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Agroforestry

Forest Type 8 (FT8)

Agroforestry is the integration of trees with either crops or livestock on the same land. It aims to achieve additional benefits in comparison to keeping agriculture and trees separate.

Benefits of agroforestry

  • Farming and forestry working together in the same field, providing additional sources of sustainable on-farm revenue
  • growing timber managed to integrate with livestock production and grass growth
  • promoting animal welfare and contributing to better livestock productivity
  • enhancing grass growth,  biodiversity and water quality with  improved shelter, soil health and nutrient capture
  • enhancing the capacity for on-farm carbon sequestration
  • availing of attractive establishment grants and annual premiums in addition to other farm schemes on same land eg BISS, Organics on eligible land.

The aim of Forest Type 8 – Agroforestry is to provide support for agroforestry and food forests. This will facilitate landowners in planting land with trees and continuing to produce food through agriculture.

Eligibility

To be eligible, the plot must meet the following criteria:

  • The minimum plot area and width eligible under FT8 is 0.2 ha and 20m tree-to-tree,
    respectively.
  • Stocking rate of at least 400 trees/ha at equal planting spacing
  • Trees can be planted singly, in rows or in groups
  • All trees must be protected from browsing, rubbing or fraying.
  • Acceptable tree species include oak, sycamore, Italian Alder, Red oak, walnut, Scots Pine (15% max), Spanish Chestnut, Birch and cherry. Other species, including
    conifers, will be considered on a site-by-site basis..
  • up to 15% fruit and nut species permitted.

Once land is converted to agroforestry, it will be classified as forest land and the provisions of forest legislation will apply. For further details, see Forestry Act 2014.

Silvopastoral agroforestry

The following agricultural activities will be permitted within a FT8 plot, as long as such activity is compatible with protecting the trees:

  • Pasture: Grazing by sheep, poultry or small calves are permitted, however trees must be protected and tree shelters checked regularly. Thereafter, when tree
    shelters are replaced with plastic mesh, larger animals may be introduced. Larger animals can be grazed where group designs are used.
  • Fodder: Silage and hay production is permitted. It is important that appropriate machinery is used when cutting silage and/ or hay, to ensure that the trees are not
    inadvertently damaged. It is also equally important to plan ahead to facilitate the distance between the rows of trees to provide adequate access for machines such
    as hay rakes and where machinery can turn at headlands.

Where FT8 plots are grazed or managed for silage or hay production, stocking rates and chemical nitrogen and phosphorus limits must comply with the Nitrates Regulations.
Standard agricultural limits apply. Where no grazing livestock are present and forage is cut for sale, the relevant limits for hay and silage systems under the Nitrates Regulations
apply.

Grant rates

Forest Type

Agroforestry

 Grant Rates
(excluding fencing)
€/ha		 Annual Premium
Payments
€/ha		 Number of Premiums
for Non-Farmers		 Number of Premiums
for Farmers
FT8 Silvopastoral systems €8,555 €1,170 10 10

Additional support measures

  • A Fencing Grant ensures that newly established forests are fully protected from browsing animals.
  • An Environment Report Grant will be paid if a report from an ecologist or archaeologist is submitted.
  • Qualifying organic farmers may be eligible to draw down both Agroforestry supports, Direct Payment (e.g. BISS, CRISS) and Organic Farming Scheme payments (at the drystock rate) on the same land once the relevant scheme criteria involved are fully met.

Relevant publication

Further information