Recently I reviewed some information about hourly costs for new versus old gear, prepared for the Victorian Fair Contracts legislation by the grower/processor side of the Victorian Forestry Industry Council.

The changing timber resource and gradual shift away from native forests into plantations and regrowth has brought infield chipping into serious consideration, as Jim Bowden reports.

“If in doubt throw it out” has been the favourite grading maxim for hardwood graders over many years.

Do not be surprised if there is a dramatic turnaround in the Australian pine framing market in the early months of 2007.

Drying used to be the ‘wall flower’ of the wood processing chain; resources were readily poured into the more glamorous sawmilling and even remanufacturing activities rather than kilning.

New Zealand mouldings manufacturers are finding it tough going in the US market, and Australian manufacturers are now eyeing the traditional Kiwi stronghold, as John Halkett reports.

The battle over the introduction of a new structural pine grading system in

Increasing demand and limited supply have improved radiata pine export log selling