Forestry & Energy Review - Vol 2 Issue 2 Autumn/Winter 2012

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GROWING MISCANTHUS –A QUINNS SUCCESS >> SEE PAGE 26

TIMBER CERTIFICATION CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO?

THE COST & ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF WOODCHIP HEATING

>> SEE PAGE 30

>> SEE PAGE 44

Forestry&Energy Volume 2 Issue 2 Autumn/Winter 2012 Price €3.95. £2.95 (Stg)

R E V I E W

THE VOICE OF FORESTRY & RENEWABLE ENERGY

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Foreword/Contents/Credits

Forestry&Energy R E V I E W

Volume 2 Issue 2 Autumn/Winter 2012

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Foreword

30 TIMBER CERTIFICATION – CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO?

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elcome to the 4th Edition of Forestry and Energy Review Magazine.In this issue a number of key topics are explored in detail.

Firstly,Miscanthus,where Paddy O Toole, Quinns of Baltinglass makes the following relevant point among others.“Miscanthus is the only biomass crop which can be used directly from the field without any further processing costs incurred. Unlike willow and woodchip which must be dried before use,miscanthus is normally harvested at circa 22/25% moisture and when stored in big bales reduces naturally in moisture content by approximately 5% over a two month period.”

The Markets now demand Timber Certification, even though certification is a voluntary commitment and nobody is forced to join.There have already been occasions where Irish sawmills have been unable to take in any more uncertified timber. Steven Meyen of Teagasc offers an in depth analysis.

Until the 1980’s, valuation of forestry plantations was not really an issue as the vast majority was state owned.With the advent of private planting this has all changed as these plantations are now coming of age.There are some unusual features that apply only to forestry and these are set out in detail

by Paul Lafferty of www.ForestSales.ie We trust you enjoy reading this publication which will continue to provide a voice for the Forestry and Energy sectors.

You can also download this latest edition electronically to your computer,iPad and smartphone.

Simply type in the following url: www.selectmedialtd.com/feremag.html

Features Sawmills predict that private forest owners will require timber certification within a few years, writes Steven Meyen,Teagasc Forestry Development Department.

34 FOREST GROWTH AND CLIMATE Of all biome types, forests have the greatest potential for carbon (C) storage. Brian Tobin and Maarten Nieuwenhuis (UCD Forestry) reports.

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36 FORESTRY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL DEER POLICY Within the farming and forestry sectors there is also concern that unsustainable deer population levels will have adverse economic impacts on forestry and agriculture, writes Forest Service, Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

40 FOOD VS FUEL One of the great achievements of the past century has been the enormous expansion of food production, and the increase in variety which has wiped out starvation in advanced countries and has made huge advances towards it in poor countries.Anna Lane reports.

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42 FORESTRY VALUATIONS IN IRELAND Paul Lafferty owner of www.ForestSales.ie and principal of James Cleary and Sons discusses Forestry Valuations in Ireland.

48 EUCALYPTUS – HOME GROWN ENERGY SHORT ROTATION FORESTRY D-Plant Horticulture offers some practical advice on Eucalyptus.

Profiles 4 ASPEN – THE PROOF IS IN THE PERFORMANCE

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Relatively new to Ireland, but very well–established in Sweden and across Europe and America, Aspen Alkylate Petrol seems to offer a perfectly good alternative to regular petrol.

26 MISCANTHUS – A QUINNS SUCCESS Quinns of Baltinglass Ltd (estd 1936) are one of the biggest agricultural merchants in the country and firm promoters of Miscanthus, writes Paddy O' Toole.

Until the next time………

The Publishers Forestry & Energy Review

39 BIOEQUIPMENT LTD Bioequipment Ltd supplies the forestry and bioenergy industries with complete equipment and machinery resources and has a team of professionals with over 50 years experience.

Publishers: Denis Lane and Robert Heuston Enquiries: Editorial: Denis Lane Advertising: James Small Design: John Barrett Production: Emma Meade

Contributors: Paddy O' Toole, B.Agr.Sc,Agronomist with Quinns of Baltinglass Ltd.,Steven Meyen,Teagasc Forestry Development Department, Brian Tobin and Maarten Niewenhuis, UCD Forestry, The Forest Service, Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Anna Lane, Paul Lafferty (www.ForestSales.ie),Noel Gavigan, Irish BioEnergy Association.

Distribution: Easons, Newspread,WNS Published by: Select Media Ltd, 19 Clare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Tel. + 353 1 6622266 Fax. + 353 1 6624981 Email. info@selectmedialtd.com

All material contained in this edition is copyright of Forestry and Energy Review 2012 and may not be reproduced or electronically stored without the permission of the publisher. However items may be freely reproduced provided the source is acknowledged. Content and views expressed in the publication do not necessarily represent those of the publishers.

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

ASPEN – THE PROOF IS IN THE PERFORMANCE Do you know what using normal petrol in small machinery could be doing to your health? id you know that 1 modern lawnmower (4-speed) running on normal unleaded 95 octane (RON) petrol, emits just as much benzene per hour as 3 modern cars running on the same fuel? Did you know that 1 modern chainsaw running on normal 95 octane (RON) petrol is equivalent to 57 modern cars running on unleaded 95 Octane petrol?

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SHOCKING, ISN’T IT? Ordinary petrol, like what you use in your car, lawnmower, hedgetrimmer, tractor, chainsaw, strimmer etc, is produced through the refining of crude oil where various fractions are treated in different ways and then combined. Petrol is thus not a homogenous substance, but a mixture of several. Ordinary petrol, such as that purchased at petrol stations, actually contains around 100 different substances, all with different properties as regards performance, effect on health and environmental impact. Many components are extremely hazardous to humans and our environment.

Just some of the hazardous substances found in ordinary petrol include: Olefins – these react in the body and form substances that can cause cancer. Olefins are highly reactive and contribute to high concentrations of ground-level ozone or ‘smog’ as its more commonly known.Olefins also form resins and reduce the storage durability of fuel. only consists of around ten substances, and is therefore largely naturally free from the hazardous constituent components found in normal petrol.

Aspen contains virtually no harmful substances such as Benzene, aromatic hydrocarbons, polyaromatic hydrocarbons or olefins. It Aromatic Hydrocarbons – These can cause chronic nerve damage, comes in two forms,Aspen 2 and Aspen 4.Aspen 2 is a ready-mixed among other things. Aromatic Hydrocarbons also contribute to alkylate petrol for chainsaws, clearing saws, hedge-trimmers, ‘smog’ and becomes concentrated in living organisms. mopeds, strimmers and other land-based 2-stroke engines. Aspen 2 Sulphur – this substance contributes significantly to the acidification of improves machine performance and ensures a longer engine life.The cleaner petrol means a cleaner engine with fewer deposits. our lakes.

Benzene – this substance causes cancers such as leukaemia and is regarded as the most harmful single substance in petrol and exhaust gases. Benzene becomes concentrated in all living organisms.

“Relatively new in Ireland,but very well–established in Sweden and across Europe and America, Aspen Alkylate Petrol seems to offer a perfectly good alternative to regular petrol. According to research on the subject, Aspen Alkylate Petrol was initially developed for work health reasons in Sweden, where forestry and farming make up a large part of the countries primary sector” Ground-level ozone (smog) – this extremely aggressive toxic While ordinary petrol deteriorates in storage after 3 to 5 months, gas can reduce lung function and cause coughing, chest pains Aspen 2 can be stored for up to 5 years without any deterioration and breathing difficulties. Smog attacks forests and crops and may in quality whatsoever.Aspen 4 is an alkylate petrol for lawnmowers, rotary cultivators, snow blowers, boats and other 4-stroke engines. be the cause of tree death.

Aspen 4 keeps valves and pistons cleaner, which gives the engine When you take all of this into consideration, one might wonder a longer service life and greater operational reliability. Similar to why so many people still use regular petrol in their small machinery, Aspen 2, Aspen4 can be stored for a long time without any deterioration where they are breathing in the emissions of such a dangerous in quality. substance.

We all know how irritating it is when you want to start your The most recent advance in tackling this issue comes in the lawnmower that first time after the winter or summer and it form of Aspen Alkylate Petrol. Relatively new in Ireland, but very becomes incredibly difficult because the petrol has been lying well–established in Sweden and across Europe and America, dormant in the machine for a short period of time. Aspen Alkylate Aspen Alkylate Petrol seems to offer a perfectly good alternative Petrol retains its quality, making this process so much easier. to regular petrol. According to research on the subject, Aspen From our experience, anyone who has tried Aspen has never Alkylate Petrol was initially developed for work health reasons in looked back – Aside from the obvious benefits to your own health, Sweden, where forestry and farming make up a large part of the the benefits to the environment of using Aspen over ordinary petrol countries primary sector. will undoubtedly persuade you to give it a go!

Alkylate is produced synthetically from the clean gases released For further information on Aspen contact Liffey Distributers when refining crude oil.The result is a very clean petrol, which @ Tel: 01 8242600.

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS

TENDING TOWARDS QUALITY BROADLEAVES IN KERRY Some of the people who attended the Thinning of Broadleaves Event in Co. Kerry.This event was realised thanks to the co-operation between research and advisory staff of the Forestry Development Department.The event was organised in association with the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

ver 90 participants attended a National Demonstration of Broadleaf Thinning in Cordal, Castleisland, Co Kerry recently.

This event, organised and co-ordinated by Teagasc in conjunction with the Forest Service, took forest owners through essential steps involved in broadleaf thinning.

Timing is critical in broadleaf management.The first thinning in broadleaf forests (termed tending) readies the forest for future management operations. Participants at the event learned how tending removes less favoured stems that are competing with

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potential crop trees.This tending operation, when properly controlled and carried out at the appropriate time for the crop, is an essential element in the development of a quality and productive forest.

The key to successful broadleaf tending and thinning is to control the type, proportion and location of trees removed.This will ensure that the appropriate trees remain afterwards, according to Tom Houlihan, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer.“It is important in broadleaf tending that sufficient space is provided at crown and root level to allow the potential crop trees to respond and develop. Overthinning must also be avoided”, he added.

Dr Ian Short, a Teagasc Research Officer and principal researcher of the COFORD-funded B-SilvRD Project, demonstrated to forest owners the selection criteria for both potential crop trees and for selecting competing trees that need to be removed.This project has a strong focus on the transfer of research findings to forest owners, including the establishment of demonstration sites and the holding of demonstration days.

This event demonstrates once again the close collaboration between advisory and research staff within the Teagasc Forestry Development Department.

Forest owners attending the event were encouraged to become actively involved in the management of their forests to gain an awareness and knowledge of the operations involved. Participants were also taken through the steps involved in preparing for tending and thinning operations. The importance of adequate access, potential aid under the Woodland Improvement Scheme and felling licence requirements were highlighted by Ciaran Nugent, Forest Service Inspector.

LAUNCH OF THE

FUTURE TREES TRUST

inister of State Shane McEntee TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, together with Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA,Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland, formally launched the Future Trees Trust which is now a registered charity in both the UK and Ireland.

The Trust incorporates the work of the British and Irish Hardwoods Improvement Programme, which has been active for several years in selecting the best broadleaf trees to provide the next generation of forests.

It has over the years brought together many of Britain and Ireland's foremost experts in broadleaf tree improvement such as Teagasc Forestry researchers Dr Gerry Douglas and Dr Ellen O’Connor.

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Ministers Shane McEntee and Michelle O’Neill at the launch of the Future Trees Trust. Photograph: Cliff Mason

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS

Date for your Diary These are the events planned for the remainder of 2012.

Events are held in association with the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Have a look at the programme below and check back regularly on www.teagasc.ie/forestry for dates, contact and venue details.

Scan this QR code with your smartphone to view Teagasc Forestry 2012 events.

Date Event August 12 Teagasc Forestry at the Tullamore Show September 25-27 Teagasc Forestry at the Ploughing October 10 Tending and Thinning of Broadleaves November 8 Workshop for Forest Owner provisional date Groups TBC Small Scale Thinning and Harvesting

VISIT THE TEAGASC FORESTRY WEBSITE The Teagasc Forestry website now features a regular price survey of private roadside timber prices.

A nationwide contact list for timber buyers and harvesting contractors can also be accessed on this website.

The website also provides information on upcoming events (including travel directions), up to date and detailed info on forestry grant schemes, forestry staff contact details, details

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Location Tullamore Wexford Midlands Westmeath/ Longford TBC

on forestry courses, cutting edge forestry research info, contact details for Registered Foresters, etc.

Discover the Teagasc Forestry at the following website: www.teagasc.ie/forestry.

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TEAGASC FORESTRY E–NEWS

BY HAVING FORESTRY NEWS EMAILED DIRECTLY TO YOU Teagasc Forestry e–News is a new free email service provided by Teagasc’s Forestry

Development Department.This new service keeps subscribers informed by email of the latest forestry news, give details of upcoming forestry events and provide management tips. It also allows subscribers to access quickly and easily our popular PDF download section.

Visit the Teagasc Forestry website (www.teagasc.ie/forestry) where you can subscribe to this new free email service and have the latest forestry news emailed directly to you keeping you up to date.

Naturally enough, you can unsubscribe at any time.

TO FIND OUT MORE… Contact your local Forestry Development Officer, visit www.teagasc.ie/forestry or scan this QR code with your smartphone to find out more.You can also contact your local Teagasc office.

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS

TEAGASC/DAFM NATIONAL BIOENERGY CONFERENCE The annual National Bioenergy Conference, organised by Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, (DAFM) took place on Wednesday, 25th April,2012 in The Hodson Bay Hotel,Athlone.

Teagasc Bioenergy Specialist Barry Caslin said:“The introduction of sensible bioenergy policies ticks so many boxes in terms of greenhouse gas abatement, job creation, developing land use alternatives and energy security.To quote JFK;‘There are risks and costs to a programme of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction’; is very pertinent to the bioenergy sector as we have to create the right policy environment to make it happen and the clock is ticking!”

The recently announced REFIT lacks clarity in terms of what peat power stations will be able to offer long term farmer growers of biomass.At the conference, clarification was provided from businesses involved in bioenergy contracts such as Bord na Mona.

Funding options are available from Leader to help develop the bioenergy infrastructure and the Leader Networks delivered their thoughts on the bioenergy sector.

Combustion CHP (combined heat and power) and co-firing at our peat burning stations for electricity production is beginning to happen.The proposed tariffs will see Anaerobic Digestion (AD) struggle to achieve John O'Halloran (Bord na Mona), Frances McHugh (forestry development decent paybacks for purpose grown energy crops or grasses for digestion. officer with Teagasc and joint organiser of the Bioenergy Conference), A representative of Bord Gais discussed their plans and studies on Andreas Pilzecker (EU Commission), Chris Harmon (Beet Ireland), Joe Potter (Westmeath Leader Partnership) and Barry Caslin (Teagasc) at the biogas production.

Teagasc National Bioenergy Conference 2012 in association with the The liquid biofuel sector is an area which has not received the level of Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.The conference took place in the Hodson Bay Hotel,Athlone, Co Westmeath. support required to instil confidence in domestic producers of biofuels. he conference took place against a background where Ireland’s use This year’s conference heard about the plans of BEET Ireland to produce of biomass to meet its energy needs lags behind other European ethanol from sugar beet.

Teagasc Forestry Development Officer Frances McHugh said:“The private countries. Biomass accounts for less than 2% of Ireland’s total final energy consumption, whereas in the EU 27 biomass accounts for 11.6% forest sector will need on-going support to maximise its contribution to the bioenergy sector.Timely action is needed to underpin our indigenous of total final energy consumption.

Ireland has a target of 16% total final consumption from renewables by resources and help keep costs as low as possible for consumers and business”.

The conference finished with a panel discussion moderated by RTE’s 2020. Ireland is the last country in the EU to introduce elevated prices for renewable deployment such as Renewable Energy Feed in Tariffs Damien O’Reilly who posed the pertinent questions to Ireland’s main bioenergy supply chains and businesses.

(REFIT).

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS PALAX LAUNCHES NEW MURRAY TIMBER GROUP www.mtg.ie KS43S FIREWOOD PROCESSOR urray Timber Group (MTG) established by Paddy Murray in 1977 operates from two central locations, Ballygar, Co. Galway and Ballon, Co. Carlow. ● MTG to launch a new private timber programme managed by John Ryan, Forestry Manager who joined the company in 2011.John has an honours degree in Forestry Management and graduated from University of Central Lancashire. ● MTG have the flexibility and capability to offer a wide range of services to growers wishing to sell their timber and will always offer a fair commercial price to the grower. ● MTG purchases it’s timber standing or roadside depending on the grower’s requirements and preferences. ● MTG have invested in a new advertising unit and advertising campaign in general to attract increasing numbers of private growers and this programme was showcased at the Tullamore Show on Sunday, August 12th,2012 and at the National Ploughing Championships from September 25th–27th, 2012. ● MTG offer high levels of security when purchasing private timber: ● Provide Contract for each Private Sale – signed by both the Vender and John Ryan of MTG (as seen in this picture from a Private Sale in Mountbellew, Co. Galway). ● Provide docket boxes ● Provide forest dockets ● Operate a text system to inform owner haulier is on his way to the wood.

Please contact their forestry team on Tel. 090 6624688 or email: forestry@mtg.ie who will deal with your enquiry in a prompt professional manner.

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www.oakleafforestry.com

alax have recently launched the new KS43S professional firewood processor available from Oakleaf Forestry and it has been very warmly received by firewood producers all over Europe.The machine has a fully hydraulic joystick control system, meaning that operating the machine is physically undemanding and straightforward. It is a welcome addition to the range from the Finnish manufacturer known for its high standard of build quality and low maintenance requirements.

Among the machine's innovations, there is a drop plate that guides the chopped lengths of wood to the correct position for the splitting blade.

The Palax KS43S machine has a powerful crosscut saw with a 20" harvester guide bar and .325”chain.Wood-splitting begins automatically after the wood has been cut into lengths.The machine has a new patented three-speed cylinder, with up to 16 tonnes of force.A 4.3 m long hydraulic discharge conveyor stockpiles the processed firewood to large sacks or onto a pallet.The machine is completely hydraulically driven and operated and has no V–belts.

The KS43S is available as a tractor PTO operated machine or a tractor/3ph electrical combination machine.This coupled with the new Palax Midi log deck look set to be a very popular choice.

Oakleaf Forestry will be holding demonstration days over the coming months to give you the opportunity to see their range of products in action.

There will be used and ex-demo machines for sale on the day as well as a range of special offers.

For more details on these and other products visit the website www.oakleafforestry.com

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SEPTEMBER DEMO DAYS: FRIDAY 28th AND SATURDAY 29th.

Will be held at BRYAN HYNDS GARDEN MACHINERY 32 Dobbin Road, Portadown, BT62 4EY, Northern Ireland.

Also demonstrations by Stihl, Husqvarna, New Holland, Honda and many more.

FARMNAVIGATOR (IRELAND)

ontracting service, measuring land and within the forest using GPS. Maps can be overlaid on Google earth or printed as normal.

Available for sale is the Farmnavigator, which records GPS positions in forestry, soil sample positions. Records of business journeys can be kept using Logger.These units will also assist parallel spraying or planting without the use of foam markers or sighting poles.The Farmnavigator comes with satellite navigation for Ireland, UK and Europe.

The Ecocut Saw Horse provides a safe method of cutting small diameter timber lengths directly into a trailer or tractor front loader bucket using your own chainsaw. Most of the weight of the Chainsaw is carried by the Ecocut; the operator’s standing area is clear of timber and no more bending down to pick up cut timber.

For more information contact: Jack Bayly, Debsborough House, Ballinaclough, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Loc8 code: Q5N-15KF8, Tel: 067 34764, Mobile: 087 2687764 or via Email: debsboro@incite.ie

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS NEW FUELWOOD SPLITTA 400TM AUTOMATIC LOGSPLITTER GOOD NEWS FOR YOUR SPLITTING HEAD ACHE! www.fuelwood.co.uk

uelwood’s new automatic Splitta 400TM, designed and manufactured at their Warwickshire factory, revolutionises splitting 15cm (6”) to 33cm (13”) long rings, with diameters (height) of up to 40cm (16”).

Splitta’s unique feature is the ability to produce consistently split logsection sizes so that oversized logs are eliminated.The Fuelwood X–Blade design is key to ensuring this consistency and allows section sizes of between 1cm (1/4”) and 12.5cm (5”) thus producing high quality logs and kindling wood.

When Splitta 400TM is supplied with an infeed conveyor the machine so timber cranes and decks become essential and so the costs soar! can process half rounds and ‘chunks’ of timber typically produced by Tree Surgeons. The splitting process keeps the split logs in-line resulting Undoubtedly large processors have powerful splitters but as the UK in simple output that can be quickly and easily processed into nets, or firewood market demands smaller logs than our European neighbours, conveyed away using the elevator for bulk loads. Splitta 400TM is a often splitting large diameter timber on these large processors proves a highly efficient and highly productive machine, eliminating the need to splitting headache for UK producers with so much time spent re-splitting double-handle the product. For Tree Surgeons who typically need to oversized logs or removing large quantities of shattered or slithered process unwieldy timber rings, sawn on site to enable removal, it is an pieces. So why not consider a cost-effective machine that cures all ideal solution. Demonstrations repeatedly show the Splitta 400TM filling those headaches?

Fuelwood demonstrated Splitta 400TM and many of the other 1m3 bags with 8” logs in under 5mins.

Splitta 400TM is also ideal for those firewood producers with smaller machines that they manufacture and supply at the APF exhibition and firewood machines who wish to increase their processing capacity. they will also display at their woodland site Open Days on September 28th & 29th.

Larger capacity firewood machines have their benefits but upgrading For further information please contact Fuelwood for more from a small to medium sized processor is expensive and provides just details on Tel. 01926 484673 or visit www.fuelwood.co.uk one piece of equipment.Larger timber makes manual handing impossible,

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS McCAULEY WOOD FUELS TEAM UP WITH KESLA AND OAKLEAF FORESTRY TO GIVE THEIR BUSINESS A LIFT! www.oakleafforestry.com

innish company Kesla Oy manufactures trailers and loaders ranging from 7 tonnes to 15 tonnes, with a choice of 14 models, both drag and driven.They can be fitted with road legal kits for faster driving speeds on main roads.

Kesla loaders may be fitted as 3–point linkage or trailer mounted; both with hydraulic stabiliser legs and there are 12 models available with reaches from 5m to 8.5m with extending booms.The loaders are equipped with a wide–angle joint that improves loading in the immediate vicinity of the trailer and maintains the power of the transfer boom evenly over its entire working range.

McCauley Wood Fuels recently invested in a new Kesla 204T loader from Oakleaf Forestry in Co.Armagh for their firewood and biomass business based in Mohill, Co Leitrim and is very pleased with the impact it has had on their daily operation.

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“Overall, we’re very impressed with it. It has been a great addition; reducing operating cost as only one operator is needed and increasing output from the chipper as I’m able to keep it fed more consistently. I certainly wouldn’t go back to feeding the chipper with any other means. The controls are very intuitive and responsive to handle.

The tractor has remained totally unmodified, not a single cut or hole drilled, no hydraulics or electronics fiddled with either – so the tractor remains standard for other jobs or if we want to sell it on in the future.”

Kesla also manufacture a range of truck loaders, harvesting heads, chippers and stroke delimbers.

For further details on these and other products check out the following website www.oakleafforestry.com Tel: 0044 7977 210 592 Email: info@oakleafforestry.com SEPTEMBER DEMO DAYS: FRIDAY 28th AND SATURDAY 29th will be held at: BRYAN HYNDS GARDEN MACHINERY 32 Dobbin Road, Portadown, BT62 4EY, Northern Ireland.

Also demonstrations by Stihl, Husqvarna, New Holland, Honda and many more.

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS

NO CHAINSAW HEADACHE In most cases, forest air is fresh and clear.Anyone who works with a chainsaw in the forest will be more used to the smell of petrol – a smell that can cause headaches and nausea, and serious illness in the long term. Fill up with alkylate petrol and you, the environment and the chainsaw will all feel better! lkylate petrol is the cleanest form of petrol that man can produce. Ordinary petrol contains around 100 different substances, while alkylate petrol consists of only around 10.The most hazardous substances, such as benzene and other aromatic hydrocarbons, olefins and sulphur, are also contained in fairly negligible amounts in alkylate petrol – only 3% as compared to the levels in ordinary petrol.That explains why forestry workers who use alkylate petrol in their chainsaws don't suffer from headaches and nausea because of petrol fumes. Nor does the forest have to cope with quantities of environmentally harmful substances like benzene, which are not biodegradable but concentrate in the soil instead.

Using alkylate petrol for chainsaws has not always been the obvious thing to do. Roland Elmäng, who had professional experience from Volvo and BP, was the first to come up with the idea. He founded the Aspen company in 1988 and his motivation was precisely to improve the work environment for forestry workers.

Today, Aspen is a growing company employing 50 people, which produces and markets alkylate petrol in seventeen European countries and in Canada.

Since alkylate petrol is so clean, it helps keep engine valves, pistons and spark plugs free from deposits. Chainsaws therefore

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do not need to be serviced so often and their working life is extended.Yet another advantage is that alkylate petrol can be stored for considerably longer than ordinary petrol, while retaining its quality. If left standing for lengthy periods, it is recommended that the chainsaw's tank should be filled with alkylate petrol – it will then be easier to start when it is time to take it out again.

For more details on Aspen Alkylate Petrol, view the following website www.aspen.se or to find out where in Ireland you can purchase it, Tel: 01 824 2600.

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS INNOVATIVE ECO–KINDLING DYMAX LAUNCH BUSINESS FOR SALE NEW TREE SHEAR MODELS dare Green Energy are selling a new Eco–Kindling business.

Strawbriq Kindling is 100% Eco kindling used to aid the starting of open fires/stoves etc and is ready for its 2nd phase of business.

They are complementary to the briquettes like Strogs, Greenflame, coal, timber etc. Strawbriq is made from straw which is a by-product and there is no bonding agent added. Strawbriq Kindling is the only by– product in the market.They have carried out a consumer survey on the product and the feed back has been positive.

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FROM THIS SURVEY THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT: • No sparks from Strawbriq Kindling, unlike timber.

• Easy to use and quick to start the fire.

• Happy that it is 100% Eco Friendly By-product.

(Not taken up land for food production.)

• Value for money The STRAWBRIQ kindling briquette. It is 100% eco friendly and loved by consumers. What people say: “I know when I use the STRAWBRIQ I will have a fire in minutes” “The STRAWBRIQ is great, it lets me get on with other things at a busy time instead of spending time trying to get my fire going.”

It GUARANTEES consumers a fast fire with no sparks and it does not contain any additives. It is ideal for consumers who demand a fast and also convenient fire that is value for money.

For more information on the purchase of the business and the potential growth of Eco-Kindling contact Sean Dillon on: Mobile+353862419802 Email:sean@adaregreenenergy.ie

www.treeshears.co.uk

esponding to the worldwide growing demand for biomass harvesting, Dymax have updated their renowned range of Tree Shears to meet modern demands and remain ahead of the competition.

Changes included uprated hydraulics to the lighter 14” tree shears up to a complete redesign of the optional tilt design on 14”-20” models.The new tilt option increases effective tilt from 30 to 60 degrees and features a very robust slew ring.

Practicality Brown Ltd, European Distributor, exhibited the new models at the APF Show. Dymax Tree Shears allow you to safely and cheaply fell trees from 4” to 20” diameter and fit excavators from 5t to 30t, with the most common combination being a 14”Tree Shear on a 14t excavator.

For further information visit the following website www.treeshears.co.uk or Tel: 01295 690011.

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BE-GE FORESTRY SEAT’S – ARE YOU SITTING AND WORKING www.be-ge.co.uk COMFORTABLY? ary Shaw, Be-Ge Seating UK’s General Manager explains.

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“When choosing a driver’s seat for your forestry machine, you want the best seat available, it’s your working office and you spend long hours working remotely in arduous environments” We are the World’s oldest manufacturer of suspended driver seats and our experience over the years has produced a seat that not only offers maximum comfort, but it’s also reliable and built to last.

Nothing makes me more proud of our company than seeing a 20 year old forestry machine with its original Be-Ge seat fitted and more importantly the fact that you can still get spares and replacement cushions from us for the seat.

We see the seat as the one unit in the vehicle that is the direct interface between the driver and the rest of the machine, the correct seat offers the most satisfaction from drivers in terms of operation, working functionality and comfort.

That’s why when you buy a seat from us, you buy “More than a Seat” it’s an occupational health tool, that will give you years of service backed up with after sales support from a company that really is passionate about its products.

For further information contact: Be-Ge Seating UK Ltd. Unit 3, The Fulcrum, Lows Lane, Stanton, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 4QU. Tel +44 844 8000558 Fax +44 844 8000559.

Website: www.be-ge.co.uk

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS

KEARNEY TRAINING & CONSULTANCY (KTC SAFETY) LTD MOVING FORWARD WITH NEW FORESTRY COURSES www.ktcsafety.ie TC have added a number of City & Guilds NPTC courses to their Forestry range which already included: Chainsaw CS30, CS31 CS32, CS34, CS35,Timber Forwarder & Timber Harvester but are now delighted to announce that they can offer: G CS47 – Chainsaw from a MEWP G CS48 – Powered Pole Pruner (Polesaw) G CS43 – Felling Utility Poles G Pesticides PA1, PA2 & PA6 G ATV’s G Strimmers & Brushcutters G Hand Held Hedge Trimmer The Kearney’s have been in the training sector for over the last decade and have the background in the Forestry Industry as Patrick (Noel), James, Philip & David are 2nd generation chainsaw/ machine operators, so expanding KTC’s forestry courses range with City & Guilds NPTC was a natural progression.

Also in the very near future KTC will be adding some new members to their team who have over 16 years experience in tree climbing giving KTC the ability to offer: For further information on any of the above courses or G CS38 – Climbing Trees & Performing Aerial Rescue to see their full range of courses visit the following website G CS39 – Operate a Chainsaw from a Rope & Harness www.ktcsafety.ie or contact David Jnr on Tel. 057–8646619.

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS SOFTRAK’S YOUNGER SISTER TOOLTRAK FROM LOGLOGIC www.loglogic.co.uk

he TOOLTRAK is a compact, low ground pressure rubber tracked tool carrier. This is available with front PTO and linkage for mounting a range of attachments including: mowers, mulchers, chippers,snow blowers,snow ploughs,bulldozers,winches and log rollers etc.With high tractive effort and a very low ground pressure combined with a powerful engine the Tooltrak is an extremely versatile machine for use in many sectors including: agriculture, nature conservation, forestry and highway maintenance. The ROPS cab comes with tinted glass,full height doors, soundproofing and front and rear halogen work lamps as standard.

With a full heating and ventilation system (optional air conditioning) and excellent visibility, stress free operation is ensured in all conditions.The front linkage and hydraulic PTO enable many operations to be carried out such as:mowing,mulching,snow ploughing and blowing and chipping etc.The 500 kg lift capacity means even heavy–duty mulchers can be fitted for tackling up to 40 mm scrub.The removable lower lift arms can be set for independent articulation to allow float on uneven terrain.The variable speed hydraulic PTO can supply full engine power with flows up to 100 l/min and pressures to 350 bar (depending on attachment, standard 250 bar). Connections are high pressure, easy clean, flat-faced couplings for quick attachment of hoses.The turbo diesel engine is allied to a servo control hydrostatic transmission system to give step less speed control with full automatic braking.The single hydraulic joystick control allows exceptionally smooth control of all the transmission system.

For further information contact: Loglogic, Peverstone, Cullompton, Devon EX15 1RW, UK. Tel: 0044 (0) 1884 83 99 99.

Email: graham@loglogic.co.uk. www.loglogic.co.uk

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WESTERN FORESTRY CO-OPERATIVE CO–OPERATIVE FARM FORESTRY airy Co–operatives along the western seaboard have been promoting

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“Forestry on the Farm”for over 30 years. Collectively they formed the Western Forestry Co–operative to ensure that farm forestry developed in a way that best suited their farmer members. The 3000 farmers, whose land was planted by the co–operatives, or under its direction, will testify to the benefits received from adopting the co-operative approach.

Having evolved from a strong agriculture heritage,Western Forestry Co–operative has always directed farmers to examine the benefits of forestry in terms of the overall farm plan. In terms of faming today,its knowledge and understanding of Area Aid, SFP, REPs and other schemes is essential in guiding farmers towards maximum benefits when contemplating forestry on the farm.

The Co–operative approach is service driven rather than profit motivated.

Its support and services are not just at the time of establishment but persist right throughout the growing rotation.Many farmers who were encouraged by the Society to plant part of the farm in the 90’s are now relying on it to organise its thinnings and marketing programme. As in other aspects of forestry, farmers have little experience or tradition in selling timber.

Accordingly independent planning and organisation of the co–operative in this area is essential for many farmers. Co–operation has shaped the development of Irish farming for well over 100 years. The current success of the Western Forestry Co–operative in supporting farm forestry in western counties is one of the latest in this long line of co–operative achievements.

For further information contact: Western Forestry Co-Operative Society Ltd., ICOS House, Finisklin Road, Sligo. Tel: 00353 71 9161458.

Fax: 00353 71 9161938 Email: westernforestrycoop@eircom.net

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS DERMOT CASEY TREE SERVICES ROOTS FIRMLY IN TREE CARE necessary for staff to update and www.dermotcasey.com

ermot Casey Tree Care is a family run business providing a Nationwide Service. The Head Office is in Mallow,Co.Cork with depots. in Cork, Kerry,Tipperary,Waterford & Limerick. In more recent times the Company has opened depots.in Clare,Galway & Dublin.

The company provides a professional service to a number of Irelands leading state & semi–state bodies as well as private landowners. The Company’s wide customer base includes, ESB Networks, Eircom and Bord Gais,Irish Rail,City and County Councils,Government Departments, The Office of Public Works, Hotels, Golf Clubs, Landscape Architects and Landscapers as well as 1000’s of private home owners.

The loyal customer base built up over the years is testament to the quality of service provided & many homeowners return year after year for their tree care needs.

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OUR SERVICES Among the extensive range of services provided are tree surgery, tree removal,tree pruning,tree trimming,mulching,shipping,crown reduction and stump grinding. The Company also carries out tree surveys and planning reports, bridge maintenance and site clearance.

OUR EQUIPMENT Constantly upgrading their equipment and fleet Dermot Casey Tree Care were the first company in Ireland to introduce insulated platform equipment for working safely around live power lines and the self propelled AHWI RT400 mulching machine which has been used on major infrastructure operations in the Country over the last decade as well as site clearance & land reclamation contracts for the forestry and agricultural sectors.

OUR STAFF The Company takes great pride in having the most competent, qualified staff in the industry. As the work is so specialised, it is

refresh their skills on an ongoing basis.

Staff are trained to the highest arboricultural and safety standards and use the most current methods and equipment.As the crews work Nationwide,all certification is checked and monitored by Supervisors and an In–house training programme for all employees ensures that all skills are up to date at all times. An In–house Safety Officer is also employed by the Company to carry out ongoing audits of crews, equipment checks and safety briefings.

TRAINING CENTRE It was this attention to the importance of training that led to the opening of an accredited forestry and arboricultural training facility. The training centre offers (ITA) integrated training and assessment courses or for a professional course an independent NPTC assessment is available.

The extensive range of courses varying from 1–day basic chainsaw maintenance to specialist arboricultural and equipment & machinery courses as well as refresher courses and tailor made courses. Courses can be tailor made to suit individual or groups particular needs.

CHALLENGING TIMES In the economic downturn, the Company recognises the need to be competitive, without compromising on quality and service. Stronger management has ensured that the Company is growing through these challenging times. Health & Safety is always a necessity and customer satisfaction a priority.

For further information visit www.dermotcasey.com or Telephone Call Save 1850 330 000 or by email: treecare@dermotcasey.com

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS

NEW PRODUCTS FROM MARSHALL ENGINEERING www.marshalllogging.co.uk

arshall Agricultural Engineering used the 2012 APF exhibition at Ragley Hall to launch some new products. Binderberger are already well known for their automatic firewood production machinery, log splitters, saws and conveyors.They now have a full line–up of timber trailers with models from 5 – 16 tonnes capacity and a cranes from 4m reach to 9m reach.Alternative interchangeable bodies including a tipping chip container and a flat machinery/big bale platform are available making them more versatile. A hook loader version is now also being produced, suitable for using roll on roll off skips. A folding ‘Z’ crane range is now also available from Binderberger.

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Serra sawmills from Germany offer quality, speed and accuracy as well as superior log handling systems.The new Serra Bavaria SE135 sawmill features a unique main frame design and technological improvements for better productivity.This is a professional sawmill for the professional sawmiller.

Gierkink felling grapples are now being imported by Marshalls.

This unique grapple can be used on any crane (including truck cranes). It can rotate continiously in any direction and can fell trees at any for clearance or for wood fuel.It has a patented valve system which enables it to work without needing additional hoses or cables.

Gierkink have also developed a compact quick hitch connector to fit between a rotator and any attachment, e.g, a timber grapple or clamshell bucket.

Also shown working was the Westtech C350 tree shear, one of a family of tree shears ranging from a 15cm capacity C150 unit for crane or excavator mounting through to the C550 for mounting on a 20 tonne excavator.These are ideal for working on river banks etc as they are offset to the left which give the machine operator a clear view of the tree limb he is removing.

New winch models from KRPan were also on display. They now offer 8 tonne and 10 tonne double drum winches in addition to the standard single drum 3pt linkage models with 3–9 tonne pulling capacities.

New options for the Vahva Jussi range of small timber trailers and cranes were also shown.A removeable tipping body, earth augers, clam shell bucket, energy grapple and frame extensions are now available adding more versatility to these useful little forwarding trailers.

For further information contact: Marshall Agricultural Engineering, Tel. + 44(0)2820732700 or Tel. + 44 (0)1892770788. www.marshalllogging.co.uk

WFQA CERTIFIED WOOD FUEL PRODUCERS AT THE NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS www.wfqa.ie

inister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Shane McEntee,T.D, will present certificates of compliance to the latest WFQA certified wood fuel producers at the National Ploughing Championships.

The Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme (WFQA) applies to Wood Logs,Wood Briquettes,Wood Pellets and Wood Chip.Wood fuel products with the WFQA label assures the consumer that the wood fuel is G Carbon Neutral G Sourced from Sustainably Managed Forests G Compliant with relevant Irish and EU standards G Independently tested and certified in Ireland.

The Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme is based on a National Workshop Agreement (NWA4), developed by a representative group of wood fuel industry members, in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM); Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI); National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI); Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT); and Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA)

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THE COMPANIES WHO WILL RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATION ARE AS FOLLOWS: Red Squirrel Logs Ltd. distributes packaged logs to the domestic market place and is presenting to the market a consistent,easy to handle variety of timber fuels at low moisture contents. Red Squirrel Logs is ideally situated to provide and source timber for this increasing fuel market through Forestry Services Ltd. large portfolio of existing clients.

Red Squirrel Logs Ltd, Carrigeen, Clonoulty, Cashel, Co Tipperary. Tel. 050 442800/087 2054399 Email: info@forestryservices.ie. www.forestryservices.ie

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Worrell Harvesting Ltd is a family run business and is involved in forestry for the last 20 years.They use the latest and most technologically advanced harvesters capable of handling large or small quantities on any terrain. Worrell contract for some of the largest sawmills in the country, and offer a national and international service.

Worrell Woodchip Limited, Ballybrittas, Co. Laois Tel: 045 529574. Email. info@worrellharvesting.ie www.worrellharvesting.ie Clare Wood Chip supply quality wood chips for industrial and domestic boilers, and can be supplied to individual boiler specification for both moisture content & particle size. Wood is continuously being purchased from local farmers after harvesting and being dried on a continuous basis to reduce the moisture content and maximise energy sourced from the wood.

Clare Wood Chip Limited, Flagmount, Feakle, Co Clare Tel. 061 925891/086-6993146 Email. pmoloney06@eircom.net. www.clarewoodchip.com Aughrim Timber and Stake produce and supply wood chip.Timber is dried to the required moisture content then chipped and transported in 15-20 tonne quantities to clients through the Connaught region.The wood chip is monitored continually for particle size and moisture.

Aughrim Timber and Stake, Aughrim, Co Galway Tel: 0909 673718 / 087 9309601. Email. antohyde@eircom.net

Other companies certified under the scheme include: Forest Fuels Ltd.manufacturers of Hot Logs,Premium Kiln Dried Firewood www.hotlogs.ie. Rural Generation manufacturers of quality Wood chip www.ruralgeneration.com Look for the label For further information contact www.wfqa.ie

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GROWING MISCANTHUS

MISCANTHUS – A QUINNS SUCCESS Quinns of Baltinglass Ltd (estd 1936) is one of the biggest private agricultural merchants in the country with branches in Naas,Athy, Newbridge,Tullamore, Avoca, Milford and Edenderry, writes Paddy O’Toole.

t has been a feature of Quinns down through the years to embrace and test new trends and enterprises which are likely to have a positive effect on the agricultural industry.

Indeed it was Quinns who were the main promoters of oilseed rape production in the early ‘80s.

In 1999 Quinns secured the first and to date the biggest contract to reuse in agriculture all the treated biosolids from the Ringsend Waste Water Treatment Plant.The treated product called “Biofert” is in continuous demand by farmers for both grass, tillage and now energy crops.

In 2006 Quinns looked seriously at the potential of growing miscanthus as a biomass crop and now six years later are in a good position to make an honest assessment of the pros and cons of growing miscanthus.

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MISCANTHUS – A REAL RENEWABLE ENERGY ALTERNATIVE We all now realise that over the next few years a significant amount of fossil fuels will be replaced by a myriad of different sustainable energy sources.

The sea, the wind and the land are all potential sources of sustainable energy to fuel both the economic and social life of this country in the years to come.

Quinns of Baltinglass have spent the last 6 years assessing the potential contribution of miscanthus (commonly referred to as elephant grass) as a direct replacement for fossil fuels.

Energy Value of Miscanthus for Heating Purposes Miscanthus at 19% moisture content = 14gigajoules/tonne 1000ltrs of Heating Oil = 32.25gigajoules Therefore 1000 litres of heating oil maybe directly replaced with 2.3 tonnes of miscanthus at 19% moisture content.

Miscanthus delivered to an end-user in big bales (8’x 4’x3’ @ €100/tonne is costing the equivalent of 23c/ltr of heating oil.

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This represents a massive saving of more than 70c/ltr to the end user. It is therefore very worthwhile to have a much closer look at miscanthus.

MISCANTHUS – THE GROWERS’ PERSPECTIVE When miscanthus as a potential sustainable energy crop was initially promoted in Ireland 7 years ago it was genuinely believed that: Fertility status of the soil was not important – miscanthus would grow under almost any soil conditions and required no fertilisers etc.

Once planted and weed control looked after during the first growing season – the gate could be permanently closed!

Only rabbits or poor fencing could impede the inextricable march of miscanthus to attaining yields of circa 8 tonnes/ac (20 tonnes per ha) after five years.

The Kyoto Protocol and European Legislation introduced to address global warming and the damage to the ozone layer would

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GROWING MISCANTHUS ensure a certain and continuous demand for energy crops like miscanthus.

Returns from tillage crops have been traditionally very variable and here was an opportunity to add another egg into the basket which would help reduce the ongoing risk that farming presents.

Harvesting of miscanthus takes place from mid–March to mid–April, with the same machinery used for harvesting maize and silage.

This again presents an added opportunity to agricultural contractors to get some extra work during a normally slack time.

THE GROWERS’ EXPERIENCE Invariably crops grown on good nutrient rich tillage soils produce the best yields. Crops grown in low fertility soils struggle to produce even modest yields.

Where crops are struggling weed competition is greatest and a serious contributor to the poor establishment of miscanthus.

Miscanthus planted after grass may look very promising during year 1 but often plant numbers are reduced by up to 50% in year 2.

This is normally due to wireworm damage and is most severe in very old pastures being ploughed for the first time in years.

During the winter of ’09 and ’10 we experienced temperatures as low as -15°C and frost damage was clearly evident where first and second year miscanthus were being established in known “frost pockets”.

“In 2006 Quinns looked seriously at the potential of growing miscanthus as a biomass crop and now six years later are in a good position to make an honest assessment of the pros and cons of growing miscanthus” Miscanthus is not a simple crop to grow and many crops around Presently, a price of €6.50/gigajoule (circa 90/tonne) is being the country have already been abandoned and ploughed up. paid for chipped miscanthus delivered to Edenderry at 20% m.c.

There are also crops which are yielding 15 to 20 tonnes/ha (20%m.c) Unlesss the crop is harvested in chipped form and transported and the growers are very pleased with the returns not withstanding a from within a 30 mile radius of Edenderry this market is economic suicide. poor market for the cane produced.

REFIT (Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff) recently introduced by the government was expected to give this whole market a welcome THE SUCCESSFUL WAY TO GROW MISCANTHUS shot in the arm with an increase in price of €2 to €3/gigajoule AND ALSO ACHIEVE YIELDS OF 15–20 TONNES/HA. being eagerly anticipated.

Use the best and most fertile soils on your farm.

Another false dawn and to date everything seems to be in a ● If P and K levels are low, apply either chemical fertiliser or organic permanent stagnation phase! fertiliser to replenish. Potash is very important for good establishment of So much for REFIT and Government policy to promote sustainable miscanthus. energy alternatives to fossil fuels! ● Make sure scutch grass (Agropyron repens) is controlled before planting miscanthus rhizomes.

Local Markets ● Avoid wireworm infested permanent pasture ground as it is very The most logical and sensible way forward is to substitute fossil difficult to control wireworm damage adequately. fuels with miscanthus in the immediate area in which it is grown. ● Only use rhizomes which are between 3 and 5 years old, of A contract may be drawn up where a big local industrial end user known origin and have been in continuous cold storage from can be guaranteed continuity of supply at a fixed rate which will harvesting to time of planting. be at least 70% cheaper than fossil fuels. ● Increase the standard recommended seeding rate by 50%.

The grower in turn has a guaranteed market at a price which will ● Avoid potential frost pockets and do not plant in areas which ensure an average annual gross margin/ha way above any other are more than 600ft above sea level. farming enterprise. ● Use a planter which will do the very best job at producing an even plant stand.

Economics of Growing Miscanthus ● Ensure weed control is adequately addressed until the crop is Cost of supply of Rhizomes & Planting €2500/ha fully–established.

Cost of Land Preparation to Include ploughing, tilling, spraying etc €300/ha MARKETS Average cost of Weed Control/an (3yrs) €30/ha Power Stations Total Cost €2,830/ha Edenderry Power Station has an annual requirement for circa 200,000 tonnes of Biomass to replace peat over the next couple of years.

Government Grant Aid Available €1,300/ha Due to the chlorine content of miscanthus (0.1 to 0.3ppm) and the sensitivity of the co-firing plant at Edenderry there is only a Nett cost of growing miscanthus €1,530/ha requirement for up to 40,000 tonnes of miscanthus annually.

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It is important to understand that once miscanthus is fully established it will yield consistently well for at least 20 to 25 years without having to be replanted.This not only represents a major bonus to the grower but it is also a major bonus to the environment as miscanthus is in itself a very significant contributor to the sequestration of Carbon from the atmosphere.

PROJECTED YIELDS FROM MISCANTHUS

There are a number of different specially designed boilers which successfully use 100% miscanthus. A new burner was recently installed at Johnstown Castle to demonstrate the suitability of miscanthus to replace heating oil.This new burner is in continuous use and is to everyone’s satisfaction with very little ash being produced.

Miscanthus is the only biomass crop which can be used directly from the field without any further processing costs incurred.

Unlike willow and woodchip which must be dried before use, miscanthus is normally harvested at circa 22/25% m.c. and when stored in the big bales will naturally further reduce in moisture by circa 5% over a 2 month period.

Yr 1 Nil Yr 2 2.5 to 5 tonnes/ha Yr 3 7.5 to 10 tonnes/ha Yr 4 10 to 12.5 tonnes/ha THE FUTURE OF MISCANTHUS Yr 5 12.5 to 20 tonnes/ha The Government must crack the whip with respect to the Cost of Harvesting into Round Bales €20/€25/tonne Yes it is possible to grow miscanthus, make lots of money, improve implementation of REFIT ensuring that an economically viable the environment, and add very significantly in reducing the energy price be paid for biomass sent to power stations – otherwise the replacement of fossil fuels with home grown biomass crops is costs in the local economy. already doomed to failure.

Quinns believe that there is a bright and prosperous future for 6 GOOD REASONS TO GROW MISCANTHUS miscanthus in Ireland.The very significant energy savings to local ● It can be your most profitable crop. industry must be recognised and exploited. County Enterprise ● 7 years of experience under Irish conditions and new technology Boards may provide grant aid to demonstrate this in key areas ensures realisation of true potential. around the country particularly where miscanthus is grown. ● Home grown seed rhizomes guarantee optimum vigour and Quinns have established a Centre of Excellence for miscanthus quicker establishment. on the farm of Tom and Patrick Nolan, Thornhill, Tullow. Here ● Bioenergy grant for 2013 already available with closing date you will see how to produce and process quality seed rhizomes 12th of October 2012. for commercial cane production.You will see also a 3 year old seed crop which will produce at least 12.5 tonnes/ha in the spring of ’13! Quinns are looking forward to having a big bale burner in place for the harvest of 2013 which should provide a compelling testimony to the type of savings which can be made.

Paddy O’Toole, B.Agr.Sc, Agronomist with Quinns of Baltinglass Ltd. whose main responsibility is in the area of new developments.

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TEAGASC FORESTRY

TIMBER CERTIFICATION

CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO? Sawmills predict that private forest owners will require timber certification within a few years, writes Steven Meyen, Teagasc Forestry Development Department.

It is gradually becoming more difficult for farmers to sell uncertified timber.

WHY CERTIFICATION?

BACKGROUND

Consumers are increasingly demanding that goods are produced in Growing public environmental awareness in the early nineties put the an environmentally responsible way. Markets respond to this demand rapidly disappearing tropical forests on the political agenda of the Earth by making various ‘eco’ claims.

Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.The Summit tried to reach an Certification is one way to prove that products come from well internationally binding agreement on sustainable forest management. managed forests; providing environmental, social and economic Regrettably,this didn’t happen.Instead,a non-binding document informally benefits. It re–assures (potential) consumers of the origin of wood referred to as the “Forest Principles”was produced at the Summit. used in timber products.

The failure of the participants of the Earth Summit to reach an Take a humble wooden spoon, for instance. How does a potential internationally binding agreement on sustainable forest management buyer know that this spoon is not made from illegally logged tropical led to several non–governmental organisations coming together and hardwood? Can the buyer believe the seller’s claim that the spoon is establishing a non–governmental, independent and internationally ‘eco-friendly’? How does the buyer know that local communities didn’t binding forest certification scheme.A year later the Forest Stewardship suffer because of the production of this spoon?

Council (FSC) was born.

Independently audited certification schemes aim to provide such This forest and timber certification scheme was led from the beginning assurances: where the wooden spoon came from, what forest by environmental NGOs.This sometimes led to disagreement with management has been implemented, etc.A certified wooden spoon forest owners – especially in Europe.European forest owners’organisations has a full paper trail leading back to the forest from which it came. were instrumental in setting up an alternative certification scheme a An independent organisation carries out an audit, and as a result, decade later: the Pan European Forest Certification Council (PEFC). will issue a certificate confirming that a forest is being managed in Its name has changed since to the Programme for the Endorsement accordance with a certain standard. of Forest Certification because of its rapid growth.

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DIFFERENT CERTIFICATION SCHEMES

The quality of forest management varies greatly in Ireland.

Certification can lead to an improvement in forest management and FSC and PEFC are not the only certification schemes in operation. will differentiate between 'good' and 'bad' management, providing Currently, there are more than fifty such certification schemes, quality economic, environmental and social benefits to the owner and the assurance schemes, standards, etc. in place globally. Some are operated wider community. along strict environmental criteria. Other schemes are being promoted Getting certification is less about additional paperwork and more by commercial timber interests such as the papermill industry. about being able to sell your timber.

The two best known schemes operating in Ireland are PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and FSC (Forest Stewardship HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? Council).

That’s the six million dollar question. Certification is expensive.

Each Standard has been developed nationally by a number of Costs are very variable and depend on acreage, number of forest ‘stakeholders’ affiliated to an economic, environmental or social group or chamber. Both schemes comply with an internationally owners involved, current management practices, external assistance required, accredited certification body retained, etc. agreed framework of standards.

There are a number of options for forest owners.The two main options are individual certification or group certification.

TYPES OF CERTIFICATION Individual certification can be for a single forest or for several When people refer to timber certification, two different processes forests with a single owner.The cost of individual certification is are involved. Forest Management (FM) certification aims to ensure likely to be very high, and therefore, restricted to very large forest that the management of a forest complies with certain rules and regulations from establishment to harvest.The second process aims owners. to track the timber once it leaves the forest until it ends up with the Group certification, on the other hand, can be organised for a number of forests owned by different people. Forest owners can customer.This is called Chain of Custody (CoC) certification and

“Certification can lead to an improvement in forest management and will differentiate between 'good' and 'bad' management, providing economic, environmental and social benefits to the owner and the wider community” follows the full production cycle as the timber is processed into a wide variety of products from firewood to construction timber, furniture and paper.

Currently, Coillte (www.coillte.ie), the Irish Forestry Unit Trust (www.iforut.ie) and An Grupa Dubh Dara (www.pfci.ie) have FM certification from FSC in Ireland while 80 Irish companies such as Bord na Mona, Munster Joinery and all major Irish sawmills hold a FSC CoC certificate.

Irish Forest Owner Groups can play an important role by acting as group certification manager on behalf of its members.

WE LIVE IN A CHANGING WORLD Markets now demand timber certification. Certification is a voluntary commitment and nobody is forced to join. However, at Teagasc’s nationwide Talking Timber events held during March, several representatives from Irish sawmills put it bluntly: get your timber certified. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Irish sawmills to sell uncertified timber.Although both FSC and PEFC allow 20–30% of uncertified timber, this option is gradually disappearing because of the rapid growth of private timber coming onto the market.

There have already been occasions where Irish sawmills have been unable to take in any more uncertified private timber.Talking Timber presentations can be viewed on the Teagasc Forestry website: www.teagasc.ie/forestry.

‘I NEED THIS LIKE A HOLE IN THE HEAD!’ Some forest owners may wonder why these additional requirements are needed: does Ireland not already have a highly regulated forest industry? The reality is that the markets now require independent certification. Certification schemes, such as PEFC and FSC, assist forest owners in demonstrating this commitment.

Certification also requires a very detailed management plan.This can generate additional benefits.A well thought-out management plan can focus management objectives which, in turn, usually lead to improved profitability and even new business ideas.

Sustainable forest management and certification can also lead to a better understanding between forest owners and consumers.

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TEAGASC FORESTRY

WHAT NEXT? It is important for forest owners to inform themselves as it is becoming increasingly difficult to sell uncertified timber on the market.

Discuss certification with your local Teagasc Forestry Development Officer.Ask the committee of your local Forest Owner Group to organise a talk on this topic – Forest Owner Groups may well play an important role here.

Check out the different certification schemes (see website details below) that are gradually becoming more accessible to forest owners in Ireland.

The message from Irish sawmills to private timber growers is clear: ‘if you want to sell your timber, it should be certified’. Can you afford not to?

SUMMARY: • Markets demand timber certification • There are currently three valid FM certificates (FSC) and 80 CoC certificates (FSC) in Ireland • Certification will become a necessity for many private forest owners within a few years • Group certification appears to be the way forward for Ireland’s 16,000 plus private forest owners • Teagasc-assisted Forest Owner Groups may well play a pivotal role in developing group certification models in Ireland • Further info: www.teagasc.ie/forestry

FURTHER READING AND WEBSITES OF INTEREST:

Markets demand certification: FSC and PEFC logos can be found on a wide range of products. Shown here is the contents page of the ITGA Yearbook 2012.

formally join the group, agreeing to implement the required levels of management in their forests.A group manager defines management requirements and monitors members’ performance.The group manager can provide support with the implementation and monitors compliance.

An external auditor checks the group manager and inspects a random number of group members.

This option may well be the way forward for small forest owners as certification costs are shared amongst many small forest owners.

It has been suggested by some that the cost of group certification may be in the range of €30-40/ha while others believe that (group) certification may add between €1 and €2 per tonne to the cost of harvesting timber. It remains to be seen if these figures will stand up to scrutiny as Ireland has no substantial experience of group certification yet.

Costs tend to be substantially lower in other parts of Europe where certification has become much more commonplace and where Forest Owner Associations tend to be much larger.

There are currently more than 25 Forest Owner Groups active in Ireland, set up and/or supported by Teagasc Forestry Development Officers. For contact details and location of these Forest Owner Groups, visit the Teagasc Forestry website: www.teagasc.ie/forestry.

New models are being investigated to facilitate the uptake of certification by small forest owners. FSC, for instance, is currently researching Forest Contractors (CeFCo) Certification by developing tools for certification of forestry contractors.

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• Teagasc Forestry Development Department www.teagasc.ie/forestry.

• FSC Ireland www.irishforestcertification.com • PEFC Ireland www.pefc.ie

FIVE STEPS TOWARDS CERTIFICATION: 1. Contact FSC and/or PEFC accredited certification bodies to familiarise yourself with the necessary requirements for certification.

The certification body will also need information from you so that they can formulate your certification requirements and provide you with a cost and time estimate for certification. Contact details of certification bodies are available from the FSC and PEFC websites.

2. Sign a contract with your chosen certification body after carefully reviewing the different quotes received.

3. A detailed certification audit takes place.The audit includes field visits, review of documentation and interviews.

4. The certification body will make its decision based on the data gathered during the detailed audit.

5. If the audit shows that you comply fully with the certification requirements then either an FSC or PEFC certificate will be issued.

If the audit reveals incomplete compliance then you can apply for another audit once the suggested changes in the initial audit report have been implemented.

Both PEFC and FSC certificates are valid for five years. The certification body will also conduct annual audits to verify continued compliance with the certification requirements.

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FOREST GROWTH & CLIMATE

THE IMPORTANCE OF LONG–TERM MONITORING OF FOREST GROWTH AND CLIMATE IN IRELAND Of all biome types, forests have the greatest potential for carbon (C) storage. Brian Tobin and Maarten Nieuwenhuis (UCD Forestry) reports.

Figure 1. Eddy covariance and micro meteorological instrumentation carried on the static tower (currently 30 m tall) at the Dooary research site.

A mobile mast, pulled behind either a jeep or a quad, was used to rove between sites, enabling measurements from up to three sites to be measured in the same year.

CARBIFOR AND CARBON RESEARCH IN IRELAND Forest carbon sequestration was the focus of work funded by onsequently, requirements for signatory countries for reporting COFORD (The Irish Council for Forest Research and Development) changes in emissions and C stocks to the International Panel on in the CARBiFOR project. Inter–comparisons of methodologies were Climate Change (IPCC) and United Nations Framework used to develop and improve inventory based estimates of forest C Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on greenhouse emissions sequestration, as well as providing a basis for fuller carbon stock associated with land use, land–use change and forestry (LULUCF) change reporting using a chronosequence (i.e. an age sequence) of and the Kyoto protocol have over the last decade placed heavy the most commonly occurring forest type in Ireland. Sitka spruce demands on environmental research in an attempt to mitigate some (Picea sitchensis (Bong.)

Carr.) is the most widely planted commercial of the more severe impacts of climate change.This has sparked a tree species and accounts for 52.3% (327,000 ha) of the total forest wash of policy driven research into sequestration capabilities of estate, as recorded by the national forest inventory published in 2007. many land-use types, and forestry in particular.

A combination of methodologies was used to investigate the The increase of the temperate region’s C sink in the last decade sequestration rates of sites afforested with Sitka spruce. An has been well reported, underlining the role played by forests in the ecosystem approach was used to examine stocks and fluxes between sequestration of significant quantities of atmospheric CO2, as well as the soil, tree and debris pools.

Biometric inventories of chronosequence it’s storage in ecosystem pools. Conversely however, forests are also sites were used in conjunction with biomass models to estimate tree strongly affected by climate change and extreme climatic events. biomass and carbon accumulation.

Soil and deadwood stocks were In fact, the ability of forests to sequester and store C also places a also examined, as were soil and tree respiration.

Eddy covariance burden on anthropogenic management systems. When there is a measurements from a tower at a core research site (Dooary, County greater amount of C in forest ecosystems globally than present in Laois) were used to estimate net ecosystem exchange which was the atmosphere, the responsibility of protecting such a vast store, compared with inventory based measurements.

Such intercomparisons which is anything but immune to the threat imposed by increasingly rapid changes to the climate, is considerable. Boundaries placed on were also used for an investigation into the uncertainties of C sequestration calculations.The work has been instrumental in providing estimates the natural world by an ever burgeoning requirement for space to of annual sequestration rates over the first Kyoto commitment period accommodate the living, feeding and employment of mankind’s growing population, have substantially reduced the potential for 2008–2012, as well as building national research expertise capacity.

In 2007 a second phase, CARBiFOR II (www.ucd.ie/carbifor,) was ecosystems to exploit natural and age-old migratory and adaptive initiated to extend the range of forest types, i.e. to include a greater strategies against changed environments.Trees, being long-lived range of species and soil types, but also to include management organisms, display far lower evolutionary rates than species with effects.

While adding to what will soon amount to decadal eddy shorter life cycles, and therefore require informed and sympathetic covariance and inventory datasets at the Dooary site (a Sitka spruce land management. stand on mineral soil, Figure 1), further chronosequences encompassing There is a danger that in the straitened financial circumstances that Sitka spruce on a peat soil and ash on mineral soil have been an almost global economic downturn and recession places upon investigated with the same suite of measurements.Augmentations to research funding and requirements, the sight of a bigger picture the data types have included a roving eddy covariance system should not be lost.While the mechanics of C storage credits, and the (Figure 2), as well as measurements of N2O and CH4 soil fluxes. minutiae of complex accounting systems attempting to satisfy every Although these aspects have not been fully completed yet, the aim is possible international circumstance, are important as mitigation to untangle the temporal effects of management from those of measures, the original intent and spirit can be lost. Essentially, climatic variability on ecosystem sequestration. Initial results prove adaptation is a process that should run concurrently with mitigation these two factors are difficult to separate. for maximum efficiency.

C

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FOREST GROWTH & CLIMATE changes. Because of the rapid nature of forest growth in Ireland (often in excess of 8 t C ha-1 yr -1), the significant afforestation programme in Ireland over the last two decades has resulted in the sequestration of a large quantity of atmospheric C. However, the management of this sink and forest resource has acquired a consequent responsibility. Increased efficiencies in C and other resource use and management will only be possible in the light of knowledge of the changing interactions between forests and climate.

The management of such a resource presents an opportunity for the Figure 3. Instruments carried on the mast are ideally situated to make a top-down combined use of remote sensing with inventory measurements to measurement of the effect of the forest’s presence on the gas concentration in the track and monitor land-use changes. Inventory approaches are vital atmosphere directly above it. The research station at Dooary combines the biometric for the calibration and validation of remotely sensed data, but LiDAR measurements of tree growth, forest floor and soil decay, as well as the climatic and satellite data also provide the potential to optimise stand-level conditions that condition their rates. measurements as well as to reduce uncertainty related to spatial A climate dependent impact of thinning on forest C–uptake was variation in up-scaling calculations. Stand-level standing volume and observed. Where an initial drop off was expected following a basal area has been estimated from NFI data and SPOT satellite imagery. thinning intervention,instead no significant effects on the sequestration In the future this technique will be invaluable for monitoring changes in rate were found. Higher air temperatures and solar radiation in the forest health and aboveground carbon mass. growing season following the thinning were responsible for an As pointed out by Hendrick at a recent EFI conference in Dublin (2009), immediate compensatory increase in photosynthesis by the forest research meets society’s needs only when it contributes to policy aims remaining trees.The effects of thinning on forest soil respiration and being met.

However, research also has a role in ensuring that goals of climatic factors on CWD respiration from abandoned logs have also been investigated.What these studies demonstrate is the value of the policy are well founded, and so research must inform policy makers (as well as practitioners) through scientific and timely communicated combination of long term biometric and flux data.With the availability of flux data, an immediate physiological response to specific climatic information. Recent proposals for program based funding for forest circumstances can be measured, which otherwise would have been research in Ireland are to be welcomed to ensure continued long–term masked by growth lags and the results of naturally adaptive tree monitoring of changes in climate and forest growth.This will also contribute to the maintenance and protection of the national research reactions in biometric data. Investigations into the impacts of such severe climatic extremes as flooding, early and late summer droughts, sector’s expertise.

What is still required, in addition to an exploration of the impacts and winter/spring snow and freezing periods are planned in of disturbances caused by management interventions (e.g. thinning anticipation of projected changes to the Irish climate. and clearfelling operations, but also less common management In one study investigating forest soil carbon stocks, it was found systems), as well as abiotic (fire and wind) and biotic factors on that afforestation resulted in no significant changes in soil carbon,

“An ecosystem approach was used to examine stocks and fluxes between the soil, tree and debris pools. Biometric inventories of chronosequence sites were used in conjunction with biomass models to estimate tree biomass and carbon accumulation” citing the high degree of uncertainty arising from a low sampling number. However such a result is not unexpected as the sites sampled only covered half the country. For the estimation of peat soil stocks, both peat depth and type were found to be significant factors. In a modelling exercise using afforestation rates and the dynamic carbon accounting model C-Flow, it was projected that the afforestation of peat soils resulted in net emissions of carbon, but this finding depended heavily on a range of assumptions regarding the rate of peat carbon loss. An earlier study demonstrated that losses due to afforestation of blanket peat soils could be compensated by carbon taken up by tree growth.The net carbon dynamics of forests growing on peat soils will be a challenge for future management in light of expected changes in climate and would appear to be a key area for combined growth and climate monitoring.

Ecological site classification has been used across the UK for assessing the suitability and yield potential of sites, and more recently for changes in suitability and yield due to projected changes in climate.This methodology was adapted for use in Ireland, resulting in a decision support system (http://82.165.27.141/climadapt_client/index.jsp). In an effort to investigate responses of forest tree species to climatic stresses, a methodology to investigate historic tree growth responses to specific and localised droughts from tree ring data, to inform future species–and site–specific forest management has also been developed.

greenhouse gas dynamics in forests, are adaptive management solutions. It will not be enough to explore the impact of severe climatic events and occurrences (e.g. flooding, fire, wind throw, pest spread and infestation etc.). For adaptation to be successful, a two– pronged approach will be required, to include mitigatory steps to reduce emissions and severity of impacts, side by side with adaptive strategies to increase sustainability and efficiency.

Therefore it is essential to maintain long–term forest monitoring datasets, in particular where both biometric and flux measurements can be directly associated with climatic factors (Figure 3). Adaptive management of the forest resource is required to maintain and develop the diversity of ecosystem goods and services relied upon,and increasingly demanded, by society, as well as to maintain the health and stability of forests which will be forced to change rapidly to adapt to the expected global alterations in climate (e.g. Figure 4).

An earlier version of this article was published in the Earthzine web-journal.

FUTURE

Figure 4. The winter of 2010 which brought unusually heavy snowfall throughout Ireland, following in close succession to the unusually cold conditions experienced the previous year, appeared to suggest an oscillation of winter climate away from the decade and more of mild weather Ireland had become accustomed to. Such variation in climate is predicted to increase dramatically in the coming decades and will place significant pressure on long lived organisms like trees to adapt to such change.

The challenge is not only to demonstrate how much atmospheric C can be sequestered (to this point the biometrically calculated stocks and stock changes have been essential) but how this can be maintained and best protected in anticipation of stark climatic

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THE FOREST SERVICE

FORESTRY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL DEER POLICY Within the farming and forestry sectors there is also concern that unsustainable deer population levels will have adverse economic impacts on forestry and agriculture,writes The Forest Service, Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

BACKGROUND: There are four species of deer known to live in the wild in Ireland – Red, Sika, Fallow and Muntjac, the last illegally introduced within the last decade – in addition to unknown populations of Red/ Sika hybrids. Unfortunately, overall numbers and geographic distribution of deer in Ireland is not comprehensively established.

Attempts have been made to compile data on deer distribution from known records and from Deer Hunting Licence returns from hunters and while this data has given some insight into the distribution of Red, Sika, Fallow and Hybrids, it can only reflect the partial distribution of all deer species in the absence of a systematic countrywide survey.

Nevertheless there is a considerable amount of evidence to suggest that deer populations of all species in Ireland have expanded in recent times. While this may be a welcome development in some areas, it has become a cause for concern in others. In Ireland, deer have no natural predators and the rising populations are perceived to be at unsustainable levels in some localities.

The potential for unmanaged wild deer populations to impact adversely on economic and conservation values of woodland and other habitats has been well documented internationally, and a firm policy response is required to ensure that adverse impacts

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arising from wild deer in Ireland can be effectively minimised, and deer populations sustainably managed within tolerable limits.

The expansion of all deer species populations in Ireland (estimated at approximately 300,000 animals) has also raised concerns about the potential negative impacts of large deer populations on priority conservation habitats and species as well as secondary impacts on priority conservation species. Within the farming and forestry sectors there is also concern that unsustainable deer population levels will have adverse economic impacts on forestry and agriculture.

INTER–AGENCY DEER POLICY GROUP: In order to address this problem, an Inter–Agency Deer Policy Group (IADPG) was established in July 2009 consisting of representatives from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, who have responsibility for wildlife matters in Ireland, the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Coillte Teoranta.The primary objective of the IADPG was to develop a Deer Management Policy Vision that could be agreed and delivered jointly by both Departments.

This objective was set out as follows in the Group’s Terms of Reference:‘To develop and maintain an integrated policy framework

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THE FOREST SERVICE for sustainable wild deer management in Ireland that fully reflects the desired economic, environmental and social values across relevant land use sectors in the Irish countryside and complies with existing legislative and policy requirements.’

In 2011, the Group produced a Draft Deer Management Policy Vision for public consultation. It considered that any Deer Management Policy Vision should enable ‘the sustainable management of wild deer populations in Ireland within tolerable population limits, towards ensuring that productive and ecological functions of affected land use sectors can be protected; and that the socio– economic potential of wild deer in Ireland can be maximised.

This will be achieved through the development of an effective deer management culture across all relevant land use sectors; and through the subsequent delivery of appropriately resourced deer management measures that conform to best practice overseas and comply with existing legislative and policy requirements’.

THE GROUP CONSIDERED THAT FOR A POLICY VISION TO BE SUCCESSFUL: Deer management measures must be integrated with existing policy and practice across the range of land use sectors concerned. ● Any deer management policy must facilitate and support applied research where wild deer are concerned, as a basis for further policy development and review. ● It is essential that existing legislative and policy provisions that relate to deer are reviewed and maintained in an up to date manner.

The Group went on to summarise the strategic principles that underpinned its Draft Deer Management Policy Vision under three headings: Environmental/conservation; Economy; and Social. ●

STRATEGIC PRINCIPLES Environmental/conservation Wild deer in Ireland will be managed in accordance with accepted international principles and standards of Sustainable Deer Management. ● Wild Deer are a valued part of the wider biodiversity of the Irish Countryside, however, the potential of deer populations to impact adversely on a range of biodiversity values must be fully recognised where protection of conservation habitats, and their dependent species are concerned. ● A national census of deer population distribution and densities must be carried out as a matter of urgency, and as an essential prerequisite to any deer management measures in the field, and to provide an indication of the required scale, extent and likely costs of such measures. A national deer census programme will provide the baseline against which the expansion of current populations can be observed, and by which policy performance can be evaluated over time. ● Deer management practice must take place across a range of spatial scales, corresponding with with deer ranging habits, and must take account of existing and desired land management objectives within these areas. ● The conservation requirements of our native Red Deer populations and the need to protect their genetic integrity must be balanced with the need to protect priority habitats and species in areas where these populations exist. Increased vigilance by relevant authorities in both Jurisdictions will be required to ensure that no further illegal introductions of exotic deer species take place onto the island of Ireland, and that existing populations of farmed and captive deer are managed in a secure and accountable fashion.

Economy Wild deer should be managed in a manner that contributes positively to the national economy. ● The cornerstone of any deer management policy shall be the minimisation of economic losses as a consequence of wild deer populations.These losses include damage to woodland, damage to agricultural crops, transmission of diseases to livestock and the financial consequences of road traffic accidents involving deer. ● Deer management policy measures shall aim to maximise the financial contribution of deer related products and services to both rural and national economies. ● Deer management policy and implementation measures should maximise cost effectiveness and where appropriate make use of existing systems and resources to minimise implementation costs.

Social Principles Wild deer should be managed in a sustainable manner, that is safe, humane, and ethically responsible, and that maximises the benefits of deer management to society. ● The identity of potential stakeholders/stakeholder groups concerned with deer in Ireland must be established as a prerequisite to policy development in consultation with these stakeholders. ● All relevant land use policies must take account of deer management issues. Best practice models for deer management in Ireland must be developed, in line with suitable examples abroad, and these models must in turn be integrated with existing best practice models across relevant land use sectors. ● There is a requirement for greatly improved education and awareness concerning deer management among land use professionals, and among the general public, which will in turn enable the implementation of deer management measures in the field. Long term development of deer management capacity in Ireland will require an appropriate accredited educational framework.This can be integrated with existing 3rd level and Continuous Professional Development programmes. ● Further measures are required to support and encourage the contribution of recreational hunters in achieving desired deer management objectives, and towards integrating recreational hunting activity within a structured deer management environment. ● In developing and implementing deer management measures,

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the welfare and humane treatment of deer populations shall be paramount. Management measures shall conform to international best practice and standards, and comply with existing national and EU legislation regarding animal welfare, food standards and human safety.

from IADPG. It is designed to address perceived research gaps where deer and land management issues are concerned and complements the earlier PLANFORBIO programme.A number of field days are planned in conjunction with the Society of Irish Foresters in order to improve understanding of deer management issues with foresters, forest managers and forest owners.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION An Information Briefing for stakeholders who participated in The Draft Deer Management Policy Vision was published during the consultation process will take place in September 2012 to the latter half of 2011 as part of an extensive public consultation outline progress since the completion of public consultation, and process with all the relevant stakeholders invited to respond with to discuss the way forward in developing and implementing a comments by November 2011. deer management strategy in conjunction with stakeholders.

“The potential for unmanaged wild deer populations to impact adversely on economic and conservation values of woodland and other habitats has been well documented internationally, and a firm policy response is required to ensure that adverse impacts arising from wild deer in Ireland can be effectively minimised, and deer populations sustainably managed within tolerable limit” A total of twenty seven submissions were received from stakeholders, individuals, companies and organisations representing farming, forestry, environmental and sporting interests.The consultation document and the various submissions can be viewed on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website at http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/forestservicegenerali nformation/draftpolicyvisionfordeermanagementinireland/ The various submissions received as part of that consultation exercise were reviewed in detail and an updated version of the Policy Vision document has been developed, taking into account the views of stakeholders in so far as possible.The revised Policy Vision document is still a draft, and a further round of final consultations with stakeholders is envisaged before the end of September 2012.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS In addition, a COFORD research programme, currently being conducted by UCC, has been developed based on recommendations

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

BIOEQUIPMENT LTD Bioequipment Ltd supplies the forestry and bioenergy industries with complete equipment and machinery resources. and has a team of professionals with over 50 years experience of supplying and supporting all forms of harvesting and processing machinery to a wide range of clients and challenging applications.

one of the secrets behind the outstanding lateral and longitudinal stability of the 1050H. Other assets are the low centre of gravity and the ideal load distribution in longitudinal direction.

Gremo 1050F forwarder is equipped with GreControl which allows the operator to modify a lot of functions depending on style of handling, type of crane and task.The compact size and high tractive ability allows this forwarder to outperform bigger competitors. Hence you have the possibility to reduce fuel consumption and further increase profits.

The Gremo 1350VT forwarder is equipped with variable speed hydrostatic transmission.This transmission allows the forwarder to run at 0-25 km/h without being interrupted by gear shift and with maximum pulling force. The crane pump is electronically controlled allowing operator to choose different flow rates at ioequipment that has secured the exclusive distribution pre-determined speed to suit different working tasks, boom types rights for premium suppliers such as Gremo, Fecon and and ways of driving.

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Fecon Bio-Harvester is a machine that simultaneously Fells, Chips, The product range offered by Bioequipment Ltd facilitates that and Collects Small Diameter Woody Biomass.The Bio–Harvester is harvesting and processing of the complete range of biomass products from virgin or residual sources in the most cost effective and also ideal for pre-commercial and commercial thinning applications, non-merchantable timber and brush.The FTX440 is also capable productive methods possible.

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The Gremo 1050H is a reliable harvester ideal for thinning and final cutting. The new engine, together with high performance hydraulic system produces sufficient hydraulic power for any imaginable situation.The automatically actuated bogie locks are

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FOOD VS FUEL

FOOD VS. FUEL

One of the great achievements of the past century has been the enormous expansion in food production, and the increase in variety which has wiped out starvation in advanced countries and has made huge advances towards it in poor countries. Anna Lane reports.

ince 1961, world population has increased 112 percent; meanwhile, global production is up 164 % for grains and almost 700% for meats.This is mainly as a result of a wider range of seed varieties, improved fertiliser, more mechanisation and better farm practices. In most developed countries food is so plentiful and inexpensive that obesity has become a major problem.

However the advances in reducing world hunger may now slow radically.The end of cheap food is how the Economist magazine recently described it. In recent times prices of basic grains (wheat, corn) and oilseeds (soybeans) have soared. Because these are feed grains in the production of meat, dairy and poultry, retail prices have also risen. Higher grocery prices obviously make it more difficult to achieve economic growth and low inflation simultaneously. However if higher food prices results in improved eating habits, they might actually have some benefits to wealthier societies. Where the negative consequences will become evident is in the poorer countries, in which increased prices threaten further hunger and malnutrition.

Many poor countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, are net grain importers, says the International Food Policy Research Institute. In some of these countries, the poorest of the poor spend 70% or more of their budgets on food.About a third of the population of sub–Saharan Africa is undernourished, according to the Food and

S

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.That proportion has barely changed since the early 1990s. High food prices make progress more difficult, thus increasing hunger.

The disturbing element is that the present increase in food prices doesn't seem to be temporary. One reason is growing prosperity in China, India, other Asian countries and Latin America, as people become richer, they improve their diets by eating more protein in the form of meat and dairy products.The demand for animal feed grains rises.This has been going on for years and, until recently, was met by the steady gains in agricultural output from improved technology and management.

It's the extra demand for grains to make biofuels, spurred heavily in the United States by government tax subsidies and fuel mandates, that has pushed prices dramatically higher. Since 2000, the share of the U.S. corn crop devoted to fuel production has increased to about 40 percent, and is still heading higher.

Dirk Niebel, German minister for international development and cooperation has recently made pleas for the percentage of food crops being sold for fuel to decrease in an attempt to decrease the cost of food.The minister also demanded a stop to the sales of gasoline mixed with ethanol, known in Germany as E10. He

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FOOD VS FUEL then reiterated a request made by Jose Graziano da Silva, director general of the World Food Organisation , who asked the US, where the drought has pushed corn production to its lowest in six years, to temporarily suspend its biofuel production.

However it seems that the cost of food and biofuel may not be related. Professor Harald von Witkze Professor for international agricultural trade at Humbolt University Berlin has stated that “yes food prices have increased by 100 percent over the past decade, however this is due to a number of factors, with only 10% due to the use of Arable land for the production of ethanol.

In fact the main cause of increasing food prices is the rising cost of energy.”

2007/08 spike.”A 2008 independent study by OECD also found that the impact of biofuels on food prices are much smaller then first anticipated.

Despite these facts however there seems to be an ever present discomfort with the idea of this large percentage of corn being sold to be used as biofuels.There are however alternatives such as biofuel from food byproducts and coproducts. Biofuels can also be produced from the waste byproducts of food-based agriculture (such as citrus peels or used vegetable oil) to manufacture an environmentally sustainable fuel supply, and reduce waste disposal cost. A growing percentage of U.S. biodiesel production is made from waste vegetable oil (recycled restaurant oils) and greases.

“Food vs. fuel is the dilemna regarding the risk of diverting farmland or crops for biofuels production to the detriment of the food supply on a global scale” So the debate is now turned. If by using these crops we create an alternative, cheaper form of energy which in turn causes a decrease in the cost of food, while also benefiting our environment, why decrease the amount of grain used in creating these fuels?

Surely in the long run it will prove to be more beneficial. It was also noteworthy that, particularly in the US, a lot of the land now being used to grow corn for fuel was not being used at all in the past, also that farmers have recently as a result of the growing cost of corn, increased their yields. So although the percentage of corn being used to make fuels has increased, so also has the volume of corn being grown in the first place.

A recent study also by the World Bank concluded that their previous studies may have overestimated the contribution of biofuel production, as “the effect of biofuels on food prices has not been as large as originally thought, but that the use of commodities by financial investors may have been partly responsible for the

There is also the proposed idea that only non-food crops be used for biofuel.This avoids direct competition for food such as corn and edible vegetable oil. However, as long as farmers are able to derive a greater profit by switching to biofuels, they will.The law of supply and demand predicts that if fewer farmers are producing food the price of food will rise.

Second generation biofuels use lignocellulosic raw material such as forest residues.Third generation biofuels (biofuel from algae) use non-edible raw materials sources that can be used for biodiesel and bio ethanol.

Food vs. fuel is the dilemna regarding the risk of diverting farmland or crops for biofuels production to the detriment of the food supply on a global scale.The "food or fuel" debate is international in scope, with valid arguments on all sides of the issue.There is disagreement about what is causing the issue, its significance and what can or should be done about it.

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FORESTRY VALUATIONS

FORESTRY VALUATIONS IN IRELAND Paul Lafferty owner of www.ForestSales.ie and principal of James Cleary and Sons discusses Forestry Valuations in Ireland.

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INTRODUCTION Valuers rarely performed the task of valuing forests in the Republic of Ireland until the 1980’s. This is because most forests planted in Ireland until then were owned by the State. Therefore forest property m3 was rarely transferred and so did not require a valuation for taxation or other purposes.

However, since the 1980’s there has been a large increase in private planting. Teagasc estimate that there are in excess of 14,000 private forest owners in the Republic of Ireland In the coming years, the Figure 1. Price (€) Average Volume Jan-Mar 2011 compared to valuing of forests will become more important.

Jan Mar 2012 (Source Irish Timer Growers)

PHYSICAL FACTORS TO CONSIDERED Location Forest property in general is no different from any other real property, in that the location of the property is very important, a forest in a good location is always more valuable than one a less desirable location as it may have alternative uses as well as its intrinsic use.

However, in respect of forest properties location must also be considered regarding the proximity to markets. A forest property located near a sawmill is likely to be more valuable than a similar property more remote from the sawmill as its products will cost less to transport to the sawmill.

MARKETS As with the value of any product, if there is a ready demand or market for a particular forest product, then the product is more valuable than one which does not have a ready market. Therefore, a forest plantation with a large volume of timber that there is no market for is likely to be less valuable than a similar volume plantation, with ready market. For example, currently in Ireland there is a ready market for Sitka spruce products, whereas it may be difficult to find a market for a large volume of another species, such as poplar.Also, timber prices fluctuate over time.

ECONOMIES OF SCALE.

Economies of scale are very important when valuing forest properties.

Road Infrastructure The road infrastructure surrounding a forest property is highly As already mentioned, machinery used in forestry is of a bulky nature and expensive to transport. Larger plantations have less overheads important when considering the value of that property. When valuing forest property it must be borne in mind that forest products per hectare than smaller plantations and therefore, smaller plantations are by nature heavy and bulky and require large machines to transport are less economical to manage. Consequently larger forest plantations to the market. A forest that must be accessed by roads and bridges, are likely to be more valuable on a per hectare basis than similar smaller plantations. which have weight restrictions, will incur more costs, as the roads and bridges may need to be upgraded to accommodate lorries.

FACTORS SPECIFIC TO FORESTRY Also some Local Authorities now insist on a contribution to the Covenants repair of roads leading to forests properties, which may have been Almost all forest plantations planted in the last 30 years, availed damaged by forest related traffic. Therefore, a forest with a good of afforestation grant provided by the Irish Government, and the infrastructure surrounding it and accessing it is likely to be more E.U. Under the terms of these schemes, all plantations must be valuable than one with a poor infrastructure. maintained for a period of, initially 10 years in the earlier schemes, and in the more recent schemes 20 years, after the date of planting.

Standing Volume The standing volume of a plantation is the amount of usable timber Furthermore, under the Forestry Act 1946 there is an obligation on growing in the plantation. In general, the more volume in a plantation forest owners, to apply for a felling licence when felling trees.A condition of the felling licence is to replant an area equivalent to the more valuable it is. However the form in which this volume is carried is important. If there is a large volume carried on a large number that which has been felled. This in effect means that once a piece of of trees, this means that the average tree size is smaller, than if a land is planted, it must always be kept as a forest. Furthermore there similar volume is carried on a low number of trees.This is important is no forest premium for land that has previously been forest. when bearing in mind the price:size relationship of forest products. Therefore, no premium will be paid on the second crop. Land that is The price size relationship between Jan to Mar 11 compared to Jan used for forestry is restricted to forestry for the foreseeable future. In property terms this is considered as a restrictive covenant as the use is to Mar 2012 (Irish Timber Growers Association, 2012) is shown in limited.

Figure 1. It must also be noted that the general timber prices available This poses the question: what is the current market value of a in the market will affect all forest valuations and a rise in timber piece of property that is confined to one use into the future? prices will lead to higher total forest values.

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FORESTRY VALUATIONS Premium Status Understanding premium payments is very important when valuing young forest plantations (plantations under the age of 20 years).

Different owners receive different levels of premium payments,depending on their status as either Farmer or Non Farmer.As these are guaranteed direct payments (subject only to good maintenance) they can greatly influence the value of the forest property. The effect of the premium on value is probably one of the most misunderstood factors when valuing a forest for a client who maybe considering selling a planation.

The effect of the non-farmer premium is fairly well understood in that the premium is less (about half) for a shorter period (15years) The effect of farmer and non farmer premia on net present value. Figure 3. Valuation of Yield Class 20 Sitka spruce Plantation In this case study a 10 hectare forest property planted in 2005 is examined.The forest is planted with Sitka spruce and Japanese larch.

It is clearly seen that as a crop becomes older it becomes more The non farmer rate of premium per hectare is €171.41 and the valuable. It can also be seen that the timber value of forest crops do farmer rate is €429.17, giving annual premium payments of €1714.10 not begin to appreciate until the crop reaches 20 years of age.Then and €4291.70 respectively. As the timber crop is the same in both the crop begins to appreciate in value rapidly as the log size increases cases, it is left out of the calculations.The non-farmer payments are and becomes more valuable.The increase in the crop value begins to for 15 years and the farmer payments are for 20 years. fall off as the price maximises at log size of around 1m3 and logs larger The discount rate used is 4.125% and reflects the fact that the than this do not get an increased price.

“The road infrastructure surrounding a forest property is highly important when considering the value of that property.When valuing forest property it must be borne in mind that forest products are by nature heavy and bulky and require large machines to transport to the market” payments are guaranteed subject only to maintenance and future timber prices are not an issue when analysing premium payments Figure 3. Present value of remaining Non-farmer and Farmer Premia for a 10 hectare Sitka Spruce and Japanese Larch plantation at a Discount rate of 4.125%

The effect of different yield class on the value of a forest property Yield class is a measure of the productivity over time of a species on a particular forest property The greater the yield class the more productive the plantation. However, different species have different yield classes. Yield class is a general method of rating young plantations, as it has implications for the future timber production in a plantation.

In general, the more productive land produces a higher yield class for any given species.

The results of the effect of different yield class are presented in Figure 4.

Figure 2. Present value of remaining Non-farmer and Farmer Premia for a 10 hectare Sitka Spruce and Japanese Larch plantation at a Discount rate of 4.125% It is clearly seen from Figure 2 that forests with farmer premium are more valuable than forests with non–farmer premium. In the first year the present value of farmer’s premium is three times more valuable than the non-farmer. It can also be seen that the value of the remaining premia in each case decreases with time. This can often lead to a situation where bare land which will attract a 20 year premium is more valuable and more attractive to an investor that land that is planted a few years as the crop values has not risen much since planting as can be seen in Figure 3 as the main crop value does not rise significantly until after 20 years.

Figure 4. Valuation of Sitka spruce crops of YC 14 and 24 It is clearly shown from Figure 4 that higher yield class forests are more valuable than lower yield class forests. Forests of a higher yield class mature earlier and produce more timber than forests of a lower yield class.

Conclusion Many factors must be considered when valuing a forest and not all forests are the same and when comparing anecdotal prices one must be very careful to be comparing like with like.

Age Paul Lafferty has a forestry degree B.Agr Sc. from UCD qualifying The age of a forest plantation is important when considering the in 1989 and worked Area Manager with Green Belt Forestry value of forest property. In general, older plantations are more valuable Company until 2000. Paul joined James Cleary & Sons in than younger plantations.This is because an older plantation have 2000 and undertook the part time degree course with the DIT more standing timber volume, than a plantation of a younger age. and the IAVI and qualified with a BSc (Hons) Proerty in 2006.

Furthermore as seen earlier the market price of timber increase with Paul can be contacted on Tel. 086 2599189, or the following larger logs. Older forests produce large logs and large volumes of email: forestsales.ie@gmail.com or at James Cleary & Sons timber and are therefore more valuable.

Tel. 094 9620540.

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WOODCHIP HEATING

THE COST BENEFITS & ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF WOODCHIP HEATING Over the past 10 to 15 years the idea of using woodchip for heating has slowly gained traction writes, Noel Gavigan, Irish BioEnergy Association.

Woodchip store (left), and filling conveyor & hopper supplying the woodchip boiler house (green) at Roganstown Hotel.

eginning with fairly basic technology requiring regular cleaning, the technology has now advanced to a stage where boilers are fully automatic, require only light weekly maintenance and are as convenient as standard oil boilers. Ireland can boast having a number of very professional companies installing and operating boilers not only here, but also in the UK, France the USA and many other countries – indeed most of these companies set up operations abroad following the downturn when the market for heating equipment collapsed, and are thriving in an otherwise difficult time.

With kerosene prices at all–time highs the development of wood heating in Ireland is on the up, outside of the wood processing industry an estimated 125,000 tonnes of wood are used for heat in Ireland every year. Figures compiled by Drima Marketing for the Department of Agriculture show that the amount of timber available from our forests for energy is set to increase steadily over the next two decades.The greatest advantage gained from wood heating is cost, at current prices wood heating is half, and even less than half the cost of oil, facilities that take on wood heating benefit from reduced heating bills and increased competitiveness.

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SEAI July 2012 price survey and corrected to allow for expected boiler efficiency.

Of course woodchip and pellet boilers are a more complex piece of equipment and they require a fit for purpose fuel store and augers to deliver the fuel to the boiler, these costs all add up and can vary considerably depending on the site specifics like boiler room location and the woodchip store that is to be built.According to a report published by IrBEA and written by consultants DKM and RPS the average cost of installing a woodchip boiler is about €400/kw capacity so typically an installation would need to run WHAT’S THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT FOR THE for at least 8,700 hours to pay off the initial capital expenditure of CUSTOMER? converting to a biomass boiler.The cost of installation is generally Woodchip can cost as little as half the cost of oil, typically a modern oil fired condenser boiler will be able to produce heat at cheaper per kw capacity for larger boilers and more expensive for smaller boilers. a fuel cost of 8.75c/kwh ex VAT where woodchip and wood pellet Tipperary Energy Agency has lead the field in installing biomass boilers are able to produce heat with a fuel costs of 4.47c/kwh boilers in public service buildings with almost €750,000 spent and 4.75c/kwh ex VAT. on boilers in the examples below.The savings achieved in these The graph below shows the fuel cost differential for commercial premises with boilers in excess of 100kw with prices taken from recent projects have been documented below.

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WOODCHIP HEATING

The private sector has also taken woodfuel on board to great success in both the services and industrial sectors.

In 2007 Roganstown Hotel and Country Club installed a 550kw woodchip boiler to replace the existing LPG heating system, according to Ian McGuinness of Roganstown the hotel has made significant savings over the past 5 years; with heat usage of over 2,400,000 kwh per annum the hotel would expect to be paying over €220,000 per year for LPG, however woodchip is able to provide the same energy for under €90,000.The boiler initially cost approx. €150,000 to install.

In February 2012 Coillte installed a 1.8MW wood fired steam generator for Astellas Pharma in Killorglin – the first of its kind in Ireland, steam generators are far more complex pieces of equipment yet they expect to be able to pay off the capital cost by 2019.

IS THERE ANY MACRO-ECONOMIC BENEFIT? Wood fuel has some of the most interesting macro-economic benefits due to its sourcing here in Ireland and relative cheaper cost.

Wood fuel allows the consumer to be more competitive due to a lower cost base, this is particularly important in today’s economic environment for the service and manufacturing industries.

A high portion of the embedded cost of wood fuel is labour.

Wood fuels require more indigenous labour than other fuels such as oil or gas, typically wood fuel will create 6–10 times more indigenous employment than oil, and over 50 times more indigenous employment than gas.

The raw material for wood fuel (wood!) is generally all sourced in Ireland, forest owners and forest contractors benefit from the sale of woodchip and it ensures that the money spent on wood fuel stays in the Irish economy. In contrast where oil is purchased at least 90% of the value after tax leaves the economy. In essence wood fuel supports a positive balance of trade.

DOES WOOD FUEL SUIT EVERYONE? Woodfuel fills a particular market, it is most suited to larger facilities that currently run on oil and that have sufficient space to fit a woodchip store.

The capital cost of woodchip & pellet boilers and the associated fuel stores and transfer equipment is higher than similar sized oil and gas boilers, for that reason it only tends to make financial sense to install wood fired boilers in medium and large heat use facilities like hotels, leisure complexes, nursing homes, hospitals and industrial

Roganstown Country Club - heated by woodchip

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WOODCHIP HEATING plants. In these high energy use plants the payback on installation WHAT SERVICE OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE? generally ranges from 2 to 6 years. Woodchip & pellet boilers can The woodfuel industry has not only been inventive in terms of also be successfully installed in smaller buildings like domestic technology development, the industry has also developed very homes, however the financial payback period for domestic situations innovative service options to suit the customer. tends to be in excess of 10 years due to the small size and low The customer can chose the level of input they have in usage hours. conversion, at one end of the scale is the traditional arrangement In addition to woodchip & pellet boilers being slightly larger where the customer buys and installs the boiler, arranges than their oil and gas equivalents they also require a larger storage servicing and fuel supply, while at the other end of the scale the silo/bunker increasing the site footprint of heating equipment, customer can choose to be totally detached opting to pay a installing a wood boiler in a rural setting or where space is available monthly heating bill while a service contractor does the rest. is no problem – however in tight urban environments the footprint The latter arrangement is commonly referred to as an ESCO or may be a major stumbling block.

Energy Supply Contract and they have proved very popular in Typically woodchip & pellet boilers can easily out compete oil recent years. boilers on a cost basis, however piped natural gas is still in most The table below outlines the range of service options that cases able to hold its own due to its low cost and low footprint. came available.

Woodchip being delivered

A number of Irish companies now specialise in providing ESCO’s to customers and have put together the business structure to install and service the boilers and to provide fuel for same.The ESCO option is proving very popular as it allows the building owner to concentrate on their own business while still achieving cost savings against their old oil boiler.

CONCLUSION The wood fuel industry, including boiler design has reached a stage of maturity where it can be considered alongside traditional heating fuels with equal capability and reliability and should be considered by all building managers with reasonable heat loadings.Wood fuel in the form of wood chip or wood pellets can offer medium to large heat users the opportunity to reduce costs considerably, and to support local businesses. Equally important macro–economic benefits can be considered as very strong and suitable reason to see much further embracement of wood heating by the public sector both as a cost saving measure and also to support local jobs and to ensure that heating budgets can serve the dual purpose of enhancing the local economy.

A special thanks to Paddy Phelan, Tipperary Energy Agency for assistance with this article.

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

BE-GE – LEADING SEATING SUPPLIER IN THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY

www.be-ge.co.uk

ur Be-Ge 3000 seat is specified in leading forestry machine Also available is our 7000 seat which is a reinforced air suspended OEM’s as their high end option seat.This is to cater for the driver seat that has been tried and tested over many years in the growing demand especially from “owner operators” who Forestry industry. It is designed to withstand the most extreme see their vehicle as their “working office”, spending hours working forestry working environments. alone in remote forests, they request a luxury seat with excellent Our 7000 seat is equipped with stepless weight independent vibration properties and maximum comfort though out their height adjustment, it can also be specified with a pneumatic working day. system (+ / –).The controls for the quick air release for comfortable Our options list is endless to cater for even the most demanding entry and exit and the stepless height adjustment can be mounted customers and considering our seat can cost less than 0.5% of the on either side of the seat.This model can also be equipped with a total vehicle cost.The seat is the one unit in the vehicle that is the seat cushion extension, which provides easier adjustment of the direct interface between the driver and the rest of the machine, length of the seat in order to sit in the most ergonomical position.

O

“When driving a complicated Forestry or Industrial machine where precision operations are vital, you need a steady hand to make accurate movements.We are pleased to offer In co-operation with our partners Sittab, all your controls at your fingertips” the correct seat offers the most satisfaction from drivers in terms The backrest is reinforced and 640 mm high. 3” lapbelt is supplied of operation, working functionality and comfort. as standard, options include our XSS foam for even more added Our Be-Ge 30-/31-series is our newest series of air suspended comfort for the driver. seats that offer maximum comfort combined with a heavy duty We can also offer as an option our Our HealthVib®inSeat indicating body vibration exposure in accordance with the EU Directives design and innovative solutions. The seat offers many settings 2002/44EG concerning vibrations in the workplace. options and flexible adjustment.You can, for example, choose For further information contact: Gary Shaw, Be-Ge Seating whether to locate the controls in front or to the right or left side.

Regarding our C & F range (Construction & Forestry), the seat has UK Ltd, Unit 3, The Fulcrum, Lows Lane, Stanton, Derbyshire, DE7 4QU. Tel: +44 115 989 8751. Mobile: 07834 977 975. been further adapted to handle demanding applications. For example, extra side support has been greatly increased to give the Fax +44 115 932 8204, email: garys@be-ge.co.uk Website www.be-ge.co.uk occupant more stable seating in rough terrain environments, also available If your vehicle does not have an air connection, a built in compressor is available as an option.

When driving a complicated Forestry or Industrial machine where precision operations are vital, you need a steady hand to make accurate movements.

We are pleased to offer In co-operation with our partners Sittab, all your controls at your fingertips.

Our Be-Ge Seats are also fully compatible with the Sittab range of 2 & 4 way isolator units keeping the driver in the same position no matter what the terrain.

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EUCALYPTUS FEATURE

EUCALYPTUS –HOME GROWN ENERGY

SHORT ROTATION FORESTRY D–Plant Horticulture offers some practical advice on Eucalyptus.

Eucalyptus Parvula 18 months from transplant 2.2m Survived -16.5 degrees

s we approach another winter with oil prices ever increasing, The point is, if you need to wait until year 10 or 12 for your first the demand for wood fuel and in particular, fire wood logs, harvest, the only side effect is that your yield will be higher but will be on the mind of many Irish home owners.The cost no more difficult to harvest.With flexibility we believe Eucalyptus of heating a home in these difficult times has burdened people to could be an exceptional opportunity as a pension investment. their limits.

CULTURAL INFORMATION We are now in our fourth year growing eucalyptus for wood Soil type: fuel and have come a long way in terms of propagation and crop • Eucalyptus requires soil with reasonable fertility. programming.The winters of 2009 and 2010 sorted out the cold • It will grow well on heavy soils but will not tolerate wet soils. hardiness of eucalyptus varieties. While some varieties perished • Soil pH 5.5 – 7. at -12°C other varieties came through -16°C and we are now seeing Eucalyptus young plants growth rates on these trees of up to 6.3m (21’) in 38 months from a 30cm (12”) transplant.The most recent mild winter has shown the potential for Eucalyptus to grow year-round if temperatures are above 6°C.Trial plots at D–Plant Horticulture in Co.Wexford have shown approximately 15 to 20cm (6 to 8”) of growth between October 2011 and March 2012.

D–Plant Horticulture is dedicated to the development of Eucalyptus as a future source of wood fuel in Ireland. 2011 has seen approximately 50 new growers from around the country planting eucalyptus – projects ranging from small self–sufficiency plantations to larger commercial forests.

Taking the energy value of Eucalyptus and the growth rate potential into account, a rule of thumb is that 0.6 acres of Eucalyptus would replace an annual consumption of 1000 litres of oil.With an average of 3 harvests over 24 years, your Eucalyptus crop could displace the use of 12,000 litres of oil, assuming an efficient wood–burning system is in place.This interest in ‘Home Grown’ firewood should sound alarm bells for the possibilities for commercial wood fuel producers and suppliers.

Eucalyptus should be fit to harvest after 8 years and will re-grow (coppice) and produce 2 more crops at 8 year intervals (a potential 3 crops in 24 years).This system is not set in stone and the growing term can be altered to suit market prices, convenience of harvesting etc.

A

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EUCALYPTUS FEATURE Soil Preparation: • Lightly tilled soil along the planting row will give good root establishment to newly planted trees.

• Ripping can be used if desired where you have reasonable soil condition, e.g. if planting into cereal stubble.

• Mounding is another useful method on wetter sites to allow good root establishment owing to the extra drainage from the elevated planting position.

PLANTING PROCESS: • Planting time:April–June.

• Plant density at 2M x 2M spacing is 2500 plants per hectare of Eucalyptus young plants.

• Planting is mostly done by hand using a regular spade.

• Eucalyptus plants are modular grown which makes them very easy to plant compared to other bare root forestry trees.

• A mechanical planter (something like a cabbage planter) can be used but this usually means a great deal of soil preparation.

• Ultimately our trials have shown that reasonably well prepared soil makes for easy planting and good root establishment.

MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: • Weed control in the first two years is essential.

• Eucalyptus doesn’t compete well with weeds as small plants in the early stages of growth can be severely stunted.

30 Year Old Ash (Left) 8 Year Old Eucalyptus (Right) 11 inches/28 cm in diameter

• Pre-emergence chemical weed control will be trialed shortly and is expected to give good results.

• An application of 50g of a balanced tree fertilizer per tree (not too close to the stem) has shown to improve establishment and increase vigor.

• At 2M x 2M spacing if plants are kept weed free for the first two years, the canopy will usually have closed and no further action will be required.

• There is no pruning or training requirement for Eucalyptus.

• The trees grow as straight single stem plants with little or no lower branches.

In a nutshell we have one of the best biomass growing climates in Europe and plenty of land suitable for growing it. We have an expanding market for wood fuel, biomass and wood fibre • Chemical weed control with Glysophate (Roundup) works well but it is important that the chemical doesn’t come in contact with the Eucalyptus foliage or stems.This can be achieved by the use of Tree Guards or a narrow strip of polythene such as silage wrap.

Ability to coppice after felling

• Generally Eucalyptus is unpalatable to mammals such as hares, deer and rabbits so fencing is usually unnecessary.

HARVESTING: • Harvesting can be done by the traditional method using chainsaws.

• The use of mechanical harvesting machines is optional and is usually determined by the availability of the machine, the location of the plantation, the size of the plantation etc.And because this machinery is expensive to hire, the practicality of using it comes down to the economics.

• Eucalyptus is a clean straight stemmed tree with few lower branches and not much lop and top.

ACTION AFTER FIRST HARVEST: • The ability of Eucalyptus to coppice (with the exception of E. nitens) gives the opportunity to obtain a second and third crop without the need to re–plant.

• Once the first crop has been harvested the stumps will coppice producing multiple stems which must be thinned.

• Depending on your end market you can leave from one to three stems per stump.

• Some weed control may be necessary but because the coppice will have the support of a large root system and establish quickly this weed control will be unlikely.

VARIETIES GROWN IN IRELAND: • E. nitens – vigorous but does not copice reliably (-12c to -13c) • E. denticulata – will coppice (-11c to -12.5c) • E glaucescens – will coppice (-15to -16) • E urnigera – will coppice (-15c to -16c) • E. rodwayi – will coppice (-12c to -14c) Suitable for wetter peaty sites.

• E. johnstonii – will coppice (-12c to -14c) • E. subcrenulata – Will coppice (-14c to -16c)

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EUCALYPTUS FEATURE • E. coccifera – will coppice (-14c to -16c) • E. camphora – will coppice (-12c to -13c) Suitable for wetter sites.Year Old Eucalyptus (Right)1nches/28 cm in diameter • E.parvula – will coppice (-14c to -16c) • E. cordata – will coppice. Usefull for costal shelter. (-12c to -14c)

30 month old E. Glaucescens

VARIETIES AVAILABLE THIS SEASON FROM D-PLANT HORTICULTURE: • E glaucescens – will coppice (-15to -17) • E urnigera – will coppice (-15c to -17c) • E. rodwayi – will coppice (-13c to -15c) Suitable for wetter sites • E. subcrenulata – will coppice (-14c to – 17c) • E.parvula – will coppice (-14c to -16c) • E. cordata – will coppice. Usefull for costal shelter. (-12c to -14c)

EUCALYPTUS MARKETS Traditionally firewood has come from by-products of conventional forestry, fallen or unwanted trees and trimmings from hedgerows.

With the lack of commercial wood fuel forestry in Ireland, there is a real opening for Eucalyptus to be grown as a wood fuel both on large scale plantations and small domestic self–sufficiency plantations. In Spain and Portugal small plantations of Eucalyptus to supply wood fuel to the owners own home is commonplace.This concept could easily be adopted in Ireland.

Large industrial and commercial ventures have invested in biomass burners and combined heat and power units (CHP) in recent years.

The need to secure supplies of fuel into the future is a must for these ventures.

Contract growing of local supply of fuel is the only long term answer to this need. Eucalyptus grown by contract within a 40–50 SUMMARY mile radius of the end user would make economical sense.

In a nutshell we have one of the best biomass growing climates in Transport over a long distance with any bulky biomass fuel will Europe and plenty of land suitable for growing it.We have an burn up the value of the fuel on the road rather than in the burner. expanding market for wood fuel, biomass and wood fibre.The peat Eucalyptus locally grown, dried, chipped and delivered will help sustain burning power stations must offset peat burning by 30% by the year local business and employment.

2015.This alone amounts to one million tonnes of biomass per year.

Projections to 2020 would indicate that to meet government targets WHAT MAKES EUCALYPTUS A VERSATILE a biomass supply of approximately four million green tonnes per CROP FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING SRF IS: annum would be required.At present it is unlikely that the forestry • It can be planted with a spade and harvested with a chainsaw. sector – given its current and predictable future capacity – would be No need for specialised equipment although it is available if the able to supply more than half of the required volume. scale justifies its use.

Eucalyptus has the ability to produce large volumes of biomass in a • The wood is suitable for wood chip,wood pellet, firewood logs or short space of time.This would give us the opportunity to reach fibre board. these targets.We are less than eight years away from 2020 – almost • The crop time scale is not critical if you don’t want to harvest it on long enough to take the first harvest from a crop of Eucalyptus planted a particular year, its yield will have increased the following year and in 2012. will be no more difficult to harvest.

D–Plant Horticulture in Wexford are specialist propagators of • Eucalyptus is suitable for both large scale and small scale planting.

Eucalyptus.They have put a lot into their research and development of • The timber air dries quickly, cracking and splitting as it dries.This Eucalyptus as a biomass crop. opens up the timber and speeds up the drying time.

The plant production takes approximately 10 months. If Eucalyptus for In the 1970’s and 1980’s large amounts of our native trees in the SRC is a crop you would be interested in growing you should place your order for plants a year in advance.This ensures that you will have your woodlands and hedgerows around the country side were cut down plants on time and will give you time to have your site suitably prepared for wood fuel as a result of increased oil prices.Today we are seeing for planting. the same clearance of trees around the countryside. Firewood suppliers are finding it difficult to secure timber supplies.The demand For further information contact: Brendan Doyle, for firewood is increasing annually and yet there is no planting of D-Plant Horticulture Borelia, Glenbrien, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Tel: 053 9236516 Mobile 087 2861221, purpose grown firewood.

A crop of Eucalyptus could return firewood within 8–12 years with Email: dplant@eircom.net, www.dplant.ie the possibility of thinning within 4–6 years in some crops. Fossil fuel prices are on an upward trend and would seem set to continue that way. Future supply of oil is in question and government targets to reduce carbon emissions all point the way to wood fuel. Eucalyptus ticks all the boxes.

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