Agribusiness Workshops

AGRIBUSINESS professionals are being invited to crunch the numbers on integrated trees on-farm, at workshops throughout November.

Three workshops will be held in Albany, Bunbury and Perth, looking specifically at the business of trees in agriculture.

The workshops come on the back of an update of the Decision Tree app, which features farm-specific mapping capabilities, developed in conjunction with both forestry and agricultural consultants.

The Decision Tree program was designed to rapidly assess the suitability of farms for commercial integrated tree planting, as well as provide information and assistance to landowners seeking to plant trees.

South West Timber Hub Project Manager Wendy Perdon said the workshops were aimed at farm advisors, accountants and farmers who were keen to learn more about the profitability of integrated trees on-farm.

“There are many examples of farmers successfully using trees as a low-risk financial diversity strategy within their agricultural enterprise,” Mrs Perdon said.

“At these workshops, we’ll be looking at timber from a business model perspective, and the information can be taken and applied on a case-by-case basis using the recently updated Decision Tree app.”

The workshops will include industry leaders discussing an economic snapshot, reflecting on failed managed investment schemes of the past and what lessons have been learned, and the offers available going forward.

WA’s plantation sector, which consists of hardwood and softwood varieties, contributes over 1.18 billion dollars of economic activity.

Demand for timber products is anticipated to quadruple by 2050 and at least 50,000ha of additional softwood plantation is needed to help meet the demand.

The Business of Trees on Farms Workshops will be held in Albany on November 17, Bunbury on November 19 and in Perth on November 20.