Teagasc timber marketing event set for Charleville
TIMBER harvesting is a process with many moving parts.
Forest owners need to ask the right questions prior to both thinning and clearfelling, in order to maximise their forests’ potential.
To help forest owners, Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department are running a conifer timber marketing event, entitled ‘ Talking Timber’ on June 11 in the Charleville Park Hotel, Charleville, County Cork.
Here, forest owners will have the opportunity to meet with and ask questions of timber buyers, harvesting contractors and foresters, to find out more about the timber-selling process.
The marketing day is aimed at giving forest owners a better appreciation of how the harvesting of their forest crop can be carried out effectively and profitably.
Talking Timber is organised by Teagasc with the co-operation of the Irish timber industry and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
It offers forest owners the opportunity to build contacts and to expand their own networks.
The event will include an outdoor demonstration organised by Forestry Industries Ireland (FII), where attendees will have the opportunity to view and discuss the quality of timber required by Irish sawmills.
Similar to other farm-based products, the quality of the timber has a very important bearing on the market price offered. The demo will be followed by short presentations from Teagasc, DAFM, tax experts and a forest owner on their perspective, advice and experience of what is involved in harvesting conifers successfully.
Important issues for forest owners to be addressed will include: ‘How do I prepare my crop for harvesting?’; ‘What can I expect from my crop?’; ‘Who is doing what, when, how and for whom?’; and ‘What deal suits me best?’
With annual timber production from the private forestry sector forecasts to increase sevenfold to almost 3million cubic metres by 2028, and there are both challenges and opportunities for forest owners to get this rapidly expanding timber resource to market.
Some of the key concerns for owners when preparing for thinning include the securing of an attractive market for timber, and thus ensuring the work is completed to the highest standard.
Previous feedback from forest owners has highlighted the need for a suitable forum to engage with key players involved in the harvest and purchase of timber.
Registration will commence at 9.30am, and the event itself will run from 10am to 2.30pm on the day.
There will be ample networking opportunities as local companies, contractors and timber buyers will have stands at the venue, with a Q&A session after the presentations.
For details and updates on this and other events and a range of thinning and timber marketing information, please log on to www.teagasc.ie/crops/ forestry/events/. Alternatively, you can contact your local Teagasc Forestry Development Officer.