Forestry

'Planting broadleaf trees is a gift to the nation' 

I always enjoyed reading Joe Barry's articles in the Farming Independent, especially the stories about his own woodland.

Top hurley maker goes Dutch for ash supply 

The future supply of ash for hurleys is a "huge worry", the man who supplied most of the All-Ireland winning Clare team of 2013 has warned.

The crash of the ash - farmers left in limbo after ash dieback disease 

A decade ago, suckler farmer and civil engineer Derek McCabe decided on planting ash in the hope that forestry would provide a pension pot for his family.

GLAS scheme hasn't delivered on bird numbers claim conservationists 

GLAS has failed in increasing bird conservation in Ireland, Chair of the Curlew Task Force Alan Lauder has claimed.

Winter breaks records as the warmest ever 

With unseasonable sunshine, comfortable temperatures and very little snow or ice, this winter was far from typical.

Farmers warned they face penalties for illegally removing of hedgerows 

The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, has issued a strong reminder to farmers and advisors that hedgerows, trees in a line and drains/ditches are designated as landscape features under Good...

Farmers reminded of Nitrates Derogation deadline 

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is reminding farmers that 2019 Nitrates Derogation applications can now be submitted online. The closing date for applications is...

'10,000 aeroplanes to blame for climate change, not farmers'- Michael Healy-Rae 

The “10,000 aeroplanes in the sky” are to be blamed for climate change and not farmers, Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae has said,

Tax-free timber a key reason for forestry replanting obligation - Minister 

One of the main reasons behind the obligation to replant forestry is the tax-free status timber sales have, according to Minister Andrew Doyle.

March 'to be the month of many weathers' as Storm Freya hits with unexpected heavy snow 

March is set to be "the month of many weathers" as the cold and showery weather will continue after Storm Freya's unexpected snow showers.

Farmers say decision not to extend burning season could increase wild fire risk 

Disappointment has been expressed with last week's announcement by the Department of Heritage, Culture and the Gaeltacht, not to extend the...

Free weed-wiping service deemed great success in Northern Ireland 

The Ulster Farmers’ Union says the results from a weed-wiping project in Northern Ireland demonstrates the positive outcomes that can be achieved when public bodies and farmers work...

Balmy days: But unsettled weather set to sweep in 

Ireland's record-breaking February temperatures will continue today with the mercury to reach a high of 17C.

Lime sales surge as farmers make most of mild conditions 

A massive surge in lime sales has been reported since October as farmers have taken advantage of the mild autumn and winter to get product spread.

Gorse fires in February are started by humans, not climate change- Coillte Risk manager 

Humans start gorse fires in February, not climate change, Coillte Risk Manager Mick Power has said.

President Higgins questions environmental benefits of agricultural subsidies 

President Michael D Higgins has questioned whether agricultural subsidies have done enough to capture the goodwill of farmers to farm in a manner...

Lab-grown steak could be worse for climate than flatulent cattle - scientists 

Scientists and companies working to grow meat from animal cells will need to minimise energy use and avoid fossil fuels if claims that cultured...

Google unearthed: More of our hidden history is revealed by satellite pics 

The heatwave of last summer revealed a hidden treasure trove of ancient monuments across Ireland, satellite pictures reveal.

Ireland to be hotter than the French Riviera as temperatures set to reach 15C 

Ireland is set to prove warmer than the French Riviera by the weekend as a front of African and Mediterranean weather helps deliver an...

Creed resists calls for higher forestry payments to full-time farmers 

The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed has rejected call's for full-time farmers to receive higher forestry payments.

Microplastics in sewage sludge spread on land to come under microscope 

Research is intensifying on the impact of spreading sewage sludge on farmland in spreading microplastics into watercourses.

Catastrophic threat to world's ecosystems as farm pesticides 'driving insect extinction' 

Pesticide use is driving an "alarming" decline in the world's insects that could have a "catastrophic" impact on nature's ecosystems.

Alan Matthews: Our 'green' farming credentials are set to come under greater scrutiny 

Irish production of beef and milk is relatively carbon-efficient on a global scale, although our ranking within the European Union is less clear.

Farming's great growth dilemma - Can farmers maintain growth while delivering on climate action obligations? 

Last week's spat in the Dáil between Agriculture minister Michael Creed and Independent TD Mick...

Hopes of an early spring as temperatures to rise to 15C 

Spring is set to announce itself this week as temperatures are expected to rise to 15 degrees.

Storm Erik: Met Éireann issues Status Orange and Yellow weather warnings as gale force winds to hit 

Met Éireann has issued Status Orange and Yellow weather warnings for Ireland as Storm Erik is set to bring gale force winds.

Watch: 'Cold stores are absolutely jammed with beef' - Dail row as TD compares Irish agriculture to gas fracking 

Both the beef and dairy sector and the gas fracking sector are carbon emitting and have to be...

Putting down roots: how to get started in forestry 

Over the last two weeks, Teagasc ran it largest ever nationwide series of Forestry Advisory Clinics.

Forecasters warn of significant snow-fall as temperatures plunge to -5C 

Forecasters have warned that most part of the country will be hit by significant levels of snow from early today.

Forests are 'depressing places' and are leading to the closure of schools, Leitrim group claims 

Sitka spruce forests - made up of large, coniferous, evergreen trees - are “depressing places” which increase rural isolation and lead to the closure...

'Serious' snowfall on the way as mercury to plummet to -7C 

It's time to stock up on bread, milk and spuds once again as "serious snow" is expected in many parts of the country this week.

Government announces study as protest to take place over'misguided' forestry policy in Leitrim 

A major protest against the Government's forestry policy will be held outside the Dáil today.

Three agri-food companies named by EPA for failing to meet environmental standards 

Three agri-food companies have been named by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to meet environmental standards.

The big dry: Unprecedented 2018 weather revealed how vulnerable Ireland's water supply is - but what is being done to address it? 

Shane O'Loughlin is a dairy farmer from Aughrim, Co Wicklow. Every day he draws around 10,000...

Danger new climate change moves will be seen as anti-rural - Bruton 

In his strongest indication yet that the agriculture sector faces tougher climate change targets new Minister for Climate Action Richard Bruton admitted that there is a danger his plans will be seen as...

Commission to present 'new green architecture' for CAP to EU agri ministers 

The European Commission will present the new environment proposals set out in its post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform...

Debatable whether FoodWise and climate change targets are compatible- Jackie Cahill 

FoodWise 2025 production targets are becoming more incompatible with climate targets, Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill has said.

New deer fencing grant among measures to support biodiversity of Irish forests 

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Andrew Doyle today announced the opening of three new support measures to support...

Planning permission granted for huge 221ac solar farm in Wexford 

An Bord Pleanala has granted planning permission for a huge 221ac (89ha) solar farm in Wexford following a long running planning battle over the development.

EU Chemicals Agency proposes ban on deliberately added microplastics in fertiliser 

The EU Chemicals Agency ECHA on Friday proposed a ban on deliberately adding microplastics to products such as cosmetics, detergents and...

Met Eireann to increase coverage of climate change in farming forecast 

Met Eireann has plans to expand its coverage of Climate Change in its popular farming forecast which broadcasts on Sundays.

'Wet snow' on the way as freezing conditions hit overnight 

Flurries of sleet and "wet snow" are due to sweep in overnight as the thermometers drop below zero.

Ann Fitzgerald: 'Laying the roots for an exciting new venture in forestry' 

I'm delighted that we're starting 2019 on an energising note inside the farm gate, as we have just completed the planting of eight acres of forestry.

Department commences 2019 Forestry payments - €26m paid to almost 5,000 forest owners 

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has announced the commencement of the 2019 Forestry Premium payments totalling some...

Brexit anxiety reason for formation of new IBEC-led forestry group, say industry leaders 

Brexit anxiety was the catalyst that led to the formation of Forestry Industries Ireland (FII), a new trade association for the forestry and...

Feeding cows seaweed 'will not help in tackling global warming' 

Hopes that a seaweed additive to cattle feed could dramatically reduce Irish greenhouse gases have been dashed by Agriculture Minister Michael Creed.

Mostly dry weekend ahead to allow farmers make most of spreading season 

An overall dry outlook for the weekend should mean slurry and fertiliser spreading season should get off to a positive start, despite some rain forecast...

EU scientists investigating levels of chemical substances in cattle slurry and threat to water quality 

EU scientists have started investigating how chemical substances migrate from cattle manure to water.

UK farming chief calls for 'net zero' agriculture emissions by 2040 

British farmers must aim to effectively cut out all greenhouse gas emissions within the next two decades, according to the head of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).

‘It’s time to get tough with these people’ – Calls on councils to tackle post Christmas illegal dumping 

Local authorities to develop plans to address the annual increase in littering of the countryside that takes place post-Christmas, as people recklessly...

Teagasc launches one-on-one forestry clinics 

Teagasc is launching a series of one-on-one forestry clinics in January for farmers looking information about establishing forestry on their farm.