Teagasc Runs National Forestry Demonstrations
Issued 19 September, 2002
The growing importance of forestry as a major farm enterprise is reflected in six major demonstrations being run by Teagasc and the Forest Service between the 3rd and 17th October.
The demonstrations, which get underway at Doon, Co Limerick on Thursday, 3rd October, are aimed at bringing the most up-to-date information and technology on forestry to existing and potential tree growers.
Announcing details, Jim Reidy, National Forestry Development Officer with Teagasc, said that forestry has now become a mainstream farm enterprise.
"Currently there are over 14,000 landowners with a forestry enterprise. Forestry will soon be more prevalent on Irish farms than tillage and within the next decade the number of farms with tress is likely to be higher than those with dairy cows", he said.
Each of the six events will feature demonstrations and advice on economics, planting and management of forestry. The demonstration sites will be split into two separate areas, focusing on the needs of people getting started in forestry and those looking for expert guidance on critical management of established forests.
Farmers about to start, or thinking about starting, a forest enterprise will get full information on economics, grants and premium payments as well as important advice on planting methods and critical management practices during the first two years.
For those with established forests, there will be live demonstrations on thinning and pruning as well as information on the steps necessary to achieve certification standards.
Each demonstration runs from 11.00 am to 2.30 pm. Visitors are asked to travel to convening points where buses will transport them to the demonstration site. The following are the venues, dates and convening points:
Thursday, 3 October
Cappamore, Co. Limerick
Convene at Cappamore Community Centre -
3 miles off Limerick-Tipperary road
Monday, 7 October
Abbeyleix, Co. Laois
Convene at the Manor House Hotel, Abbbeyleix
Wednesday, 9 October
Killeshandra, Co. Cavan
Convene at Killeshandra Community Centre
Friday, 11 October
Ballintra, Co. Donegal
Convene at Ballintra Community Centre -
Just off Ballyshannon-Donegal road
Tuesday, 15 October
Freemount, Co. Cork,
Convene at Freemount Community Centre -
8 miles west of Charleville-Mallow road
Thursday, 17 October
Kilmovee, Co. Mayo
Convene at Kilmovee Community Centre -
5 miles east of Kilkelly-Charlestown Road
