The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Forests and farms can amalgamate to work together
Tom Pate has proved felling trees and selling them on before replanting in certain areas can be very successful and has detailed how he discovered having woodland can be worth considerably more than initially expected
Farming and forestry have not always been the friendliest bedfellows, but for one farmer, the combination of the two has been crucial to the success of his family business.
Tom Pate examined potential income opportunities at Middleton Farm at Kilry on the Perthshire-Angus border, a hill sheep farm which he manages for his wife’s family – and found that several parcels of woodland were worth considerably more than expected.
Felling the trees and selling them commanded a very good price. Mr Pate was then able to link up 22 separate patches of woodland of around 60 hectares when he re-planted the areas where trees had been felled areas.
As well as replanting, he used grants to plant an additional 130 hectares of new woodland on poorer quality grazing land.
“Forestry was historically a headache and a hassle but it became the catalyst for the rejuvenation of the farm,” said Mr Pate.
“We were maybe lucky with our timing but have been able to improve the infrastructure of Middleton Farm greatly, as we had to put roads in to get the timber out, and add to the capital value.”
There was also a spin-off as space was utilised between fenced-off areas of trees to create a herd of 200 deer to produce venison, in addition to retaining sheep grazing.
Mr Pate had no objection to planting trees and thinks most other farmers are open-minded – because they are also interested in diversification of income and utilising their resources to maximum benefit.
David Robertson of forestry business Scottish Woodlands, whose Perth-based staff worked with Mr Pate to remove the timber and plant the new trees, said it was not about farming or forestry – it could easily be both.
“It is not a case of either/or – you can do both together and they can complement each other,” he said.
“A lot of farms have some poorerquality land that is problematic in operational terms, or simply less economically viable for agriculture, that would be suitable for forestry. Often this comes with the benefit of enhanced stock management and there is a clear spin-off for animal welfare.
“Using woodland as a shelter belt means the animals have more warmth and cover in the winter and often need less food as a result. Shelter is also invaluable in improving survival and health in young stock.
“The economics also stack up. Grants available for planting and maintaining trees are very good and existing parcels of woodland, as Tom Pate discovered, can command a strong price. There is also an opportunity to create a valuable and tax efficient capital asset for future generations”.
The high price for timber is partly down to the fact that the UK imports 80% of the wood it uses to make products like fencing, decking, boarding for kitchen and bathroom units and timber frames for houses.
There is also a surge in global demand for timber and tree planting has been identified as a vital tool in fighting climate change.
Mr Pate said: “Planting trees has been very positive in economic terms for us. It’s also great to make an environmental contribution at the same time.”
Forestry was historically a headache and a hassle but became the catalyst for the rejuvenation of the farm. TOM PATE