New Scheme has Kilconnell Forestry Back in the Spotlight

By Peter Higgins, Teagasc B&T Drystock Advisor

With diversification being the order of the day to ensure rural farm incomes maintain some sense of stability, I tagged along with Teagasc forestry experts Noel Kennedy and Christian Fitzgerald on their most recent open day. We travelled to Kilconnell, Co. Galway to the farm of Michéal Nolan to discuss his recently sown native forest and older forests.

The title of the walk was “Native Forest Establishment and Young Conifer Forest Management”, it was held as part of the Spring Forest Walks 2024, an initiative lead by Teagasc in association with DAFM. Noel was accompanied by SWS Forester Colm Freyne. The aim of the series of walks is to invoke a refreshed enthusiasm in farm forestry including small scale forestry on farms with the introduction of the new Native Tree Area Scheme (NTA). Other topics covered were planning, establishment, management and licensing. The beauty of this farm walk was that there were three growth stages within walking distances of one and other – recently sown, established and ready for thinning.

Colm began the evening with a demo presenting the different species of saplings, so the level of knowledge required to show interest is minimal. The idea being driven home was “the right tree, in the right place, for the right reasons, with the right management”.

The first step any farmer or land owner who is interested in any of the 12 afforestation support options available under the afforestation scheme 2023-2027 should do is meet with either a registered forester or a forestry advisor. You will quickly ascertain whether the parcel being considered meets the eligibility criteria using GIS software, this is a mapping system that takes into consideration environmental and infrastructural criteria such as soil type, buffer zones from homes, watercourses, SAC’s, ESB/Gas lines as well as data from Bird Watch Ireland to name but a few. Step two would be to employ a registered forester to submit your application to the forest service. Socially over the years the land most recognised as being suitable for planting from a farmer’s point of view would be any wet or peat soil areas of the farm. However the modern take is only mineral soils and improved peat soils with less than 30cm of peat can be planted with most forest types. Improved peat soils with more than 30cm of peat can be only be planted with native forests (FT1, 2 & agroforestry). Only mineral soils can be planted for the NTA.

A new native forest (NFT1) will attract an afforestation grant of €6,744/ha. Plus a fencing grant and an annual premium of €1,103/ha. for 20 when farmers apply and for 15 years for non-farmers.

Aside from the fine detail the panel went into to explain the pros and cons of the recent schemes the day made for a fun evenings walk for all ages and levels of ability. Attendees included holiday makers from as far as Japan and Las Vegas. This level of international attraction from the general public is generally not seen at conventional farm walks too often which plays nicely on an available forestry option called ‘NeighbourWoods’. Under this measure a farmer would nurture a recreational forest which is open to the public. NeighbourWood attracts an afforestation grant of €10,200/ha plus a fencing grant and an annual premium of €1,142/ha for 20 years. With agri-tourism becoming a booming sector, with a number of glamping sites or farm shops appearing, this forestry option may prove as a local attraction to work well alongside alternate diversification initiatives at farm level.

Interested parties in developing such an attraction should attend a free management walk with Teagasc and registered foresters like Colm who kindly gave up his time and expertise to demonstrate control methods within the established forest. Demonstrations on the day included how to use a Diameter Breast Height (DBH) measuring tape which calculates the diameter of the tree using its circumference, this helps the landowner or forester plan when thinning will be required as the trees will begin to compete for resources. Another technique known as brashing, the removal of low branches up to 2m, was demonstrated to ensure the woods will remain open for passage or inspection. Farmers can be assured their forester will remain invested in their forest for the duration of their contract as the final 25% of their payment is not received until year 4 or 5. Under this contract they will replace missing trees, control vegetation, monitor and maintain boundary fencing and establish the forest to the DAFM standards.

Sowing rates are at 1000 trees/acre or one tree every 2m. The expectation is that between 5 and 10% of the saplings will fail for various reasons such as severe weather or livestock breaking in. Each bundle of saplings sown under any of these eligible schemes will have its own passport proving it is of required origin. To extend the sowing season into a warmer spring to allow foresters to either cope with workload or gain access to wetter land, saplings which have been stored in a chilled environment can be sown.

Unfortunately over recent years we have begun to face the reality that a lot of our native ash trees are suffering from ash dieback. Pre-empting further spread of disease is a challenge for DAFM at our ports and open border to the north. As a result of other existing spreading diseases, species such as larch are no longer being sown in Ireland. For more information on the recently announced €5,000/ha Climate Action Performance Payment for forests with Ash Dieback scheme announced by Minister of State Pippa Hackett, contact the Teagasc Forestry team.

These walks are promoted on the Teagasc forestry website and for anyone serious about considering implementing any of these actions on their farm, I would recommend booking a one to one consultation with a Teagasc forestry advisor.

2023-2027 Afforestation Scheme – Establishment Grants and Annual Premiums

For more information on 2023-2027 Afforestation Scheme, contact details for local Teagasc forestry advisers and all other aspects of forestry see www.teagasc.ie/forestry  

Photo: From left Colm Freyne SWS, Noel Kennedy Teagasc Forestry & Peter Higgins Teagasc Drystock