Organisation of steep land harvesting research in New Zealand - where to from here?

Authors: Russell Dale
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2014, Issue N.Z.J.For. 59(3) 2014, pp 21-24, Nov 2014
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: This paper provides an overview of the changes that have occurred to the funding and organisation of forest growing research in New Zealand and the impact of these changes on the management of the Future Forests Research Ltd (FFR) Steep Land Harvesting research programme (the steep land programme). FFR initiated a harvesting research programme in 2008 when the industry identified harvesting on steep land as a priority. For almost a decade there had been little or no structured research programme in the harvesting end of the business. It is estimated that the industry spends in excess of 1.25 billion dollars annually in harvesting the forest crop and moving logs to ports or processing plants. The reasons for initiating this new programme were the increasing proportion of the national forest harvest coming from steep land, the poor productivity gains being achieved relative to what was being attained on flat land, and the higher risks to loggers working on steep land. Approximately 40 per cent of forestry fatalities have occurred on steep land, with tree felling and breaking out the most common activities associated with fatalities and serious harm accidents in the forest industry. With government support through 50 per cent funding from the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP), a Ministry for Primary Industries initiative that recognises the critical role the primary sector plays in the New Zealand economy, the steep land programme was expanded in 2010. The vision of the programme is to reduce the costs of harvesting on steep land, with improved and safer working conditions encouraging the development of a highly motivated workforce using sophisticated technology. The aim of the programme has been to assist with the development of technology that will isolate workers from hazards through mechanisation, remote control, and ultimately an increased degree of autonomous operation of harvesting machines. In many ways, the programme is leading in these areas internationally, which has led to significant interest worldwide. Importantly, it has helped to restore and build harvesting science and innovation in New Zealand. This paper also considers what happens beyond the end of the current PGP programme in 2016, and discusses some opportunities for the forest growing sector to achieve further productivity and safety gains in the harvesting and logistics part of the supply chain.

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