Forestry machinery demo to help boost small scale businesses

Appropriate small or mini scale harvesting and extraction machinery can increase local harvesting and processing capacity
Appropriate small or mini scale harvesting and extraction machinery can increase local harvesting and processing capacity

A free demonstration of small to medium sized harvesting machinery next month (Feb ’16) will show small scale forestry businesses how the new Forestry Grant Scheme can help boost their businesses.

Appropriate small or mini scale harvesting and extraction machinery can increase local harvesting and processing capacity. This will add long-term, sustainable value to local economies by helping bring smaller woodlands - and those on more sensitive sites - into management.

Derek Nelson, Forestry Commission Scotland’s Business Development advisor, said; “It’s really about supporting, facilitating and enabling diversification.

“This free event will explain how the Harvesting and Processing capital grant option can help contractors to buy machinery that can boost their business. This type of investment is not only good for businesses but is good for the long-term vitality of woodlands and local timber processing businesses.

“Firewood in particular is a real growing market and producers could benefit greatly from learning how grant support can help their business grow.“

Staged at Falkland Estate, Fife, on Thurs 25th and Fri 26th February, the event will involve six in-wood sessions, led by Forest Research Technical Development (FRTD) team, along with a separate display of other relevant equipment.

Each session will show how to select and safely use the right equipment to suit the terrain, woodland and species of tree to be worked.

There will be demonstrations of a small harvester, a small forwarder and a tractor mounted winch, which are all suited for use in smaller and potentially more sensitive woods. Primary processing equipment such as mobile sawmills and firewood processing equipment will also be on show.

Information on the Harvesting and Processing grant will be available, as well as copies of FRTD’s new 'Technical Development Guide 131' on selection for safety of small and mini harvesting and extraction machinery.

Biosecurity measures will be in place and footwear should be free of mud and should be disinfected on arrival.