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Joe Barry: If policy-makers want farmers to plant broadleaf forests, then they need to pay us properly

In the 1950s and ’60s, many Dutch and German farmers moved to Ireland, attracted by the low price of land and the availability of top-quality properties, especially in Meath and Kildare.

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‘Damage to young trees is too deer a price for wildlife visits’

Who would have ever thought that there would be problems with deer in the pasture lands of Meath?

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Joe Barry Opinion Ignore the protestors – why non-native trees are the future

We have been about as successful at keeping pests and diseases out of Ireland as the Gardaí have in preventing the import and sale of illegal drugs

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Joe Barry: 15 years ago I ‘built’ a log cabin in Leitrim in just three days before moving it to Meath. It’s still perfect

Fifteen years ago, I bought a log cabin and had it erected in woodland in Co Leitrim.

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Joe Barry: Why we should do everything we can to help our native birds

There is something magical about the sight of an owl hunting at dusk. Like the return each year of the swallows and house martins, it proves that we are doing at least a few things right in providing them with the necessities of life.

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Joe Barry: Why farmers are not planting forestry and what can be done about it

The Forest Service made a complaint recently regarding the numbers of farmers who are not proceeding with their grant of permission to plant trees.

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Joe Barry: We need to find the happy middle ground between intensive farming and rewilding

Rewilding farmland is fashionable. This controversial change of farming practice is just one of many proposed solutions to the disastrous decline in the numbers of farmland birds, mammals and insects.

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Make sure you diversify, and don’t rely on the value of your land for retirement

It is a while now since I became eligible for the State pension but I still have no intention of retiring from active involvement in my farm and forestry, along with a few other business interests.

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Joe Barry: We need action, not consultation — we are being crippled by political cop-out

It is almost 30 years since our new national afforestation scheme was launched. It was hugely successful, amazingly so compared it to the current appalling situation where farmers are struggling to get permits for planting, thinning and general management tasks.

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If we only plant native trees, we could end up with no woods at all

The arrival of Chalara fraxinea (Ash dieback) meant that much of the 70ac of ash we had planted 25 years ago has to be replaced.

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Back when you couldn't come in from the cold

A Romanian girl who is currently working in Ireland as a teacher was the subject of an article I read recently.

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Religious rituals retain their power in a secular age

While attending a funeral recently, I found myself musing on how uplifting and therapeutic the entire ceremony was.

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Opinion: Legalise cannabis and weed out the real criminals

After decades of dithering, the Government, with seemingly great reluctance, has finally legalised the use of medicinal cannabis.

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The rise of machines is not that far away

It is estimated that by 2030 computers will have become more intelligent than humans. Given the low standard of Dáil debates, you could be forgiven for thinking that this has already happened.

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It's a hard taskmaster but capitalism actually works

Farming is, yet again, in crisis. Now where did I hear that before?

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Analysis: New investment deal for forestry is welcome but the devil will be in the detail

Good news has been a scarce commodity in the agricultural sector in recent months but the announcement that the European Investment Bank, along with others, is to support a €200m investment in Irish forestry confirms that the industry here has finally come of age.

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An argument against draining rivers - 'Demanding ever more drainage is not the solution'

Here in the east of Ireland, we have been enjoying an unusually dry winter with relatively high temperatures.

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An interesting life through the eyes of a slave driver

Books on self-help and business management have always been popular and many of them make useful reading, but one I picked up recently comes from a very different angle.

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Life's negative conditions shouldn't rule our actions

It is only as we grow older that we understand fully the truth of the saying: "The more we know, the more we realise how little we know". We never stop learning and every day is a school day. Almost regardless of age, the career opportunities available nowadays are greater than ever, but how many make the most of them?

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Growing holly could be a lucrative resolution for 2017

They say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. That has never stopped me making New Year resolutions, however, even if many of my aspirations fail to reach fruition.

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We can't see wood for trees when it comes to thinnings

When viewing hardwood thinnings stacked ready for haulage at roadside, how often have you heard the statement "It's only fit for firewood".

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Opinion: 'We are starting to lose the run of ourselves yet again'

Christmas, with all the associated lunatic shopping, is now long over.

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'Even the pubs are shut, so where do you go for company?' - Why we should keep an eye out for the elderly this Christmas

A number of years ago I saw Michael when driving along one of the many byroads of Co Leitrim. He was walking slowly, with a stick in his right hand, and on his left shoulder he carried, with obvious difficulty, a large branch.

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Increasing numbers of city-based people seeking to buy forestry

Small outlying farms can be a hindrance as well as a help. Anyone who has to travel daily to check on livestock or move them to and from land that is perhaps 10 miles from their home farm will know what I mean.

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The value of broadleaves goes far beyond hard cash

Occasionally I find myself fortunate enough to attend an event that will remain in my memory for decades.

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Taking the broader view when it comes to trees...

During autumn and early winter broadleaved trees are a stunning sight.

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Opinion: Public sector has no right to hold country to ransom

We should hold yet another referendum to decide, for once and for all, who actually runs the country. Is it the Government or the trade unions?

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Why wood burning stoves beat out open fires on chilly nights

Winter is upon us so once again we have to contend with those long, cold, dark and damp nights that chill the bones unless we have a decent heating system installed to keep us warm.

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Sensible financial planning is worth its weight in gold

Young people are being constantly advised to save a portion of their income on a regular basis. This is, of course, wise and sensible as it can then grow into a worthwhile amount to use as a deposit on a house, a pension or just to provide security for those inevitable rainy days that affect most of us at some point in our lives.

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Literary account of city life makes farming attractive

Two books, both of them recollections of childhood during the 1940s and 50s, came my way recently.