There was huge interest in Teagasc’s Forestry and Energy Section at the Tullamore Show this year , according to its forestry adviser Liam Kelly.

The section, which incuded 28 trade stands and a specific Teagasc advise stand, was one of the major attractions at this year’s show. It showcased many facets of Ireland’s rapidly developing farm forestry and renewable energy sectors, including hi-tech machines and an array of indoor and outdoor exhibits.

Timber extraction machines, wood chippers, firewood processors and other wood processing equipment were on display, explained Liam Kelly, Forestry adviser with Teagasc.

“It was very successful. There was a notable increase in the number of farmers and businesspeople interested in the sector who are considering planting new ground and those managing their present holdings.”

Kelly has noted a growing interest in this sector. “Some 11 per cent of Ireland is forestry and half of that is privately owned. More than 7,000 trees are planted each year .In the 1990s there were 16-20,000 planted but we are not starting to see an upturn again.”

“The sector is growing. Many owners who planted 10/20 years ago  are now providing huge volumes of timber so it is coming full circle.”

Currently, the most challenging aspect of the sector is land availability, Kelly added. “In terms of Harvest 2020 and reaching the forestry goals outlined, the biggest challenge is the availability of land and land acquisition.”

Organisations and companies who were present at the Tullamore Show include:

Teagasc Forestry Development Department MDP Renewables Lets Talk Solar ForestSales.ie FD Forestry SWS Forestry Woodford Timber Products The Forestry Company Turboburn.co.uk Glebe Fabrications Ltd Forest and Tree Services Ltd Luke Philpott t/a Wonderbark Firebird Heating Solutions Ltd Crafty Creations NI Ltd Forestry Services Ltd Green Belt Ltd Midwestern Forestry Services Ltd Solaregy ltd Axe Biotech Boilers Ltd Kestrel Forestry Consultants Ltd Murphy Bros Ferns Ltd Forefront Energy Solutions