23 June 2023
Supporting private forest owners and those planting a new forest
Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department provides independent forestry advisory, research and training services to private forest owners in Ireland and to any land owner considering planting a new forest. Frances McHugh, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer, tells us more.
The focus of our research is on the management of broadleaves and conifers and on tree improvement, including breeding for resistance to ash dieback disease. Our research also focuses on site classification and forest policy, including socio-economic research. Our esearch centres are located in counties Dublin and Galway and include state-of-the-art laboratories and growing facilities. Research is carried out on Teagasc-owned lands and also on private farm forests. This in-house research capacity significantly benefits our advisory and training services and it allows for rapid and effective knowledge transfer.
Advisory services
Our advice to landowners is totally independent and objective – focusing on land suitability, how a forest enterprise can improve farm income and how it impacts on other farming schemes. Once a well-informed decision has been taken and a forest established, ongoing management is critical for success. Teagasc provides ongoing objective technical advice on the management of forests of all ages.
Events
We organise a wide range of forest walks where we focus on a wide range of topics from how to prepare for thinning to highlighting the importance of forest recreation. We also run workshops focusing on how to sell timber or introduce participants to the concept of continuous cover forest management. Large national forestry events, such as the well-known Talking Timber events where forest owners have the opportunity to meet with timber buyers, take place throughout the year in all parts of Ireland. We also provide support to many local forest owner groups.
Training
The Teagasc Ballyhaise College in Co. Cavan has provided forestry training since 1988. The forestry courses available at Ballyhaise College include full-time QQI Level 5 and 6 forestry courses, the Forest Machine Operator Training Programme and short skills courses. A forestry qualification from Ballyhaise College has provided the opportunity for many students to develop wide ranging and interesting careers.
Resources
The forestry section of the Teagasc website www.teagasc.ie/forestry is jam-packed with useful information such as technical advice, up-to-date detailed information on forestry grants, research project updates, scientific publications, staff contact details and much, much more. About five thousand people receive Teagasc’s forestry e-newsletter directly to their email inbox. Teagasc Forestry eNews is free of charge and is a great way to keep on top of the latest Irish forestry news, forestry grants, valuable forest management tips and much more. You can subscribe via www.teagasc.ie/forestry.
Youtube and social media
The Teagasc Forestry YouTube channel has loads of useful videos. Ranging from technical how-to videos explaining how to calculate when to consider thinning for the first time in a conifer plantation to videos discussing various forms of taxation or how to increase the biodiversity value in your forest.
Our various social media platforms are a great way to keep in touch and to find out the latest forestry news. Follow us on:
- Facebook (www.facebook.com/forestry.teagasc )
- Instagram (www.instagram.com/teagasc_forestry/)
- Twitter (twitter.com/teagascforestry )
Printed newsletters and Today’s Farm magazine
40,000 Teagasc clients receive a quarterly forestry newsletter and a bi-monthly magazine Today’s Farm in their letterbox. These are valuable sources of forestry information, providing a mixture of technical advice, relevant news and research project updates. It is also a great way to keep on top of what’s happening in other farm enterprises such as dairy, beef, sheep and tillage, or to find out about the latest upcoming Teagasc events.
Here to help
A well-established farm forest represents an appreciating tax-efficient asset, a source of multiple benefits to combine with many other farm and rural enterprises and a valuable inheritance for future generations. It also helps to support the local rural community, it benefits the environment and acts as a source of renewable energy. So, if you want your forest to work for you, look after it –Teagasc is here to help you.