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Aim of CRC research in farm forestry
To assess
the benefits and costs of trees on farms and the real or perceived barriers
to the adoption of commercial forestry as part of the farm enterprise.
Activities and linkages
- Farm Forestry Fact Sheets: With member Private Forests Tasmania, the CRC
produced a series of Farm Forestry Technical Information Sheets to
assist farmers to make decisions relating to forestry on farms. To
access these sheets go to PFT web site.
- Farm Forestry Seminars: Together with Private Forests Tasmania and Greening
Australia (Tasmania) the CRC has run a series of Farm Forestry seminars
repeated in the main farming districts around Tasmania. To request
a copy of the proceedings of the seminar series, go to the PFT web site.
- Farm Forestry Toolbox: Together with PFT and Forestry Tasmania the CRC
has produced an interactive CD 'Farm Forestry Toolbox' which includes
a model, developed by the CRC, that assists farmers in making site
selections and assessing potential growth rates of plantations. The
model, PROMOD, assesses soil quality, rainfall, temperatures etc required
to grow forestry species. To access information about Farm Forestry
Toolbox, go to the PFT web site.
- Farm Forestry Handbook: With funding from the National Heritage Trust,
and with assistance from Private Forests Tasmania, Serve-Ag and the
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) the CRC produced
a 'Technical and Business Handbook for Farm Forestry'. This handbook
provides simple illustrated prescriptions for all the major aspects
of farm forestry, from the financial and legislative aspects of the
business to management of native forest and establishment of plantations.
Go to
an outline of the handbook.
- Rural Tree Decline: With funding from the National Heritage Trust,
and with assistance and advice from local farmers, Private Forests
Tasmania, the Southern Midlands Council, and the Midlands Tree Committee,
the CRC reviewed the reasons for success or failure in establishing
plantations to combat rural tree decline in the Midlands. To access
the technical report on rural tree decline, click the "publications"
button on this site. Plantations have been established at four locations
in the Midlands, east of Tunbridge (rainfall 400-550 mm), to demonstrate
the gains that can be made using best forestry practice and the value
of burning, mulching, inoculating, watering, fencing and including
understory species in plantations. Contacts are Dr Neil Davidson and Dr
Chris Beadle.
- The reasons why farmers plant trees: Surveys of farmers have
been conducted to assess the reasons behind farmer's decisions to
grow, or not grow trees. For further information contact Professor Peter Kanowski
or Dr Sarah Jennings.
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Training for forestry professionals: The CRC organised a series of workshops
for forestry and farm forestry professionals. These were run between
May and August 2002.
For
details contact Peter
Volker or Neil
Davidson.
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