Australian timber industry news

An international team of researchers, including scientists from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have produced a genomic ‘tree of life’ using the DNA sequences of more than 9,500 flowering plant species. The tree of life presents the most up-to-date understanding of flowering plants which will help scientists do everything from plant classification to discovery of new medicines. Source: Timberbiz The tree of life was built using 1.8 billion letters of genetic code sequenced from living plants and centuries-old specimens held in herbaria across Australia and the world. It includes extinct and endangered species and contains 15 times more data than any comparable studies of the flowering plant tree of life, as well as 800 plants that have never had their DNA sequenced before. The tree of life presents the most up-to-date understanding of flowering plants which will help scientists do everything from plant classification to discovery of new medicines. It is also a step toward building a tree of life for all 330,000 known species of flowering plants by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s Tree of Life Initiative. The paper ‘Phylogenomics and the rise of the angiosperms’ was published in the journal Nature by an international team of 279 scientists from 138 organisations internationally, led by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. CSIRO contributed to this collaborative effort through the Genomics for Australian Plants (GAP) Framework Initiative consortium led by Bioplatforms Australia and partner organisations. “The Genomics for Australian Plants consortium contributed DNA sequences of 774 Australian plant species. CSIRO, a major partner in the GAP consortium, contributed daisies and orchids from CSIRO’s National Research Collections Australia. “The flowering plant tree of life maps how the flowering plants are related to each other. This important tool will have many uses from discovering new medicines, to biological control of invasive species,” CSIRO Research Scientist Dr Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn said. “This is because closely related species tend to have similar pharmaceutical properties and may be vulnerable to the same biocontrol agents. What we know about one species can guide how we study, use and manage its relatives. CSIRO Research Scientist Dr Katharina Nargar, explained that the National Research Collections Australia at CSIRO hold 15 million specimens of plants, insects, fish and more. “Our collections are hugely valuable in large-scale, international studies of biodiversity. They provide critical data on the many species which are only found in Australia, like the sexually deceptive hammer orchids, which trick male thynnid wasps to pollinate them by resembling female thynnid wasps,” she said. “The flowering plant tree of life will help unravel the mystery of how flowering plants evolved. For example, it will help us understand how our highly unique Australian flora was assembled and evolved over time. “The Australian continent has a long history of isolation from other landmasses and underwent drastic climatic changes over geological time. Of over 21,000 Australian plant species, more than 80% occur nowhere else on the planet. Where did they come from? How did a changing climate impact their evolutionary trajectory?”

Surpassing its own 2019 Guinness World Record for the largest polymer 3D printer, the University of Maine in the US unveiled a next-generation printer that is four times larger than its predecessor to catalyse the future of sustainable manufacturing in a number of industries. Source: Timberbiz The new printer, dubbed Factory of the Future 1.0 (FoF 1.0), was unveiled at the Advanced Structures and Composites Centre (ASCC). The thermoplastic polymer printer is designed to print objects as large as 96 feet long by 32 feet wide by 18 feet high, and can print up to 500 pounds per hour. It offers new opportunities for eco-friendly and cost-effective manufacturing for numerous industries, including affordable housing, bridge construction, ocean and wind energy technologies and maritime vessel fabrication. The design and fabrication of this world-first printer and hybrid manufacturing system was made possible with support from the Office of the Secretary of Defense through the US Army Corps of Engineers. FoF 1.0 isn’t merely a large-scale printer; it dynamically switches between various processes such as large-scale additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, continuous tape layup and robotic arm operations. Access to it and MasterPrint, the ASCC’s first world-record-breaking 3D printer, will streamline manufacturing innovation research at the centre. The two large printers can collaborate by sharing the same end-effectors or by working on the same part. The one-of-a-kind printer will advance various initiatives, including the development of biobased feedstocks from wood residuals abundant in Maine. This technology will advance commercialization efforts such as BioHome3D and the creation of sustainable, affordable housing. The FoF 1.0 unveiling comes ahead of a planned ground-breaking new 47,000-square-foot research laboratory called the Green Engineering and Materials (GEM) Factory of the Future. Scheduled for an August, the facility is positioned to enhance manufacturing innovation across multiple sectors. Its primary aim is to facilitate and scale up more sustainable manufacturing practices by introducing next-generation solutions and biomaterials, addressing challenges such as a diminishing workforce and strained supply chains with local solutions. “Maine needs an estimated 80,000 additional homes by 2030, many specifically for households with incomes at or below the area median income. This new technology allows UMaine-ASCC to scale-up its research and production of its innovative biobased 3D printed home technology,” said Maine Housing’s Development Director Mark Wiesendanger. “This effort creates another means of producing quality affordable housing, while further driving costs down, and using abundant wood residuals from Maine’s sawmills. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Dr Dagher, the staff and students at UMaine/ASCC in demonstrating how 3D printed homes and other next-generation housing technologies will quickly and effi iently contribute to enhancing Maine’s housing stock.” The research facility will not only scale up advanced manufacturing processes, but also explore innovative materials systems by prioritizing recycled and biobased materials. Maine, the most forested state in the nation, annually produces more than one million tons of wood residuals in its sawmills, which can be used as feedstock for 3D printing. In addition, UMaine, with the GEM initiative, has prioritized manufacturing workforce development by offering experiential learning and entrepreneurial training programs aimed at nurturing the next generation of leaders.

The 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO) will be held on 22-26 July 2024 at FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy in a hybrid format. The biennial sessions of COFO bring together high-level representatives, heads of forest services, government officials and partner organizations to identify emerging policy and technical guidance, seek solutions, and advise on future strategy and action. Source: Timberbiz COFO 27 will be held in conjunction with the 9th World Forest Week (WFW 2024) under the theme “Accelerating Forest Solutions through Innovation.” A highlight of COFO 27 will be the release of FAO’s flagship publication The State of the World’s Forests 2024 which will provide an in-depth analysis of forest-sector innovations towards a more sustainable future. The week will also feature discussion on scaling up agroforestry, the FAO Forestry Roadmap – From Vision to Action 2024-2031, on bioeconomy, climate change, ecosystem restoration, urban agrifood systems, integrated fire management, and agriculture and forestry linkages.

Nominations are now open for the 2024 Australian Biosecurity Awards that recognise individuals, groups and organisations that have shown a commitment to supporting and promoting Australia’s biosecurity and the systems that underpin it. Source: Timberbiz Nominations can be made by anyone with an interest in the biosecurity system as a way to recognise effort, achievement and impact within the sector. The awards will be presented later this year. Nominations are welcomed across nine categories, including the First Nations Award for Excellence in Biosecurity. This new award will recognise Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution beyond their normal responsibilities to Australian biosecurity, recognising exceptional commitment to improving the protection of Country and people from pests, weeds and diseases. Deputy Secretary for Biosecurity and Compliance, Justine Saunders APM, said that these awards recognise the importance of biosecurity to Australia. “Across the country, Australians are playing their part in protecting our nation from exotic pests and diseases,” Ms Saunders said. “Our biosecurity system plays a central role in protecting more than $90 billion worth of agricultural production and $5.7 trillion worth of unique, environmental assets. “That’s why we want to acknowledge the people who go above and beyond to protect it. “The Australian Biosecurity Awards recognise the enormous, varied work that goes on in biosecurity. “Previous winners have included experts in their fields, working to keep exotic pests and diseases out of the country like khapra beetle and brown marmorated stink bug. “Other winners have led and supported projects to manage existing pest species, such as rabbits, myrtle rust and weeds, and feral pigs on Kangaroo Island. “Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s excellent that we can acknowledge the huge range of innovative work that goes into keeping our country safe.” For more information on the 2024 Australian Biosecurity Awards, including how to submit a nomination, visit www.agriculture.gov.au/ABA nominations will close at 9am on the 10 June 2024.  

New building approvals data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics have once again painted a concerning picture of the nation’s housing crisis. Source: Timberbiz The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its monthly building approvals data for March 2024 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories which show the number of multi-units approved for construction in the first three months of 2024 fell further to be the lowest volume since April 2012. Master Builders Australia Chief Economist Shane Garrett said March was the worst month for new detached house approvals since July 2012 – almost 12 years ago,” he said. “There was a small gain (+1.9%) in approvals for higher-density homes during the month, but we need to see more growth in this sector of the market.” The results meant that just 161,500 new homes have been approved over the past year. Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said the figures stood in sharp contrast to the yearly target of 240,000 new homes under the National Housing Accord. “The Accord takes effect in less than two months’ time, and if we are going to have any chance of meeting this target, we need to lift new home building by 50% from current levels over the next five years,” she said. “Despite the will of governments to get home-building activity moving, there are still too many obstacles in our way. “Chronic tradie shortages, planning and licensing delays, draconian industrial relations changes, material cost inflation, inefficient regulation, unfeasible lending practices and risk allocation are making projects unsustainable. “We have to make it easier to build new homes by bringing down the cost of construction. This must be a priority in the upcoming Federal Budget.” HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon said the mismatch between rising demand from migration and constraints on the supply of housing was likely to see the acute shortage of housing stock continue to deteriorate. “Higher density housing development is being constrained by labour, material and finance costs and uncertainties, as well as cumbersome planning rules and punitive taxes, especially on foreign investors,” he said. “This lack of new work entering the construction pipeline is occurring alongside record inflows of overseas migrants and a pre-existing acute shortage of rental accommodation across the country. “The positive news is that for the past 12 months the volume of detached building approvals has remained relatively stable, albeit at their lowest level for a decade. “There is growing evidence that the volume of new detached homes commencing construction will reach a trough in 2024, albeit, at its lowest level since 2012,” Mr Reardon said. The volume of detached approvals nationally rose for the second consecutive month, to be 0.7% higher than it was in the same quarter in 2023. “Rising interest rates is the key factor slowing building activity, but there is an increased divergence evident in some states. Those able to deliver low-cost land are seeing more modest slowing in activity,” Mr Reardon said. “Approvals for new houses in Western Australia contrast with the rest of the country and have been increasing steadily since mid-2023. House approvals in Western Australia are now 33.2% higher than in the same quarter the previous year. “It is possible to build the Australian Government’s target of 1.2 million homes over the next five years, but it will require significant lowering of taxes on home building, easing pressures on construction costs, and decreasing land costs,” he said. In seasonally adjusted terms, dwelling approvals in the three months to March increased in Western Australia, up by 38.5% compared with the previous year, and in New South Wales (+7.7%). Other jurisdictions saw declines in approvals, led by Queensland (-17.6%), followed by South Australia (-9.0%) and Victoria (-1.9%). In original terms, dwelling approvals declined in the Northern Territory (-46.2%), the Australian Capital Territory (-14.6%) and Tasmania (-5.4%).  

The Forest Practices Awards are presented by the board of the FPA to recognise excellence in various areas of expertise in the Tasmanian forest practices system. Source: Timberbiz The highly skilled and experienced people who continually strive for excellence in their varied roles are critical to the functioning of the system. The FPA board values this expertise and the importance of acknowledging it. There have been six previous rounds of Forest Practices Awards – in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2022. Now is your chance to highlight the outstanding achievements of someone you know (or yourself) working in the forest practices system. The nomination process is simple all you need to do is complete the nomination form found on the FPA’s website home page in the ‘News’ section and send it to the FPA. This year will feature a new award category – the Natural and cultural special values management award. This award will apply to individuals, groups or businesses showing innovative identification, planning and management of natural and cultural special values. These values could include soils and water, geomorphology, biodiversity, visual landscape or cultural heritage. It will be judged on the number and complexity of the special values, the innovation of the planning and the positive management outcomes. Nominations are open until 8 August with the awards in Devonport, Tasmania on 19 September.

New Zealand’s forestry trade is presently dominated by three countries, Australia, Japan and Korea. Between them, these countries absorbed 74% of New Zealand’s 1995 exports. This market concentration leaves New Zealand vulnerable to downturns in any of these markets and is leading to New Zealand actively seeking a more diversified market base, particularly seeking greater scope to trade in processed products. Sources: FOA, Timberbiz Presently, logs comprise 82% of New Zealand’s exports to Korea and 30% of exports to Japan. Figure 7: Value of NZ Forestry Exports by Destination Country 1991-1995 ($NZ) A part of New Zealand’s future trade strategy will be to substitute processed products for logs into Japan and Korea. Some slow progress has been made in this direction in Japan. New opportunities in these markets are expected as supply shortfalls from Indonesia and Malaysia occur, however, offsetting this will be reduced opportunities in the Australian market as that market moves toward self-sufficiency. Increasing production from Australia is a major concern for New Zealand since Australia presently absorbs around 30% of New Zealand’s exports, including a considerably higher proportion of processed products. Increasing efforts are being devoted to the development of new markets. In the long run, New Zealand may well find itself selling the bulk of its logs into Korea and China with some sawn timber being exported to these markets as well. China, although historically not proving a stable market, appears to offer vast potential. Japan may develop further into a market for processed product, particularly for panel products, while continuing to import a moderate volume of logs. New Zealand sawmillers may find their best opportunities in South-east Asia, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia. Some high-quality timber should continue to be exported to the United States. Market-trading countries such as China-Taipei, Hong Kong and Singapore are likely to continue to purchase a range of New Zealand wood products. The pulp and paper sector is likely to become increasing focused on Australasia with only the Asian-owned pulp companies exporting beyond these bounds. This focus is likely to see a marked decline in New Zealand’s imports of paper and consequently in total forestry imports. New Zealand’s roles in global forestry can be broadly summarized in four categories: as already discussed, at an industrial level New Zealand is a net exporter of forestry products; in global forestry debates New Zealand is a small and generally moderate country regarded by most as having few “axes to grind”. Its primary contribution is often as an arbiter or conciliator, seeking ways to progress deadlocks between more protagonist countries. New Zealand’s primary concern is to ensure plantation forestry, as practised in New Zealand, continues to internationally be accepted as a means of achieving environmental objectives; as described in the introduction New Zealand provides a “model” for a range of topical policies including plantation forestry and privatization; in the South Pacific New Zealand is a substantial source of development funding. New Zealand’s bilateral assistance on forestry is provided in response to specific requests from partner governments on the basis of their national and regional plans and priorities. Bilateral assistance is directed primarily to the island states of the South Pacific. New Zealand participates in projects by contributing technical assistance, cash grants, material supplies, and training. Currently New Zealand is associated with overseas development assistance in seven Pacific Island Developing Countries.  

Well known spokesperson Don Carson’s worked his last day at the New Zealand Forest Owners Association last week. He retires after eight years at FOA and decades within the primary industries, at organisations like Federated Farmers and the Wool Board. Sources: Friday offcuts, Timberbiz Mr Carson has a background in journalism and a great passion for communicating about how people grow, harvest, and make things that support our society. “I have really appreciated working with him, particularly for his intellect and humour,” said Elizabeth Heeg, Chief Executive Officer at New Zealand Forest Owners Association. “He also seems to know pretty much everyone in Wellington! Don will still be doing a few of our referendum roadshow sessions as he fully wraps up, so you can still have a last cuppa with him on the road.” Emily Pope will be stepping up into the role of communications manager for FOA.

Private Forests Tasmania has launched an interactive knowledge hub for Tasmanian landowners to learn about the positive impact integrating commercial trees can have on their properties. Source: Timberbiz The Tree Alliance Knowledge Hub and its content have been developed in consultation with a broad scope of state and nationally renowned forestry, agricultural and biodiversity experts to ensure landowners can glean the best advice and support from the information resources. The $400,000 project was supported by the TAS Farm Innovation Hub through funds from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, PFT and supported by 10 other stakeholder project partners. The Knowledge Hub, developed by Walker Designs and Cavalletti Communications, consolidates accessible and user-friendly information and tools that highlight how integrating trees on farms through whole-farm planning can improve farm resilience through environmental and economic shocks such as droughts. People can visit the hub to: Discover how to integrate trees into your farming operations to maximise productivity, and generate economic, ecological and societal benefits Learn about the experiences of farmers who have successfully planted trees on their land Explore the results of Tasmanian case studies measuring the productivity and environmental impacts of trees on farms Access tools that support decision-making from carbon estimation to forest mapping, to species selection Find practical step-by-step resources backed by the latest research, market insights and industry knowledge Gain information and advice from leading forestry professionals on each aspect of the tree-growing process Begin planning their own tree-growing journey for a thriving future Included in the hub is PFT’s new Farm and Forest Mapper tool to help simplify the farm-planning process for landowners, consultants, planners, contractors and land agents. The Farm and Forest Mapper, developed by Esk Spatial, in consultation with Private Forests Tasmania and the Forest Practices Authority, is a FREE set of mapping and decision support tools and calculators where users can easily plan, map and manage their properties to expand their plantation estate and leverage the multiple benefits that trees on farms can provide. PFT Chief Executive Officer Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski said the Knowledge Hub would be a key resource for many Tasmanian landowners to learn more about the benefits of trees on their farms and then find what help is available to enable them to make the best decisions for their enterprise. “The Knowledge hub is an extension of PFT’s strategic program Tree Alliance, which works with forestry, agricultural and environmental stakeholders to raise awareness of farm forestry and the benefits of trees on farms,” she said. “Longer-term, we hope the outcomes of this project will be more trees of the right type, in the right places across the agricultural landscape, improved farming businesses’ drought resilience and better carbon and other natural capital asset outcomes. “We know farmers are interested in integrating trees into their whole farm plans, however, in many cases, they don’t know how or where to start. “This Knowledge Hub, developed by the forestry and agricultural sector, will provide them with key information and direction of the process and who to talk to make sound economic and environmental decisions.” Director of the TAS Farm Innovation Hub Sandra Knowles said the project supported the hub’s aim of helping farmers access information and drive innovation in their business. “As our climate changes and becomes more variable, we need to build climate resilience into communities, economies and environments at all scales,” she said. “We know that a critical part of this is ensuring farmers are able access information they need to make the best decisions for the future. “The Knowledge Hub will be a fantastic resource as it uses a variety of methods to show farmers how integrating trees on farmers and whole farm planning can improve their financial, social and environmental resilience to drought and climate variability.” The TAS Farm Innovation Hub is one of eight hubs nationally funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. The hub is based at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) at the University of Tasmania and delivered through a network of industry and community partners. The Tree Alliance Knowledge Hub can be explored at www.pft.tas.gov.au by clicking on the Tree Alliance tab in the top right-hand corner and people can call PFT’s free Helpline on 1300 661 009.

Miners and small prospectors fear that the state government’s study into the future of Gippsland’s forests could lock up swathes of forest and shackle mining as a driver of local economic growth and jobs. Source: Philip Hopkins, Latrobe Valley Express Both the Minerals Council of Australia and the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria (PMAV) are critical of mining’s inability to have a say in the process. The government has appointed a taskforce headed by a former Environment Minister, Lisa Neville, to investigate the forest’s future, particularly the areas used for timber harvesting. A key member of the taskforce is the chair of the Victorian Environment Assessment Council, which in December released an interim report into the values, management and use of state forests in the Central Highlands – the area of the CH Regional Forest Agreement. The taskforce is liaising with an Eminent Panel for Community Engagement (EPCV) that is seeking feedback from the community into the issues identified by VEAC. The executive director of the Victorian division of the Minerals Council of Australia, James Sorahan, said the MCA was extremely concerned that it had had no input into the investigation. VEAC was considering extending areas of forest into protected conservation zones that are mineral rich, he said, urging the government to consult with affected stakeholders and communities, including the mining industry. “A proper analysis of impacts on economic opportunities for regional Victorians needs to take place to ensure a balanced analysis of the economic, social or environmental impacts of mining and minerals exploration in the study area,” he told the Express. “There has been no detailed analysis.” Mr Sorahan said active exploration and mining in the region showed the potential for minerals which can benefit the local and broader state economy. More than 20 mining and exploration companies with 38 exploration licences (EL) and eight EL applications are in the study area. “Explorers are looking for not only gold exploration, but at least one other commodity including antimony, tungsten, tin, molybdenum, bismuth and base metals such as copper and zinc,” he said. Many critical minerals needed for renewables were available. Mr Sorahan said Geological Survey Victoria (GSV) estimates there is “significant potential” for gold and critical minerals worth at least $3.4 billion. “MCA Victoria is not against extending protected areas, but they need to be areas that don’t risk sterilising minerals rich regions because exploration has effectively no impact on the environment, and mining’s is minimised and highly regulated,” he said. “Conservation and modern mineral resource development are not mutually exclusive outcomes.” Mr Sorahan said minerals development had not been identified as a major driver of biodiversity loss in Victorian state of environment reporting. “The footprint is small, and most exploration is low impact,” he said. A PMAV Committee member, David Bentley, told the Express that the government was rushing through the VEAC report that could close up to another one million hectares of public forests and reserves in Gippsland. “Prospecting, mining, camping, hunting and fishing, four-wheel driving, horse and trail bike riding, rally cars, dogs – every bush user group will be affected,” he said. “A major mining area like Walhalla-Potts Point could be lost. This is the first step towards the Great National Park.” Mr Bentley said the process in Gippsland was akin to the Central West Investigation area, which resulted in the loss of more than 7000ha of goldfields into national parks. The PMAV has 1706 paid up members, but Mr Bentley said 85,000 people in Victoria have mining rights licences, which are valid for 10 years. The interim VEAC report into the forests of the Central Highlands, based largely on desktop assessment of previous research and talks with experts, emphasised that forest values were particularly threatened by climate change – heatwaves, floods, higher temperatures, declines in annual rainfall, and increased bushfire frequency and severity. Other threats were invasive plants and animals, such as blackberry and deer, and loss and fragmentation of habitat. Melbourne’s growing population was also placing more pressure on the forests for recreation and other uses. Native timber harvesting, now closed, is a legacy use. “In spite of having had significant impacts (disturbance) on these forests, it can no longer be viewed as an ongoing threat,” VEAC said. VEAC said it had identified large areas of high quality natural values with relatively low conflicting uses that could be protected in a national park, and that link the existing parks in the region. The taskforce’s community engagement process and more detailed information were needed where national park values and other uses were in conflict, VEAC said. The reported noted that a large national park could be created from three large areas in the north and south of the RFA area would link the existing Yarra Ranges, Kinglake, Lake Eildon and Baw Baw national parks and the Bunyip, Cathedral Range and Moondarra state parks. “There are relatively few uses that would conflict with the national park designation, although this is an area that the EPCE should explore further with the community during its engagement period,” VEAC said. “The upper Thomson catchment also contains outstanding natural values commensurate with a national park designation, and would link to the Yarra Ranges National Park to the west. More detailed consideration is needed however as there are potentially high value uses such as mineral extraction that would conflict with such a designation.” The VEAC report said there is significant potential for gold in the state forests in the east of the Central Highlands RFA area. “GSV found that areas near Erica and east of Warburton, in particular, exhibit very high potential for critical minerals (including copper, nickel, tin, tungsten, antimony, zinc, rare earth elements, platinum group elements an cobalt), gold and extractives (including limestone and sedimentary hard rock),” the report said. VEAC noted there are recreational uses of the forests, including camping, fishing and water-based activities, four-wheel driving, mountain biking, horse riding, trailbike riding, bushwalking, birdwatching, recreational prospecting, deer hunting and scenic driving Given the threats to the […]

Seppi M has designed an all new ‘E20 direct’ for excavators weighing from 12 to 21 tons. This mulcher head for excavators promises increased efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, and improved performance for forestry and earthmoving professionals. Source: Timberbiz ‘E20 direct’ represents the first model of a new family of forestry mulchers designed for excavators. Recognizing the diverse applications of forestry mulchers, Seppi M has designed the ‘E20 direct’ to excel in construction site clearing, vegetation management along highways, railways, and power lines, as well as in wetlands maintenance and agricultural field reclamation. The heart of ‘E20 direct’ is the rotor with fixed tools featuring the ‘cut control’ system, driven by the innovative direct drive hydraulic transmission. The machine can mulch vegetation up to 20 cm in diameter. Its cutting-edge design partially integrates the hydraulic motor into the rotor, eliminating belt transmission and reducing power losses due to friction by approximately 50%. The result is improved efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and increased available power – all contributing to enhanced productivity. With four different working widths, ranging from 100 to 200 cm, ‘E20 direct’ is recommended for excavators weighing between 12 and 21 tons, offering versatility and performance in a variety of applications. Its compact design and reduced weight, thanks to the use of durable materials such as AR400 steel, make it more universal and easier to use and mount on various excavators.

The North Carolina Forestry Association (NCFA) has teamed up with the North Carolina Future Farmers of America Association (NC FFA) to create North Carolina’s first-ever high school forestry course with an industry-aligned credential: AN53 Natural Resources II-Forestry. Both organizations have collaborated with ForestryWorks to create the course, which will be implemented in high schools for the 2024-2025 school year. Source: Goldsboro Daily News In North Carolina, there is a steady need for skilled forestry professionals due to ongoing forest management needs, forest products manufacturing, and conservation efforts. However, recent statistics show us that the overall forest workforce in the US is aging, with 59% of the total forestry and logging labor force between the ages of 35-64 and only 12% between the ages of 16-24 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). “When it comes to selecting a career path, students have many options before them,” said Jessica Ireland, Director of Education Programs, NCFA. “We know it’s important to foster interests at an early age, and many students do not know about forestry, the forest products industry, and the wide range of career pathways within the industry. We saw an opportunity to bring this education to the forefront.” The labor data within the forestry industry tells us that we will soon need to create a new generation of skilled workers. The good news is the demand for these workers exists within a variety of areas from the forest industry to state and federal forestry agencies to municipalities, to consulting firms, to universities, and more. “When the NCFA came to us with the idea to create a brand-new forestry course, we knew we had to get involved,” said Joshua Bledsoe, State Agricultural Education Leader and State FFA Advisor, North Carolina State University. “NC FFA is excited to partner with NCFA to support workforce development efforts through this course and credential. The future of our state’s workforce starts with our youth and giving them the tools they need to succeed.” The course itself is one of the first of its kind, a product of direct input and feedback from various members of the NC forestry industry. “We strongly believe that [this course] will be of great value to students, setting the standard for how new courses will be approached and introduced into curriculums in the future,” said Bledsoe. AN53 Natural Resources II-Forestry is a semester-long course that is available to high schools with an agricultural education program offering the Natural Resources pathway. The course includes a designated Forest Worker Credential that was approved by the NC Department of Public Instruction earlier this year. The credential, issued to students who pass the exam with a 70% or higher, is recognized by the NC forest industry. “I am honoured to be among the first teachers to offer this forestry class in its pilot year,” said Heather Whitmire McNeely, Agriculture Teacher, Rosman High School. “It’s important to offer our students the full picture of the agriculture industry, and that includes forestry. I can’t wait to include this course in my curriculum and for my students to learn about a sustainable industry that is a huge contributor to their daily lives.” The development and implementation of this course is funded through the U.S. Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration grant program, a State and Private Forestry competitive grant program that promotes collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes and further priorities identified in State Forest Action plans or equivalent restoration strategies.

German wind turbine blade maker Voodin Blade Technology has announced the first-ever real installation of its wood-based blades on a wind turbine in Breuna, Germany. Source: Interesting Engineering These 63-foot (19.3-meter) long blades are made from laminated veneer lumber (LVL). This wood-based laminate material is considered more sustainable than existing fiberglass and other synthetic composites used to make wind turbine blades. More importantly, the blades should be easier to decommission and recycle once their lifespan expires. Since most wind turbine blades have a shelf life of around 20 to 25 years, replacing and disposing of older blades will be a big headache in the coming years. Currently, most wind turbine blades are buried at life’s end as the material they are made of cannot be readily recycled. For this reason, blades made from wood, like Voodin’s, could eliminate one of wind turbines’ major Achilles heel: the inherent issues of manufacturing and disposing of their blades. To this end, Voodin’s wooden blades could be the perfect solution to bolster wind turbine technology’s claimed green credentials. Composite materials, such as fiberglass and epoxy resin, cannot be reused, which results in wasted material after decommissioning. Wood, on the other hand, is a much more sustainable raw material. “At the end of their lifecycle, most blades are buried in the ground or incinerated. This means that at this pace we will end up with 50 million tonnes of blade material waste by 2050. With our solution, we want to help green energy truly become as green as possible,” says Tom Siekmann, CEO at Voodin Blade Technology. Voodin utilizes CNC milling machines that excel in creating intricate 3D shapes. As a result, the manufacturing process is highly automated, eliminating the need for molds in the production facilities. CNC milling technology also provides greater flexibility since it can be used to manufacture blades of any kind. Increasing the level of automation reduces the need for labor in manufacturing. As a result, manufacturing is no longer necessary in countries with lower labor costs. This could also open up the possibility of production being relocated closer to wind farms, leading to a reduction in transportation costs and emissions caused by transportation. Wood, particularly LVL, is a highly durable material that outperforms composite materials currently used in various industries. Voodin has conducted extensive laboratory testing to guarantee the material’s ability to withstand the harshest conditions in onshore wind energy production. “We have conducted hundreds of laboratory tests during the past two years to perfect the blade material. According to all our tests, our blades are even more durable than the existing fiberglass blades, as they show fewer fatigue characteristics and are proven to endure all kinds of onshore weather conditions extremely well,” explains Jorge Castillo, co-founder of Voodin Blade Technology. The company has installed the first set of prototype blades on an existing wind turbine near the city of Kassel in Breuna, Germany. The next step is to build bigger 197-foot (60-meter) and 263-foot (80-meter) blades.

Long-serving PNG forest industry leader, Bob Tate recently died in Port Moresby, aged 70, after suffering a short illness. A memorial mass was celebrated at the Koki United Church Port Moresby on 28 March 2024. Source: Friday Offcuts Born in Sydney, Bob Tate was well known across PNG, Australia, and the wider sector. From 1996, Mr Tate was the Executive Officer of the PNG Forest Industry Association (PNGFIA) and represented the Papua New Guinea forest industry, both nationally and internationally, on all issues impacting the sector (with his signature cigarettes and rum and coke drinks). He was a member and representative on many industry groupings, including the Commonwealth Forestry Association, National Climate Change Advisory Board, National Forest Board and the ITTO Trade Advisory Group. During 2004, Mr Tate, along with the Curator of the National Botanical Gardens and the head of the Office of Environment and Conservation, was instrumental in establishing the National School Tree Nursery Project ‘Trees for Survival’. A major revegetation project was undertaken with Port Moresby schools, which allowed school children and communities the benefit of studying environmental concerns, and, particularly, the vital role that trees play in the PNG ecosystem. Mr Tate is survived by his family; partner Betty Oauke-Tate, Tate brothers Allan and David, and sister Christen, and their extended families in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The state government has defended its panel that will investigate the future of Victoria’s native forest estate but did not comment on its lack of bushfire expertise. Source: Philip Hopkins, Latrobe Valley Express The membership of the panel had been strongly criticised for its lack of a bushfire expert by a Latrobe Valley forest and business consultant, John Cameron. The Express also asked the government whether the panel would consider the report by the federal-state Major Event Review Panel that investigated the impact of the destructive 2019/20 fires on the Regional Forest Agreements. The panel, which submitted its report a year ago, made 36 recommendations on future forest policy but has received no reply from the state or federal government. A government spokesperson said the end of native timber harvesting presented new opportunities to improve forest management, balancing recreation and tourism for Victorians to enjoy time outdoors, while protecting the environment and supporting Traditional Owner self-determination. “The taskforce will play a critical role in engaging with Victorians to determine the best forest management practices, with each member bringing specialised knowledge from various fields such as environment, tourism, regional development, and outdoor recreation – ensuring a comprehensive consideration of all options during the consultation process,” the spokesperson said. “As part of this important work, the taskforce will consider a wide range of resources including the report from the Major Event Review Panel.” The government’s Great Outdoors Taskforce, led by the former Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Lisa Neville, will consider the future management and use of state forest previously available for timber harvesting. Commercial native timber harvesting in Victoria ceased on 1 January 2024. The taskforce will work alongside the Eminent Panel for Community Engagement that is currently engaging with Victorians on the future management and uses of state forests in the Central Highlands. The taskforce has promised to widely consult with communities and stakeholders on the options to protect the environment and support recreational, social and commercial opportunities in the forests. This includes investigating opportunities for recreation and tourism such as camping, hunting, hiking, trail-bike riding and four-wheel driving. The work will be undertaken over the next 12 months and consultation details will be released in the coming weeks. Mr Cameron said wildfire was the single most important threat to the state’s 7.5 million hectares of native forest. “There is a clear need for a bushfire expert to be on the Great Outdoors Taskforce,” he said. More information here.

Nearly 250 hectares of trees will be planted, and the carbon outcomes researched as part of a new grant program supporting Tasmanian farmers. Private Forests Tasmania is excited to announce the recipients of a $450,000 co-investment to support farmers on private land in Tasmania to plant and grow more commercial trees on their properties.Source: Timberbiz The Stems for CO2 Program supported by the State Government’s Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania will directly support three Tasmanian farmers with upfront establishment costs to successfully integrate commercial trees into their agricultural enterprise. PFT Chief Executive Officer Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski said the successful applicants were chosen due to their demonstrated ability to meet the assessment criteria and program objectives of: Carbon modelling conducted on successful grant recipient properties that identifies the expected carbon abatement of the plantings for their deemed length of rotation. Successful establishment of commercial tree plantings that are integrated into the agricultural landscape. Communicate the carbon benefits of commercial trees to farmers, producers and landowners. PFT launched the grant on 2 February 2024 with applications closing in March. An independent assessment panel comprising of individuals with experience in carbon, forestry and agriculture assessed the applications received, with their recommendation going to the PFT Board for final approval. The three recipients who will establish about 249 hectares of commercial tree plantings are: The Tasmanian Government committed $10 million for new actions that will maintain Tasmania’s net-zero emissions status into the future in 2023 and $600,000 was awarded to PFT to deliver this program. “The marketplace is evolving rapidly with significant growth opportunities in carbon, natural capital and new timber products and services. A priority area for PFT is to demonstrate economic and environmental impact that planting the right tree in the right place can have for Tasmanian farmers,” Dr Pietrzykowski said. “Forestry can be a solution for sectors, like agriculture, where the market is demanding carbon neutrality throughout the supply chain, including Tasmanian farmers. “The Stems for CO2 program will allow us to gather some vital information and research to help us communicate the carbon outcomes and opportunities when commercial trees are integrated into whole-farm planning. “PFT through its expanded interactive Tree Alliance Knowledge Hub and strategic integrated farm forestry program will actively work to engage and educate Tasmanian landowners about the carbon benefits of planting trees.”

The Albanese Government has taken a key step in delivering an important $10 million election commitment in Forestry Workforce Training this week with the opening of tenders for the program’s delivery, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said today. Source: Timberbiz “I thank Minister Murray Watt for his continued support of this great Australian industry through this important initiative.” Ms Hallam said. “The forestry industry is a significant employer in rural and regional Australia and like many sectors is struggling with capacity and skills in a tight labour market and this program will provide much needed support to ensure access to contemporary and specific training and credentials required for the workforce. “The suite of skills needed for a career in the forestry, wood, paper and timber industries is extensive and our capacity to supply skilled labour is being challenged. This challenge has been raised with me by every employer I have met, and we appreciate the Albanese Government’s assistance.” Australia’s forest and wood products industries supply the nation with vital building and construction materials, packaging and many essential household products – all are increasingly important for Australia as we move to replace plastics and decarbonise the economy. This diverse industry requires a specialised workforce and an issue faced by these industries is accessing the specific training and credentials required for the workforce. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is now searching for a service provider to deliver the Program through an approach to market in line with the recommendations of the Scoping Study. Assistant Secretary of Agvet Chemicals and Forestry, Julie Gaglia said identifying a preferred supplier through an open tender approach would support the delivery of the Program to ensure it meets the training needs of the forest, wood products, pulp and paper and fibre sectors. “The industry is a significant employer in rural and regional Australia, directly employing 52,000 people,” Ms Gaglia said. “Due to the remote location and ageing workforce, increased participation in the workforce by First Nations Australians and women will be increasingly important. “An issue often faced by the forestry industry is accessing the specific training and credentials required for the workforce. “The selected service provider will work to support the delivery of skills and training to meet the requirements of Australia’s forest and wood products sectors and provide long-term sustainable solutions for industry and workers. “They will also provide solutions to structural impediments identified in the scoping study completed late last year.” Potential suppliers can submit a tender via AusTender now. The approach to market will close at 9:00 am on 28 May 2024. You can submit a tender here.

A total of 33 fire events were averted this fire season in the Green Triangle due to the sophisticated work of Australia’s largest network of smoke detection cameras with plans progressing to expand the infrastructure to cover more blackspot areas for future seasons. Source: Timberbiz The Green Triangle Fire Alliance’s (GTFA) network of 14 cameras, which provide a 360-degree scan of the landscape using AI technology, delivered 24-hour seven day a week observation across 1.3 million hectares of landscape, covering 10 local government areas. Operated by AI specialists Pano AI Pty Ltd, the cameras acted as the first point of detection before the human eye on several occasions and positively identified 24 planned fuel reduction burns for a total of 57 detections for the season. This was in addition to the detection of thousands of private permit burns late in the season. South-west Victoria’s seven cameras, which are located at Dergholm, Lake Mundi, Digby, Dartmoor, Rennick, Nelson and Hicks Hill, near Macarthur, successfully captured 14 unplanned blazes. South Australia’s seven cameras are located in Mt Benson, near Robe, Elad Road and The Bluff in Wattle Range, Furner, Mt Burr, and Carpenters Rocks. Green Triangle hardwood plantation companies ABP (Australian Bluegum Plantations), SFM and PF Olsen are among nine GTFA member companies which invested in the new technology to provide rapid detection and real-time intelligence to inform on-the-ground decision making for optimal use of fire resources. SFM chief operating officer Mike Lawson said the cameras had brought a new level of sophistication to fire management since being installed three years ago, supporting greater protection of the plantation estate, surrounding landholders, the broader environment and community. “These cameras have been instrumental in strengthening fire management across south-west Victoria and importantly we know that year on year these results are going to continue to improve as the AI becomes more sophisticated,” Mr Lawson said. “The cameras have been installed in blackspot zones in CFA (Country Fire Authority) Regions 4, 5 and 17 that were not well covered by traditional fire towers. The results, which are fed live to forest managers and fire authority digital devices, have been impressive with the cameras detecting fire up to six minutes before another detection source.” PF Olsen GT regional manager Andrew Matheson said the camera data, which was identifying fire up to 30km away, was shared directly to Victorian fire management authorities to support informed decision making and quick firefighting responses. “Fire detection in the region has been further strengthened by the plantation industry’s subscription to the Ororatech satellite fire detection service which is particularly useful overnight to support identification of overnight lightning strikes and burnt-out vehicles,” Mr Matheson said. “Matched together, this AI-camera and satellite technology provides an additional layer of coverage to ensure we are protecting our hardwood plantation estate, our agricultural neighbours and the broader community and environment.” ABP general manager operations Darren Shelden said it was critical to invest in more cameras to support the extensive fire tower network and mitigate the increasing risk of bushfire due to climate change. “Plantation companies have fully funded all the cameras in south-west Victoria. Four locations have been identified as new camera sites, including CFA towers at Mount Rouse and Mount Dundas and new sites at Tyrendarra and Nareen,” Mr Shelden said. “We are seeking to attract government support for this broader roll-out which will take the camera network to 11 in south-west Victoria.” Green Triangle Fire Alliance manager Anthony Walsh said the alliance looked forward to continuing strong collaboration with CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria to best use the new technology. “The Green Triangle Fire Alliance is proud of these excellent results and the outstanding effort of our more than 300 trained forest firefighters who work tirelessly alongside state agencies to keep our assets and broader region safe,” Mr Walsh said. “Our industry helicopter and new investment in floating collar tanks to supply water in areas with limited surface water have further increased the level of aerial firefighting capacity in the region, mitigating the risk of a large fire spreading.”

For a decade, the Victorian government-owned forestry controller VicForests has been a tinderbox of incompetence looking for a match. Gifted a near monopoly on Victoria’s forestry, it is my view that the organisation has failed to manage our timber industry. Too many forestry contractors working for VicForests broke the rules. From reports of logging outside allocations to logging old-growth forests, this has gifted activists’ solid legal pathways to halt harvesting and in turn, practically bankrupted the state-owned organisation. VicForests is yet another Victorian example of bureaucracy gone wrong. When they broke the rules, they lobbied the government to change them. When caught by activists, they employed private investigators to, according to the ABC, spy on them. When challenged in court they spent millions of taxpayer funds defending the indefensible. VicForests had so much rope they managed to hang themselves along with the state’s timber industry. One might ask where the state government was in all of this, considering the body charged with the industry oversight the, Office of Conservation Regulator, did not do enough to hold VicForests accountable… A cynic might believe the Green-Labor government was only too happy to watch the forestry industry vanish. I think VicForests should be shut down, but it shouldn’t take the industry with it. The state government, under new leadership, must go back to the drawing board on forestry. Timber is essential for the construction industry, our country’s manufacturing sovereignty and has the modern virtue of sequestrating massive volumes of carbon. The framework for successful forestry management already exists within the non-government Forestry Stewardship Council. The principals of the council are scientifically based, independently audited, and already cover 200 million hectares of forest globally. The state government, alongside the FSC, should set an allocation each year and let logging contractors bid for a license to harvest. Licensees would need to demonstrate ongoing compliance, with failure to do so resulting in suspension. The state government can provide a framework for the industry, issue and collect license fees, but should not have direct involvement in the business of forestry. If the result of accountability is reduced timber yield at a higher cost, let the market decide what it’s willing to pay. As it stands for manufacturers the price point of Victorian Ash is at least 30% less than the next comparable hardwood species. In practical terms that’s hundreds of millions in margin across the current allocation. Money which could go toward better forestry management, local jobs and saving the taxpayer. Marcus Bastiaan is a director at Specialty Doors

To say that the money spent on the Green Triangle’s network of smoke detection cameras was well spent is an understatement. That at least 33 fire events were averted in the most recent fire season is nothing short of amazing. The system also positively identified 24 planned fuel reduction burns for a total of 57 detections for the season as well as the detection of thousands of private permit burns late in the season. This meant fire brigades were not sent on time consuming wild goose chases. The Pano AI system was installed in south-east South Australia as part of the South Australian Government’s $2.346 million upgrade of the region’s fire tower network, with $1 million targeting the new technology. The program also received significant support and funding from forest industries. Spanning 14 locations – seven in the South East and seven in Western Victoria – Pano AI offers a comprehensive turnkey solution that integrates high-definition cameras, satellite feeds, artificial intelligence, and modern cloud software to detect and pinpoint new ignitions and alert fire professionals within minutes. The key to keeping fires small and limiting the impact on industry and the community is through rapid response and the world-leading actionable intelligence helps fire crews get to the scene faster and safer. “South Australia’s $1.4 billion forest industry has had a long and strong history of embracing cutting-edge technology and the implementation of Pano’s AI fire detection system continues this proud legacy,” South Australian Minister for Primary Industries, Regional Development and Forestry, Clare Scriven said last year. “Unfortunately, fire doesn’t recognise boundaries so this collaborative State Government/industry initiative in utilising this ground-breaking technology helps us to ensure the best fire management tools are at our disposal. This is a system that isn’t just for the benefit of the Green Triangle forest region but is a win-win for all other landscape users, primary producers and local communities,” she said. Of course, the Minister is dead right. And it’s the sort of technology that needs to be rolled out across the country. It’s relatively cheap, and will get cheaper, and it will in the long run save money, time, jobs, and most importantly, lives.