Almost 300 attend Talking Timber – Teagasc’s conifer timber marketing event

There was a huge interest in ‘Talking Timber 2022’ which was held on 25th October in Roscrea, County Tipperary and focused on Supplying Sustainable Timber Products.

With 25 trade stands representing different sectors of the forest industry, this event organised by Teagasc in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) offered a great opportunity to hear about current timber markets, view harvested logs and timber products, and also to network with many timber buyers and contractors.

Event organiser Liam Kelly, Teagasc Forestry Development Department, said; “I’m delighted that Talking Timber is back after two years as an ‘in-person event’. Hearing the busy networking sessions all around the room, demonstrated that there is a real need for forest owners to meet buyers in order to build confidence in selling timber from privately owned forests”.

During the discussions at the outdoor log and timber products display, Gerry Dolan from Glennon’s Sawmills and representing Forest Industries Ireland (FII) stressed the need to thin crops. He said; “Thinning will result in straighter trees and logs which offer much more timber use options, especially at the later thinning stage, or at final crop”.

Speakers at the indoor conference included Michael Somers, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer who stressed the importance of owners getting to know their forest and the importance of planning harvesting in time. He said; “The recent Teagasc publication ‘Harvesting and Selling Timber from Conifer Forests, a Step-by-Step Guide for Forest Owners’ is a simple, but detailed guide to optimising your valuable timber resource and is available to download on the Teagasc website”.

Dr Niall Farrelly, Teagasc Forestry Researcher underlined the timely thinning message by presenting his research findings on evaluating thinning strategies which improve the economics and timber quality of softwood plantations. His research shows that thinning provides a valuable income stream, and that appropriate increased thinning intensity can reduce the rotation length to achieve merchantable material.

Local forest owner, Pat Hennessy described his experience of planting, thinning, harvesting and replanting his forest, where he emphasised that planting land can in many cases, improve the sustainability and profitability of the farm.

Representing Forest Industries Ireland (FII), Des O Toole, described the many drivers that should lead to the switch of more timber being used in construction; reducing greenhouse gases, the projected increase in production of fibre, the desire to build off-site and the need for increased decarbonisation. He said; “We need to drive innovation to develop carbon sustainable timber building products and systems through training and education”.

Feedback from the event was very positive, with many attendees appreciating the opportunity to meet face-to-face with timber buyers, Teagasc and DAFM staff.