Farm Woodland Audit Results

Bob Stubbs

Background studySimilar 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 issuesLack of skills/time

Use a trusted organisation like Machinery Rings to do the business

Unmanaged woodland vs. new plantingWe can only encourage more new planting if it’s clear that managing woodlands generates £

Overcomplicated bureaucracySimplify itDevise 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 nowThe general condition of the woodlandHow workable the site isWhat jobs should be carried outWhat 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 WoodlandCurrent state of the woodlands Percentage 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 discolouration 1% 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