The fall out from Storm Darragh and Eowyn has been monumental for the Irish Forestry Industry. To get an overview of this I speak with Victor Barber - Victor's a qualified forester who began his career with Western Forestry Co Op and is now their Harvesting Manager based out of Sligo. He also farms and is a regular contributor to the Farmers Journal on all things forestry. We speak about Storm Éoywn, we try to make sense of why some sites blew down and some sites didn't, we discuss the challenge harvesting windblown sites and the arrival of international harvesting crews. Finally we talk through the export of timber in containers and how prices are holding up for the owners of recently harvested forests.

Western Forestry Coop: https://westernforestrycoop.ie/

Victor Barber's Profile: https://westernforestrycoop.ie/our-staff/victor-barber/

Victor in the Farmers Journal https://www.farmersjournal.ie/focus/forestry/planning-windblow-from-harvesting-and-sale-to-replanting-885052
DAFM Guidance on using free satellite technology to assess windblown forests: youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=Hqqy5sP8PzY
IFA Timber Price Survey: https://www.ifa.ie/market-reports/timber-price-surveys/
ITGA: Wood Price Quarterly: https://itga.ie/services/information/wpq

Forestry Now
https://forestrynow.eu/

Chapters
[0:00:01] – Introduction & Guest Background
Dermot McNally introduces the podcast, outlines the episode, and welcomes Victor Barber, the harvesting manager at Western Forestry Co-Op, discussing his experience and the episode’s topics.

[0:01:13] – Harvesting Methods & Services at Western Forestry Co-Op
Victor explains the evolution of harvesting and sales at Western Forestry Co-Op, including the control of harvests, contracting, and maximizing returns for timber owners.

[0:03:39] – Impact of Storms Dara & Eamon; Harvesting Crews
Discussion of crew numbers before and after storms, the increase to 11 crews during peak, and the significant industry disruption caused by extreme weather.

[0:06:07] – International Harvesting Crews
Victor describes bringing in Romanian harvesting crews managed by Dutch supervisors, their skill, adaptation to the Irish climate, and overcoming initial language barriers.

[0:08:05] – Wind-Blown Sites: Patterns of Damage
Explores which sites suffered wind blow, the lack of clear patterns, why broadleaf plantations mostly escaped damage, and how storm severity overrode usual forestry precautions.

[0:12:18] – Harvesting Process on Wind-Blown vs. Normal Sites
Victor outlines the added complexity and reduced speed of harvesting wind-blown sites, describing tangled trees (“bowl of spaghetti”) and the challenge for operators.

[0:13:51] – Forwarder Machines and Site Maintenance
Discussion on how, despite slow harvesting, forwarders remain engaged in site maintenance, especially laying down brash to protect soil in adverse weather.

[0:15:27] – Timber Recovery & Brash Management
The impact of wind blow on saleable timber recovery, the need for skilled harvester drivers, and the generally good outcomes despite damage and logistical hurdles with brash.

[0:18:10] – Timber Certification & Export to Europe/China
Post-storm oversupply leads to container exports to China/Europe; Victor notes certification wasn’t a deciding factor in sales this year.

[0:21:28] – Logistics of Exporting Timber
How exporting works: from forests to yards to ships, the roles of international buyers, and adapting logistics for safety and efficiency after the storm.

[0:24:55] – Timber Measurement & Pricing
Shift from weight-based to volume-based pricing; the challenges for timber owners, summer weather effects, and industry-wide learning on measurement methods.

[0:31:20] – Financial Returns for Forest Owners
Examples of net earnings per acre from wind-blown sites, with older plantations faring better and younger ones hit hardest by increased harvesting costs and price drop.

[0:35:32] – Future Outlook & 2026 Expectations
Expectations for the coming year: industry hopes for a reconstitution grant, continued challenges with pulp prices, and the need for support to restart planting cycles.

In this interview I speak with Olive Leavy a forest owner from Co Westmeath who currently works with Pro Silva ireland. Olive has chosen to manage her forest using the continuous cover forestry method and in this interview we cover all aspects of this including windblow, ash dieback, challenges with harvesting, getting to know your forest, a firewood business, how forestry has enabled her to remain in rural ireland, advice for forest owners and much more.

Olive Leavy on Linkedin

Pro Silva Ireland at https://prosilvaireland.com/

Forestry advice available at Teagasc Forestry at https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/

DAFM Forestry Information including the Woodland Improvement Scheme including CCF - https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/forestry-grants-and-schemes/

Olive on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestgirl_ire/

Forestry Now:
https://forestrynow.eu/

CHAPTERS
[0:00:01] – Introduction & Guest Background
Dermot introduces the podcast and guest, Olive Leavy, who shares how she became involved in managing her family’s forest.

[0:03:10] – Forest Composition & Features
A detailed account of the tree species planted, veteran trees, hedgerow management, and unique characteristics of the site.

[0:07:01] – Decision to Move to Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF)
Olive describes the emergence of ash dieback, peer influence, and the gradual decision to adopt CCF for resilience.

[0:09:39] – First & Second Thinnings: Techniques & Adaptations
Explanation of thinning strategy, adjustments due to site conditions, hazards, and evolving the CCF approach.

[0:14:27] – Ash Dieback Impact & Firewood Business
Discussion of losing ash to disease, the process of removal, honey fungus, utilization as firewood, and replanting with native woodland.

[0:17:47] – Wildlife, Deer Management and Family Involvement
Olive outlines wildlife presence, deer monitoring, impact assessments, and fortunate avoidance of invasive species.

[0:21:14] – Woodland Regeneration, Storm Windblow & Forest Stability

Weed control methods, labor required, wind damage, adapting management plans, and planting for structural resilience.

[0:28:29] – Deadwood Creation, Water Protection & Biodiversity
Techniques for enhancing biodiversity, practical water protection measures, machinery setbacks.

[0:34:49] – Government CCF Scheme & Management Support
Participation in the Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS), available supports, and practical uses for funding.

[0:37:15] – Future Plans & Underplanting
Plans for underplanting, species diversification, tree marking, high pruning, and continuous CCF improvements.

[0:43:29] – Natural Regeneration Under Conifer
Observations of beech, oak, birch, and sycamore natural regeneration, and active management of unwanted species.

[0:46:29] – Firewood Business Insights and Advice for New Forest Owners
Olive’s experience running a firewood business and the importance of hands-on knowledge for management success.

[0:50:09] – Mná na Coille Initiative and Closing Remarks
Initiative introduction, aims to empower women in forestry, survey results, and next steps for increased industry inclusion.

Today I spoke with Paul Lafferty. Paul qualified as a forester in 1989 but now runs his own Auctioneering firm selling residential and commercial property from his office in Castlerea Roscommon.
In addition he runs forestsales.ie which specialises in the sale of forests, reforestation land and standing timber. In this interview we speak about his 11 years with Greenbelt when afforestation rules were very different, we discussed how he manages his own forests and then Paul gave me a feel for the typical prices that are being paid for forests in Ireland right now and how an existing owner might prepare their forest for sale.

Finally Paul also set a very high bar for future guests by offering to be one of the sponsors for the show which I'm delighted with, so thanks to Paul for that.

Forest Sales website: https://www.forestsales.ie/

Pauls Lafferty Ltd Auctioneers https://www.myhome.ie/estate-agents/james-cleary-sons-5973/residential

Paul Lafferty at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-lafferty-797a4020/

Greenbelt Forestry: https://www.greenbelt.ie/
UCD Undergraduate Degree in Forestry https://www.ucd.ie/agfood/study/undergraduateprogrammes/

Dermot at LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/

[0:00:02] – Introduction & Guest Background
Dermot McNally introduces the Forestry Now podcast and guest Paul Lafferty, who shares his background as a forester and current auctioneer, including his early career, education, and experience with Greenbelt.

[0:01:15] – Education and Early Work Experience
Discussion of the UCD forestry degree’s practical elements, including a full-year placement with Coillte, and Paul’s reflections on the differences between past and present training.

[0:02:19] – Role at Greenbelt: Afforestation & Land Procurement
Paul describes his work as a forest area manager from 1989–2000, focusing on afforestation, land acquisition, grant applications, species selection, and the challenges of trespass and frost damage.

[0:05:00] – Financial Aspects of Afforestation
Exploration of costs and profitability linked to deep peat bog plantings, contractor negotiations, and premium structures for landowners, including changes in land and forestry values over time.

[0:09:10] – Managing Personal Forests: Practices & Challenges
Paul discusses his personal forest investments, the processes of thinning and clear felling, dealing with issues such as fire, windblow, and reconstitution grants, and evolving management strategies.

[0:15:12] – Trends in Forest Sales & Institutional Investment
Insight into the types of forests and land markets, what institutional and recreational buyers are seeking, the importance of access and roads, and evolving investor requirements—including environmental concerns.

[0:23:17] – Valuing & Marketing Forests
Details on the valuation process, required information, use of technology (maps, drone imagery), competitive bidding, and the challenges/opportunities of finding true market value for plantations.

[0:28:26] – Current Forest Prices by Type and Region
Breakdown of recent prices for productive conifer plantations, broadleaf forests, and the variables affecting those prices, including area, location, species, and market demand.

[0:33:37] – Reforestation Land & Farmland Market Dynamics
Discussion of the state of the market for reforestation ground, the influence of farmland prices and returns from farming, and regulatory/environmental obstacles impacting approvals and values.

[0:41:53] – Future Trends: Biodiversity, Carbon, & Investment Opportunities
Paul highlights emerging trends in biodiversity, environmental schemes, and carbon credits. The episode concludes by encouraging forest owners to monitor new opportunities in sustainability and forest management.

This podcast explores the forces impacting the profitable and sustainable management of commercial forests and natural woodlands.
I speak with forest owners, forestry professionals and industry stakeholders on the biggest operational, environmental and economic challenges affecting the sector. I'll interview people involved in the harvesting and processing side of the forestry business as well as those who are trying to maximise carbon sequestration and general ecosystem services.
Finally I'll investigate political and legislative changes that are coming down the track as well as highlight new technologies and big opportunities that are around the corner.

Subscribe to Forestry Now with me Dermot McNally, to hear more.