Friday Offcuts – 17 January 2025

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Welcome to the first edition of Friday Offcuts for 2025!

I hope everyone enjoyed a well-earned break over Christmas and New Year. We’re kicking off a busy year with the return of WoodTECH 2025 to Australia and New Zealand this March. After a six-year hiatus, the event has already drawn international technology specialists, with exhibition spaces fully booked.

Our thoughts are with the brave firefighters battling wildfires in Los Angeles and bushfires in Australia. We deeply appreciate their tireless efforts.

In Western Australia, debate continues over the state’s prescribed burning program, with contrasting views from advocacy groups. In Tasmania, the Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) has criticised Bendigo Bank’s ESG policy, claiming it unfairly targets the sustainable native timber industry.

Across the Tasman, New Zealand’s construction sector shows promise for 2025, with building costs rising just 0.6% in the past three months. The Government has also invited partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value.

Read these stories and more in this packed edition of Friday Offcuts. And don't forget to share it with your colleagues.

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As LA fires rage, dissent builds over WA’s prescribed burning

A war of words – and glossy brochures – has flared up in the scientific world over whether Western Australia’s major prescribed-burning program across the forests of its south-west is doing more harm than good.

The South-West Forests Defence Foundation launched its publication  Prescribed Burning Fact Sheets – August 2024  outlining scientific research arguing current prescribed burning practices in the south-west forest regions does not give effective protection from wildfires, is hazardous to people’s health and is causing irreversible loss of biodiversity.

In response, the Bushfire Front advocacy group has released its own pamphlet critiquing the foundation’s “flawed” proposal, saying it’s not based on sound science and would have disastrous outcomes in the event of a major bushfire.

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Source: The Sydney Morning Herald


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NZ construction conditions set to improve in 2025

The cost to build a ‘standard’ single storey three bedroom, two-bathroom standalone dwelling* in NZ increased by 0.6% in the three months to December, half the 1.1% growth seen in the third quarter of 2024 and also below the long-term average quarterly rise of 1.0%.

CoreLogic’s latest Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) shows that the annual growth over the past 12 months has also slowed to just 1.1%, down from 2023’s rise of 2.4% and also well below the spike of 10.4% in 2022.

CoreLogic Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said it was little surprise that construction cost growth has slowed in the past 12-18 months.

"The previous COVID-related pressures on materials supply chains such as plasterboard are no longer an issue, and there’s also been a wider slowdown in the number of new dwellings consented and actual residential construction work being undertaken," he said. "As a result, there’s been reduced pressure on the industry’s capacity, which naturally dampens cost growth, both for materials and labour."

He pointed out that although the downturn in the construction sector has been deep and prolonged, it started from a very high base, meaning that over the longer-term recent levels of dwelling consents and construction activity have remained above previous troughs – including from right after the GFC.

In terms of specific product lines, the cost trends in Q4 remained mixed. For example, carpet saw a 3% increase in the three months to December, with wall insulation up by 3% and plasterboard rising by 4%. On the other hand, external timber products dropped by -5%, and kitchen joinery costs were down by -3%.

Looking ahead, Mr Davidson said construction sector activity is unlikely to suddenly surge higher, especially with the slowdown in population growth due to the decline in net migration. "Construction conditions look set to improve in 2025 as mortgage rates drop, but overall cost growth may still remain relatively controlled. There are also signs in the new dwellings data from Stats NZ that a floor may have been reached and that a rise in construction is likely in 2025."

Elsewhere in the market, Mr Davidson noted the loan to value ratio (LVR) rules continue to incentivise property buyers to look at new-build dwellings, while the debt to income (DTI) ratio restrictions do the same.

"DTIs aren’t having much impact right now, but with mortgage rates falling they’re set to become a greater consideration in 2025, and could result in a relative shift in property demand away from existing dwellings and towards the new-build segment."

Source: CoreLogic



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Bankers use ESG policy to pass judgement in Tasmania

Responding to a call from Tasmanian Forestry Minister the Hon. Eric Abetz to stick to the facts on native forestry, General Manager of the Australian Forest Contractors Association Tim Lester said the position taken by Bendigo Bank was hypocritical on climate and community grounds.

“Bendigo Bank does not know our industry and has no interest in knowing our industry. But through this ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policy they are passing judgement on well-regulated, well-managed, legal and sustainable Australian native timber operations,” Mr Lester said. The choice to not support Australia’s sustainable native timber industry is a choice to outsource timber supply and jobs to other parts of the world. It is a choice to sacrifice our opportunities for regulatory oversight and control,” he said.

This is a choice to make the management of our public native forests more expensive and increase the risks faced by the environment, communities and taxpayers. For Bendigo Bank this policy would have little impact. But for timber businesses and communities, it is a kick in the guts from a bank that is supposed to be on their side.

Even the local branches in timber dependent communities have been caught out by this policy. To be clear, the timber industry supports high quality, sustainable regional jobs and better climate outcomes.

“Active, sustainable management of our native hardwood estate is the best way to maintain healthy, biodiverse forests, support communities and create a valuable resource stream that is perpetually renewable," said Mr Lester. “The biggest threats to the future of our forests are uncontrolled fire and climate change. Life cycle analysis proves that well managed production of native timber stores more carbon over time in products that people want in their homes and offices.

The community banking credentials are why AFCA was pleased to use Bendigo Bank for their financial services provider. On the basis of this ESG policy the AFCA Board has chosen to end our business relationship.

Source: Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA

Also read Sticking to facts on Tasmanian Native Forestry (The Mirage)



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NZ Govt seeks interest in tree planting

The Government has released a request for information (RFI) seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced.

“Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood for domestic processing and over time, boost the value of exports,” Mr McClay says

“It will also provide nature-based solutions which are a key part to our climate strategy.”

Through the RFI, the Government wants to understand what would make this an attractive and viable opportunity for potential partners.

This includes:
  • Interest in partnering with the government to plant trees for commercial, carbon and biodiversity purposes. 
  • What conditions and contractual arrangements the government might consider.
  • What barriers to planting might exist and how the Government could help overcome these.
“We’re open to partnering with a range of groups both domestic and international, and we will ensure commitments are upheld where land is subject to Treaty of Waitangi settlement obligations.

“These partnerships represent a cost-effective approach to reducing net emissions while also delivering tangible benefits to local communities,” Mr McClay says

Potential partners can submit their RFI response HERE, describe the activities they’re interested in and suggest partnership models and types of agreements they’d consider.

The RFI closes at 5pm on 28 February 2025.

Source: NZ Government


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Marty Verry op-ed - why must our farmers carry concrete?

Last month’s Economist magazine had two different articles quoting exactly the same figures; ‘7-8 percent of global emissions’. One related to the emissions of the world’s concrete sector, the other, the emissions of the world’s livestock sector.

This got me thinking; why has our government announced plans to introduce farm level emissions regulation, whilst abandoning plans to restrict the carbon intensity of building materials - of which concrete is the worst offender?

New Zealand’s international climate commitments will require emissions reductions by all sectors. So why should farmers subsidise foreign cement? Politically one would have thought the farmer lobby would have more pull with this particular government than the concrete lobby.

Last year’s green initiative bonfire saw the abandonment of MBIE’s planned ‘Building for Climate Change’ programme. It would have brought in the requirement to measure, then limit, carbon footprint of all new buildings. That would have forced material producers to de-carbonise, or face substitution. The initiative mirrors similar programmes globally and has strong local support.

Off the hook – at farmer’s expense

Most cement is manufactured offshore and as such is not touched by the ETS. This programme would have been the market signal that the concrete industry needed to de-carbonise. Now they are off the hook. Why would they research and invest to decarbonise if there is no potential loss of market share or margin to justify the business case? This is elementary business logic.

Stranger still is why farmers will face regulation, yet have few options to avoid emissions, whilst there are plenty of existing options to reduce concrete’s emissions should the government so incentivise.

Principle among the substitution options is ‘mass engineered timber’, according to Michael Barnard, a climate futurist, strategist, and author who published ‘Cement Displacement and Decarbonization through 2100,’ projecting the decade-by-decade change to the building and construction market over the next 75 years. Mr Banard is the Chief Strategist for the TFIE (The Future is Electric), consulting to billion-dollar hedge funds and multinationals.

In discussing alternatives Mr Barnard says “In my assessment, the largest of these is likely to be engineered timber,” adding that “structural strength is equal to reinforced concrete with a fifth the mass. Every tonne of engineered timber displaces 4.8 tonnes of reinforced concrete.”

Substitution with sustainable engineered timber would be no bad thing. It’s made locally, drawing from supply chains that reach deep into provinces like Northland, Bay of Plenty, East Coast and Nelson. There are plenty of employment, economic development, tax-take, and balance of payments reasons too.

A stronger domestic market would also provide the platform for scale investment in wood processing that could in turn help double the sector’s export earnings and lower construction costs locally. Modelling indicates there is over one billion dollars of likely investment in wood processing that could follow.

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Source: Marty Verry (via LinkedIn)



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New Forests raise A$600 million for AN/NZ forestry fund

New Forests, a global investment manager of nature-based real assets and natural capital strategies, has announced the final close of the Australia New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund (ANZLAFF) , raising approximately A$600 million from institutional investors from across Europe and Asia-Pacific, including three new investors.

ANZLAFF provides exposure to integrated forest, land, carbon and agriculture markets in Australia and New Zealand targeting investments in core forestry plantations alongside processing and related infrastructure, with some targeted exposure to agriculture assets.

The Fund aims to maximise the value of the whole landscape by positioning investors to benefit from the best use of the landscape across forestry and agriculture, while combining additional revenue streams such as carbon, biodiversity, and renewable energy such as solar and wind. It will also seek to enhance climate mitigation through carbon sequestration and emissions reduction opportunities across its investments.

Among the new investors in the Fund’s final close are Evli, an investment management business spanning Finland and Sweden; Kyushu Electric Power, a Japanese energy company; and a German insurance company.

David Shelton, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand at New Forests said

“It is exciting to see investors globally are increasingly considering how they can gain exposure to natural capital through an integrated investment into land, forestry, agriculture, carbon and biodiversity. Investors are looking to allocate capital to these areas for strong returns and option value on future strategies, combined with a desire to contribute to net zero goals, conservation, and the growth of the circular bioeconomy.

“We are particularly pleased that existing clients have re-invested with us again, while we are also excited to welcome a cohort of new clients to New Forests via this Fund. Some of these have come from the relationship with our new owners, Nomura Asset Management and Mitsui. We are looking forward to continuing to expand these relationships with all of our valued clients.”

The final close comes 12 months after New Forests announced the first close of ANZLAFF with commitments from five investors including Swedish pension fund Andra AP-fonden (AP2); German pension group Bayerische Versorgungskammer (BVK); the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC); along with an Australian and a German insurer.

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Source & image credit: New Forests


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US lumber market chaos looming over Trump tariffs

With President-elect Trump set to take over the Oval Office on January 20, the Canadian lumber industry looks to be taking action. As Trump has threatened 25% import tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico (as well as 60% tariffs on China imports), Canadian lumber companies are going on the offensive by proposing 25% increases in lumber effective if and when the tariffs are implemented.

Whether this is simply aggressive posturing and bullying by Trump to get action from Canada and Mexico – and it looks like it has definitely got the attention of Canadian politicians – or it is something that he will go through with to prove his point, exporters and buyers need to protect their businesses with short-term strategies.

A number of Canadian lumber companies are now advising customers that they will add 25% to lumber exports to the US when the tariff is announced. With Canadian mills already paying an average of 14.4% import duties on US shipments, they have no alternative but to increase prices by the 25% to cover the potential tariff.

A Linkedin post by Nic Wilson, CEO of the Denver Mass Timber Group Summit, provided his view of recent market uncertainties. He reports on January 9: “West Fraser… sent a blanket email statement out last night. That said, if Trump signs a +25% tariff (to the existing import duty already in place), then any lumber that isn’t already rolling on a rail into your yard will be subject to the added expense.” He indicates that “multiple big Canadian mills sent out the same public announcement.”

As a wholesale lumber purchaser/trader, Mr. Wilson’s view is that, “the market will panic buy to cover their February and March inventories. It’s the customer’s insurance policy. Legitimately, people are gambling right now, rolling the dice because some of them have been caught with their pants down, leaving their lumber in the sawmill’s yard too long. Now people are forced to panic ship, based on a “what if” scenario. The crazy part is, we do not actually know if Trump will or will not add the tariff. It is all a wild ass speculation.”

He believes that this “will trigger a panic buy the next few weeks, causing runaway prices. This is textbook… ‘Selling the rumor and buying the facts.’"

This initial market reactions come after Trump’s earlier comments this week that: “We don’t need their lumber. We have massive fields of lumber. We don’t need their lumber,” said Trump. “We have to unrestrict them, because stupid people put, you know, restrictions on – but I can do that with an executive order. We don’t need anything they have (…referring also to cars and dairy, but not oil).”

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Source: Russ Taylor Global


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FWPA calls for Forestry Research Program proposals

FWPA is pleased to share that a Call for Proposals for the January 2025 Forestry Research Program is now open. This program supports collaborative research, development, and extension (RD&E) activities designed to deliver measurable benefits to Australia’s commercial forest growers and drive industry innovation.

Delivering Value to Members and Industry

The Forestry Research Program provides a unique opportunity to advance the science of commercial forestry and its practical adoption. By addressing critical challenges and leveraging industry partnerships, this program aims to enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience across the sector.

“This program reflects FWPA’s ongoing commitment to supporting our forest grower members through research that drives productivity, sustainability, and innovation,” said Andrew Leighton, CEO of FWPA.

“This program is about creating tangible value for Australia’s commercial forest growers,” said Jodie Mason, Head of Forest Research at FWPA. “Our focus is on fostering innovative research with strong industry support to address key priorities and deliver impactful outcomes. Collaboration is at the heart of this effort, ensuring the research is both practical and transformative.”

Research Priorities

Aligned with FWPA’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, the program focuses on key RD&E priorities that reduce risk, loss, and cost while increasing productivity across the sector. The specific industry priorities are articulated in FWPA’s grower RD&E investment plans, across the themes of:
  • Climate Change
  • Damage Agents
  • Forest Operations & Supply Chain
  • Impact of Fire
  • Native Forest Silviculture
  • Plantation Silviculture & Nutrition
  • Tree Breeding & Genetic Improvement
Proposals addressing topics outside these priorities may also be considered if strong support from the forest-growing industry is demonstrated.

Application Process

The Forestry Research Program follows a two-stage application process:
  1. Submission of Concept Notes (due Monday, 3 February 2025)
  2. Submission of Full Proposals (due Monday, 7 April 2025)
Funded projects must commence in the 2025/26 financial year.

Project Evaluation and Industry Collaboration

Proposals will be assessed based on their alignment with FWPA’s Strategic Plan, demonstrated industry need and support, scientific merit, and a clear pathway to delivering measurable benefits for Australia’s commercial forest growers. FWPA encourages prospective applicants to engage early with potential industry partners to ensure meaningful collaboration and alignment with industry needs. A minimum of three industry partners is required for each project.

For more information, including application guidelines and templates, visit the Forestry Research Program webpage.

Source: FWPA



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SnapSTAT - Rebound for Hardwood chip exports

Australia: Hardwood chip exports rebound begins




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Source: www.Resourcewise.com 


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International exchange program for young leaders

A pilot international exchange program between Canada, the UK, New Zealand and Australia has been developed to offer participants an opportunity to gain diverse perspectives as well as foster personal and professional growth.

Forestry Australia CEO, Jacquie Martin, said Australia is delighted to be part of a pilot international exchange program with the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada, the Institute of Chartered Foresters, United Kingdom and the New Zealand Institute of Forestry.

“The pilot international exchange program offers a unique opportunity for emerging leaders in forestry and forest management to participate in a 3-month paid international work placement,” Ms Martin said. “It allows participants to build global networks, exchange knowledge and gain hands on experience. Participants will be able to immerse themselves in a new environment, assisting them develop adaptability, broadening expertise, and collaborating on shared opportunities and challenges.”

Prue Crundall, Forestry Corporation NSW will be hosted by the Duchy of Cornwall in the UK. Ms Crundall said she is relatively new to the forestry industry and participating in this program will give her an opportunity to enhance her understanding of forestry practices, and expand her professional network.

Sean Boucher, of Sustainable Timber Tasmania will work with Strategic Natural Resource Consultants, a trailblazer in forest management and resource consulting, in British Columbia, Canada. Sean said he was looking to participate in this forestry exchange program to enhance his understanding of sustainable forest management and to view and learn different forestry techniques and practices.

“In addition, by opening their doors to young professionals from overseas, Sustainable Timber Tasmania and Forestry Corporation of NSW are providing life-changing opportunities and showcasing the exceptional forestry expertise and innovation within their organisations,” Ms Martin said.

Australia will welcome Hope Rebonne from Canada, who will gain experience with Sustainable Timber Tasmania in Australia. Hope said she recently graduated with a forestry diploma in April 2024. “I applied to this exchange program because I see it as a fantastic opportunity to deepen my understanding of forestry on a global scale, while I am still discovering all the forestry job opportunities here in Canada.

“I am excited to explore the diverse practices and approaches in Tasmania’s forest sector and to compare them with forestry in Canada,” Ms Rebonne said.

Alex Donaldson, Regeneration Programme Manager with Zulu Ecosystems, UK will be working for Forest Corporation of New South Wales. Alex said joining Australia’s international forestry sector is an unmissable opportunity. “I’m eager to exchange insights from the UK and immerse myself in their unique industry,” Mr Donaldson said.

Source & image credit: Forestry Australia


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Local timber solution to ease housing crisis in Australia

The rise of increasingly sought after, timber framed lifestyle dwellings is helping to free up housing stock across Australia.  In the Fraser Coast, home to Hyne Timber - one of Australia’s oldest and largest softwood manufacturers, their framing is currently being used for almost 800 new lifestyle dwellings being built by Brighton Homes alone.

These are located across three village developments on behalf of Brighton Homes clients, Ingenia, Stockwell Group and Green Fort Capital. Typically, over 50’s homeowners sell their home to move into a ‘right size’ lifestyle village without a mortgage – thereby freeing up housing stock for next generations.

According to the 2021 ABS Census, 250,000 Australians reside in retirement communities which is a 23% increase from the 2016 data. This number is expected to exponentially grow with our aging population and 458 operators of retirement communities across the country.

According to the Retirement Living Council ‘Better Housing for Better Health’ report, the current pipeline of retirement communities will reduce the housing shortage by 18%. Further growth of this pipeline to meet the ongoing demand, could further reduce Australia’s housing shortage by 67% by 2030. (Source)

Brighton Homes Business Development Manager, Patrick Cumner, said their own pipeline for retirement villages will deliver almost 12,000 dwellings across Queensland in the next few years.

Lifestyle villages have been hugely popular across America for many years and this model is taking off here in Australia. These centrally located villages can have hundreds of low maintenance dwellings along with the popular, shared facilities, services and social programs which make these communities so desirable for healthy and active retirees.

James Hyne, Stakeholder Engagement Manager for the Hyne Group said this is a great step in the right direction for housing availability, “With the housing and land availability challenges here in Australia, this type of lifestyle model is contributing positively to our communities in many ways.

“Not only are these lifestyle villages in hot demand, but they’re also being largely built using timber for a range of benefits including the ability to relocate them, quieter buildings, locally grown, locally manufactured and locally processed into frames and trusses at companies such as Brett’s Timber and Hardware and CQ Building Supplies.

“From a pine seedling to a new home, thousands of local jobs make up these dwellings, further supporting our regional economy.”

With an estimated 3,500m3 of timber to be used for the three Hervey Bay lifestyle villages, this volume of timber will sequester approximately 2,500 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere which is the equivalent to 1,270 cars off the road for a year. This volume of structural graded, softwood plantation pine will have regrown across the Australian softwood plantation estate in just 10 hours. Construction doesn’t get more renewable than that!

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Source & image credit: Hyne Timber


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Log trains return to New Plymouth

Log trains have restarted between Whanganui and New Plymouth, helping reduce road congestion and transport emissions.  This will include services running to Port Taranaki, so people are being urged to be extra vigilant when crossing the tracks next to the Coastal Walkway.

From 6 January, log trains have been running most days from Whanganui to KiwiRail’s New Plymouth rail depot. The log wagons will then be shunted (moved by a smaller locomotive) to the port.

KiwiRail Executive General Manager Freight and Rolling Stock Operations Paul Ashton welcomed the return of regular services. “ Rail is an excellent way to get primary product, such as logs, to export and we’ve been working closely with Forest360 to make it happen. It’s also low emissions, given rail has 70 per cent fewer emissions per tonne carried, compared to heavy road freight.

“But more trains running also means that people should be cautious whenever they approach the tracks. This is especially important on the urban line to Port Taranaki, which has a number of pedestrian level crossings connecting to the popular Coastal Walkway.

“It’s been about 18 months since regular services have used the line and people need to be vigilant. They should expect trains at any time, obey signage and always take a good look both ways before crossing the tracks.”

Forest360 Director Marcus Musson said rail offered more efficient freight movement and helped take pressure off the roading network.

“Initially we will be loading six wagons per day on the Whanganui to Taranaki route. That removes the need for about 80 truck trips each week, reducing emissions and taking large trucks of the roads. Rail is also more fuel efficient, giving our forest owners some relief from increased cartage rates due to high fuel costs.”

“This is a great outcome, and I join with KiwiRail in urging people to take care around the tracks and be safe.”

Port Taranaki General Manager Commercial Ross Dingle said it was exciting to have the service operating again. “We’re very pleased to have this service up and running as it improves efficiency for exporters, helps alleviate congestion and the impact on the roads, and helps reduce carbon emissions.

“Our log yards are directly adjacent to the rail line and the log ships that berth, which enables the logs to be easily and efficiently unloaded from the train, stored nearby, and loaded onto the vessel when required.”

Mr Dingle also urged the public to take care at the vehicle and pedestrian crossings through New Plymouth. “With the service returning during summer, when there are a lot of people out and about, we ask that everyone please take a few extra seconds at crossings to look and check it’s clear and safe to cross.”

Source & image credit: KiwiRail



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RPBC’s newest recruit has big data in his sights

Armed with a newly-completed PhD and findings that have already captured the interest of key industry publications, Radiata Pine Breeding Company (RPBC)’s newest recruit Duncan McLean has big plans for research that will benefit the future of Pinus radiata in New Zealand’s forest estates.

After completing a Master’s degree in plant breeding at Massey University, which included work on poplars and willows and their use in bio remediation and soil stabilisation, Duncan’s research interest was fortuitously diverted into forestry.

Duncan was introduced to RPBC’s Mark Paget, who had several potential research ideas for Duncan to consider working on. Having chosen a topic, Duncan received support from RPBC in the form of a PhD stipend while he undertook work on his thesis. Duncan was fortunate enough to be supervised by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury School of Forestry Professor Luis Apiolaza and his co-supervisor Associate Professor David Evison. 

“During my PhD my passion for forestry has grown,” says Duncan. “The challenge of working with really long breeding cycles and how you maximise your outputs over a long period of time really keeps me engaged.”

Simulating Deployment

One of the outputs of his research that he was most pleased with was being able to simulate the deployment phase of the programme.

“It was a good way to kick off the discussion about how we could boost the deployment of improved germplasm from the breeding programme to the production forest and how we could look at optimising things like seed orchards and the structure of the seed orchards to maximise the output from the breeding programme.

“What really interested me about the programme itself is that it’s not just about breeding improved trees – you’re also working within the deployment space too to try and get those improvements out into the production forest as quickly as possible. Both of those areas are equally important. 

“There can be a barrier to deploying new improved germplasm for many crop species for various reasons. In forestry, we must go through the process of committing new seed parents in the seed orchards which may compromise seed yield. Similarly, extensive trials have to be managed and assessed over several years prior to the wide-scale deployment of production clones.”

Big Data is Valuable to Gain Breeding Insight

The availability of good data is key in gaining valuable insights to improve breeding strategies, such as genotype by environment interaction, an interest that developed during his PhD studies and was encouraged by Professor Apiolaza. “With a better understanding,” says Duncan, “we could really be maximising genetic gain by understanding and exploiting those interactions to enhance production, particularly in the clonal deployment space.” One of Duncan’s key projects with RPBC will expand on this PhD research.

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Source & image credit: RPBC


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Jobs



Buy and Sell



... and one to end the week on... the price of innovation

Location, location, location! This image shows rows of Tesla Superchargers completely submerged in floodwater. Guess those "range anxiety" jokes aren't so funny anymore...

Tesla Chargers under water


The evolution of the pen

They say the Bic pen is so reliable, they haven't changed the design in decades. I guess that's true. I mean, look at them! 1955, 1985, 2015... same blue barrel, same plastic tip. It's like they're mocking us. 'Oh, you want innovation? We give you... more of the same!
BIC Pens over time





And on that note, enjoy your weekend. Cheers.

Ken Wilson
Editor, Friday Offcuts
Web page: www.fridayoffcuts.com


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