Forest owners and managers can increase log quality, yield and total value by up to $16,000 per hectare by choosing the right tree spacing and best genetically improved tree stocks for their forest stands. A team of Scion scientists in New Zealand have carried out end-of-rotation assessments at Atiamuri near Rotorua (planted in 1990) and Glengarry near Napier (planted in …
Testing nursery research in the forest
Several nursery trials carried out as part of GCFF projects in New Zealand have shown that reductions in fungicide and fertiliser use can produce seedlings of the same or better quality when leaving the nursery gate, but how much does this matter after those seedlings are planted in the forest? Recent analysis of growth data from a 2010 out-planting trial …
Agriculture drone market may exceed US$4 billion
According to an August study by Esticast Research & Consulting Market Research, the global commercial drone market may reach US$3.6 billion by 2024. However, a new study forecasts an even larger bumper crop for just one of the many sub-sectors — agriculture. The study, released by MarketInsightsReports, predicts the ag drone market will exceed the entire drone market value referenced …
CSIRO invests in sophisticated satellites
CSIRO has secured access to one of the world’s most sophisticated high-performance satellites, giving Australian scientists direct control over which data the satellite collects over our region and placing the national science agency at the forefront of Australia’s civilian space science sector. Due for launch later this year, the NovaSAR satellite will provide CSIRO and the wider Australian research community …
Improving small-plantation and woodlot inventories
Small plantations and woodlots are a vital part of the New Zealand forest sector. Growers of these woodlots include an estimated 14,000 small-scale and medium-scale forest owners and much of this resource is found on New Zealand’s farms. Accurate assessment of these forests is important for ensuring realistic valuation during forest transactions and to understand current and future wood availability …
Expressions of interest – Woodflow 2018
Early expressions of interest are being sought from presenters for next year’s Woodflow 2018 technology series. It’s being run in June next year in both New Zealand and Australia by the Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA). What is it? The Woodflow series is Australasia’s premier technology event run every two years. It provides insights into innovations and new tools being …
Extra LiDAR workshops added to ForestTECH 2017
In conjunction with the ForestTECH 2017 series this year, Interpine will be running their own introductory workshop for ForestTECH delegates the day after each event – Friday 17 November, Rotorua and in Melbourne, Thursday 23 November. They’re designed to teach local forestry companies on how to manipulate, process and visualize LiDAR datasets, with a specific focus on forestry derived outputs. …
Mobility eats everything
In just 10 years the ‘smartphone’ has become an essential part of our working and personal lives. We hear and see a lot of hype about the ‘next big thing’ in mobile devices, however, in reality, all we seem to get are incremental upgrades and new form factors. Everything is just about to change! This is the topical subject for …