SOUTHEM ONLINE

Southern Hemisphere Forest Industry Journal Online news briefs

SOUTHEM Online - Issue 243 – 14 May 2010

Hi and Hola - Welcome to this edition Southem Online. See below for news
headlines, including those about the crisis facing the forest industry in the
Australian state of Tasmania.

Cheers and Saludos from Down Under

Mike Smith
Editor and Director
Email: info@southem.com
URL: www.southem.com

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WORLD CLASS FOREST AND WOOD SCIENCE EDUCATION

STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
The Department of Forest and Wood Science at Stellenbosch University aims
to be the preferred supplier of world-class education, research and outreach
in Africa for the benefit of all peoples, industries and societies at large, with a
primary focus on sustainable management of tree-based natural resources
and the processing thereof. For detail refer to www.sun.ac.za/forestry or
contact Pierre Ackerman at packer@sun.ac.za
HELI HARVEST LTD PROVIDING AERIAL HEAVY LIFTING SERVICES
Heli Harvest is New Zealand’s leading heavy helicopter operator. The
company has vast experience in heavy lifting tasks, including timber
harvesting, firefighting, disaster relief, construction, vineyard frost protection
and cellphone tower installation. Heli Harvest operates two Mi-8 helicopters.
For more information, go to:
http://www.heliharvest.co.nz/index.cfm/

TIMBERLAND INVESTMENT CONFERENCE

Center for Forest Business

University of Georgia
March 23-25, 2011
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation
Lake Oconee, Georgia, USA
www.ugatimberlandinvestment.com

Save the Date!

Forestry Climate, Investments and Opportunities are changing! Join us for our
2011 Timberland Investment Conference where we will provide you the latest
Forestry topics, speakers and opportunities.

UGA’s Center for Forest Business professionals and invited speakers will
provide you insight in the resilience of forest resources and how timberland
values have been impacted by the financial markets. The conference should
meet your timberland questions as well as provide you the information
necessary to make the most prudent timberland investment decisions
involving the process of purchasing, management and divesting a tract of
timberland.

The Center for Forest Business integrates the latest academic research and
sound financial methods to provide education and service to forest industry,
investors and landowners throughout the world.

For more information, contact:

Bob Izlar - bizlar@warnell.uga.edu
Director, Center for Forest Business
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
University of Georgia, Athens
Phone (706) 542-6819
FAX (706) 542-5073

Rich Molpus - rmolpus@warnell.uga.edu

Center for Forest Business
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
University of Georgia, Athens
Phone (706) 542-5079
Cell (601) 421-1721
REMSOFT TACTICAL PLANNER AND COLLABORATION
TECHNOLOGIES DEMO DAYS
Team Remsoft is hosting a reception and free demonstration of the new
Remsoft Tactical Planner and Collaboration Technologies in Melbourne and
Rotorua in May. This event is open to all our clients and to those who want to
learn more about the software and why we are the industry standard world-
wide.
Applications include:
• Tradeoff analysis
• Carbon strategies
• Biomass & biofuel analysis
• Valuation
• Operational planning
• Higher and best-use
• Risk management
• Cash-flow analysis
• Harvest scheduling
• Certification & compliance
• Collaboration
• Transparent, accountable defensible plans
For more event information please visit http://www.remsoft.com/events.php?
id=119 or email info@remsoft.com to confirm your attendance.
We hope to see you.

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Items headlined in SOUTHEM Online are drawn from a number of sources.
The source of the item is quoted, either by publication or organisations in line
with the practice of fair reporting. Items originally published in Spanish are
translated by TMS Ltd. Every effort is made to ensure use of paid wire
service material is avoided at all times. Should users wish to utilise
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CRISIS TALKS IN TASMANIA AS FOREST INDUSTRY STRUGGLES

The government of the Australian state of Tasmania has been holding crisis
talks with forest industry representatives following a melt down in the sector’s
prospects, the Sydney Morning Herald has reported. Premier David Bartlett
reportedly said in a statement that the meeting aimed to look at ways to
guarantee the forest industry’s long-term future in the state. “Our industry is
approaching crisis,” the Premier said, referring to the planned closure of the
Wesley Vale pulp mill and the TasPaper mill at Burnie.

FORESTRY TASMANIA AT EASE OVER FEA LOG PAYMENTS

Earlier, the state-owned Forestry Tasmania is reported to be maintaining it is
unlikely to be badly affected by the issues with a key customer for its logs,
Forest Enterprises Australia. Logs for FEA’S Bell Bay sawmill are purchased
by the troubled wood products group through a joint venture with Timberlands
and Forestry Tasmania. The banks had appointed receivers for the proper
management of some of FEA's assets, including sawmill. Bob Gordon, the
Managing Director of Forestry Tasmania, is reported as saying that FEA
makes all the payments for the logs well in advance and Forestry Tasmania,
therefore, would not be affected severely if the mill is shuttered.

FOREST INVESTMENT BEATS FEA DIFFICULTIES

Meanwhile, companies in the Australian plantation industry continue to attract
and seek further funds for investment in expanding the plantation resource
and replanting it following harvest, the Australian Plantation Products and
Paper Industry Council (A3P) said in wake of the FEA news. In a statement,
A3P said that it was anticipated that the plantations established and managed
by FEA and their wood processing facilities would continue to be an important
part of the industry in the specific areas concerned. “It is hoped that
satisfactory arrangements for their ongoing management will be made as
soon as possible thus minimising any adverse consequences for employees,
contractors, suppliers and investors,” A3P said.

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FULL OPERATIONS NEARER AS CHILE INDUSTRY REPAIRS ‘QUAKE

DAMAGE
The companies that suffered important damages to their near facilities at the
epicentre of the Chile earthquake on 27 February- between the Region of the
Maule and that of La Araucanía- exhibited various degrees of progress in their
repairs, as well as advancing their production capacity. Some have advanced
60% of their operations; while others they have re-established almost 100% of
their operations. CMPC was one which said it would be functioning to 100%
by the end of May. Arauco said its Constitucion plant would operate a full
capacity in about 10 days and the Arauco 2 line repairs continued. Source: El
Mercurio via Lignum
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SAPPI TO EXPAND ON BACK OF PULP PRICES RISE

The South African-based pulp and paper giant Sappi is looking to expand
further forestry opportunities in southern Africa to help boost its future pulp
supplies, a Business Report article said. Quoting Sappi CEO, Ralph Boettger,
the article said the plans were announced on the eve of the release of the
results for the second quarter to March, in which the company posted an
operating profit excluding special items of $54 million (R412m) for the quarter
compared with a $17m loss a year earlier. First-half sales increased to $3.2bn
from $2.5bn a year earlier. "Sappi will continue to focus on improved
operating performance, improving our margins and returns, generating cash
and reducing debt," Boettger is reported as saying.

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MISIONES EXAMINES MEASURES TO HELP FOREST INDUSTRY

RECOVERY
The forest industry in the Argentine province of Misiones suffered the major
impact of the global economic recession and requires government help, a
statement from the provincial governor said. FAIMA said an industry
specialist, Gustavo Cetrángolo, had also noted that although the market crisis
had passed, it was still necessary to examine the industry’s profitability. The
comment came after Misiones Governor Maurice Closs said the forest
industry was the main economic driver in the province and, as such, the
government was discussing measures and policies to help it to recover.

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NEW ENVIORNMENTAL REGS DUE FROM JULY IN SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa’s new environmental-impact assessment (EIA) regulations, due
to be published soon, will come into effect in July this year, Water and
Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said, Engineering News
reported. Sonjica reportedly said that the new regulations were an integral
part of an environmental management system that was effective in enhancing
environmental quality and efficient in terms of timeframes.

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STRUCTURAL INNOVATION COMPANY’S PRE-TENSION TECH

BUILDING A FIRST
A world-first in timber engineering and constructions is taking place in Nelson,
New Zealand, the Pine Manufacturers Association reports . The foundations
have been laid; the LVL fabricated and sheer walls are being erected in what
will become Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology’s Media Studies
building. This is the first building of its kind to be constructed using the
Structural Timber Innovation Company’s (STIC) pre-tensioning technology.
For views on progress, go to:
http://www.nmit.ac.nz/schools/artsmediabuildin .aspx
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STUDY TIME A REAL DRAG FOR (SOME) STUDENTS

Delays in Chilean students achieving final graduation from their university
courses are worrying administrators. Among those of concern are students at
the Faculty of Forest Sciences and Conservation and the University of Chile,
La Tercera reported. Forest Engineering students, for example, were on
average taking 10 years instead of the required five to complete their courses.
This was not quite as poor as at the University of Tarapacá, where the
average length of time to complete a five-year degree was 12 years. For its
part, the U. of Chile is starting two courses within the curriculum, that include
aspects such as professional development and not necessarily scientific.

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PLANTATION FOREST WOOD FEATURES BIG IN BRAZIL’S ENERGY

PLANS
The use of wood in energy generation is seen as one of the main new roles
for the forest industry, according to the Brazilian Government. In announcing
the National Plantation Forests Plan recently, top official Décio Gazzoni said
that, according to optimistic views of the sector, it was expected that up to
12% of all Brazil’s energy market could be supplied by plantation forest
sources, based on a trend in developing renewable energy sources.

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BOLIVIA WORKING TOWARDS COMMERCIAL FOREST PLANTATION

STRATEGY
The forest industry and government have recently held meetings in Bolivia
with the plan to expand the area of plantation forests in the country. The
Bolivian Forests Chamber stated that the meeting of representatives held
important meetings with the purpose of exchanging information and
establishing bonds of cooperation allowing the development of policies and
strategies for commercial forest plantations.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DEMAND BOLIVIAN GOVERNMENT RETURN

FORESTS
Meanwhile, it is also reported that the Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of
Bolivia (Cidob in Spanish) has demanded the government of President Evo
Morales return 30 forest concessions authorised in the past 90 years,
because of the impact on the habitats of the original peoples. The proposal
was lodged with the Vice-Ministry of Lands.

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BANK CLAIMS POLE POSITION IN CARBON TRADING

Australian-owned bank Westpac is claiming the lead as the first bank in New
Zealand to offer carbon trading. The bank has written to 600 forest industry
representatives offering the opportunity to discuss dealing the carbon credits
they acquire through the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme. The ETS
is going ahead in New Zealand, in spite of delays in similar schemes
elsewhere, including in near neighbour, Australia. Westpac Managing
Director of Financial Markets NZ Lloyd Cartwright said in a statement that the
bank was the first intermediary to enter the market beyond simply offering a
broking service. The bank says it will provide what it calls the “missing link”
between smaller forestry companies with carbon credits on their books who
are looking to monetise them now and corporate entities needing to acquire
larger volumes to manage liabilities.

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ARBORGEN-SCION EXTEND MULIT-MILLION DOLLAR GENE

DISCOVERY DEAL
Leading tree improvement company ArborGen, LLC and New Zealand Crown
Research Institute Scion have agreed to extend their multi-million dollar
partnership in gene discovery and molecular breeding for forest trees. Begun
in 2006, the partnership has been successful in identifying gene-traits
associated with wood quality improvements in pine. The partnership has
identified more than one hundred new genes to test in Loblolly Pine research
being conducted at ArborGen. "Our ongoing partnership with Scion brings
together two leaders in forestry biotechnology, creating exciting synergies for
breakthrough discoveries and product development," says Barbara Wells,
Ph.D., president and CEO of ArborGen. Scion's Chief Executive Tom
Richardson, Ph.D., predicts future plantation forests will be different to what
they are now, with trees grown for a wider range of purposes in addition to
traditional forest products, such as bioenergy and other bio-based products.
Over the next three years, the partnership will focus on developing and
applying valuable traits, such as improved growth and superior wood quality,
for both commercial forestry and biomaterials applications.

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MYRTLE RUST DETECTED IN NEW SOUTH WALES

The Australian agency, A3P, is warning its members they should be aware
that recently the plant disease, Myrtle Rust (Uredo rangelii), was detected at a
New South Wales cut flower growing facility. This is the first detection of
Myrtle Rust in Australia and there is limited scientific knowledge of its impact,
range, potential host plants, and behaviour under Australian conditions. Myrtle
Rust is a highly transportable disease.

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MEETINGS

REMSOFT INFORMATION SESSIONS DOWNUNDER

18 May and 25 May – Remsoft to host information session in Australia
(Melbourne) and New Zealand (Rotorua). For more details, go to:
http://www.remsoft.com/events.php?id=119

CRITERIA AND INDICATORS

25 May-2 July 2010. Criteria & Indicators (C&I) and Forest Certification
for Asia and Latin American Countries (J10-04039) . At the JIICA JICA
Sapporo International Center (JICA Sapporo). Minami 4-25, Hondori 16-
chome, Shiroishi-ku , Sapporo, Hokkaido, 003-8668, Japan.

PARANÁ UNIVERSITY TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF FORESTRY

COURSE
30 May 2010 – The Forest Engineering Course at Universidad Federal do
Paraná in Brazil will celebrate 50 years in existence. For more info, go to:
www.fupef.ufpr.br.

THE VALUE OF FORESTS

10-12 June 2010. The 2010 New Zealand Institute of Forestry Annual
Conference will be held Rotorua (at Novotel Rotorua). The conference theme
is ‘The Value of Forests: Exploring the Commercial, Environmental, Cultural
and Community Values of New Zealand’s Forests’. This theme covers all
aspects of forest values, not just traditional timber values. The conference
organising committee is currently looking for both sponsorship and speakers.
Please contact David Herries
nzif-cni@windowslive.com

A3P MEMBERS’ FORUM IN MELBOURNE

17 June 2010. Australian Plantation Products and Paper Industry Council
(A3P) will hold its annual Members’ Forum in Melbourne with a welcome
dinner on the night of 16 June. The Forum is a unique opportunity for
members to improve their understand of key policy issues impacting the
plantation products and paper industry, to network with colleagues from
throughout the industry and to help guide A3P’s work on behalf of the
industry.
natalie.loudon@a3p.asn.au

SOUTHEM HOODIE-HOO DAY

22 August 2010 - Southern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day - this is the day to
go outdoors at high noon and yell “Hoodie-Hoo” to chase winter and make
ready for spring, only one month away.
http://www.answers.com/topic/southern-hemisphere-hoodie-hoo-day

KIWI INNOVATORS CONNECTED TO COMMERCE

Entries for 2010 are now open for the annual Innovations Competition at the
New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays. The competition encourages New
Zealanders to get creative in the rural sector, by producing new devices,
developments and equipment which improve and support farming practice.
Inventors are all vying for the prestigious Golden Standard, the supreme
award in innovation worth $5,000. It is no wonder that every year the number
and standard of entries increases considerably. Entries are now open for the
Innovations Competition and will close on 7 May, 2010. The Fieldays will be
held on 16-19 June 2010.

ARGENTINA FOREST FAIR

23-26 September 2010. Argentina Forest Fair at Posadas, Misiones,
Argentina. Feria Forestal Argentina.Parque Centro del Conocimiento -
Posadas (Misiones) www.feriaforestal.com.ar

CANOPY PROCESSES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

7-15 October 2010 - Travelling Workshop: Canopy Processes in a Changing
Climate. South East Australia. IUFRO 2.01.12
http://www.iufro.org/science/divisions/division-2/20000/20100/20112/
Contact: Anthony O'Grady, anthony.ogrady(at)csiro.au

REMOTE SENSING & GIS APPLICATIONS IN FOREST ENGINEERING

19-20 October 2010. 9th Seminar on Remote Sensing & GIS Applications in
Forest Engineering. Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
http://www.9seminarioflorestal.com.br/home/

FORESTRY EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC

REGION
Call for Abstracts: Forestry Education and Research for the Asia-Pacific.
ICRAF, Manila, The Philippines, 23–25 November 2010. Abstract submission
deadline: 31 May 2010. This conference aims to strengthen the contribution
of forestry education and research towards sustainable forest management in
the Asia-Pacific region. The course is organized by the University of the
Philippines Los Banos, with support from the World Agroforestry Center
(ICRAF). For more information, go to:
http://www.mailprosx.com/mp/link.php?M=115574&N=1182&L=4540&F=H

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ANOTHER SIDE

CHILE CHOSEN AS SITE FOR THE WORLD’S BIGGEST TELESCOPE

The world’s biggest telescope is to be built on top of a 3,000-metre mountain
in the Chilean desert. The European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), as
it’s been called with a sense of understatement, is to be operational by 2018.
The E-ELT will be bigger than all the existing professional telescopes put
together and a veritable monster compared with the current biggest
telescopes, which have a surface area of 50 square metres. Source: Radio
Netherlands
http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/dutch-have-major-role-mega-telescope

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