Business Rural Winter 2021

116 | • to page 115 Forestry offers farmers multiple benefits Karen Phelps F armers could benefit on multiple levels from considering planting forestry blocks on their farms, says Marlborough Forest Industry As- sociation (MFIA) executive officer Vern Harris. There are not only the obvious benefits of additional income when the block is harvested and carbon credits but also less often considered advantages including recreational and environ- mental. Vern refers to this as the “non-wood value of forests” where they are enjoyed by the property owners and people generally and also provide eco systems where flora and fauna can thrive. “For example the native falcon is a resident in a lot of forests now. Forests can also help farm- ers to meet clean water targets by providing a natural vehicle for filtration and erosion control,” he explains. Forests do not have to be exotic species. Vern is presently working with a client in his role as an independent forestry consultant to plant a forest of native species such as rimu, beech and tawa. It’s a very long-term option but an equally profit- able and viable one, particularly when associated with carbon, he says. Foresters in Marlborough own 71,400 hectares of plantation forest, which represents around FORESTRY » Marlborough Forest Association Proud to have supported the Marlborough Forest Association for the past 23 years for all logging requirements cable and ground base. PO Box 120, Renwick Andy 027 542 4355 andy@galecontracting.co.nz Rapaura Farm Buildings • Lean-To Farm Building • Gable Pole Farm Building • Pole Truss Farm Building • American Style Farm Building Vineyard posts and accessories Farm fencing supplies Farm and Domestic Sheds (including provision of plans where required) Phone 578 0221 | 163 Hammerichs Road, Rapaura www.rapauratimber.co.nz 4% of New Zealand’s plantation forest resource. The main species is radiata pine making up 95% of the forest area. The region has a progressive infrastructure with a deep-water export port at Shakespeare Bay near Picton and one medium- sized sawmill. The MFIA membership comprises around 175 members representing in Marlborough approxi- mately 70 percent of the planted production forest area, all major processing companies, contractors and the Port Company. The association is active in making submissions to Government, the Marlbor- ough District Council and other organisations on issues that affect forest growing and processing companies, contractors and the Port Company making it the “voice of forestry in Marlborough,” says Vern. He says one of the biggest challenges facing the industry is attracting new talent so the as- sociation is involved in a number of initiatives to promote the benefits of a career in forestry, including supporting local forestry education initiatives. It sponsors an annual prize for the top pupil in the forestry course at Marlborough Boys College and also supports the Cawthron Marlbor- ough Rural Environmental Awards and the Top of “For example the native falcon is a resident in a lot of forests now. Forests can also help farmers to meet clean water targets by providing a natural vehicle for filtration and erosion control.” Loading logs onto a barge at Yncyca Bay in Pelorus Sound. Forestry as part of rural land use mix. Dean Blacklaws’ Logging tether in the Ronga Valley.