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HomeBeefHow drystock farmers can draw down €1275/ha & BISS on their lands
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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How drystock farmers can draw down €1275/ha & BISS on their lands

Financial incentives for FT 8 or agro-forestry are being “greatly increased” in the next forestry programme, which commenced in January 2023.

That is according to a spokesperson for Euroforest Ireland, a body which describes itself as “the largest independent provider of timber harvesting and marketing services”.

In a statement to That’s Farming, they outlined that tax-free annual premium payments of €975 per hectare per year are available, payable for 10 years to both farmers and non-farmers.

In another incentive, farmers will be able to qualify for the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) payment on the same area as the agro-forestry land area or land parcels,  as well as claiming the BISS.

The body has described this as “a very significant incentive for agroforestry for farmers in the OFS”.

It added that a new classification of agro-forestry will need to be introduced in the 20023 BISS application form.

In this way, farmers that conduct agro-forestry can then declare their parcels as such on the 2023 BISS.

The spokesperson concluded:

“Combining the agroforestry premium of €975 per hectare with the Organic Farming Scheme in conversion payment of €300 per hectare for drystock farmers can result in returns or income per hectare of €1275 per hectare, plus the BISS.

In a previous article, Alicia Temple, a freelance writer, took a look at agro-forestry, what it means and how you can embrace this practice on your enterprise.

Demand for timber in Ireland

Last week’s article from Euroforest Ireland explored demand for timber products in recent weeks.

The spokesperson told this farming publication that over the past fortnight, “some signs” of a recovery in the demand for timber products have emerged.

A spokesperson told That’s Farming, that for the first time in months, all roundwood made available to the processing sector in the UK through the state sector tenders and in Ireland, on the most recent auction, was sold.

In effect, there was demand for the roundwood on offer, which ensured reserve prices were achieved.

A spokesperson outlined that this “rising tide in demand is good news for forest owners in Ireland who have timber to sell and who have valid felling licences at hand”.

Read more on this news article.

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