Kieran Coughlan: Small scale forestry now a real option

The option of planting forestry is often dismissed by farmers when it comes to choosing their farm cropping plan.

But farming with forestry deserves serious consideration, given the relatively low and even negative margins of the mainstream enterprises.

According to recent data from the IFA forestry sector, some mature sitka spruce plantations, which could be ready for clear felling within 30 years of planting, can deliver a return of €25,000 per hectare, or €10,000 per acre, at clear felling.