Talking Timber: where forest owners meet timber buyers

Teagasc's Forestry Development Department is running three timber marketing days “Talking Timber”, at which forest owners will have the opportunity to meet with timber buyers, harvesting contractors and foresters.

The first of these events will take place today, Wednesday 7 September, in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. The following two events will take place on:

• Thursday, 15 September, Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare
• Friday, 16 September, The Rose Hotel, Tralee, Co Kerry 

At these events, forest owners will find out how the timber sales process works and how to maximise timber value. These timber marketing events are organised by Teagasc with the co-operation of the Irish timber industry and the Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Nuala Ni Fhlatharta, Head of Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department explained the timber potential in Ireland: “The annual timber production from the private forestry sector is forecast to increase sevenfold, to almost three million cubic metres by 2028. This means that there are both challenges and opportunities for forest owners to get this rapidly expanding timber resource to market.”

Steven Meyen, Forestry Advisor with Teagasc, who is organising today’s event in Letterkenny, highlighted the need for private forest owners to focus on the production of quality timber: “Supply of quality timber will be essential for the Irish timber processing industry to expand existing markets and secure additional export market share. Producing quality logs is achieved through a range of measures from forest establishment through to final harvesting.”

Event outline:

Each event will start with an outdoor demonstration organised by the Irish Forestry and Forest Products Association (www.iffpa.ie) where participants will have the opportunity to view and compare the different timber assortments and quality required by Irish sawmills.

This outdoor demonstration will be followed by short indoor presentations from Teagasc, the Forest Service and speakers from the forest industry. For instance, one of these presentations will detail the different taxation implications for various timber sales options.

There will be ample networking opportunities as a number of companies and contractors will have a stand at these venues. This is a valuable opportunity for forest owners to meet with those buying and harvesting timber.

Registration commences at 9.30am and all events will run from 10am to 2pm. Further details are available from your local Teagasc office, your Teagasc Forestry Advisor or from www.teagasc.ie/forestry.