TULLAMORE SHOW: Visit and engage with Teagasc Forestry at the Forest & Energy Section

THE ever-popular Tullamore Show will again include a special section, highlighting the Forest and Energy Sector, its innovations and its key players on Sunday, August 10.

The Tullamore Show is now the largest one-day agricultural extravaganza in Ireland with over 60,000 expected to attend this year. Forestry will again be well represented on the day. With over

24,100 private landowners, the majority farmers, having accessed grants to establish new forests since 1980, forestry is now recognised as an important mainstream enterprise, suitable on many farms.

The dedicated Forest and Energy Section has been a popular attraction in the show since 2005. Over that time, it has been coordinated by the Teagasc Forestry Development Department. According to Liam Kelly, Teagasc; “it’s difficult to comprehend that we have been involved with the show for twenty years, with a number of companies involved each year since it began. The private forest industry has seen many changes in that time”

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The Teagasc Forestry Development Department will again have their own stand within the Forest and Energy Section.

 Teagasc forestry advisors will be on hand to discuss all aspects of forestry especially in relation to forest creation and management of existing forests.

 Teagasc research staff will also be there to discuss the important applied projects that they are currently undertaking. One example “the ContinuFOR project is researching transformation of Sitka spruce plantations to continuous cover forests through thinning. For the past 15 years we have been transforming 2 sites, and we will be sharing data and experiences during the transformation progress.”

 On the day, there will be plenty of opportunities to engage with Teagasc, on its dedicated stand and explore the many interactive props and information boards that will be on display. One of the new challenges will be for attendees “to identify which type(s) of forest or woodland that they would plant if they had land to do so”. This should provide plenty of discussion and debate. All attendees are encouraged to participate

 Other challenges will include “matching the tree samples with their timber”, which always creates great interest. We will also have a virtual reality to experience, where attendees can walk virtually though a forest as it matures. There will be an opportunity to access the latest forestry leaflets and information, including fact sheets for those engaged in timber harvests. There something there for everyone on the day including all family members. So why not visit us at stand no 441 on row W.

This year, twenty-five companies and organisations will be on hand to provide information and demonstrations at the dedicated Forest & Energy village. Many have requested larger trade spaces than in previous years in order to display their diverse activities, products and services.

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The forest industry will be strongly represented with companies from the afforestation, management, harvesting and products sectors. With the Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 reaching its midway stage, now is an idea time for landowners to consider forestry as an attractive and complementary enterprise for suitable areas on their farms. The Forest and Energy Section will provide good opportunity to have all your forestry queries answered.

The Renewable Energy sector will also be well represented by companies from the biomass, renewable heating and solar energy sectors. Their presence highlights the interest in sustainable energy utilisation and production.

According to Liam Kelly of the Teagasc Forest Development Department, “‘The Forest and Energy Section’, on its twentieth year anniversary, will be of interest to all existing woodland owners and to all that are considering tree planting. Forestry is well established as a conventional enterprise within agriculture and this is reflected by the diversity of forestry stands booked into this year’s show. The energy and forestry stands truly complement each other, providing a sense of future sustainability and are certainly not to be missed”.

The Tullamore show will provide great day out for the family on Sunday August 10. A visit to the Forest Energy Section during the show is also highly recommended. It is located on Rows W & X (close to the yellow catering village) in the main Trade Area of the Tullamore Showground.