Timber

PFT welcomes $500,000 funding from federal government to assist farm forestry

Private Forests Tasmania has welcomed $500,000 funding from the federal government to assist and support farm forestry projects and communications.

Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries and Senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam said there was enormous potential to boost Australia’s timber supply from farm forests and private native forests, including farms and forests owned or managed by Indigenous Australians.

Grant launched to help farmers prepare for carbon-neutral economy, increase productivity

A grant to support farmers to plant trees and prepare for a carbon-neutral economy has officially been launched.

The Trees on Farms grant, funded and facilitated by Private Forests Tasmania (PFT), has $600,000 for distribution.

Visit us at the Rural Living Round-up

Cradle Coast Authority welcomes the return of their Rural Living Round-up on Sunday 20 February 2022, a farmer field day to be held at the Burnie TasTAFE Freer Farm Campus, Burnie. The free event has grown to attract up to 500 participants and is now the biggest smallholding event on the Cradle Coasts rural calendar with presentation, practical farming demonstrations...

Plantation Loan applications now open

The Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) is a federal government-backed specialist finance provider for farmers, farm-related small businesses and plantation businesses. For the 2021-22 financial year the RIC has approved more than 115 total loans valued at over $127 million. Since its inception on 1 July 2018, the RIC has approved more than 2830 total loans valued at over $3.07 billion...

Trees on Farms Grant Program

A grant that will support farmers to plant the right trees in the right place on their land and prepare for a carbon-neutral economy is now open for expressions of interest. The Trees on Farms grant, funded and facilitated by Private Forests Tasmania, has $600,000 for distribution.

Grant Opportunity - AgUP Program 2022 (Round 1)

The AgUP grant program provides grants to co-fund industry-led (agriculture, fisheries and forestry) initiatives aimed at supporting jobs and retaining the Australian workforce by building skills, establishing and enhancing career progression pathways and mentoring opportunities.

Christmas office closure

Merry Christmas ... Private Forests Tasmania offices will be closing at 12:00pm on Friday 24 December and will re-open at 9:00am on Monday 10 January 2022.

National recognition for forestry and timber campaigns

Congratulations to Tasmania’s forestry and timber industry who teamed up with a local marketing company to win seven awards for excellence at the Australian Marketing Institute’s (AMI) national awards.

National Farm Forestry Strategy

Work is now underway to develop Australia’s National Farm Forestry Strategy to help build Australia’s future wood resource. If you are a farmer, forest grower, timber processor, investor, member of the forest industry, or belong to a natural resource management body, we want to hear from you!

Farm forestry, often referred to as 'agroforestry', is the establishment or management of trees...

Private Forests Tasmania’s Tree Alliance is a finalist in a national marketing award.

The Tree Alliance marketing campaign, which was launched in October 2020, was named a finalist in two categories of the Australian Institute of Marketing Awards for Marketing Excellence

Report highlights efforts of the past 12 months

Private Forests Tasmania is proud to release the 2020-21 Annual Report. The annual report was officially tabled in Parliament on October 28 by Minister for Resources, Guy Barnett.

How planting trees on Fulham Farm will benefit future generations to come

Fulham, a 3000-acre grazing farm on the Southeast Coast of Dunalley, has been owned and operated by the Gray family since 1926. Father and Son farmers, Sandy and Tom Gray, have both lived the majority of their lives on the farm, with Tom and his family now calling Fulham home. They have run a variety of enterprises from the farm...

Plantation Insurance

Plantation trees are valuable and become more so over their lifetime, there are however, a number of challenges facing the Plantation Insurance market at the moment with the majority of underwriters advising they are no longer offering this type of insurance.

PFT's Agriforester elected as Chair of the IFA/AFG Tasmanian Division

The Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA) and Australian Forest Growers (AFG) is a professional association with about 1000 members. The members are forest scientists, professionals, managers, and growers operating in all aspects of forest and natural resource management throughout Australia.

PFT to host Field Trip at IFA/AFG National Conference

As part of the 2021 IFA/AFG National Conference, Private Forests Tasmania will host Field Trip number 1 ‘Forest Growers and Agroforestry’ visiting two properties in the north of the state who have integrated commercial trees into the rural landscape for a range of benefits.

NW Farmer named Tasmanian Tree Farmer of the Year

Graham Freeman farms a 134-hectare property at Milabeena. He has about 14 hectares of plantation and about 25 hectares of native bush. Over the years his farm has been a successful example of how trees can be integrated into farms.

Tasmanian Timber Awards 2021

The Tasmanian Timber Awards recognises and celebrates excellence and best practice within our industry and acknowledges those who are leaders in their fields.

This month more than 400 people attended the Tasmanian Timber Awards dinner in Launceston.

What the state budget means for forestry

A glance at the 2021-22 state budget shows investment in forestry including areas of training, supply and business incentives.

Grants to realise big ideas for forestry

Applications are now open for the 2022 Science and Innovation Awards.

New campaign launched to promote Tasmanian forestry

The campaign will explore the stories, facts and information behind Tasmania's innovative and ever-changing forestry industry.

Recruitment begins for Diversity Action Plan

Gender and cultural diversity in the forestry industry will be targeted.

The Tasmanian Nursery that's helping grow the future for Tasmanian farmers

Tasmanian farmers and landowners are steadily seeing the benefits of having trees on their farms and property. From increasing farm productivity to improving water efficiency and water quality to growing high value timber products that are absorbing and then storing carbon, there’s no doubt planting trees is a win-win for landowners and the environment. We caught up with local nurseryman,...

Levy Rebate for Agroforestry Plantings

Find out about a new rebate that is now on offer for new commercial agroforestry establishments.

Online pruning workshop with Rowan Reid

Rowan Reid will present a 90-minute Zoom presentation on the silviculture (pruning and thinning) of trees for high quality timber on Friday 23rd July 2021.

Tree Alliance welcomes new Communications Manager

Courtney Hayles has recently joined Private Forests Tasmania as the Communications Manager. Courtney has spent more than 12 years in the media industry including roles as a journalist and editor at The Advocate, and most recently editor of The Examiner. She will work closely with the talented PFT team and stakeholders to help deliver the goals to expand private forestry...

Tree Farmer of the Year 2021

The Tasmanian Timber Awards recognises and celebrates the excellence and best practice within our industry and acknowledges those who are leaders in their fields. Fourteen award categories are available for nomination including ‘Tree Farmer of the Year’. This award recognises an individual who demonstrates excellence across a range of skills beyond best practice guidelines in tree farming.

Tree Alliance Expert Q&A Series: Justin Baily

With decades of experience working with a range of farm owners, landowners and managers, Technical Forest Services has been a leading provider in forest industry assessment, management, supervision, and contracting needs for Tasmania and beyond. With a range of staff from operational, academic, economic and technical forestry backgrounds, the Launceston based office are industry leaders in forestry services.

We caught up...

Woodlot Harvesting Videos - How to market and harvest woodlot for profit

A third of New Zealand’s plantation forest estate is in the hands of woodlot owners. Harvesting can be a stressful time for some woodlot owners with little knowledge and experience of this phase of the woodlot management cycle.

Media Release: NSFP to increase Southwood production

Private Forests Tasmania welcomes the announcement by Neville Smith Forest Products to increase production at its Southwood Mill, creating a full second shift and 30 new jobs.

“The expansion of the Mill’s operation will enhance domestic processing in Tasmania and provide an additional market for timber grown on private land in the Huon Valley”, said Private Forests Tasmania CEO, Penny Wells.

Forest Safety Code (Tasmania) – Consultation Workshops

Last week, three workshops were held to provide workers, contractors and forest managers with an opportunity to review the consultation draft of the revised Forest Safety Code (Tasmania). Sixty five attended and were provided information about the proposed changes and provide an opportunity to give input into the Exposure Draft that will presented to the Minister for Justice in early...

Why farmers should plant trees now, and manage them for the mass timber buildings of the future

Michael Lee from the Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW) at the University of Tasmania has been working with the Tasmanian timber resource for around 25 years. The role of CSAW, which is a research and education unit under the Faculty of Architecture and Design, is to help the Tasmanian industry to get sustainable timber products into...

Tasmanian primary producers, environment and industry to benefit from trees on farms

A NEW BRAND and campaign was launched last Friday, October 16, for Private Forests Tasmania at an event in Launceston. The Tree Alliance, a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of farm forestry and the benefits of trees on farms, and to encourage and facilitate farmers to plant commercially viable trees in the agricultural landscape.

Forest Safety Code Review Consultation Draft

The Consultation Draft of the revised Forest Safety Code (Tasmania) is available here.

As part of the next phase of consultation three, industry workshops have been planned in early November in Burnie, Launceston and Hobart.

Red Hot tips for practical bush fire management launch

13 August 2020 - Mark Shelton, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management

Tasmanian landholders will be better able to manage bush fire risk on their property with the launch of the expanded Red Hot Tips program as part of the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to keeping Tasmanians safe.

The Program will create a greater understanding of bush fire risk and provide landholders...

The wood and the trees

Outback Magazine - Jill Griffiths

Forestry in Australia has been, and continues to be, a controversial land use. Divisiveness over forests – whether they should be preserved or used – runs deep. That very divisiveness is a source of frustration to some people who are working hard to find a way forward.

Take Rowan Reid for example. Rowan came from a farming...

Trees the ultimate renewable

By 2050 the human population is forecast to expand from 7.5 to 9.6 billion people.

We will require 70% more food (United Nations), 50% more fuel (International Energy Agency), and 50% more water (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). We also need to reduce CO2 emissions by over 80% (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).

Design Principles for Farm Forestry

RIRDC / LWRRDC / FWPRDC joint venture Agroforestry Program, May 1997 - Nick Abel, Jenny Baxter, Alex Campbell, Helen Cleugh, John Fargher, Robert Lambeck, Roslyn Prinsley, Miles Prosser, Rowan Reid, Grant Revell, Carmel Schmidt, Richard Stizaker, Peter Thorburn

This book discusses. Agroforestry. The productive use of trees on farms which is a new concept to most Australian farmers. The book has...

Woorak - Shelter improves Lucerne yield

Lucerne hay yields were estimated to have increased by up to 300% due to reduced wind speeds in the lee of a pine shelter belt. This equated to over $100 of additional benefit across the sheltered area of the paddock. (about $147/ha).

Read more.

Private Forests Tasmania welcomes Molly Daskey-Willis to our team

Molly Daskey-Willis has recently accepted an appointment to the role of Agriforester within Private Forests Tasmania (PFT).

This role will see Molly assisting PFT in delivering its new strategic plan, particularly its goals to work creatively with stakeholders to expand private forestry and to communicate the benefits of wood.

There has never been a better time to plant trees

There is a global shortage of timber, and farmers are the key to delivering the commercially viable resource of the future. In fact, the global demand for timber is expected to quadruple by 2050 (The World Bank, 2016).

Within Australia demand is being driven by the home building market and the desire to replace carbon intensive materials and plastics with...

Report on sustainable systems of dairy production

Department of Primary Industries, April 2003 - PR Bird

Sustainable systems of dairy production - a review of water quality, biodiversity, soil salinity/acidity, farm forestry, shade/shelter and productivity issues, and the likely impact on these of revegetation of dairy farm.

View full report

Windbreaks: Their influence and value

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1911 - Carlos G Bates

An in-depth study of the benefits of wind breaks and how they have developed over the years, from early settlement to the twenty first century, by Carlos G Bates – Forest Assistance US Department of Agriculture.

View the study here

Rob Smith offers his expertise to advance Tasmania and help the planet at the same time

Originally from the UK, Rob Smith has been a Private Forester with PFT for the last 15 years. Bringing his passion for forests and the outdoors to PFT, Rob was in similar roles in Northern New South Wales and before that, across the UK. Combining his extensive knowledge in forestry, his love for nature and eagerness to help...

Market for Plantation Grown Wood: Where we're at and where we're going

As we continue to see the impacts of COVID-19 across the forestry sector, many aspects of our lives and jobs are put on pause as we take a considered approach on the best path forward. Despite this global pandemic, it is crucial that our industry continues during this time to help deliver the products our society demands and to ensure...

Sorting the wood from the trees

Outback Magazine - Mark Muller

A group of Victorian landholders are bringing new ideas to old plantations, and driving the rise of sugar gum as a fine timber.

Andrew Lang a Victorian farmer has introduced sugar gum trees into his property to help protect his prized sheep from prevailing winds, whilst providing much-needed timber.

Read article.

A guide to buying plantation species seedlings webinar recording available

On the 2nd of September, Private Forest Tasmania (PFT) hosted another virtual webinar in response to stakeholder feedback to ensure continued communications with stakeholders during the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

The Webinar recording and presentation documents are now available for viewing here.

Institute Of Foresters Of Australia Seeks Public Apology From UTas Over Retracted Paper

Media Release, 31 August 2020

The professional association representing some 1,000 forest scientists, researchers and professional forest land managers will be seeking an apology from the University of Tasmania after a paper suggesting forestry harvesting activities make forests more bushfire prone was withdrawn by the journal Fire due to...

Ten percent multipurpose tree cover for every farm: A low risk, high opportunity first step

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1911 - Carlos G Bates

Victorian Farmers Federation, Farm Tree and Landcare Association - Otway Agroforestry Network - Faculty of Land and Food Resources, The University MelbourneAndrew Stewart, Rohan Reid

Agricultural research suggests that farmers can confidently plant trees for shelter and land protection across at least five per cent of their farm without risking agricultural productivity or...

Tree Change

Horizons Magazine - Cormac Hanrahan

This article discusses how planting a wide variety of trees can support diversity, sustainability and create positive revenue. Rowan Reid and fellow farmers discuss the importance of trees in agricultural landscapes.

Read article

Bowsden - Planting trees in the harsh Midlands provides much needed shelter

The Burbury family recognised the benefits of trees to their farming enterprise many years ago.

Initially Damian's father started the process to integrate trees into their farm and now Damian has continues to establish shelterbelts primarily to provide shelter for the pasture and the livestock which is particularly useful for lambing ewes and freshly shorn sheep.

Read more.

Improving durability to enhance the value of plantation, regrowth and regenerated Eucalptus

Timber durability is generally rated by its resistance to fungal decay and insect attack and is a key factor for market acceptance of new building products. Researchers at the University of Tasmania are currently investigating various aspects of the durability of plantation, regenerated and regrowth Eucalyptus species.

Willowbend - Strategic tree planting to restore eroded gullies and improve farm productivity

Chris and Guiliana planted trees to improve farm productivity, water quality and biodiversity as well as produce timber.

They prepared a property management plan to integrate trees into their farm with their main aim to protect streams from livestock and revegetate the stream sides. They planted 3 heactares of trees in 2007 and 2008.

Read more.

Formosa - Agroforestry improves enterprise income

When timber and non-timber values are accounted for, carefully integrating trees into agricultural landscapes can be a profitable and attractive option with strongly competitive internal rates of return.

Read more

Developing glulam from fibre-managed plantation Eucalyptus nitens

Glue laminated timber, commonly known as ‘glulam’, is a highly attractive, versatile structural solution for architects and structural engineers thanks to its ability to achieve long spans and curves, without compromising strength or aesthetic qualities.

Formosa - Shelter increased pasture production by 30%

Pasture productivity in spring 2017 was on average 30% higher in the sheltered half of a paddock compared to the unsheltered half. A Prinus radiata shelterbelt occupied approximately 1 ha of the paddock (4%), but induced a 15% increase in pasture growth over the remaining 24 ha, and effectively increased the pasture production to the equivalent of a 29 ha...

Private Forests Tasmania welcomes David Monckton

David has recently joined us for twelve months to manage our Private Forest Investment Project. The project has been identified as a priority in PFT’s Corporate Plan to assist with engaging with and supporting farmers involved or interested in farm forestry.

Forestry contractor resilience

Tasmania’s forestry contractors can now apply for funding to improve their business practices under the $500 000 Forestry Contractor Resilience Program, which is being delivered through Rural Business Tasmania.