The Teagasc Forestry Development Department provides advice, training and research on farm forestry and related matters.
TEAGASC FORESTRY DEPARTMENT
The department employs a countrywide team of qualified foresters, who are on hand to give advice on a one-to-one basis, and provide training courses and field demonstrations. Teagasc also organises national and regional events and conferences, including the well-attended regional Talking Timber events, which started in 2012, and conferences such as the Producer Groups Conference -- Strength in Numbers held in Limerick Junction last September. Teagasc was instrumental in the formation of the emerging network of producer groups.
These groups are vitally important for knowledge sharing amongst owners and for the effective marketing of small wood lots. While these groups must establish themselves and find their own way, Teagasc is still closely involved with their development.
Forestry research projects currently include tree improvement and selection, facilitating the supply of wood chip from thinnings, and short rotation coppice systems.
This research is carried out both on Teagasc lands and on farm forestry sites throughout the country.