What is agroforestry?
Agroforestry is the management and integration of trees, crops and/or livestock on the same plot of land and can be an integral component of productive agriculture
These are some of the benefits of agroforestry:
· provides renewable energy, reducing the consumption of fossil fuels.
· can produce veneer quality timber.
· improves land drainage.
· prevents nutrient runoff and reduces sedimentation of nearby water courses.
· enhances animal welfare.
· improves biodiversity and habitats.
· can enhance the landscape.
Tree’s species which are accepted include oak, sycamore & cherry. Other species can be considered. Plants between 90-120cm should be used. Initial stocking rate should be between 400 and 1000 trees per hectare spaced out for example 5m x 5m or 7m x 3.5m. The site should be at least 0.5ha.
Tree should be protected by two sturdy posts and a tree shelter. Tree shelter should be 1.5m tall. Grazing by sheep or young domestic stock is allowed within the first 6-8 years, during spring and summer only. You could graze your pigs here too! Once the trees are big enough, the shelters can be replaced with plastic mesh and larger stock may be introduced.
Grant Aid Available:
80% of costs can be funded. It is payable by a fixed grant basis only. Premiums will be paid for five years and will cover the cost of maintenance only. Basically, you will not earn money at growing trees, only if you are going to harvest them (which takes a long time in Ireland – 30 to 40 years for conifers and later for broadleaves). Timber that you might harvest from early thinning’s, after around 15 years, might provide some income? You will also need to be prepared to fund all the costs until the grant has been paid by the Forest Service.
The grant is intended to cover the costs in the establishment of the trees and is paid exclusive of VAT. Therefore, you will have to pay the VAT expense, unless your VAT registered. An extra allowance is paid to you for fencing with the first instalment of your grant.
This is a basic breakdown of the grant available:
1st grant - €4215/ha (this provides support for operations like ground preparation, drainage, fencing, planting, forester fees and will be paid after planting)
2nd grant - €1405/ha (this is paid for four years after planting once the trees have become fully established and are free-growing. This will cover maintenance works that will be required, like replacing failed plants etc.)
Additional fencing allocation (which is paid with the first grant) - €600
The total grant available - €6220/ha
Then your premium rate, which is paid per year:
If you’ve less than 10ha - €645/ha
This is paid per year for up to 15 years.
Please note: planting season runs between December & April.
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