Commercial forestry offers significant opportunities to boost economic output and create jobs in upland areas, a major study carried out in southern Scotland has shown.

The report, which covered 20,000 hectares in the Eskdalemuir area of Dumfries and Galloway, indicated established, productive conifer forestry has a greater economic output and relies far less on public subsidy than sheep farming.

Stuart Goodall, chief executive of Confor, the organisation that promotes forestry and wood, which commissioned the report, said: "This report is clear in saying commercial forestry is a very significant economic activity in rural Scotland. It also highlights a major opportunity for farmers.

"Against a background of downward pressure on Cap [European Union Common Agricultural Policy] subsidies, forestry provides an alternative that is more productive, more sustainable and far less reliant on public subsidy than sheep farming. We would, therefore, encourage more sheep farmers to consider planting trees."

The report, based on analysis in the Eskdalemuir study area in the second half of 2013, found:

l Established, productive conifer forests deliver more than three times the economic output compared to upland sheep farming before subsidy - an average of just over £10 million per year when in sustained production, compared to just over £3m for farming.

l Annual output per hectare is £503 for forestry compared to £154 for upland sheep farming - annual output per employee is £122,047 for forestry compared to £37,110 for upland sheep farming.

l Forestry spending in the local economy is twice that of upland sheep farming -is £7m compared to £3.5m annually.

l Upland sheep farming requires a public subsidy of £22,600 per FTE [full-time equivalent employee] each year to survive. Forestry receives a subsidy of around one-sixth of that of upland sheep farming which goes towards public benefits including access, recreational opportunities and environmental improvements.

Confor board member Raymond Henderson said: "This report does not set out to denigrate upland farming, nor is it a cry to cover all of our hills with new forests. It is to provide some evidence of the real social and economic justification behind the ambitions of the Scottish Government and the forestry industry to create a further 60,000 hectares of this forest type over the next 10 years."

Market round-up

THE Cumberland and Dum-friesshire Mart sold 6121 prime hoggs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £134 per head and 282p per kg to average 215.4p (-1.4p on the week). A smaller show of 3012 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £153 for Texels and average £98.97 (+£7.77), while light ewes peaked at £84 for Cheviots and levelled at £59.72 (+£5.54). Rams sold to £160 for a Texel, averaging £93.06 (+11p).