Farm Woodland Audit Results Bob Stubbs

Background study Similar Studies throughout Scotland had shown the following. Farmers… Recognised the multi purpose benefits of woodlands Already have about 8% woodland cover on farm on average Had strong views about the best use of land and the proportion of land that might go into woodlands Understood the energy benefits Appreciated the carbon benefits

But! Limited understanding of the financial in’s and out’s of woodlands Nearly 75% of the woodlands are unmanaged Lack of time/skills to do woodland management individually Complicated processes for the bureaucracy of planting grants and felling licenses

Addressing the issues Lack of skills/time Use a trusted organisation like Machinery Rings to do the business Unmanaged woodland vs. new planting We can only encourage more new planting if it’s clear that managing woodlands generates £ Overcomplicated bureaucracy Simplify it Devise group application systems

The Project We have to prove to farmers, to Rings and indeed to the Forestry Commission that there are benefits to be had all round Target member farms with woodland and carry out audits on 25 farms. Identify the works required over the next 5 years AND cost them

We used independent forestry consultants to go on farm and prepare short management plans to show: What’s on the ground now The general condition of the woodland How workable the site is What jobs should be carried out What the costs and likely returns are going to be

Results 23 farms have had audits analysed so far. Total woodland area of the 23 farms 293ha Circa – 12.7ha of woodland per farm 265 compartments in total (5.4 ave)

Current State of Woodland Current state of the woodlandsPercentage of compartments reporting “yes” Percentage of compartments reporting “no” Well-established woodland?96%4% Evidence of previous management?27%73% Any obvious damage from pests?4%96% Any foliage discolouration1%99% Good access to the site?36%64% Any hazards on site?35%65% Any evidence of windthrow?30%70%

Management Management objectives: 90% Improve Landscape, 85% Shelter & 85% Conservation 118ha (40% with management operations identified. Mainly thinning(52ha) & Clearfell (36ha)

Volumes & Values 955m3 of Thinnings identified 12,031m3 Clear & Select Fell 22.4ha of Restock Conifer(22.4ha) & broadleaves (14.1ha) 13.6ha New Planting Roadside Value Est: £352,876 Est Management work required £591,488 SRDP Grant £154,472

The Next stage Complete further audits Implement management plans where appropriate Group sites for felling/planting Encourage others to do the same

Conclusions On the face of it potential income is limited Work need to be done to investigate potential for marketing small lots together to improve overall price Co-operation may be required to bring down the cost of management work required.

The Next Steps Support MRs to follow up audit results Potential for Rings to share resource to deal with workload Ensure Rings can provide services at best cost Provide basic woodland training

Arrange Grouping of woodland for the following…. Group felling license and restock applications Group certification applications Group new planting applications Planning logistics for thinning and felling applications Identifying group purchase opportunities Group product marketing