Clarky's Comment - July 2014
I've been thinking about how we can re-organise our log sales in New Zealand to avoid the violent log price swings that we have at the moment.
READ MOREI've been thinking about how we can re-organise our log sales in New Zealand to avoid the violent log price swings that we have at the moment.
READ MOREThe rapid deterioration in the export log market continued in July with export log prices down an average of $12/JAS m³.
READ MOREWelcome to Dan Phillips who started as Project Engineer in Rotorua office.
READ MOREThe Future Forests Research Limited (FFR) Harvesting programme has now released the HARVESTNAV on-board navigation app and has made it available to the whole industry free of charge.
READ MOREDuring May and June this year we have seen a flurry of trading activity in the New Zealand ETS on the back of NZU price rises following the tabling of the The Climate Change Response (Unit Restriction) Amendment Bill (as reported in last months edition of Wood Matters). However the market has since settled with very little trading occurring.
READ MOREAs well as readying itself to commence packaging and delivery of its containerised tree stocks to customers across New Zealand for planting out this winter, PF Olsen Nursery is also establishing a series of field trials on a range of selected sites. The objective of these field trials is two-fold.
READ MOREThis month I have two significant events to comment on. The Independent Forestry Safety Review (IFRS) panel has released its initial report for public consultation, and we have witnessed a massive decline in export log prices, arising from oversupply to China.
READ MOREJune saw another significant fall in export logs prices. This downturn, which is more severe than initially expected, is having a big impact on forest harvesting.
READ MOREWelcome to Kelly Norton who began work for PF Olsen in June as Receptionist and Admin Support in Rotorua.
READ MOREIn support of children's education and safety, PF Olsen continues its sponsorship of Homework & Communications Books for the children of Rotorua, Rotokawa and Whakarewarewa Schools.
READ MOREWith more focus recently on responsibilities around health and safety in forest operations, PF Olsen recently wrote to its clients. The purpose of the letter was to inform forest owners of their obligations (as Principals) with respect to health and safety.
READ MOREBeaudine Harris was nominated for his excellent attitude towards health and safety. He has very good understanding of the requirements for safe work in the tasks he undertakes and consistently demonstrates this understanding every day.
READ MOREThis ambitious programme, aiming to double forest productivity, was launched by Scion researchers to the research scientists and industry representatives in Rotorua on 10 – 11 June with a field trip on the 12th.
READ MOREForestry in the New Zealand ETS has had a tumultuous month.
READ MOREThe Green Triangle region of Victoria and South Australia is home to large and expanding populations of koalas. In the last few years, koala populations have expanded beyond their traditional native forest habitats to exploit the substantial feeding resources presented by the hundreds of thousands of hectares of blue gum plantations.
READ MOREI'm not one to normally get too alarmist but I think a particular aspect of the proposed new Health and Safety Act does warrant that sort of reaction.
READ MOREApril's relatively small reduction in export log prices was followed by much larger reductions in May – some prices down as much as $25/JAS m³. In just two months, export log prices lost 14 months of prior month–on–month gains.
READ MOREPF Olsen is seeing many examples of blocks of forest land being harvested and not replanted. There are also many areas in New Zealand where widespread soil erosion could be mitigated, and/or catchment water quality could be improved with forest cover. This, along with increased conversion of forest to dairy land use, means New Zealand's plantation forest area is in decline.
READ MOREThanks to all those people that took the time to complete and return the PF Olsen Customer Satisfaction Survey.
READ MOREAaron Bashnick joined PF Olsen's Gisborne team as a harvest supervisor on 28 April. Campbell Harvey has rejoined PF Olsen's Christchurch team after a brief OE in the southwest U.S. Gavin Hurford commenced with PF Olsen (Greymouth) on 5th May after returning to New Zealand from North Queensland where he worked for Elders Forestry managing its high-value tropical timber estate. Michael Smith started with PF Olsen on 12 May as the Logistic Coordinator, based in Rotorua.
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