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From the President
Conference another success
Congratulations to the Central Canterbury Branch for a very successful annual conference.
Brian Dixon and his very efficiency in showcasing farm forestry in Central Canterbury. In
addition to the normal business sessions, dinners and award presentation, conference
attendees visited a wide range of locations. These included a private native reserve, joint
venture forests, current research trial and a high country station. The visit to John and
Rosalie Wardle's property was memorable, not only for the enthusiasm and shear hard work,
but also for their contribution to alternative management regimes for both beach and
radiata.
At the end of the conference I felt that it was a great pity that more of the wider farming
community had not seen and experienced the benefits that flow from intelligently integrating
trees and forestry with other land uses. The conference along with the Tree Grower, is one of
the most influential means that the NZFFA has to promote itself and its objectives to other
land users. Therein lies a challenge for both future conference orgainising committees and
the executive.
Award winners
I would like to congratulate this year's award winners. As with past winners they have
demonstrated once again the relevance of the farm forestry model in aiding good land
management and sustainability. The question for farm forestry and farm foresters is how do
we encourage more land owners to adopt our model. The NZFFA is very greatful to
Husqvarna for their continued support of the farm forester of the year, transpower and the
Landcare Trust for their environmental award and Audrey Hay for her new award to support
and encourage younger tree planters.
Agriculture carbon footprint
I have no doubt that most farm foresters will be following the current debate on the
Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) and its effect on the agricultural sector. There are many
predictions on what this impact might be -- ranging from little or no impact through to
predictions that much of New Zealand agricultural future will be at risk under the conditions
prevailing during 2006/07. As the debate continues, farm foresters are left wondering why
the practical benefits of farm forestry are only paid lip-service to by the schemes designers,
while at the same time much is made of yet to be developed new research and future
technological advances.
There is no question that more trees and forestry are absolutely essential if New Zealand is
ever going to be able to claim something akin to being sustainable. This is not just about
balancing our carbon emissions. The country also needs more trees to protect its soils,
enhance water quality, protect indigenous biodiversity and as shelter, shade or even
emergency fodder for animal welfare.
Afforestation should not be considered in isolation, but it must be a key part of any strategy
to tackle agricultural emissions. Looking at current sheep and beef country, if 10 per cent
was in forestry, this would roughly balance the emissions from that industry for 30 to 40
years. I would have thought this was a very reasonable objective to aim for. Most in sheep
and beef farm foresters would claim that 10 per cent is very easily attained and has minimal
or no effect on farm productivity. With some imagination, I am sure farm forestry would also
offer other agricultural sectors, such as dairying and cropping, the opportunity to offset
emissions.
New Zealand used to be regarded as a world leader in farm forestry, but over the last decade
interest has waned. We have lost our pre-eminent position, and we are now paying the price,
be it in carbon changes, soil erosion, animal welfare or in rural amenity and landscape
values. There has never been a stronger case for tree planting and New Zealand has one of
the best tree growing environments in the world. The NZFAA's collective experience in
planting, and managing a wide range of tree species in an even wider range of environments
is a national asset. I would like to encourage the ETS designers to understand farm forestry,
and why it has been successful and than to try to incorporate it in their scheme.
From the Editor
This issue of Tree Grower contains a bundle of articles that we hope you find
interesting.
There are reports from the conference, summaries of the award presented, a special feature
on Taranaki and two very useful articles on the Farm Forestry Model.
The field day reports from the conference will be continued in the August issue. The articles
about the future of the NZFFA are meant to stimulate debate, so please take this opportunity
to respond with useful comments or ideas.
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