Primary Sector Science Roadmap ‘not all about food’
Posted on Thursday 13th July 2017
The just released Primary Sector Science Roadmap features a pine tree nursery on its front cover.
The Forest Owners Association says this is a clear signal that the primary sector is not just a food sector
The FOA President, Peter Clark, says size and importance of the forest sector for New Zealand, as the third most significant export category, is often ignored...
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Fast forward
Posted on Thursday 13th July 2017
There’s little margin for error in production thinning.
It requires a well-planned strategy, investment in the right equipment and experienced people to get it right.
If there is one contractor that knows how to make production thinning work, its Jensen Logging. The Rotorua-based outfit has been thinning in Kaingaroa for more than two decades, which included a break when Timberlands paused to allow the age class...
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Rubicon buys out ArborGen partners
Posted on Thursday 13th July 2017
Rubicon has moved to take full control of forestry biotech firm ArborGen, buying out its partners for US$29 million.
The deal follows Rubicon's scaled back exposure to the Taupo-based wood processor Tenon, where the local business was bought by a consortium including Rubicon.
Steve Kasnet. Chairman of NZX-listed Rubicon, which was formerly part of the Fletcher Challenge empire, says: "ArborGen has always been core for us – we are a founding partner of the business, and we have for some time been keen to extend our involvement to help the company realise its full potential."
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Ruapehu bridge upgrade opens up forestry potential
Posted on Thursday 13th July 2017
Ruapehu District Council road contractors have completed pouring the deck on the new Waitewhena rail over-bridge, north of Ohura and it has just reopened to traffic.
The new $500,000 bridge is part of council’s wider economic development programme aimed at opening up the productive potential of Ruapehu’s primary producers, forestry and tourism sectors.
Ruapehu Land Transport and Economic Development Manager Warren Furner says investment in land transport has long been council’s biggest expenditure item because it recognises that enabling local communities to capitalise on their potential is dependent on having access to an efficient...
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Portugal wildfires blamed on spread of eucalyptus forests
Posted on Thursday 13th July 2017
Environmentalists and activists are blaming the proliferation of eucalyptus plantations for the rapid spread of devastating fires that killed 64 people in central Portugal last month, many of them dying as they tried to escape in their cars.
In response Portugal has moved to ban new eucalyptus forests being established in the future, although additional plantation will still be allowed in existing forestry areas.
The Portuguese agriculture ministry says the proposed forestry reform prohibits new eucalyptus plantations “except in areas of existing plantations and dependent upon previously approved...
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