The Forestry Hub at Fieldays, opened by Forestry Minister, Stuart Nash, drew plenty of attention earlier this month. Farm Forestry Association President, Graham West, says the farm forestry section of the hub had a team of practical experts on hand to provide advice on how to use a range of tree species, also demonstrating a new tree crop planning web-tool called Treefarmer.  

Forest Owners Association President, Grant Dodson, adds that forestry is an excellent land use opportunity for farmers. 

“The hub is all about sharing information, so that forestry is better understood and those farmers that want to can be better informed before investing.

“We see integrated land use, with trees on farms, as a real opportunity to increase overall long-term returns for farming, while improving environmental outcomes, especially around climate change.”

Another exhibitor in the hub, forest investment manager Forest Enterprises, has close ties with farmers who are among its 6,500 mainly New Zealand investors. Forest Enterprises manages plantations in Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne. 

Bert Hughes, CEO and Forestry Director of Forest Enterprises, says farmers understand land-based investment and what’s required to manage land well, enabling sustainability and profitability from one generation to the next. 

“Forest Enterprises’ investments include land as well as tree crops. Farmers can invest in forestry off-farm, without using their own land which may be better suited to other productive uses.

“The land is being maintained in New Zealand ownership and the returns also stay in the New Zealand economy.

“As a land-based, responsible and resilient asset, forestry can help diversify and lower the risk in an investment portfolio.

The Fieldays Forestry Hub was a collaboration between Fieldays and an advisory group comprising Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, Forest Growers Levy Trust, Scion, NZ Forest Owners Association, Red Stag, NZ Farm Forestry Association and Future Foresters.

Thirty-five exhibitors took part, providing engaging experiences in forestry growing, climate change, wood products, timber construction, biosecurity and biodiversity.