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President's Comment
Ashburton celebrates 50 years
Congratulations go to the Ashburton Branch which celebrated its 50th anniversary on 22
June. The day started with a visit to the property and plantings by the original Branch
President, Bill Buchan. Ashburton is now the sixth branch to have reached this milestone, and
to have made it is testament to the commitment and enthusiasm of members and Branch
committees during this time. Congratulations also go to Mark Robbins who was made a life
member on the day.
Farm forestry awards
Nominations are currently being sought for the 2009 North and South Island Farm Forester of
the Year, the Michael Hay Award awarded to a younger member of the NZFFA, and the
Transpower Landcare Trust Grants Award for innovation in sustainable farm forestry. It is
very important that the NZFFA continues to showcase and promote the outstanding efforts of
the membership through these awards. I encourage all Branches to consider nominating
appropriate members. Nomination forms can be obtained from Branch Secretaries or from
the website.
Conferences
Denis Hocking and I recently attended the NZ Institute of Forestry Conference in Palmerston
North where the theme was Forestry and Agriculture - Collaborating for Sustainability. A
wide range of speakers discussed land-use issues including soil erosion, nutrient run-off,
maintaining water quality and methods to address these issues. These are not new, with farm
forestry being held up as the best model to address them.
There was a similar message from the Environmental Defence Society June conference
Conflict in Paradise - the Transforming of Rural New Zealand attended by Jim Cook. Just
how the NZFFA can capitalise on this on this awareness is uncertain at this stage but at least
we know we are on the right track. It is likely that carbon trading at the ETS will provide an
opportunity. Until the appropriate legislation is passed and there is some certainty, it is still a
case of wait and see.
SFF Project - Adding to the farm forestry model
The NZFFA was successful with an application in the latest round of the Sustainable Farm
Fund to continue development of the farm forestry model. More specifically this application
was to fund collection of information to add to the model. Updating the web site, and in
particular the farm forestry model, is part of a strategy for a simple clear message promoting
the benefits of farm forestry.
It needs to be supported with well-researched good practical examples that are easy to
follow and convincing. If we can do nothing this well we will succeed in promoting farm
forestry to a wider audience. This project is being progressed by Dean Satchell and Vivienne
Mclean - you can see Deans influence already in the new look web site.
Eucalypts in New Zealand
The potential rewards for growing eucalypts in New Zealand has captivated a great number
of farm foresters and foresters alike. The allure of very rapid growth, attractive high quality
and durable timber along with pleasing aesthetics are just some of the many reasons for
planting eucalypts. There have been many notable advocates in the past for eucalypts,
including Neil Barr and Harry Bunn.
The situation is very similar today within the membership of the Eucalypt Action Group
and the diverse species theme of Future Forest Research. However, with the benefit of
hindsight, it is fair to say that the genus has not yet lived up to expectations. As with all
generalities, there are notable exceptions and it has been these that have fuelled the
continued planting of eucalypts.
New Zealand forestry has been very successful with radiata and a one size fits all
approach. There has also been a tendency to try and grow eucalypts similarly, and this is
probably the main reason for eucalypts under-achieving. Eucalypts are fairly site specific and
while there are over 600 different species, there is a growing awareness that if they are sited
correctly, they can be very rewarding to grow. In addition, different species can have vastly
different timber properties which present enormous challenges for use. But there are some
that are reasonably straight forward to deal with that will provide timbers with exactly the
properties the world says it wants.
Mention eucalypts to a forester and the first thing they will think of is pests and
diseases. This is not without foundation. Many of the species that have been widely planted
in the past have succumbed to different pests and diseases - but not all species and not on
all sites. The take home message is we need to think locally when planting eucalypts and
select species that are appropriate to the site, its soil, temperature, rainfall and aspect.
Patrick Milne,
President.
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