Teagasc increases forestry advice clinics as farmer interest soars
Teagasc has increased its nationwide series of clinics to cope with the demand for such advice; more than half of all queries relate to planting forestry on the farm.
Nuala Ní Fhlatharta, head of Teagasc’s forestry development department, said: “The success of this year’s clinics was due to the significant interest in planting among farmers.
“The attractive incentives currently available and an ever-increasing demand for timber mean that a forest enterprise is becoming an increasingly attractive option for more and more landowners.”
Queries to the centres included those on existing grant applications and preparing for thinning. The status of the Single Farm Payment in relation to forestry and the introduction of new forestry schemes later this year were also regularly mentioned.
Noel Kennedy, forestry adviser with Teagasc, said: “Many landowners are investigating the benefits of afforestation. Issues that were discussed regularly during the clinics included the Single Farm Payment, grants, and premiums, eligibility for farmer premium, interaction with other farming schemes, environmental restrictions as well as financial benefits and implications.”
Mr Kennedy said forestry grant application procedures were also discussed.
“All forestry advisers handed out many copies of the list of registered foresters. Registered foresters can process the forestry grant application on behalf of their clients,” he said.
