The annual timber marketing event for Teagasc, organised in cooperation with Forest Industries Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will take place on Tuesday, July 14, with the theme “Thinning conifers – adding values; controlling the outcomes”.

This year’s Talking Timber event will be presented online and will inform and support forest owners preparing to thin their conifer forests, grow quality timber and sell it.

“With more and more private forests reaching thinning stage and annual timber production from the sector forecasted to increase seven-fold to almost 3 million m³ by 2028, there are both challenges and opportunities to successfully bring this rapidly expanding timber resource to market,” according to Teagasc.

Teagasc forestry advisor Noel Kennedy said:

Thinning is an essential forest operation. It provides forest owners with an opportunity to grow healthy forests, earn money and produce top-quality logs that sawmills and timber processors desire.

“Second thinning marks the onset of commercial timber production and presents particular management challenges.”

He added: “At second thinning stage, owners need to ask the right questions and make the right decisions to maximise their forests’ potential quality and value.

“That means that before the harvesting operations start, owners need to know if their forest is ready for thinning, what the best way is to thin and how to retain control ensuring the best outcome.”

Dr. Nuala Ní Fhlatharta, head of the Teagasc forestry development department, explained this year’s format:

“The format for Virtual Talking Timber will comprise a series of short forest and sawmill videos followed by a live panel discussion.

Participants will then have the opportunity to have their questions answered in a live Q and A session. We very much encourage forest owners to ask questions and comment during this virtual event.

She concluded by saying: “We are really looking forward to forest owners joining us online and answering their questions on preparing for thinning, harvesting and selling timber.”