Meeting at Lochdochart Estate, Crianlarich, 5 July 2016

摘要

This second 2016 RSFS Central Region field meeting took place at Lochdochart Estate, Crianlarich, by invitation of Mr and Mrs J Christie and Mr Peter Christie. The aim was to examine integrated management for upland farm estates, combining productiveforestry with livestock husbandry and renewable energy. The sheep and trees' concept, although considered for many years, found renewed relevance following publication of the Scottish Government Woodland Expansion Advisory Group (WEAG) Final Report in 2012. The present author produced a contribution for WEAG, exploring woodland expansion on hill farms and deer range. Recent years have seen growing concern over rural development implications of whole-farm afforestation in the uplands, heightening interest in options combining livestock, timber and energy. A package of incentives are available under the SRDP Forestry Grant Scheme (2014-2020) to encourage adoption of this approach, and there are plans to establish 'monitor' farms where agronomic and landeconomy implications can be studied.