New forest-creation supports from Teagasc
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027, is open for new planting applications and provides excellent opportunities for farm forest creation. There have never been more planting options or stronger incentives available to support your objectives, including improving farm finances, enhancing the farm environment, and developing an excellent resource on the farm. Teagasc forestry staff are available to support you on your farm forestry journey.
The new forestry programme includes strong financial incentives for the variety of forest options available (called forest types), each with their own silvicultural, environmental, and practical objectives. There are planting options suitable for all farms, regardless of enterprise or scale. These include native woodland, agroforestry (combining farming and trees on the same land) and the more commercially focussed conifer and broadleaf options. There are also attractive options for planting smaller areas under the new Native Tree Area Scheme.
Whole farm planning
Advance planning is essential when considering a new forest enterprise. Teagasc forestry staff are available to provide comprehensive decision supports to farmers considering the forestry option with regard to your farm and family. Availing of Teagasc advice and adopting a whole-farm planning approach will support good decision making. This approach considers, in detail, how planting land can fit in with your farming enterprises, farm finances and how it interacts with farm schemes. In general, these interactions are very favourable.
Fitting in with your farming
Qualifying applicants can plant a forest and also claim the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) scheme payments in addition to receiving the annual forest premium. The Complementary Redistributive Support for Sustainability (CRISS) scheme is an annual decoupled payment, per eligible hectare, to farmers entitled to basic-income support. For eligible applicants, CRISS payment is available on the first 30 eligible hectares claimed. This can include eligible forestry.
A range of support options
The Teagasc Forestry Development Department provides a variety of support mechanisms for farmers who are considering a new forest venture, and for existing forest owners.
- You can arrange a consultation with your Teagasc forestry advisor, either face to face, by phone, or online. The forestry section of the Teagasc website
(www.teagasc.ie/forestry), is jam-packed with useful information, including technical advice, up-to-date, detailed information on forestry grants, research project updates, scientific publications, staff contact details and much more. - You can sign up for the Teagasc forestry e-newsletter and receive it directly by email. Teagasc Forestry eNews is free and is a great way to keep on top of the latest Irish forestry news, forestry grants, valuable forest management tips and much more.
- The Teagasc Forestry YouTube channel has almost 120 useful and informative videos.
- Teagasc’s various social media platforms are also a great way to keep in touch and to find out the latest forestry news.
Upcoming information meetings
Teagasc, in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is also organising a nationwide series of 20 public information meetings on the new Afforestation Scheme. These meetings, highlighting opportunities for new forest types, how they can have a significant role on your farm and their interactions with other farm schemes, will run between October 10-19, 2023.
Teagasc strongly encourages all considering forest creation options to attend and to get insights into new forestry grant structures that have been introduced and farm forest opportunities open to you.
For details of a forestry information meeting taking place near you, please see accompanying advert and log onto www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/events/.