SA Forestry magazine

27/08/2024

SP, TimberPro harvesting equipment demo impresses...
A forwarder carrying a 20-ton plus load of pine logs down a 50% slope drew gasps from a group of experienced foresters and harvesting contractors attending a field day in the KZN midlands recently. Read more and see all the pics and vids from the day: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/sp-timberpro-harvesting-equipment-demo-impresses/ TimberPro Inc

19/08/2024

Join Mfundo as she takes us through a day in the life as a PR/Communication and CSI lead for NCT Forestry. She also talks about her journey to where she is today and the challenges she has faced along the way.

This is Part 2 in a series of role model videos produced by She Is Forestry SA...

https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/mfundo-ngcobo-nct-forestry-pr-communications-csi/

13/08/2024

Researchers discover new type of wood...
Researchers have identified an entirely new type of wood that does not fit into either category of hardwood or softwood.

Scientists from the Sainsbury Laboratory at Cambridge University and Jagiellonian University, Poland made the discovery while undertaking an evolutionary survey of the microscopic structure of wood from some of the world’s most iconic trees and shrubs.

They found that Tulip Trees, which are related to magnolias and can grow over 30 metres (100 feet) tall, have a unique type of wood. Keep reading...

Researchers have identified an entirely new type of wood that does not fit into either category of hardwood or softwood.

12/08/2024

Zanele Nkhosi - SAFCOL Machine Operator
In a new series of videos, She Is Forestry SA profiles women who have had fascinating journeys and careers in forestry. These videos serve to inspire women to pursue careers in the forestry sector and educate the public on the wide variety of interesting roles and avenues that exist in the forestry value chain.

Zanele Nkhosi shares her forestry journey from general worker to machine operator, hoping this will inspire others to follow in her footsteps. watch video here: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/zanele-nkhosi-safcol-machine-operator/

08/08/2024

Wildfires cause havoc in KZN...
Wildfire season has kicked off with a bang in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands with a number of destructive fires that have claimed the lives of 14 people, destroyed dozens of homes and equipment and damaged thousands of hectares of commercial forestry and agricultural land, not to mention the loss of livestock and wildlife.
Full story here: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/wildfires-cause-havoc-in-kzn/

05/08/2024

Smart software from CMO streamlines EUDR compliance
The European Union's Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) marks a significant step in the global effort to combat deforestation and promote sustainable forestry practices. Enacted to ensure that products entering the EU market do not contribute to deforestation, this regulation imposes strict due diligence requirements on companies producing or trading in forest products. It affects the entire forestry sector - regardless of the country of origin. Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/smart-software-from-cmo-streamlines-eudr-compliance/

29/07/2024

Braecroft Timbers receives top forest management award
Braecroft Timbers (a wholly owned subsidiary of CHEP South Africa) has received the top award for sustainable forestry management practices in their South African plantations from the Sappi FSC Group Scheme. Full story here: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/braecroft-timbers-receives-top-forest-management-award/

20/06/2024

HOT NEWS BYTES: Innovations and inventions for next level forestry...
Sappi Southern Africa has concluded a milestone 175GWh per annum renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement with Enpower Trading, a NERSA-licensed private electricity trading company, in a move to reduce its carbon footprint. Read more forestry newsbytes here: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/hot-news-bytes-innovations-and-inventions-for-next-level-forestry/

19/06/2024

NCT beefs up Chain of Custody assurance...
Small-scale tree farming on tribal land in the KZN midlands is alive and well, as evidenced by an enthusiastic turnout at a recent NCT field day at the co-op’s Ahrens timber depot, near Greytown.

This was a combined field day hosted by NCT’s Greytown regional office for growers supplying their timber to the Glenside and Ahrens depots. Around 80 tree farmers from the surrounding areas attended the field day to hear presentations from the NCT forestry team. Full story here: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/nct-beefs-up-chain-of-custody-assurance/

18/06/2024

Kwagga visits the Husky team...
Husqvarna, a leading manufacturer of outdoor power products, continued its proud tradition of participation in Grain SA’s annual NAMPO agricultural exhibition in 2024. The event was held at Bothaville in the Free State, and provided the perfect opportunity for the company to engage directly with the farmers and landowners whose daily operations rely heavily on their products.

Read more:

Husqvarna continued its proud tradition of participation in Grain SA’s annual NAMPO agricultural exhibition in 2024. Visited by Kwagga Smith.

14/06/2024

Another state plantation handed over for community management...
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment (DFFE) is on a roll as another state-owned plantation is handed over to a local community to manage – this time in Limpopo province in the far north of the country. The 72 ha Mabama plantation – planted primarily to Eucalyptus species – is situated in the Vhembe district of Limpopo, and was handed over to the Mashamba Traditional Council recently. Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/another-state-plantation-handed-over-for-community-management/

12/06/2024

STIHL supports rhino dehorning project...
There has been an alarming surge in rhino poaching, particularly within the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park (HiP), forcing Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, in collaboration with WWF South Africa, to undertake a rhino dehorning programme. KZN lost a total of 325 rhinos in 2023, with 307 of those poached within HiP, despite concerted efforts to stem the tide.

The dehorning programme marks a pivotal moment in Ezemvelo’s anti-poaching efforts, aligning with proven strategies implemented elsewhere, such as in Kruger National Park. Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/stihl-supports-rhino-dehorning-project/

STIHL Hluhluwe Game Reserve WWF South Africa

10/06/2024

FSA celebrates another successful year of business...
FSA’s 22nd Annual General Meeting was held once again at the Fern Hill conference Centre in Tweedie in May, and was attended by a record number of members, forestry sector stakeholders and key office bearers from several government departments. Andrew Mason handed over the FSA chairmanship to Buhle Msweli of the Small Growers Group as per FSA’s rotation policy, which has served the organisation well over the years. Duane Roothman of Sappi will serve as Vice-Chair for the year ahead. Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/fsa-celebrates-another-successful-year-of-business/

03/06/2024

Search for biocontrol of invasive American bramble intensifies...
Invasive American bramble is a thorn in the side of foresters, farmers and land managers across large swaths of South Africa. It chokes up grasslands, forest fringes and river banks, and is notoriously difficult to eradicate. But there is light at the end of the tunnel as a team of scientists are tracking these elusive invaders to find an effective biological control. Read more:

Invasive bramble is a thorn in the side of foresters, farmers and land managers across SA. It chokes grasslands, forest fringes & river banks

06/05/2024

Communities taking over management of state plantations...

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, and Deputy Minister Makhotso Sotyu, handed over the management of three plantations to Eastern Cape communities at a function held at Butterworth in April. Read more:

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries & Environment, Barbara Creecy, hands over three plantations to Eastern Cape communities.

30/04/2024

NEW PEST ALERT!

In January 2024, signs of pest attack were noticed in Acacia mearnsii plantations in the KZN midlands. Investigations confirmed symptoms were due to the feeding of a Melanterius weevil. Find out more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/new-pest-alert/

19/04/2024

Lignin, a major component of wood and an abundant organic polymer, provides a multitude of functions especially in the industrial and agricultural sectors. Sourced from the wood pulping process as a side stream, Sappi SA uses it to produce Pelletin, a lignin-based additive in animal feed manufacturing. Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/turning-wood-into-animal-feed/

Sappi Southern Africa

19/04/2024

18/04/2024

Baboons vs forestry is a highly controversial topic that can be likened to a hornet’s nest. It’s best left alone, because when it is disturbed it tends to explode and cause an almighty furore.

At the moment things have been fairly quiet on the home front, but the problem has not gone away. In fact baboon damage to commercial pines – and now eucalypts – is steadily rising (mainly in Mpumalanga province in South Africa) as bark chewing among plantation dwelling baboons spreads from troop to troop, and from generation to generation. Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/baboon-business-like-a-hornets-nest/

28/03/2024

Finding biodiversity in timber plantations
How do we continue to provide the wood fibre raw materials that we need from alien tree plantations that have transformed natural grassland, while at the same time conserving biodiversity? Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/finding-biodiversity-in-timber-plantations/

South African National Biodiversity Institute Sappi Southern Africa

27/03/2024

Time to build with timber
How engineered wood can decarbonise the South African built environment …

Our planet is faced with both an environmental crisis and housing crisis. There is, however, a sector that is overlooked as a viable, renewable and long-term solution to climate change and urbanisation. Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/time-to-build-with-timber/

Stellenbosch University

01/03/2024

Navigating the minefield of pesticide use in forestry
A ground-breaking study undertaken in the KZN midlands shows that pesticides commonly used in South African plantation forests pose low or minimal risk of impacting negatively on the environment, but there are some red flags worth noting. This is mostly good news for growers who are restricted in terms of the number of pesticides approved for use, and are under increasing pressure from certification bodies, environmentalists and consumers, to minimise usage of chemical pesticides.

The study was undertaken by Nelson Mandela University PhD candidate Noxolo Ndlovu, who is employed as a researcher at NCT Forestry. Noxolo’s presentation was the highlight of the recent webinar hosted by the Timber Industry Pesticide Working Group (TIPWG).

Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/navigating-the-minefield-of-pesticide-use-in-forestry/

23/02/2024

FORESTRY JOB OPPORTUNITY...

Job opportunity for a young, vibrant Forester who is suitably qualified, experienced and meets the following requirements:

• Physically fit
• At least 5 years of experience in a harvesting operation
• 3-5 years of experience working with mechanical harvesting equipment
• Be able to Plan, Lead, Organise and Control staff
• Work with little to no supervision
• Must be willing to adopt a "hands on" approach
• Must be willing to travel to various rural areas and be willing to work longer than normal hours
• Must be willing to work night shifts when required

Minimum Requirements
• Completed Degree or Diploma in Forestry would be advantageous, but not critical if the candidate has relevant experience
• 3-5 years of experience working with Microsoft Office
• Ability to communicate in isiZulu or isiXhosa
• Unendorsed Driver’s License, Minimum Code 08 / B
• Clear criminal record
• Traceable references

In return, the company offers a competitive package and a company vehicle.

Applicants to email CVs to [email protected].

*** PLEASE SHARE***

https://saforestryonline.co.za/news/job-offered/

21/02/2024

New generation contractor makes his mark...
At just 30-years-old, Sabelo Sithole is at the forefront of a new generation of forestry contractors servicing Mondi South Africa. Sabelo is the Managing Director of New Age Forest Solutions, a new harvesting business launched in 2021, which has secured a five-year harvesting contract for the Zululand area. Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/new-generation-contractor-makes-his-mark/

15/02/2024

Forestry at the heart of Malawi community project...
Small African Community Based Organisations struggle with creating a sustainable financial base. Here is how Tafika Youth Organisation of Malawi developed an innovative, synergistic, forestry approach to solving this problem while at the same time meeting their community’s needs. Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/forestry-at-the-heart-of-malawi-community-project/

13/02/2024

A National Minimum Wage of R27.58 per hour – effective from 1st March 2024 - has been announced by the Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi. Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/national-minimum-wage-beats-inflation-again/

29/01/2024

Five small scale timber growers in KwaZulu-Natal have become the first participants in the award-winning Sappi Khulisa programme to achieve forest certification through the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) in the Sappi Group Scheme for small scale growers. Full story here: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/pefc-group-scheme-certification-for-small-growers/

Sappi Southern Africa

22/01/2024

Water security in the cross-hairs...
The Sappi/WWF Water Stewardship Partnership is making a difference in the uMkhomazi catchment, a strategic water resource area serving a myriad of downstream users. Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/water-security-in-the-cross-hairs/

Sappi Southern Africa

11/01/2024

Can Safcol save Pietermaritzburg’s plantations?
The forests that surround Pietermaritzburg should be – could be – one of the city’s finest assets. If well managed they can yield a sustainable annual harvest of some 25 000 tons of timber and bark, provide visitors and residents with endless recreational opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, trail running and bird watching, while providing free ecological services in the form of fresh, clean water from the numerous streams that run through it. Read more: https://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/can-safcol-save-pietermaritzburgs-plantations/

The Witness