Forestry

2011 has proven to be another strong year for NZ log exports, with 11.9 million jas shipped from NZ ports over the year. This is a 12% year on year volume increase over 2010’s 10.6 million jas. NZ’s harvesting/transport and port infrastructure have managed this increased well, albeit not without some signs of stress, but will have ongoing challenges if export volumes continue to rise at rates seen in recent years.

The Chinese market had a strong finish to 2011, with some 60% of NZ’s log exports heading in to this market over the year. Reduced Chinese inventory levels have allowed for a positive start to 2012, but as is normal for the period preceding and during Chinese New Year; the market has now slowed down and is expected to remain this way until late February.

Generally the March/April period shows a surge in demand, but with Chinese log inventories now increasing and the housing market cooling, 2012 could well see more of the supply/demand volatility seen last year. Looking back at 2011, much of the increase in demand for imported softwood logs was due to a massive increase in new log processing facilities across the East Coast. This spurred demand as sawmills filled their yards with logs not necessarily linked to demand for finished product. As a consequence the Chinese market built up and then shed inventory throughout the year, with variations of over 2.0 million m3 between cycles.

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The European Commission has appointed the European Forest Institute to conduct the Ex-Post Evaluation of the EU Forest Action Plan (FAP). The evaluation collects stakeholder views about the EU Forest Plan implementation in 2007-2011 with an online survey. The survey is open for contributions from the public until February 13.

The ERA-NET Scheme Enhancing Forest Research in the Mediterranean through improved coordination and integration (FORESTERRA) has been launched. EFI’s Mediterranean Regional Office – EFIMED will act as the secretariat supporting the coordinator, and will also be responsible for coordinating the development of the strategic plan. EFI’s Assistant Director of Policy Advice, Marc Palahí, said “FORESTERRA is the most strategic scientific programme on Mediterranean forests ever funded by the EU. It will allow the creation of a coherent Mediterranean forest research area”. EFIMED has recently opened a call for participation and contribution to the new research lines in Mediterranean forestry science.

Building on the strengths of the K-Series, John Deere has introduced the 844K Series II Wheel Loader to meet the demands of today’s evolving jobsite. The seven-yard class loader affords operators higher productivity, increased uptime and lower daily operating costs for a more valuable wheel loader experience. The improvements revolve around the new axles, improved stability and a six percent boost to full-turn tip-load capacity, Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) certification, and low-profile tires.

“Our Customer Advisory Group (CAG) directly influenced the updates and modifications to the 844K Series II,” said John Chesterman, product marketing manager for wheel loaders, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “Customer feedback is paramount as we strive to better meet the needs and demands of owners and operators, and challenging jobsites. We’re confident the 844K Series II addresses the critical insight we received.”

The most significant customer-driven improvements are found in the 844K Series II axles. These new higher-capacity axles boast standard temperature monitoring and automatic cooling and filtration. In addition, the 844K II employs Hy-GardTM oil that allows change intervals to extend to 2,000 hours.

Additionally, the 844K II comes with four traction-boosting axle-differential configurations, including two with on-the-fly differential lock engagement:

• Front axle hydraulically actuated differential lock with on-the-fly engagement is ideal for pushing up piles.
• Front and rear axle hydraulically actuated differential lock with on-the-fly engagement provides maximum traction control for tough conditions, such as working on virgin aggregate banks.
• Auto differential lock that applies when the wheels spin and the operator doesn’t apply the differential lock themselves.
• Conventional differential lock is a good match for standard load-out applications.

An increased ROPS capacity enables the 844K II to enter the waste handling market via an optional package that allows the use of solid or foam-filled tires. The new ROPS has thicker internal components than the 844K and is certified to handle 88,000 pounds (38,916 kilograms). However, the increase in components does not impact the 844K II’s large cab and near 360-degree visibility.

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 John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) displayed five of its Interim Tier 4/Stage III B diesel engines at World of Concrete 2012, January 24 - 27 in Las Vegas. Engines on exhibit  included the PowerTechTM PWX 4.5L, PowerTech PVX 6.8L models above and below 130 kW (174 hp), the PowerTech PVX 9.0L and the PowerTech PSX 13.5L. In addition, John Deere  also exhibited a pump drive cluster. In conjunction with the show, JDPS introduced the John Deere Emissions Hub, a blog developed to provide end users of off-highway equipment with regularly updated insights on emissions compliance and other resources. Jointly developed by JDPS and John Deere’s Construction & Forestry division, the Emissions Hub was created to promote greater end-user understanding of how increasingly stringent emissions regulations impact their business. The blog will serve as a valuable information center for anyone connected to the construction, forestry, agriculture and turf industries.

“The Emissions Hub is intended to improve our customers’ competitiveness in these challenging times by offering expert business resources, technology updates and news on emissions standards,” said Geoff Stigler, manager of worldwide marketing for John Deere Power Systems. “Blog visitors will be able to explore our resources, provide feedback and return frequently for the latest news and regulatory requirements - obtaining all the information they need to develop strategies and make the right decisions for their business.”

“Our customers are seeing increasing pressure to get their equipment up to speed as emissions regulation compliance deadlines approach,” said Joe Mastanduno, product marketing manager, engine/drivetrain for John Deere Construction & Forestry. “As questions arise, the Emissions Hub blog provides a place to come for answers. We look forward to listening to our customers and providing valuable information and insight to make compliance an opportunity, not an obstacle.”

In January 2012, what had been known as the Straightforward Blog became the John Deere Emissions Hub, residing at http://www.johndeereemissionshub.com/. Visitors to the former www.straightforwardblog.com site will be redirected to the new address.

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  The new AUSTimber 2012 town office opened  Monday 30th January 2012 and  will be located at 38 James Street, Mount Gambier.

The AUSTimber 2012 town office will provide a central place to organise the event, meet suppliers, sponsors and exhibitors. People will be able to register for the conference and the expo and purchase their tickets via the office, as well as online. The town office will also provide an opportunity for public awareness for AUSTimber, as the 2012 expo site will be located 15kms outside of Mt Gambier, whereas in 2008 the site was just past the Blue Lake, which was easily in sight for  local residents. The AUSTimber 2012 town office space has been provided to AUSTimber organisers through the generous sponsorship support of the City of Mount Gambier.

New AUSTimber 2012 welcome banners at the four entrances into Mount Gambier will first appear from 31st January/1st February and the word  ‘welcome’ will be printed in a variety of languages, representing most of the nationalities visiting for the conference and expo.

David Quill, AUSTimber 2012 General Manager thanked the City of Mount Gambier for their support in providing the office space and reported that  “all the active forest sites on the plan are sold and we still have the ability to add more within the overall area of AUSTimber if required.  This, in effect, means that there will be seven harvesting and extraction operations within the pine plantation, five cut-to-length bluegum operations, four tree-length harvesting operations and four in-field chipping operations processing product that will be hauled off the site during the event.  (more…)

The timber industry in Brazil looks likely to benefit from the growing level of demand for paper products in China's booming economy.

A new interactive online database provides access to most of the collected information in FAO's comprehensive and most recent Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA 2010). The main module has options to use multiple output formats and generate simple diagrams, providing easier and more flexible access to FRA data.

A new interactive online database provides access to most of the collected information in FAO's comprehensive and most recent Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA 2010). The main module has options to use multiple output formats and generate simple diagrams, providing easier and more flexible access to FRA data.

A new interactive online database provides access to most of the collected information in FAO's comprehensive and most recent Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA 2010). The main module has options to use multiple output formats and generate simple diagrams, providing easier and more flexible access to FRA data.

A new interactive online database provides access to most of the collected information in FAO's comprehensive and most recent Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA 2010). The main module has options to use multiple output formats and generate simple diagrams, providing easier and more flexible access to FRA data.

A new interactive online database provides access to most of the collected information in FAO's comprehensive and most recent Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA 2010). The main module has options to use multiple output formats and generate simple diagrams, providing easier and more flexible access to FRA data.

A new interactive online database provides access to most of the collected information in FAO's comprehensive and most recent Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA 2010). The main module has options to use multiple output formats and generate simple diagrams, providing easier and more flexible access to FRA data.

A new interactive online database provides access to most of the collected information in FAO's comprehensive and most recent Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA 2010). The main module has options to use multiple output formats and generate simple diagrams, providing easier and more flexible access to FRA data.

A new interactive online database provides access to most of the collected information in FAO's comprehensive and most recent Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA 2010). The main module has options to use multiple output formats and generate simple diagrams, providing easier and more flexible access to FRA data.

Investment in construction is one of Brazil's key priorities for 2012, the country's finance minister has stated.

Globally, people cause most wildfires. Involving local communities in fire management practices like prevention, suppression and restoration is therefor a logical approach. The new FAO publication “Community-based fire management- A review” (FAO Forestry Paper series 166) , highlights the state of the art in community-based fire management, redefines the concept, reviews case studies and reflects on related policy and legal frameworks.

Globally, people cause most wildfires. Involving local communities in fire management practices like prevention, suppression and restoration is therefor a logical approach. The new FAO publication “Community-based fire management- A review” (FAO Forestry Paper series 166) , highlights the state of the art in community-based fire management, redefines the concept, reviews case studies and reflects on related policy and legal frameworks.

Globally, people cause most wildfires. Involving local communities in fire management practices like prevention, suppression and restoration is therefor a logical approach. The new FAO publication “Community-based fire management- A review” (FAO Forestry Paper series 166) , highlights the state of the art in community-based fire management, redefines the concept, reviews case studies and reflects on related policy and legal frameworks.

Globally, people cause most wildfires. Involving local communities in fire management practices like prevention, suppression and restoration is therefor a logical approach. The new FAO publication “Community-based fire management- A review” (FAO Forestry Paper series 166) , highlights the state of the art in community-based fire management, redefines the concept, reviews case studies and reflects on related policy and legal frameworks.