Australian timber industry news

John Deere has developed a new digital tool designed to enhance how equipment owners use, maintain, diagnose, repair, and protect their equipment. Operations Center PRO Service delivers new, industry-leading support capabilities for both connected and non-connected machines across John Deere’s agriculture, turf, construction, and forestry equipment portfolio. Source: Timberbiz New and enhanced features include the ability to install software when replacing electronic components or controllers, also known as reprogramming. Operations Center PRO Service was developed with customers at the centre and adds to the suite of existing digital support tools available to John Deere equipment owners today including the John Deere Operations Center, Equipment Mobile, and Shop.Deere.com these provide customers even more control over how they use, maintain, diagnose, repair, and protect their machines. The increased functionality of Operations Center PRO Service also replaces John Deere Customer Service ADVISOR™, which will be phased out over the next year. “The launch of Operations Center PRO Service is a significant milestone that adds to John Deere’s existing tools, and it reaffirms our longstanding commitment to empowering customers to choose how they repair their equipment,” said Denver Caldwell, Vice President of Aftermarket & Customer Support. “Importantly, our development of these tools reaffirms John Deere’s support of customer self-repair. We view continuously enhancing self-repair as consistent with our mission to ensure John Deere customers have the best machine ownership experience possible.” In addition to equipment owners, a local service provider can also use Operations Center PRO Service. With a John Deere equipment owner’s permission, independent providers can gain access to diagnostic and repair information to support the equipment owner’s needs. “Our message to our customers is clear,” continued Caldwell. “Whether you want the support of your professionally trained and trusted John Deere dealer, to work with another local service provider, or to fix your machine yourself, we’ve created additional capabilities for you to choose the option that best fits your needs.” Operations Center PRO Service is based on foundational capabilities that are available at no additional cost upon purchase of John Deere equipment through Operations Center Service Overview and Equipment Mobile, including: Operator’s manuals Active and stored diagnostic trouble codes Secure software updates JDLink™ information Warranty information. The new Operations Center PRO Service delivers digital repair content filtered by year and model number, providing users with additional relevant machine information to help efficiently and accurately troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair their equipment. It’s designed to be intuitive and deliver actionable support in real-time. The service capabilities of Operations Center PRO Service are available through an annual license starting at just $195 USD per machine for customers. Specific features now brought together in a single customer interface include: Machine health insights and diagnostic trouble codes PIN-specific machine content, including manuals Software reprogramming for John Deere controllers Diagnostic Readings Diagnostic Recordings Interactive diagnostic tests Calibrations. Equipment owners can access Operations Center PRO Service through the John Deere Operations Center. Once connected to the platform, owners will add their equipment into their account using the machine’s serial number. Use of an electronic data link may be required for more advanced features within Operations Center PRO Service, including software reprogramming. Certain interactive tests, calibrations, and reprogramming limitations will exist at initial release. John Deere will deliver additional capabilities in future updates. Operations Center PRO Service is available only to John Deere customers in the US and Canada.  

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The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has announced a US$5 million investment in eight projects aimed at creating jobs, training the next generation of forestry workers, and helping small businesses play a greater role in protecting forests and communities from wildfires. Source: Bioenergy News The funding comes through CAL FIRE’s Business and Workforce Development Grant programme, which supports innovative approaches to reducing wildfire risk while promoting economic growth in rural areas. Since its launch in 2022, the programme has distributed over US$100 million to more than 100 projects across the state. “From hands-on training opportunities for young adults to new mass timber production within California, these initiatives are helping to build a more resilient future for both our forests and communities,” said Assistant Chief John McCarthy of CAL FIRE’s Wood Products and Bioenergy Team. “We are proud to support efforts that expand the workforce, improve forest health, and make use of woody waste instead of burning it.” The latest round of grants will fund a variety of initiatives, including job training programmes for youth and entry-level forestry workers, mentorship schemes connecting college forestry students with experienced professionals, and web-based courses to prepare candidates for the state’s Registered Professional Forester exam. High school students will continue to gain hands-on experience in forest science and management through long-running educational programs. The grants also provide business expansion support for companies to purchase equipment to treat more land for wildfire risk reduction and forest restoration. In Humboldt County, investment in mass timber production will create new jobs while encouraging the local use of sustainably harvested wood in construction. Altogether, the projects are expected to train more than 300 individuals, create or retain dozens of jobs, and expand the capacity to manage thousands of acres each year. These investments are in line with California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, which sets out strategies to improve forest health, protect communities, and deliver climate benefits through sustainable forestry practices. Funding comes from California Climate Investments and General Funds, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening the forestry sector.

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The largest and most modern consumer packaging board production line in Europe was inaugurated on 18 August in Oulu, Finland. Stora Enso’s Oulu unit serves the growing demand for renewable packaging globally and contributes to the transition to a circular bioeconomy. At the same time, the production site supports Finland’s competitiveness and increases exports with products of higher added value. Source: Timberbiz Stora Enso has invested EUR 1.1 billion in this production line together with other developments on the site area, amounting to a total of approximately 1.7 billion investments in the entire Oulu mill in 2019–2025. The investments made it possible to convert former paper machines into board lines utilising the latest technology, while the environmental impact has been reduced by cutting fossil carbon dioxide emissions by 90%. The mill produces folding boxboard, kraftliners, paper bag material, and unbleached softwood pulp. Board materials are suitable for direct contact with food. Almost all of the Oulu mill’s production is exported. “The Oulu production site is a strategically significant investment as it strengthens our leading position in high added value renewable packaging materials and increases Finland’s export revenue significantly. “Consumer packaging made from wood fibers has great potential to replace plastic packaging and our materials are designed for existing recycling streams. The nearly carbon-neutral production site in Oulu is a prime example of an investment in bioeconomy, and it concretely contributes to the transition from fossil materials to renewable and recyclable packaging,” said Hans Sohlström, Stora Enso’s President and CEO. The Oulu mill’s new production line utilises Stora Enso’s patented FiberLight Tec fibre processing technology. Technology enables the production of lighter, yet robust and durable boards. End products include, for example, different cardboard packaging for frozen, cold and dry food products, medicines, and beverage multipacks. “Our folding box board can be up to a third lighter than traditional boards, the material is efficient and durable and helps our customers to reduce the consumption of packaging material and at the same time reduce their transport emissions. This means also that they have very high added value. “Our mill’s location next to the deep port enables efficient logistics worldwide throughout the year. It is important for us to be involved in mitigating climate change,” said Matti Lielahti, Head of Stora Enso Oulu Business Unit. “We mainly use pulpwood purchased from private forest owners in Finland, small-diameter wood, and wood chips from our sawmills for board production. We also utilise bark and sawdust for energy production. The bioenergy produced in the mill is used for district heating in Oulu.” Stora Enso’s Oulu site has a long tradition in the region with the mill dating back to the 1930s. Today, it employs more than 900 people directly and indirectly many times more in the entire supply chain, wood transport, logistics, maintenance and service providers in the area. “Stora Enso’s billion-euro investment in Oulu will improve export operations, the vitality and competitiveness of the region and also of Northern Finland and bring more permanent jobs. We are pleased to actively contribute to the implementation of significant green transition industrial policy investments in accordance with our growth strategy,” said Ari Alatossava, Mayor of Oulu. Stora Enso’s new consumer packaging board line in Oulu is expected to reach its full capacity of 750,000 tonnes latest by 2027, when its annual sales are anticipated to be approximately EUR 800 million.

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Every year, around 400,000 tonnes of treated timber waste ends up in New Zealand landfills. Much of this is timber treated with copper, chromium and arsenic (CCA). But what if the solution isn’t about managing this waste better, but preventing it altogether? Source: Timberbiz A Marlborough sawmill is showing how the industry can break this cycle by combining arsenic free timber treatment, with renewable energy generation. It’s an approach that turns the traditional waste-to-landfill model on its head. “New Zealand’s construction and agricultural sectors have been grappling with this issue for decades,” says Sam Lees, Sales Manager at OneFortyOne Kaituna Sawmill. “With MCA treatment, we have a practical solution that works for everyone.” The shift centres on micronised copper azole (MCA) treatment – a copper-based preservative without arsenic. MCA timber is a tried-and-true solution that offers the same resistance to decay and mould as traditional treatments but opens up possibilities that CCA never could. Most significantly, it can be safely burned in Kaituna’s biomass boilers. This changes everything – it means timber offcuts and end-of-life MCA timber are now being repurposed in a boiler that runs on wood to create renewable energy. “Because MCA doesn’t contain arsenic, it changes the whole equation around disposal,” Lees explains. “Material that would’ve ended up in landfill now gets a second life, helping power our operations.” The sawmill has resource consent to include MCA-treated timber waste in its biomass fuel – combining it with sawdust and other wood residues to generate energy for kiln drying, creating a closed-loop, circular economy approach. Local builder Mark Thompson has seen the difference firsthand. “We’ve been using Kaituna’s MCA timber on decks and outdoor projects, and it’s really changed how we think about waste,” he says. “As builders, we generate a lot of timber offcuts, and honestly, it never felt great just dumping it all in landfill.” The environmental benefits have become a selling point with clients. “Now I can tell families that our waste timber goes back to Kaituna and gets turned into clean energy instead of rotting in a tip somewhere,” Mr Thompson said. The practical benefits matter too. “The offcuts get collected at no extra cost to us or the client. It’s doing the right thing environmentally without any financial penalty, which is pretty rare in construction these days,” Mr Thompson said. The shift is already making waves in the viticulture industry, where approximately 500,000 vineyard posts are replaced in Marlborough each year, many of which are currently dumped in landfills. Beyond vineyards, MCA-treated timber is gaining traction in residential and commercial construction. It qualifies for points under green building certifications like Green Star and Homestar, giving builders, developers and homeowners an alternative that doesn’t compromise efficacy or performance. Mr Lees, the next step is about shifting industry and consumer demand. “We’re seeing more builders and merchants asking about alternative timber options,” he said. “It’s about recognising that every project decision makes a difference – for our customers, our communities, and the environment.” Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7aT9zZTNrI&t=69s

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New Zealand’s largest Glulam timber manufacturer Techlam has been awarded the structural timber package for the Tonga Parliament redevelopment project by Westland Construction. Source: Timberbiz The contract includes the supply and fabrication of glulam timber components for the new NZ$60 million Fale Alea that will replace the original building destroyed by the 2022 tsunami. For Techlam, this represents an opportunity to once again showcase New Zealand-made engineered timber on the international stage, particularly in a building that will serve as the democratic heart of the Kingdom of Tonga. “It is not every day you get to contribute timber solutions to a building that will serve as the centre of a nation’s democracy,” Brett Hamilton, Techlam’s managing director, said. The project, which had been delayed after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption, has been collaborative from day one. Techlam was part of the design conversation from early on, working alongside Westland Construction, Holmes Consulting and Warren and Mahoney. This early contractor involvement is core to how Techlam operates on every project. By engaging during the design phase, the team can influence the layout, structural approach and detailing decisions, all of which significantly impact both cost and buildability. “The value engineering sessions were incredibly collaborative,” Mr Hamilton said. “We brought our manufacturing expertise to the table early, suggesting approaches that would work better from a fabrication perspective, while the architects and engineers pushed us toward solutions that served the building’s cultural and functional requirements.” For the Tonga Parliament project, this meant Techlam could optimise the timber design from their Levin facility’s capabilities in a controlled environment, while ensuring components would integrate easily on the construction site in Nuku’alofa. The architectural requirements include curved and complex glulam structures. This is exactly the type of challenging work that gets the Techlam team excited. “Our Levin facility is set up perfectly for this kind of work,” Mr Hamilton said. “With over 7,500m² of production space, we can handle the scale and complexity. More importantly, our team has the experience with curved glulam that makes these challenging shapes possible.” The fabrication process will soon be underway to meet both the structural demands and the architectural vision that will define Tonga’s new parliamentary home. For a New Zealand company, working on projects across the Pacific is about strengthening regional connections and demonstrating what Kiwi manufacturing can achieve. “The parliamentary building isn’t just infrastructure; it’s where important decisions about the country’s future will be made. We are proud that New Zealand engineered timber will be part of that story,” Mr Hamilton said. As procurement and fabrication continue through 2025, the Techlam team is focused on delivering components that meet the exacting standards this project demands. “Every project teaches us something new,” he said. “Building on our experience across the Pacific, from Cassidy International Airport in Kiribati to the EFKS Saleaula in Samoa and Lomani Island Resort in Fiji, this project brings its own unique challenges around precision and cultural significance. It’s exactly the kind of work that keeps us passionate about what we do.” The project is expected to be completed by 2027, with the parliamentary complex opening to serve Tonga’s legislature processes for generations to come.  

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One of Australia’s most important climate change fighting, job providing, cutting edge manufacturing and essential product creating sectors, was celebrated yesterday on National Forestry Day. Source: Timberbiz It was Australia’s 4th annual National Forestry Day – a day to celebrate the enormous and positive contribution Australia’s forestry and forest products sector and supply chain makes to Australia and the world. “National Forestry Day also aims to raise awareness about our industries among policy and decision-makers, elected representatives and the general public about the many and varied benefits the sector provides,” Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) Richard Hyett said. “Everyone remembers the shortage of toilet paper during COVID – just look around your home and you’ll see and realise how important forestry is to everyday life. Timber house-frames, floorboards, furniture, benchtops, tissues and paper products. Even the cardboard box or wood-fibre packaging your latest delivery came in. It’s all around us and it’s critical that we keep growing and manufacturing in Australia,” he said. “Unlike many other everyday products, those made from timber and wood-fibre are environmentally friendly and fight climate change by locking up carbon. Think recyclable paper and packaging over single-use plastics or structural timber over steel and concrete.” Australia’s Former Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb on the release on the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) review said that “the only pathway known to science that has immediate capacity – to remove greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, from the atmosphere is photosynthesis”. So growing trees removes CO2 from the atmosphere and then using timber in houses instead of other materials that emit CO2 in their production means timber provides a double benefit for the environment. Some quick benefits to keep in mind: Our full supply chain, from tree growing and forest management, through to harvest, haulage and transport and the manufacture of different sustainable products is responsible for 80,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jos The total economic output from across the sector totals around $24 billion annually Carbon storage measurements vary, but to give an idea, your typical timber house frame absorbs 9.5 tonnes of CO2-e from the atmosphere. When you include other timber and wood furnishings like floors, decks and furniture items, the figure can grow to 25 tonnes of CO2-e Our national plantation estate stores 258 million tonnes of CO2-e – equivalent to the emissions avoided by 56 million cars driven for one year United Nations science recognises that native forests managed for sustainable timber production generate the largest carbon mitigation benefit. CEO of the Australian Forest Contractors Association Tim Lester said timber and wood fibre is so ubiquitous in our lives it often goes unrecognised. “In our houses and offices, we are surrounded by forest products. There’s the timber you don’t see in the frames, the timber you do see in the furniture and features, and the timber that has been transformed in paper and cardboard,” he said. “National Forestry Day gives us a chance to talk about and celebrate these wonderful products, where they come from and the terrific people and businesses involved right along the supply chain. “In particular we celebrate the forestry services businesses who maintain an essential and critical workforce with specialist skills and equipment to undertake high risk and complex operations in challenging circumstances. “They are true environmental defenders driven by long-term sustainability and a desire to protect the resource for the long term. Every fire season we see forestry services businesses called into action because of their capabilities and knowledge. “Forestry provides high quality jobs in rural and regional areas, ensuring security and stability for thousands of families. The social infrastructure supported by forestry means build communities as well as houses. “National Forestry Day is a great chance to recognise the contribution of this sector in its many forms,” Mr Lester said.

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The Housing Industry Association has welcomed the Federal Government’s $300 million to support Australia’s future wood supply to meet increasing housing needs across the country. Source: Timberbiz “Australia’s forestry industry is a key part of Australia’s national economy and is critical to supporting our local manufacturing sector and delivering more housing in both our cities and across regional Australia,” said HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin. “Timber is a valuable resource, widely used in Australia’s construction sector, with over 70% of all house frames constructed with timber framing. “Demand for timber in housing construction is expected to grow by about 50% by 2050 as the population increases, therefore, it is critical to set the plans in place now to meet this future growing demand. “The housing industry needs certainty to plan out for the future, and a key part of this is delivering a secure ongoing supply of locally grown timber matched to increasing demand. “We know that with a growing population it will mean an increased demand for use of timber and wood-fibre, and it is essential for Australia to have a steady supply of sustainably sourced timber and wood-fibre resources.” Ms Martin said the announcement was timely given it was made on National Forestry Day and folloewd the recently released Timber Fibre Strategy, which sets out a pathway for the future growth of Australia’s forestry industry. “HIA remains committed to working with the government in delivery of the Timber Fibre Strategy which will play an important role and key input into tackling our national housing challenges,” she said.

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The Victorian State Government is fast tracking the establishment of timber plantations in Victoria, helping to boost local timber supply for construction and manufacturing and create more jobs. Source: Timberbiz Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence this week announced $10 million as part of the Victorian Plantation Support Program to establish new long-rotation timber plantations. “Demand for timber is expected to quadruple globally over the next 50 years, and we’re making sure Victoria has a secure supply,” Minister Spence said. “Victoria is already home to the nation’s largest plantation estate, and this funding will continue to strengthen our thriving and resilient timber industry.” This additional funding will be for projects approved under select rounds of the Commonwealth’s Support Plantation Establishment Program. Victorian growers looking to develop new plantations can receive up to $1000 per hectare under the program to assist with plantation establishment activities. Combined with the Commonwealth program, new plantations of 20 hectares or more in Victoria can receive up to $3000 per hectare, with a cap of up to $200,000 per project. As the winter planting season draws to a close, approximately 2.4 million tree seedlings have been planted this year through the Gippsland Plantations Investment Program by Hancock Victorian Plantations. This year’s planting has brought the total number of trees planted to more than 3.5 million. This program is the single largest investment in plantation establishments in the state’s history and will see up to 16 million trees planted over a 10-year period. The timber will create wood supply that will build Victoria’s future homes, create regional jobs, and produce paper and packaging products to replace single use plastics. “The planting of 2.4 million trees this year through the Gippsland Plantations Investment Program is a clear demonstration of what’s possible when government and industry work together,” Victorian Forest Products Association CEO Andrew White said. “This is a terrific new initiative that will help overcome the upfront barriers to new plantation establishment. This investment is critical to securing the timber required to build more homes for Victorians.” The government’s $190 million investment to expand Victoria’s plantation estate is delivering its goal of creating new plantations across the state.

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Fifteen new projects worth a combined $19 million and spread across NSW, Western Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and the Northern Territory have been announced in Round 3 of the Support Plantation Establishment Program. Source: Timberbiz “From expanding Australia’s future wood supply to meet increasing demand, to helping grow a skilled and sustainable workforce, the Albanese Labor Government is investing $300 million into the long-term future of Australia’s forestry sector,” Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said. The funding will bring the total number of new hectares planted under the program to around 25,000 hectares. Total funding under the $73 million SPEP arrives in at over $46 million to date. “From expanding Australia’s future wood supply to meet increasing demand, to helping grow a skilled and sustainable workforce, the Albanese Labor Government is investing $300 million into the long-term future of Australia’s forestry sector,” Minister Collins said. Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AFPA Richard Hyett said that over the past decade, the AFPA and the broader industry had advocated for government initiatives to assist in growing more production trees for Australia’s future and to meet future demand. He said that at the 2022 Federal Election both sides of federal politics committed to what is now the SPEP to encourage more production plantings. “We expect global demand for timber and wood-fibre to quadruple by 2050, and we must make sure that Australia has the sustainable resource growing in the ground to service our own needs as governments seek to decarbonise the economy, but also potentially to help the world with its growing demand,” he said. “A big thank you to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins who has championed our industry’s causes and understands the importance of sustainable timber and wood-fibre resources for the climate, environment, to support our full supply chain and for essential consumer markets.” Mr Hyett said that while the SPEP had some way to go before all funds were exhausted, the AFPA would continue working with the Federal Government to secure further, ongoing funding to support plantation expansion over the next few years. “We know that increased use of timber and wood-fibre in the economy is essential for Australia and the world to meet emissions reduction targets and a steady supply of sustainably sourced timber and wood-fibre resource is essential to make that happen,” he said.

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National Forestry Day was usually a time to celebrate the achievements of Australia’s forest and timber industries, with this year marking 150 years since George Goyder mapped out South Australia’s first plantation. Source: Timberbiz The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins said that National Forestry Day was an excellent time to highlight the importance of our forestry sector, from the jobs it supports in our regions to the significant impact it has on our national economy. “Today is also an opportunity to look to the future of this great sector, which plays an important role in supporting our Net Zero ambitions, and providing sustainable, high-quality, carbon-sequestering products that Australians need,” she said. But despite this milestone, the industry faces an uncertain economic future, according to South Australian Forest Products Association Chief Executive Officer, Nathan Paine. “South Australia is proud to be the birthplace of Australia’s plantation forestry industry,” he said. “For 150 years, generations of South Australians have grown and processed the timber that builds our homes, supports our manufacturers and retailers, underpins our farms, and sustains our economy and way of life. “Yet today, our timber processors are under unprecedented pressure from both soft domestic demand and the growing threat of surging imports,” he said. The United States had now lifted tariffs on Canadian timber to 35.19%, escalating a broader global trade shift with Canada explicitly identifying Australia as a key new market for its diverted supply. “The scale of potential trade diversion is alarming, especially as Canada exported an estimated 28 million m³ of lumber to the US in 2024 – equivalent to almost 2 million homes,” Mr Paine said. “And, even if 5% of Canada’s displaced supply were redirected to Australia, it would mean an additional one million m³ flooding into our market – a volume large enough to destabilise local processors and trigger mill closures.” This was not just a trade issue; it was a sovereign capability issue, and to protect Australia’s timber future, SAFPA has released its Our Timber. Our Jobs. Our Future. policy paper, calling for urgent government action. Key recommendations include: Maximise South Australian grown and processed fibre content in all State Government property projects and advocate for the Federal Government to adopt the same approach. Establish a State-level Supporting Domestic Manufacturing Strike Force to safeguard local capability. Promote retailer-led procurement of South Australian and Australian processed wood products. Support country-of-origin labelling for imported fibre in government projects. Invest in sovereign fibre and manufacturing capability while securing future plantation expansion and fibre supply. Mr Paine said that South Australians knew too well the cost of stepping in when an industry was on the brink of collapse. He said Whyalla was a stark reminder. The Whyalla steelworks is facing severe problems, primarily due to financial mismanagement and operational issues under the ownership of GFG Alliance. These problems have led to the plant being placed into administration, halting steel production for months and threatening thousands of jobs. The South Australian government has stepped in, forcing the plant into administration and pledging support to find a new operator. “While our industry remains solid, we cannot afford to ‘wait and see’ with Mount Gambier, the heart of Australia’s softwood industry,” Mr Paine said. “National Forestry Day should be a moment of pride, and it is. “But it must also be a call to action. SAFPA is working with industry to protect our sovereign capability, secure regional jobs, and ensure that the next 150 years of Australian forestry are defined by resilience, innovation, and sustainability – not disinvestment and decline. “Industry acknowledges the Government’s ongoing engagement and looks forward to working together to protect – and grow – our timber industries into the future. SAFPA will be seeking urgent discussions with the Government to secure support for these recommendations,” he said.

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FAE is expanding its range of top-of-the-line forestry mulchers for excavators with the introduction of the new UMM/S/EX model for excavators up to 40 tons; particularly for feller bunchers. Source: Timberbiz The new UMM/S/EX can be used for mulching trees and vegetation with a diameter of up to 40 cm and is compatible with excavators from 25 to 40 tons. Its hydraulic capacity ranges from 250 to 450 L/min., and it can handle pressure of up to 400 bar. This mulcher model is recommended for use anywhere a large mulching capacity is required, including in wooded areas or green spaces. The UMM/S/EX has been designed with a number of specific features to provide top performance. Its VT automatic variable displacement motor allows for increased torque, and its double Poly Chain belt transmission ensures optimum power transfer and reliability over time. Spike PRO bolted counter blades produce very fine mulch and make maintenance easy, while the mulching chamber features bolted protections made of an anti-wear material. The sturdy type-C rotor makes it possible to use different tooth models for different applications and comes with side teeth, which help keep the crushing chamber clean at all times. Finally, with a sturdy steel frame, the UMM/S/EX is built to last. This head is available in UMM/S/EX/VT-150 size. With the introduction of the UMM/S/EX, FAE forestry mulchers can now be used with even more powerful vehicles, which have only been used in a limited capacity for this application up to now. FAE’s range of heads includes forestry mulchers, tillers, stump cutters, stone crushers, soil stabilizers, road planers, wheel saws and multitasks. Its line of tracked carriers includes tracked carriers with cabs and remote-controlled tracked carriers. FAE was founded in 1989 in Fondo, Italy, where its headquarters are still located, it has an office in Melbourne, Australia.

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Wildfires intensified across southern Europe on Wednesday with a round-the-clock battle to protect the perimeter of Greece’s third-largest city and at least three deaths reported in Spain, Turkey and Albania. Sources: Associated Press and NBC News Outside the Greek port city of Patras, firefighters struggled to protect homes and agricultural facilities as flames tore through pine forests and olive groves. Tall columns of flames rose behind apartment blocks on the outskirts of the city, while dozens of vehicles were torched as flames swept through a nearby impound lot. “Today is another very difficult day with the level of fire risk remaining very high across many parts of the country,” Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis said. At least 15 firefighters were hospitalized or received medical attention for burns, smoke inhalation or exhaustion, he added. As water-dropping planes and helicopters swooped overhead, residents joined the effort, beating back flames with cut branches or dousing them with buckets of water. Firefighting resources were stretched thin in many affected countries as they battled multiple outbreaks following weeks of heat waves and temperature spikes across the Mediterranean region. On the Greek island of Chios, exhausted firefighters slept on the roadside following a night-long shift. Aircraft rotated between blazes on the western Greek mainland, the Patras area and the island of Zakynthos. Athens also sent assistance to neighbouring Albania, joining an international effort to combat dozens of wildfires. An 80-year-old man died in one blaze south of the capital, Tirana, officials said Wednesday. Residents of four villages were evacuated in central Albania near a former army ammunition depot. In the southern Korca district, near the Greek border, explosions were reported from buried World War II-era artillery shells. Authorities said dozens of homes were gutted in a central region of the country. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed condolences after the death of a firefighting volunteer in the hard-hit Castile and León region north of the capital, Madrid, where thousands have been displaced by evacuations. “The wildfire situation remains serious, and taking extra precautions is essential,” Sánchez wrote in an online post. “Thank you, once again, to all those working tirelessly to fight the flames.” Evacuation centres were filled to capacity in parts of central Spain, with some spending the night outdoors on folding beds. The most severe fires pushed northward into more rural areas, where some residents hosed the walls of their homes to try and protect them from fire.

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Canadian lumber duties just jumped to 35.19%, more than double what they were in January. At the start of 2025, the combined “all others” duty on Canadian softwood lumber was 14.40%. This included 7.66% anti-dumping and 6.74% countervailing duties. Two Department of Commerce rulings in July and August increased the total to 35.19%, made up of 20.56% anti-dumping and 14.63% countervailing. Source: HBS Dealer When Canadian prices rise, US mills often raise their own prices in response. As Brian Rodgers, purchasing manager at Shepley Wood Products, recently told the Boston Globe, “Everybody follows the numbers. It doesn’t matter what side of the border it’s coming from.” This market behaviour reduces negotiating room for dealers and tightens margins no matter where the lumber originates. Tony Shepley, president of Shepley Wood Products, emphasized the industry’s responsibility to protect housing affordability: “It’s our mission as an industry to protect consumers, to not let housing get driven further out of reach.” There is a prevailing trend unfolding where more architectural and engineering specifications are calling for Canadian SPF (spruce-pine-fir). The reason is not quality but differences in grading rules and design values. Canadian SPF and American SPFs are graded differently and are not interchangeable under many construction specifications. This means that when a project specifies Canadian SPF, dealers must supply it to meet the requirement. Some New Hampshire retailers report that this has shifted their entire inventory to Canadian SPF. This is not a marginal factor, as the United States already purchases nearly 70% of all Canadian softwood lumber exports. The more specifications lean toward Canadian SPF, the more entrenched that reliance becomes, narrowing opportunities for American SPFs to compete. Eric Murphy, purchasing and marketing manager at East Coast Lumber & Building Supply Company and incoming president of the New Hampshire Retail Lumber Association (NHRLA), explained: “We’re seeing the specifications in project plans leave us with no real choice. If the plan calls for Canadian SPF, that’s what we have to supply. Over time, it’s pushed us to the point where we now only stock Canadian SPF. It’s not a question of preference; it’s about meeting the requirements of the jobs our customers are building.” The NHRLA is working to introduce state legislation that would require a preference for American SPFs when pricing and performance are competitive. Without action, this specification trend could further increase dependence on Canadian lumber at the same time tariffs and duties are reaching historic highs. The softwood lumber dispute between the United States and Canada has lasted for decades, with duties in place for much of that time. This long history has reshaped supply chains. While tariffs and duties are meant to raise the price of imports and protect domestic producers, they have also prompted Canadian sawmills to relocate to the United States to avoid paying the duties. As I explained in a recent CBS 3 Vermont interview, we have seen with these tariffs that have been in place for decades on Canadian lumber, sawmills have moved into the United States to avoid the tariff, so it actually has brought in a certain level of manufacturing jobs. These relocations have created American jobs and investment but have not eliminated upward pressure on prices. ABMA supports a negotiated resolution to the U.S.–Canada softwood lumber dispute that addresses unfair trade practices while ensuring stable supply and predictable pricing for dealers, mills and builders. Tariffs and duties can be an effective enforcement tool, but they are no substitute for a long-term, enforceable trade framework. Our outlook is that the current 35.19% duty rate when combined with the emerging structural preference for Canadian SPF over American SPFs will keep price pressure high. Without resolution, retailers will remain tied to a pricing structure driven as much by policy shifts as by actual supply and demand fundamentals. “Our industry has lived with these duties for decades, and we’ve adapted but what we want most is a resolution that delivers long-term stability. Duties and tariffs at this level send a clear signal that the status quo isn’t sustainable, and they can be a tool to bring both sides back to the table. The sooner we can achieve a fair agreement, the better it will be for the entire North American lumber supply chain,” said Rod Wiles, Vice President of Human Resources at Hammond Lumber Company and Chair of the American Building Materials Alliance.

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Studying at the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Nicholas Stratmann feels he has found a uniquely perfect place to complete his honours research into eucalyptus conservation. Source: Timberbiz “You don’t have to go far from campus to be in the bush,” he said. “That connection to place is a big part of what keeps me motivated.” Originally from Victoria, Mr Stratmann has long been fascinated by Australia’s rich botanical diversity. And it was Tasmania’s unique native flora – particularly its diverse species of eucalyptus, that inspired him to relocate to the island state and specialise in it. Mr Stratmann is currently working on an honours project focused on understanding and conserving Tasmania’s eucalyptus populations, which are increasingly vulnerable to the pressures of climate change, land use, and habitat loss. “Eucalypts are incredibly important, not just ecologically, but culturally and economically,” he said. “They’re keystone species in many Australian ecosystems, and Tasmania is home to some of the most distinctive and rare types.” His research involves sampling eucalyptus populations across different parts of the state and analysing their genetic diversity and local adaptation to climate. The aim is to assess how populations are structured across the landscape, as well as how adapted these populations are to their environments. This helps to inform conservation strategies, particularly in the face of climate uncertainty. “Understanding the genetic variation within and between eucalyptus species can tell us which populations are more resilient, which ones are isolated, and where we need to prioritise conservation efforts,” Mr Stratmann said. Mr Stratmann made the move to Hobart after learning about the University’s strength in environmental science and its close ties with conservation organisations and research initiatives across the state. “I knew I wanted to do work that could have a real-world impact,” he said. “Tasmania offered the chance to study in a place where nature is still accessible and relatively intact and where people are passionate about protecting it.” That move was made easier by the welcoming academic environment he discovered at the University of Tasmania. The support he received from supervisors and staff helped him settle in quickly and focus on his research from day one. “There’s a really strong research culture here. My supervisors have been incredibly generous with their time and knowledge, and the university has excellent facilities for both field and lab work,” Mr Stratmann said. “It’s been a great environment to grow in as a scientist.” Mr Stratmann’s work will be used by landholders and community groups who are actively involved in environmental restoration and native vegetation management. And he also hopes to continue with postgraduate research into eucalyptus genetics once his honours project is complete. “Engaging with people on the ground is one of the most rewarding parts of this work,” he said. “Conservation is a shared responsibility, and it’s exciting to see how research can support community-driven efforts,” he said. “There’s still so much we don’t know, and I feel really lucky to be contributing to that knowledge here in Tasmania.” View a video at https://youtu.be/f_GI9CH7bbY

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For architect Kim Baber, Principal of Baber Studio, being awarded the Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award for his work on the timber-rich Maryborough Fire Station was an opportunity to highlight what’s possible when working with sustainably sourced materials. Source: Timberbiz “As architects and designers, we have a lot of responsibility to ensure selection of the materials we use and the impact of the buildings we create are managed in a responsible way,” Mr Baber said. With nominations for this year’s Richard Stanton Award now closed, Mr Barber believes the recognition of awards like this one play a broader role in promoting better practice across the industry, with leadership in timber design grounded in accountability. “It’s not just about recognising good design practices. We need to understand where materials are coming from, that they’re being used properly and how that’s going to impact the future life of the building – and the footprint of the resource extraction from the current environment,” he said. A cyclone-rated emergency services building, the Maryborough Fire Station is estimated to contain approximately 500m3 of Australian grown timber from Responsible Wood-certified softwood plantations. The result of many years of advocacy to the state government, the project was a collaborative effort between Mr Baber’s firm, Kim Baber Architects, Hyne Timber, XLAM and Hutchinson Builders. “It was really rewarding to see that effort translate into a timber building that’s so valued by both its users and the local community,” Mr Baber said. Fittingly, the $2000 bursary he received for his award win was put towards a trip to Japan to present at a Tohoku University seminar series focused on resilient timber design, and how mass timber can be used in buildings designed for extreme weather events. “In Japan, their focus is often seismic resilience but they’re also facing typhoons and tsunamis. We were able to share insights into designing for cyclonic conditions here in Australia, I was able to put my bursary towards making that trip happen,” Mr Baber said. The Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award recognises the winner with a $2000 bursary for work like: Significant and valuable contributions to sustainability Innovation, improvement, or excellence in sustainable forest management or the fabrication, supply, or utilisation of certified forest products Strong commitment to the principles of sustainable forest management Innovation and improvement in promoting Responsible Wood and/or PEFC-certified products.

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Forestry Corporation’s Chris Scollen, a seasoned Crew Leader and Operations Planner, has deployed to Canada to assist with the nation’s fire containment efforts. NSW has this year sent 140 firefighters to Canada, and more than 400 firefighters from across Australia and New Zealand have deployed since June. Source: Timberbiz Mr Scollen, who is based at Taree, has worked with Forestry Corporation for five years and volunteered with the NSW Rural Fire Service for 25 years. He joins 14 other NSW and ACT fire specialists to serve as a Safety Officer in a mixed Incident Management Team (IMT) that oversees fire control across the province. He will spend 33 days on deployment. “The role I am undertaking involves identifying hazards that arise in the field, whether that be weather changes, a shift in fire intensity, or high winds, and also mapping dangerous trees to ensure firefighter safety remains the number one priority,” Mr Scollen said. “A lot of the major fires are burning in rugged, isolated terrain so I’ll also be coordinating plans to ensure firefighters can exit the field safely as fires evolve, and this includes forming helicopter insertion and extraction safety plans.” Mr Scollen said he was looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to learn about new fire behaviour and containment strategies in the Canadian landscape. Forestry Corporation’s firefighting crews have been part of these consecutive deployments. The fires burning across Canada have grown in both size and number as summer in the Northern Hemisphere has intensified. More than 4,000 fires have burnt across 14 million hectares of land.

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Around 50 people joined Private Forests Tasmania at farmer Dougal Morrison’s property at St Peters Pass in Oatlands to celebrate the launch of operations as part of the Stems for CO2 Project. Source: Timberbiz During the event, attendees heard from Private Forests Tasmania about its project and insights from participating farmers Mr Morrison and Alison Napier. Professor Matthew Harrison from the University of Tasmania spoke about carbon forestry, the Australian Carbon Credit Units Scheme and different types of forestry carbon projects that could be registered in Tasmania. In addition, a presentation on FullCAM carbon modelling was shared by Bernard Prosser, which included examples of the carbon modelling undertaken as part of the Stems for CO2 project. Participants then received an operations update at the site of one of Mr Morrison’s woodlot plantings adjacent to the Midlands Highway. It was great opportunity to introduce the Stems for CO2 Project to neighbouring landowners, and to share information about the benefits of planting trees for timber and carbon outcomes. To find out more about Private Forests Tasmania’s Stems for CO2 Project, visit https://pft.tas.gov.au/stems-for-co2-program-2024  

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Reducing the time period within which a consent authority must process and decide an application for a resource consent for a specified wood processing activity to one year after the date the application is lodged as outlined within the new Resource Consenting (RMA) Act passed in the New Zealand parliament this week is applauded by the wood products industry. Source: Timberbiz “With examples of resource consent renewal for wood processing sites taking up to 13 years and costing in excess of NZ$2 million due to the drawn-out regional council processes, a more efficient system is essential,” said Chief Executive of the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ (WPMA), Mark Ross. “The new Act amends the RMA to open up a consenting pathway for all wood processing and related activities, which is intended to reduce costs and time frames, plus open up much-needed investment opportunities for the industry. “In adopting this change, the Government has listened to WPMA and our members and for that we thank the Minister responsible for reform, Chris Bishop, and Act MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court, for providing the leadership needed to back future development of both new and existing wood processing facilities.” As a low net emissions industry, wood processing offers many public benefits, including being a high-value regional employer, adding value to commodities that are otherwise exported in raw form, along with providing domestic resilience in terms of the supply of building materials, residues for sustainable packaging and biofuel. The full replacement for the RMA will be introduced to parliament this year, be passed into law next year, and be in effect by 2027, but in the meantime, through this Amendment Bill, it should be a quicker and simpler process to consent wood processing activities, incentivising future growth within the industry. As defined in the new RMA Act, wood processing activity means the establishment, operation, or maintenance of a facility that specialises in the production of long-lived wood products, products derived from wood fibre, or wood-derived bioenergy, for example, the production of sawn timber, panel products (for example, veneer, plywood, laminated veneer, lumber, particle board, or fibreboard), pulp, paper, and paperboard, wood chips, bioproducts, chemicals, and materials; or provides for the storage of logs, processed wood products, or hazardous materials used in or produced by the operation of the facility.

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SFM is collaborating with land data analytics company Agtuary to support its assessment of properties suitable for carbon project development, helping to streamline decision-making and enhance the integrity of its project pipeline. Source: Timberbiz Through Agtuary’s transparent, science-backed benchmarking platform, SFM will be able to evaluate the carbon potential and land value of properties with greater speed, accuracy and consistency. The engagement will enable SFM to make earlier, more informed decisions about where carbon projects can deliver strong environmental and commercial outcomes. “Agtuary’s customisable platform allows us to align scientific data with our project criteria — from carbon sequestration to co-benefit potential — all while ensuring transparency and efficiency in our processes,” said SFM’s Managing Director, Andrew Morgan. “It’s a smart investment in both technology and rigour as we continue to grow our portfolio of high-integrity carbon projects.” Agtuary enables third-party assessments using independent data sources and geospatial modelling, providing valuable insights on land performance, opportunity, and value. The platform will support SFM’s ongoing efforts to identify properties in Australia that can support long-term, sustainable land use change through carbon forestry. “SFM is applying Agtuary in exactly the way it’s intended — as a decision-support tool grounded in science and built for practical outcomes,” said Brent Wedesweiler, Chief Operating Officer at Agtuary. “We’re pleased to be contributing to projects that create measurable environmental and economic value.” This collaboration underscores SFM’s continued leadership in sustainable forestry and carbon development and reinforces its commitment to evidence-based project design.

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‘The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomed the opportunity to represent the forestry sector at the recent Agriculture Productivity Roundtable convened by Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins. Source: Timberbiz “Like all sectors, improved productivity is a priority for us, and we believe the answers lie with various reforms and changes including, strategic regional planning, improved R&D outcomes to maximise resource opportunities, as well as technology upgrades,” AFPA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Richard Hyett said. “Our sector provides the solutions to many of the Government’s challenges, including helping solve the housing crisis and decarbonising the economy. It’s important we work with Minister Collins and her Ministerial colleagues in the Albanese Government to get the policy settings right, to improve productivity for our sector and to enhance our national contribution to the economy, climate and the creation of essential products,” Mr Hyett said. At the Roundtable, AFPA focussed on the importance of strategic regional planning, increased forestry research and development investment, improved timber and wood-fibre outcomes, along with improved supply chain technology and policy settings that promote the sustainability of the forestry industry and its products. The Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership – made up of industry, unions and other sector stakeholders working with Government, has developed the Timber Fibre Strategy, released several weeks ago. It also recommends a number of Albanese Government actions to drive a step change improvement in productivity, including: Recognising forestry and wood products as a priority industry under the Government’s Future Made in Australia Network Promoting investment in workplace productivity across the sector including trialling the “smarter” High Performance Workplace model to encourage programs, projects and pilots De-risking investment in modern manufacturing capability by improving cross-government regulatory reform “We have a huge potential using our amazing materials, maximising use and value of the resource as well as developing new uses. It’s all key to our future success,” Mr Hyett said.  

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