Teagasc advises on forestry thinning to achieve peak prices

STRATEGIC thinning of forestry plantations gives farmers greater flexibility to sell at peak prices, according to Teagasc experts hosting a nationwide series of advisory workshops next week.

Teagasc forest development officer John Casey said it is difficult to predict timber prices into the future as timber is globally traded and prices are subject to many factors. Thus, farmers who regularly thin their forests are best placed to sell stock during windows of maximum price opportunity.

Mr Casey said: “Timber prices are cyclical in nature and there has been a strong upward trend over the last 20 years. Forests have a distinct advantage over other farm crops in that there is flexibility in the final harvest date. This flexibility only applies to forest crops that have been first thinned at the appropriate time, helping to minimise the risks of instability or wind damage.