Everything from planning to marketing taught on Rangitikei farm

Forestry is getting good returns at the moment. Photo / file

A free field day teaching everything farmers might want to know about forestry takes place on a coastal Rangitikei farm on June 16.

The Middle Districts Farm Forestry Association is holding the day to take advantage of the country's renewed interest in planting, member Denis Hocking said.

He's guessing farmers, lifestylers and other landowners will be spurred on by current high prices and Government's drive to plant a billion trees.

Log prices are good. Hawke's Bay farm forester Steve Wyn-Harris made news when forest harvested on his Marlow Hill property made $41,000 per hectare after expenses. It was nearly twice the amount he would have made by grazing that poor land.

At the same time Horizons Regional Council is proposing planting 30 million trees across its region, adding to forestry in its Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI). The council and private landowners can take advantage of government subsidies for planting.

"I'm disappointed that people seem to need subsidies to plant trees," Hocking said.

It's not an expensive undertaking, especially if radiata is planted and if the forest is in the Emissions Trading Scheme and can get returns from carbon credits, he said.

The field day is on Murray Guy's Ranginui farm at the end of Brandon Hall Rd near Bulls. Guy is a former Horizons councillor who once headed the committee in charge of SLUI.

There will be forestry experts there to give information and answer questions. One is marketing consultant John Turkington. Others are experts in safety, in species other than pinus radiata and in farm forestry.

The day will cover land use planning, planting, releasing, pruning, thinning, safety, market prospects, harvesting and marketing. It starts at 10.30am and runs until mid afternoon.

+ To get to Ranginui farm, head toward the coast from Bulls' main intersection. After 1.2km in Parewanui Rd turn right into Brandon Hall Rd and drive 8km to its end, where the field day will be signposted. Bring your lunch and suitable outdoor clothing.

For more information, email Denis Hocking on jdhocking@xtra.co.nz or ring him on 06 322 1254.

Brandon Hall Rd