Editorial: New Treeland?
OPINION: Forestry is not all bad and planting pine trees on land that is prone to erosion or in soils which cannot support livestock farming makes sense.
The Fast & Forward Forestry Expo, New Zealand’s first ever forestry expo event will come to Rotorua this week.
The event will take place on Friday 18 November and Saturday 19 November with Forestry Industry Contractors Association (FICA) chief executive Prue Younger saying the industry is ready to put on a good show.
“Our industry is coming together, with more than 100 heavy machines being brought in ranging from one tonne to 60 tonne. We have sold out all trade stands and sold out the industry dinner… so it promises to be a great event,” she says, adding that international visitors who have come to New Zealand for the event are welcome.
The expo is designed to showcase where forestry is today and where it is heading in the future.
“Let’s come together and feel proud of where forestry has got to today with mechanisation and technology, while also looking at future development opportunities,” Younger says. “Everyone is welcome.”
The event is set to showcase innovation and advancements in the industry as well as career opportunities and the contribution forestry makes to the New Zealand economy.
Trade stands will showcase all things forestry, from heaving machinery, equipment, technology, safety gear, new advancements, and innovations, to science, forestry support services, careers and more.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.
Fears of a serious early drought in Hawke’s Bay have been allayed – for the moment at least.

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