GENEROUS GRANTS for planting commercial woodlands on low value-grazing land make forestry an increasingly attractive proposition for farmers looking for additional income

This is the message that Bellshill-based forest management company EGGER will bring to next week's Highland Show, with a stand (in Avenue P) offering free advice to farmers and landowners who are considering their diversification options.

One significant-sized site already managed by EGGER is on the Sorn Estate in East Ayrshire, where the firm managed the planning, surveying, ground preparation, fencing and planting required to create a new 56 hectare woodland of productive conifers and native broadleaves.

Thanks to grant support, the completed scheme has provided the owner with a positive cashflow and a future source of income – as well as being able to continue to claim from the Basic Payment Scheme.

EGGER's Simon Hart said: “As the wider estate will continue to be farmed, the owners are diversifying by adding this new woodland which will also generate capital growth as well as income in the longer term from timber sales.

“The grant application process is complicated, but we have the expertise to secure approval and funding from the Forestry Commission, as well as managing competent contractors who will carry out all works to a high standard and meet ISO accreditation.”

As part of Sorn's diverse rural estate – where the owners were seeking to meet objectives other than just getting a better economic return than they would from farming – open corridors have been left as barn owl hunting grounds and land set aside for ground-nesting birds.