching and are especially useful when you are preparing to harvest timber.

For example, Noel Kennedy of Teagasc explains that preparing to harvest may take up to two years to be market-ready.

Robert Windle of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine discusses Forest Service requirements such as the need for a felling licence and financial support for building a road.

Marcus Hanbidge of Euroforest Ireland, speaking on behalf of Irish Forestry and Forest Products Association explains how best to prepare your forest for thinning from an industry perspective.

Con Keigher, a farmer from Roscommon describes his experience as a forest owner so far.

These forestry-related videos are all available on the Teagasc Forestry channel on YouTube.