The response and recovery efforts to the bushfire crisis are significant and many people and businesses from our timber industry have been directly affected or are working tirelessly to support communities and regions across Australia.

The Australian Forest Contractor Association’s General Manager Stacey Gardiner said “the bushfire crisis will have a lasting impact on our industry and should be the focus over the coming months, as a result we have decided to reschedule AUSTimber2020 until November.”

Ms Gardiner added “AUSTimber is hosted in the central part of the Gippsland region and while we have been fortunate to remain safe, our concentrated support and thoughts continue to be with the communities and areas within our region and across Australia who have suffered loss and are continuing their bushfire fighting efforts.”

AUSTimber Site Manager, Mr Travis Healey said “Our focus is like many in our industry, we are sending our work crews and equipment where they are needed to support communities impacted by the devastating bushfires” Mr Healey, added “We were assisting the firefighting efforts in Queensland and now all of our crews are in north east and south west of Victoria.”

The decision to reschedule AUSTimber2020 required careful consideration of the impact on commitments already in place for the show, including to regional tourism businesses. However, ultimately the AFCA Board and the Planning Committee concluded that rescheduling would enable our timber industry to continue supporting bushfire response, recovery and salvage efforts in the coming months.

AUSTimber Coordinator, Ms Dionne Olsen said “AUSTimber is the largest timber industry show in the southern hemisphere and we have already commenced planning to facilitate a seamless transition to the future show in November.” Ms Olsen added “All tickets which have already been purchased will be honoured in November and the program remains unchanged for the new dates.”

“We also want to recognise and thank our supporters, exhibitors and partners for their positive and proactive response to the decision to reschedule the show” said Ms Olsen. Ms Olsen added “It is their commitment to the success of the show in November that means our communities will still have the opportunity to benefit from over 10,000 national and international attendees visiting Gippsland.”

Ence opened in Puertollano, Spain its new renewable energy generation plant with low emission biomass of 50 MW, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.

The new 50 MW biomass generation plant is a clear example of a just energy transition, contributing very positively to the environment. In fact, it stands out for its high generation of direct, indirect and induced employment (about 27 jobs per installed MW). It will produce an estimated 325,000 MWh / year, equivalent to the energy needs of more than 60,000 people. To do this, it will consume around 238,000 tons / year of biomass, among which is pomace, vine shoots and shoots, olive leaf, and woody forest and agricultural remains.

All of this biomass will comply with the Decalogue of Ence for the Sustainability of Biomass as a Fuel, a pioneering initiative in the Spanish company launched to guarantee its commitment to sustainability in the use of biomass and the care of the environment in the use from this renewable energy source. In addition, the activity of the Puertollano plant will allow a strong reduction in the uncontrolled burning of agricultural stubble – which has a high environmental impact -, while contributing to the maintenance of more than 1,300 direct, indirect and indirect jobs, induced, most of them in rural areas. These jobs will be added to the 500 direct jobs generated by the plant during its construction.

Ence has made an investment of about Euro 100 million in its new plant that has the Best Available Techniques to guarantee a permanent respect for the environment and the highest levels of energy efficiency in such an installation.

Softree Technical Systems Inc., a world leader in forest road and engineering software, announced the release of RoadEng Version 9.  This updated version offers a variety of new features for planning cable harvesting operations. (Vancouver January 9, 2020)

Cable harvest planning and analysis using RoadEng 9 can help determine landing locations and road infrastructure.  Working off of a high-resolution digital terrain model (such as LiDAR), users can simultaneously explore multiple areas for deflection for cable harvesting suitability and conduct payload analysis. Harvest planners can review the potential locations in plan, profile, and in data views, allowing them to better determine optimum locations.

“We are seeing a huge increase in investments in LiDAR data across our forestry industry customers” said Erin Wasney, Business Development Manager at Softree, “Version 9 has some key improvements to enhance LiDAR-based planning of cable harvesting operations. You can now plan your roads and cable locations together in conjunction with each other.”

Improved Cable Harvesting Planning Capabilities:

• Creation of very large digital terrain models from LiDAR.
• Cable Analysis “Explore-Mode” with colour-coded display of areas of deflection. Simultaneously explore multiple areas for deflection / cable harvesting suitability.
• Calculation and display of loggable area polygons.
• Automatic calculation of tail station location.
• Enhanced profile display for cable setups.
• Improved field usage with GPS Integration.

RoadEng 9 runs on a Windows tablet, which means users can bring the full engineering program with them to the field. The new version also includes an easier user interface and touch gestures which makes working with RoadEng on a tablet easier than in previous versions. Furthermore, GPS integration means users can track their location in the field while visualizing their LiDAR data and planned cable harvesting locations. This makes visualization and field verification easier than ever before.

Contact:

Erin Wasney
Business Development Manager
ewasney@softree.com
604-519-6222, x. 104
SOURCE: Softree Technical Systems

The new John Deere 959ML can be factory configured for shovel-logging and directional-felling applications, making it easy to harvest logs in areas once thought impassable. Our patented leveling technology delivers exceptional stability on steep slopes, while a live heel improves control and positioning of the log. An industry-exclusive slope-monitoring system displays the total range of motion on the in-cab monitor. And a “tether-ready” field kit and four-point seat harness further help you confidently operate in tough conditions.

“Our 959ML has been a game changer for us. It is very maneuverable in the extreme conditions we work in, and its ability to reach down into a deep ravine and grab timber amazes me. Operators love the spacious cab and impressive visibility. And it delivers the same uptime, reliability, and dealer support I’ve come to expect from John Deere machines.” Andrew Johnson, owner, Wolf Lake Logging Ltd., Courtenay, British Columbia

“Our John Deere 959ML has taken a lot of the work out of hoe chucking. We log in extremely rocky conditions and on steep slopes, but the phenomenal tracking power makes it easy to get around. And with the leveling system, the 959ML is stable and comfortable. It’s a beautiful machine to run.” Rob Boyes, operator, Strongback Timber, Courtenay, British Columbia

To learn more, visit JohnDeere.com/ShovelLogger.

Wolf Lake Logging
2130 Comox Logging Road
Courtenay B.C.
V9N 9M4
Phone: 250-331-9690
Fax: 250-331-9691

Want to help #TeamTrees get to 20 million? Get creative and help spread the word like didi_amicoimmaginario did. So far they are at 17,808,310 trees planted. To find out more go to https://teamtrees.org/

New TDS 825 Slow Speed Shredder

An industry leader in the design and manufacture of wood processing, biomass and recycling equipment, Terex Ecotec has achieved significant growth and development and today offer a comprehensive product portfolio of mobile shredding, screening, handling, separating and conveying equipment.  Continually striving to introduce new technology to the market, Terex Ecotec are delighted to launch the new TDS 825, a robust twin shaft, slow speed shredder.

Ideal for large-scale operations, this high capacity machine takes shredding to the next level and is suitable for all types of material including household waste, bulky waste, commercial waste, green waste, waste wood, tree stumps and roots.  Customisable shredding programs allow operators to configure the machine to their specific requirements, maximising production.  The hydrostatic drive offers protection against contamination and allows for bi-directional shredding, while independent gear boxes enable each shaft to be run separately, helping to reduce wrappage and improve the shredding of material.  Should a blockage occur, the shafts can be controlled via the radio remote control allowing material to be repositioned before attempting to shred again.

The double shaft shredder has 2.5m long shafts made from solid steel, with a fully welded tooth configuration giving an extremely high production rate with excellent size reduction.  Located in the centre of the chamber, directly below the shredding shafts is the replaceable breaker bar, which controls the end product size by retaining material in the chamber to aid reduction and protects the transfer belt from damage caused by large pieces of contaminants.  A number of breaker bar options are available depending on the level of reduction required, these are easily replaceable due to the side door chamber access.

Powered by a 770HP Scania V8 DC16 engine, the machine has been designed to provide operators with unrivalled levels of service access.  The high volume, tipping hopper increases the feed area providing optimum material feed and can be activated using the control panel or via the remote control.  Tipping cycle times can be configured to suit the application.  Hydraulic folding hopper extensions allows for increased capacity, preventing the infeed material from falling out especially in bulky applications.

Quick and easy set-up from ground level is guaranteed, taking a matter of minutes with no tools or working at height required.  The overband magnet providing magnetic separation is both height and angle adjustable hydraulically, and lifts up and away from the product conveyor when not in use.  All conveyors are built to a modular design allowing each one to be removed independently for ease of maintenance.

A separate transfer conveyor with a high specification belt ensures material is effectively removed from below the shredding chamber.  The product conveyor raises hydraulically and folds into maintenance mode to allow removal of the transfer conveyor.  The TDS 825 is manoeuvred via a robust tracked undercarriage, making it a great solution for difficult terrain.

The addition of the TDS 825 Slow Speed Shredder will further enhance an already significant portfolio of products offered by Terex Ecotec, meeting both market and customers’ needs.  It will be available to purchase via Terex Ecotec’s world class dealer distribution network that provide the sales and aftermarket service demanded for in the market place.

Gemma McKay, Marketing Manager, Terex Ecotec
gemma.mckay@terex.com   T: +44 (0)28 8771 8567

New Forests has announced the appointment of Forest Enterprises Growth Limited (Forest Enterprises) as property manager for its New Zealand forestry assets in the Wairarapa and Southland areas. Forest Enterprises, based in Masterton, commenced its role on 1 December 2019.

Matt Wakelin, who recently joined New Forests’ Tauranga office as Manager – Operations and Investments for New Zealand, welcomed Forest Enterprises as the property manager for New Forests’ estates in Wairarapa and Southland. “With Forest Enterprises engaged to provide property management services, we are well placed for the next steps in implementing our strategic plans for these forestry estates,” Mr Wakelin said.

“New Forests continuously seeks to bolster the management of our estates by bringing sustainability into the core of forestry investment. We are confident that this new relationship with Forest Enterprises will align property management with our ongoing efforts to support and strengthen local industry and supply chains in New Zealand.”

New Forests’ Director of Operations, Matt Crapp, explained, “Forest Enterprises and New Forests share common objectives in the supply chain – to improve efficiency and safety through increased coordination and scale. We are grateful for the progress already made together with our peers in the industry, our stakeholders, and our service providers over recent years, while we anticipate a bright future for the full New Zealand forest value chain.”

Forest Enterprises’ CEO Bert Hughes looks forward to building on the existing strong relationship between the companies. “After collaborating with New Forests and forming Log Distribution Limited earlier this year, this is another great example of a partnership that will benefit both community and industry stakeholders,” Mr Hughes remarked.

“With more than 50 years’ experience in the market, we are eager to support not only New Forests’ operations but also its commitment to responsible investment and sustainable management of the land.”

Source: New Forests

The NZ Government has suggested that we should make ourselves carbon neutral by planting many millions of additional forest trees. If this is to become a reality there will be a need for new nurseries to be established to cater for the many millions of trees that will be needed.

So, now is an opportune time to remind ourselves of the need for these nurseries to ensure that their plants are well infected with the correct mycorrhizal fungi. This is particularly important if the trees are ectomycorrhizal species, for example pines, Douglas fir, and eucalypts, and are to be planted into cropping areas, grassland and scrubland where there are unlikely to be any ectomycorrhizal fungi present.

Some of you will remember the problems that were encountered in the 1980s when some nurseries failed to do this and Douglas fir planted into upland areas of Southland, Otago and Canterbury turned yellow and died. A recent chapter in a book “Commercial Inoculation of Pseudotsuga with an Ectomycorrhizal Fungus and its Consequences” written by Ian Hall, Chris Perley and colleagues reminds us of the potential problems. The chapter outlines how a new nursery established in North Otago in the mid-1990s, which was capable of producing about 10 million containerised trees, was faced with a sea of yellow Douglas fir seedlings (photo).

Preliminary studies by Ian Hall and his truffle team showed that none of the trees had any mycorrhizal fungi on their roots. In an attempt to get a quick fix, the nursery had heaped on nutrients to try to correct the problem. It turned out this was the worst thing they could have done because it made the plants unattractive to mycorrhizal fungi. If these had then been outplanted into the upland runout pasture in Southland where the plants were destined for and where there were no sources of suitable ectomycorrhizal fungi, the trees would probably have grown a little then turned yellow, become stunted and died.

So, a suitable mycorrhizal fungus was selected (Rhizopogon parksii) which was relatively easy to manipulate, a method developed for quickly inoculating all the seedlings, and providing not too much fertiliser was applied in the nursery, it was possible to ensure that the millions of seedlings were mycorrhizal, suitable for outplanting and guarantee good growth. The plantation at Gowan Hills is now more than 20 years old, the stand is even and there is no sign of yellowing.

In the discussion of the chapter the authors then delve into the vexed question regarding the replacement of our iconic grasslands with trees in those areas where forest would have covered the land before the arrival of man. They also suggest that it would have been better if the Douglas fir had been mycorrhized with fungi that produced edible mushrooms although at the time this was not an option – the forestry company simply couldn’t wait for the development of the additional technology.

However, this has now been developed so that radiata pine, Scots pine, and stone pine can be mycorrhized with the delicious saffron milk cap mushroom. Indeed, the stone pine offers the possibility of triple cropping a stand – mushrooms after a couple of years, then pine nuts and finally timber, an option that Ian and his colleagues have been working on in New Zealand, China and elsewhere for more than a decade. With a little more work, it should also be possible to inoculate Douglas fir with one of the edible North American truffles or Suillus lakei (painted bolete).

A copy of a conference paper given by Ian Hall in China last year on the production of edible mushrooms as secondary crops in plantation forests can be downloaded from Research Gate.

Source: Truffles and Mushrooms (Consulting), www.trufflesandmushrooms.co.nz

Responding to regional opportunities and technical innovations ahead for the State’s $3.2 billion forest and timber industry, a broad representation of Directors was elected at Timber Queensland’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week, which was hosted at the ARC Future Timber Hub at the University of Queensland.

A unanimous decision by members present, elected Mr Paul Bidwell Deputy Chief Executive, Master Builders Queensland as the Chair and Mr James Hyne, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Hyne Timber, as Deputy Chair.

Timber Queensland Chair Mr Paul Bidwell said the incoming Board visited the Future Timber Hub’s structural engineering and fire laboratories where experts from industry, government, and academia are collaborating to develop the skills, knowledge and resources to foster future growth of tall timber buildings.

“Many of these projects focus on developing engineered wood products (EWPs) in future building structures. Increased use of products such as glue laminated timber, laminated veneer lumber and cross laminated timber, offer new opportunities for the construction industry to reduce environmental impact and adopt timber solutions in the building market,” said Mr Bidwell.

“We were able to see first-hand the applied research and integrated approaches to tall timber design and engineering, with many exciting applications for future housing and commercial projects.” The Future Timber Hub is an interdisciplinary partnership between the University of Queensland, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Arup, Hyne Timber, Lendlease, Queensland Fire and Emergency Service, Scion NZ, Griffith University, University of British Columbia and the University of Canterbury.

Mr Bidwell said a key strength of the incoming Board was its diversity of Directors who represent the full industry supply chain from growers and processors through to traders and fabricators. “Timber Queensland provides a united, powerful voice, and this board has insight into the policy and regulatory environment, as well as the environmental, technical and market development aspects of meeting the growing demand for timber products,” he said.

The Directors elected at the 2019 AGM included:

• Paul Bidwell, Master Builders Queensland
• James Hyne, Hyne Timber
• Robert Tapiolas, Parkside Group
• Craig Neale, AKD Softwoods
• Curly Tatnell, DTM Timber
• Islay Robertson, HQPlantations
• Bob Engwirda, Hurfords Wholesale
• Adan Taylor, GMT Logging
• David Simms, Simms Group
• Bob Ryder, DTM Frame and Truss

Timber Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Mick Stephens said the Board had identified some key priorities going forward in 2020, including resource security and expansion, waste management and improving regional timber supply chains.

Source: Timber Queensland

Photo: Directors present at the incoming meeting from L to R: Bob Engwirda, Adan Taylor, Craig Neale, David Simms (back row). James Hyne, Paul Bidwell (front row).