Press release
Minister Hackett views the benefits of early thinning during farm forest visit
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
During a recent visit to the farm forest site of Ivor Clegg outside Portlaoise, organised by the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA), Minister Hackett saw at first hand the economic and environmental benefits of early thinning of broadleaves and conifers to supply energy markets.
Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett said
“On this site, we have a wonderful example of a multi-species forest. Ivor Clegg, the forest owner, through hands on management, has promoted biodiversity while maximising the production of high quality timber. The early thinning operations have provided an early financial return in the form of sustainable woodchip fuel and some sawnwood, and at the same time have opened up the forest to allow more light in which brings many benefits. Sustainable forest management practices increase the economic return to the forest owner and enhance the quality of the final timber products produced”
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine roundwood production forecast incudes an estimated increase in forest bioenergy availability of over 1 million cubic metres per year over the coming decade, essentially a doubling on current output. This is reflected in the Climate Action Plan 2021.
Sean Finan, CEO of the Irish Bioenergy Association said
“This increased availability of biomass material alone could provide heating for up to 90,000 homes, and over 600 business/commercial premises. These increases could be mediated through a number of measures, such as the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) and, for example, a rolled-out programme of district heating in larger towns and urban centres, which merits consideration. Overall estimated greenhouse gas savings per annum are 500,000 tonnes of CO2 from the additional biomass, depending on harvesting technologies employed, end use efficiencies and type of fossil fuel displaced. Further information can be obtained from the Renewable Energy Ireland ‘40x30’ report”
The Wood Fuel Quality Assurance scheme (WFQA) members provides an outlet for thinning material for the production of certified renewable wood fuels.
Noel Gavigan, WFQA Administrator said:
“Forest owners and forestry contractors through sustainable forest management practices, produce renewable fuels such as firewood, wood chip, wood pellets, and wood briquettes. These fuels are certified to ISO and EU standards through the WFQA scheme. Wood fuels allow home owners and businesses to move away from fossil fuel, fully decarbonising their heating systems, and ensure that the money they spend on energy stays in the local economy. It's the essence of building and developing the rural economy”
Kenneth Worrell, Worrell Harvesting said
“The thinning system and timelines utilised on this site, allows much greater volumes of biomass recovery at first thinning. Early thinning, starting at age 16, when tree heights are in the 10-12m range allows us to take out smaller and poorly shaped trees. The required amount of brash is left on the ground to eliminate rutting and the rest of the tree is removed to roadside. At this point, any sawmill product is extracted and hauled to the sawmill. This is controlled by Worrell Harvesting through a live traceability system called LOG WATCH. All of the trees including the tops and branches are harvested and left in the wood before being removed to road side after the needles have fallen off. This material is stacked for further drying before being chipped and removed for energy. This process doubles the amount of biomass produced per hectare. This makes the operation more economically attractive to the grower and buyer. Harvesting the first thinning earlier stabilized the crop, shortens the growing cycle and enhances the quality of the final crop. This system has many advantages as tops and branches would normally be left in the forest as residues, to decay releasing CO2”
The owner Ivor Clegg said:
“The advantages to the owner of early thinning using a full-tree method are many. Early income is provided, the forest is opened up and management operations become a lot easier and optimum tree size is achieved faster. These include second and subsequent thinning, allowing for greater flexibility in choosing the silvicultural approach. When the time comes, I will have the choice to regenerate through small coupe felling (continuous cover) or opt for a fell and replant system, according to my needs. ”
For Further Information please contact Seán Finan IrBEA CEO on 0874146480
Notes for Editors:
Photo 1 Caption: Pictured at the IrBEA forest site visit on the economic and environmental benefits of early thinning of broadleaves and conifers to supply energy markets. L to R: Seán Finan IrBEA CEO, Eugene Hendrick WFQA Chairman, Cormac Powell Worrell Harvesting, Noel Gavigan IrBEA Technical Executive, Senator Pippa Hackett Minister of State DAFM, Kenneth Worrell Worrell Harvesting, Ivor Clegg Forest Owner and Fergus Moore DAFM Forest Service.
Photo 2 Caption: Pictured at the IrBEA forest site visit on the economic and environmental benefits of early thinning of broadleaves and conifers to supply energy markets. L to R: Senator Pippa Hackett Minister of State DAFM, Eugene Hendrick WFQA Chairman, Ivor Clegg Forest Owner, Seán Finan IrBEA CEO and Kenneth Worrell Worrell Harvesting.
Photo 3 Caption: Pictured at the IrBEA forest site visit on the economic and environmental benefits of early thinning of broadleaves and conifers to supply energy markets. L to R: Senator Pippa Hackett Minister of State DAFM with representtaives of the Irish Bioenergy Association and Worrell Harvesting.
Photo 4 Caption: Pictured at the IrBEA forest site visit on the economic and environmental benefits of early thinning of broadleaves and conifers to supply energy markets. L to R: Seán Finan CEO of the Irish Bioenergy Association & Senator Pippa Hackett Minister of State DAFM.
Photo 5 Caption: Pictured at the IrBEA forest site visit on the economic and environmental benefits of early thinning of broadleaves and conifers to supply energy markets. L to R: Kenneth Worrell Worrell Harvestin and Senator Pippa Hackett Minister of State DAFM.
About Ivor Clegg’s Forest
Ivor Clegg’s forest is based next to the M7 motorway at Cloncourse, Co. Laois. A former dairy farm turned to forestry, it comprises of 100 hectares of Norway spruce (70%), as well as alder, sycamore and oak. It was established from 2001 to 2012.
About the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA)
IrBEA was founded in 1999. Its role is to promote the bioenergy industry and to develop this important sector on the island of Ireland. The diverse membership includes farmers and foresters, fuel suppliers, energy development companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, engineers, financiers and tax advisers, legal firms, consultants, planners, research organisations, local authorities, education, and advisory bodies – anyone with an interest in the bioenergy industry. IrBEA is recognised by Government and agencies as the voice of the bioenergy industry. The association’s main objectives are to influence policy makers to promote the development of bioenergy, and to promote the interests of members. Improving public awareness, networking, and information sharing, and liaising with similar interest groups are other key areas of work in promoting bioenergy as an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable energy. Further information on the association is available at www.irbea.org
About the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme (WFQA)
The WFQA scheme is an all island scheme established to increase consumer confidence in wood fuel products sold in Ireland. The WFQA is managed and administered by the Irish Bioenergy Association with some financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The WFQA certifies firewood, woodchip, wood pellet and wood briquette suppliers to ensure compliance with EN ISO 17225 standard. As the WFQA grows, members will provide consumers with a greater degree of confidence in secure supply of quality certified wood fuel products around Ireland. Further information available at www.wfqa.org
About Worrell Harvesting
Worrell Harvesting drives its business on offering the forest owner the most cost efficient solution that will result in a significant increase in revenue for the forest owner while also maximising the long term development of the timber infrastructure of the owners forest. We thrive on getting our owners the maximum yield from their investment. Worrell Harvesting is playing a leading role in the Irish Green Economy as it is contributing by an industry leading performance with its Biomass Harvesting system which is helping Ireland with its current climate challenges. Worrell’s Biomass harvesting system is one of the greatest sustainable solutions available to the Irish timber industry and economy in these present times. As always Worrell’s pride themselves on being market leaders and not followers.