Sitka spruce forest plantation can return up to €610 per hectare per year, in terms equivalent to gross profit margin, say Teagasc advisors.

EVEN routine operations on dairy farms are coming under the microscope, as lower milk prices combine with inflation to force milk producers to tighten their belts. For example, advisors are reminding farmers that it costs €8 or 10 per acre just to top a field or to spread fertiliser.