Group bids to boost forest earnings

A LARGE attendance of forest owners at a meeting convened by the West Cork Forestry Group heard that there is now almost as much forest in private ownership as Coillte-owned in Co Cork, and pooling their contracting work and timber sales offers major potential.

Teagasc forest development officer John Casey told the meeting it is very difficult for most private owners operating in isolation to earn high forestry returns.

Teagasc has helped to set up successful forestry producer groups in Donegal, Clare and Kilkenny.