Thursday, 06 June 2024 10:55

Potential of trees, wood on display

Written by  Staff Reporters
The Forestry Hub returns to Fieldays this year. The Forestry Hub returns to Fieldays this year.

The Forestry Hub returns to Fieldays for its third consecutive year, showcasing how trees and wood are transforming New Zealand.

Visitors will be able to explore more than 25 forestry-centric exhibits within the Hub, site G80 at Fieldays.

The forestry simulator will be back again this year, immersing job seekers into a virtual reality where they can experience what it’s like to operate machinery in a forest and explore the diverse range of careers the sector has to offer.

Other attractions will include displays of innovative uses of wood, forestry machinery, the latest in forestry robotics, and a roving tractor called GOVOR.

Crown Research Institute Scion will be on site demonstrating their 3D printer using forest-based biomaterials to print pinecones that visitors can take home. Visitors can speak with scientists about how they create renewable biomaterials and how these are turned into structures and objects using smart manufacturing processes.

Plenty will be on offer for families. Nature enthusiasts will be able to exercise their tree identification skills in the What Tree? challenge, and children wanting to try their hand at growing a tree will be able to take home a seedling.

A series of presentations across the four days will further enhance the learning experience of visitors to the Hub. Topics will range from planting alternative and native tree species, predator free initiatives, biodiversity within forests, wood processing and the burgeoning ‘bioeconomy’.

Visitors will get to speak to a range of representatives from small- and large-scale forest growing companies, wood processors, farm foresters, scientists, and not-for-profit groups, who will all be in attendance to answer questions and provide more information on forestry and wood processing in New Zealand.

The Fieldays Forestry Hub has been an ongoing collaboration between New Zealand Forest Service, Forest Growers Levy Trust, Scion, New Zealand Farm Forestry Association, and the New Zealand Forest Owners Association since 2021.

Forest Growers Levy Trust chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says the annual event is not just about the sector engaging with the community, it’s an opportunity to raise awareness of the important role forestry and wood processing holds for future New Zealand.

“Forestry and wood processing offers so much value to rural communities,” Heeg says.

“Our forests provide safe habitats for biodiversity, lessen the effects of climate change, and generate important economic activity, including thousands of jobs.

“The emergence of wood-based biofuels and added-value wood products will accelerate that path to a more sustainable future.

“There is a lot to celebrate about our sector and Fieldays is the perfect opportunity to show the public how we are strengthening our nation’s future.”

New Zealand Forest Service director of forestry engagement and advice Alex Wilson says forestry and wood processing are diverse and dynamic, and have a critical role to play in the future of New Zealand.

“The sector is a key exporter for New Zealand and a major contributor to regional economies and employment.

“Forests are also important in our response to climate change and the transition to a low-emissions future.

“At Fieldays this year and on behalf of sector representatives, we are all really excited about the opportunity to have conversations with rural landowners about the many benefits of planting trees on their land.”

More like this

Full steam ahead with clean energy from forestry waste

While the vehicle industry is addressing the future by developing engines that run on waste oil, hydrogen, or indeed electricity, one Christchurch-based company is looking at things in a different direction with the use of steam.

Govt updates ETS scheme settings

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says updates to the New Zealand Emission Trading Scheme have been made to ensure New Zealand has a more credible market.

Is National Fieldays' format still relevant for businesses?

OPINION: With the 2024 edition of National Fieldays behind us, it would be fair to say that although the mood was positive – a plus, given the negative sentiment across the rural sector – you must wonder if this showcase format’s days are numbered.

Revamped automatic calf feeder

JFC Agri, the family-owned manufacturer of agricultural products from Galway, Ireland, used Fieldays to launch its innovative Evolution range of automatic calf feeders, including the state-of-the-art Evolution S4 Automatic Unit.

Science showcase works well

What do you want from your pasture? That's the question top Massey University scientists were asking farmers at the 'Science for Farmers' site at Fieldays recently.

Featured

Support welcomed for southern farmers

Federated Farmers says it welcomes the announcement of extra Government support for farmers and growers in Southland and parts of Otago after the region was hit by severe wet weather.

Tatua’s $10.50/kgMS tops, again!

Waikato-based milk processor Tatua has announced a final 2023-24 season payout of $10.50/kgMS for its farmer shareholders, again topping the payout stakes among NZ milk processors.

Will silver turn to gold for state farmer?

Tucked away in a remote part of the central North Island, staff at a Pāmu (Landcorp) farm are working hard to solve one of the biggest challenges facing the dairy and beef sectors.

National

Machinery & Products

Can-Am pushes the boundaries

Can-Am is pushing the boundaries of performance in its Outlander line-up of ATVs with the launch of the new 850…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Gun-shy

OPINION: Listening to the hysterical reportage of gun law reforms being pushed through by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee,…

Beware groupthink

OPINION: Massey University has long been, and still is, a core part of the NZ farming scene, training the next…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter