B+LNZ calls for government action as sheep and beef farm sales to forestry climb
Red meat farmers are urging the Government to act on the growing number of whole sheep and beef farm sales for conversion to forestry, particularly carbon farming.
Rationalisation of the sawmill industry will continue, says Marty Verry, chief executive of Red Stag Timber, which is building a $60m 'supermill' at Rotorua.
Verry told the ForestWood conference that data analysis showed another 16 mills will close in the next six years – 12 small mills, four medium and one or two larger mills. He was not sure how that played into the 2022 sector strategy of doubling forest and wood production exports (to $12 billion). The trend line of a declining number of mills was well established, but they could still produce more timber and be profitable.
"It is just the story of automation and consolidation happening around the world," he said.
"Some of the risk areas include a drop in building consents – from 2018 they are predicting a big drop off." Some struggling sawmills could get supported if they were part of a forest or bigger operation.
Rapid technology change and rapid uptake of information and technology will be the trend.
"You will see fewer mills.... Those that are surviving would have invested heavily; they will be very competitive and highly automated and productive."
It is not unique to New Zealand: Australian data shows the same consolidation story – sawmills getting larger and more automated.
Since 2006-07 there has been a significant fall in the number of sawmills in Australia, hardwood sawmills falling by 60% and softwood by 25%. Over the past decade their domestic softwood industry has become much more capital intensive and larger in scale.
A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.
Funding is proving crucial for predator control despite a broken model reliant on the goodwill of volunteers.
A major milestone on New Zealand's unique journey to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis could come before the end of this year.
We're working through it, and we'll get to it.
The debate around New Zealand's future in the Paris Agreement is heating up.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.