Occasionally, we receive calls from farmers and other landowners who are dissatisfied with the performance of their forests.

Their disappointment can be in the early years after the crop is established or at the end of the premium stage – now 15 years – when the owner expects revenue from thinnings or tending/thinning grants for broadleaves.

The results of poor forest performance can often be traced back to the early years in a forest’s life. This can manifest itself in below-average stocking, low yield and poor stem form.

To avoid an underperforming forest, regular inspection and corrective action needs to be taken throughout the growing cycle or crop rotation, but especially during the first four years to identify optimum stocking and plant health.

This is the crucial stage to ensure that the crop provides maximum revenue when it reaches production stage, and also to guarantee full grant and premium payments.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) provides 75% of grant aid to cover the cost of establishment.

This is released at year one when the forest is established, when all ground preparation, fencing and planting and other establishment operations are complete as outlined in Form 2 and accompanying maps.

At year four, the owner and registered forester (working as a forestry consultant or employed by a forestry company) complete Form 3, after inspecting the plantation.

The remaining 25% or maintenance grant is then paid by DAFM, providing the Forest Service inspector is happy that the forest is at a stage where it is properly established so that it can grow on to form a viable tree crop.

If the forest fails to reach the required standard, payment will be refused.

“Where remedial works are required, payment may be deferred pending completion and certification of the relevant works,” states DAFM.

Avoiding penalties

Plantation owners – mainly farmers – are ultimately responsible for the performance of their plantations and so will suffer financial penalties if the Forest Service inspector’s decision is to withhold grants and/or premiums, so how can a forest owner minimise this risk?

New owners of forests employ a forester or forestry company to carry out establishment and maintenance.

In most instances, the total grant is mandated to the forester who is legally responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the new forest up until year four.

Alternatively, the grant aid may be mandated to the forest owner. The forester and his contractors establish the forest, with the owner paying for forestry consultancy, contract work, plants and equipment.

In this scenario, the forester’s role is over once the planting is complete, with the owner taking responsibility for maintenance thereafter.

This works well for forest owners who have the expertise to carry out filling in (plant replacement), vegetation control and other maintenance work or are prepared to call in a forester for advice and/or a contractor when remedial work is required.

This approach requires regular monitoring and a hands-on approach to forest management by the owner. Where this is absent, the plantation is likely to suffer.

As a result, when year four comes round, a registered forester may not be in a position to sign Form 3.

Remedial work

The owner now faces an unspecified time without the final portion of the grant – as high as €1,400/ha depending on species – until remedial work is carried out, which at year four is likely to prove costly.

At this late stage, filling in and vegetation control extends the crop’s rotation. It can also extend the vegetation control period by up to three years.

The advice to farmers who are about to plant is to employ a registered forester to oversee all establishment and maintenance operations up to year four, unless they have the experience and expertise to manage their new plantations.

In Ireland, forest owners with this knowledge and skills, supported by producer groups are growing, but the majority of new forestry entrants need professional advice, especially during the high-risk establishment phase.

Des Johnson appointed to chair Forestry Appeals Committee

Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, announced the appointment of Des Johnson (pictured, left) as chair of the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) last Friday. Johnson replaces Bart Brady, the inaugural chair of FAC, who has retired.

FAC was established as an independent appeals body, under the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001, as amended. Based in the Agriculture Appeals Office (AAO), Portlaoise, the committee hears appeals from applicants or third parties who are dissatisfied with decisions made by the Minister on applications for licences for afforestation, tree felling, forest road works and aerial fertilisation.

Thanking Mr Brady “for his dedication and hard work”, Minister of State Andrew Doyle said: “I am pleased to welcome Des Johnson as chair of FAC. He has significant experience dealing with local authority planning appeals in An Bord Pleanála (ABP) and is ideally placed to take forward the work of FAC.”

Johnson was director of planning with ABP until 2015 and more recently he has been involved in consultancies with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, ABP and the Office of the Planning Regulator. This work included advising on the transposition of the EIA directive into Irish law.

Mike Glennon (centre) joint MD, Glennon Brothers, winners of the TTJ Softwood Trader of the Year Award with Tony Kelly, Lonza, award sponsors and Zoe Lyons, guest speaker.

Glennon Brothers win UK award

Glennon Brothers were outright winners of the prestigious Softwood Trader of the Year at a recent awards ceremony in London.

The award, promoted by Timber Trade Journal (TTJ), is regarded as the most coveted award in the UK timber processing industry.

Pictured: Mike Glennon (centre) joint MD, Glennon Brothers, winners of the TTJ Softwood Trader of the Year Award with Tony Kelly, Lonza, award sponsors and Zoe Lyons, guest speaker.