Future Forests Research (FFR) provides an overview of how logging cost reductions on steep terrain can be achieved.
The article was written by Keith Raymond (of FFR) and was published in the New Zealand Journal of Forestry, August 2012, Vol. 57(2). The article begins by explaining how New Zealand loggers will increasingly have to log steeper terrain due to maturing first rotation trees. 500,000 ha of the area logged within the next 10 years will have few logging roads. By the year 2020, cable yarding systems will increase to 58% of the harvesting volume and contribute 70% of average harvesting costs. Not all is gloom however, as New Zealand loggers predict that through innovative logging practices, harvesting costs can be reduced by 25%, while simultaneously reducing accidents and making logging work more desirable.
To achieve the savings, an integrated approach is required. The following key areas were highlighted to reduce costs:
The conclusion summarises the New Zealand system of the future for steep terrain. To obtain a more comprehensive account of the research, download the article from http://www.nzjf.org/
The article was written by Keith Raymond (of FFR) and was published in the New Zealand Journal of Forestry, August 2012, Vol. 57(2). The article begins by explaining how New Zealand loggers will increasingly have to log steeper terrain due to maturing first rotation trees. 500,000 ha of the area logged within the next 10 years will have few logging roads. By the year 2020, cable yarding systems will increase to 58% of the harvesting volume and contribute 70% of average harvesting costs. Not all is gloom however, as New Zealand loggers predict that through innovative logging practices, harvesting costs can be reduced by 25%, while simultaneously reducing accidents and making logging work more desirable.
To achieve the savings, an integrated approach is required. The following key areas were highlighted to reduce costs:
- Forest planning – increasing the size of the area being harvested to create better economies of scale.
- Harvest planning – improving the operational planning of logging operations and better decision making regarding road construction. Planning technology must be embraced.
- Roading operations – building good quality roads that result in less shifting of logging operations during inclement weather, allowing for better logging equipment utilisation.
- Tree felling – New felling machines to reduce breakages, lower stump heights and improve felling direction to optimise extraction.
- Cable extraction – Better use of existing cable yarding technology and new innovations in cable yarding.
The conclusion summarises the New Zealand system of the future for steep terrain. To obtain a more comprehensive account of the research, download the article from http://www.nzjf.org/