LETTER TO THE EDITOR
What is the purpose of farming?
If it is to make money then finding the crop that makes the most money is the best plan, according to economic theory.
If the most profitable crop is cellulose, as is grass, then what is the issue with growing trees?
The economics of forestry are sensitive to the following parameters: growth rates, terrain and distance to markets. So, in short, the best land is the best land for forestry. Also, our best soils were created under forests by forests.
I am sure you will want to throw the ‘‘you can’t eat trees’’ argument at me. But you cannot build a house out of lamb chops and beef bones. Protein is not in short supply but housing is.
Forestry produces 2.7 times more jobs than farming when reduced to the per hectare, per year statistic. Much of this value add happens at harvest. Too long to wait, you say. However, a regional forest estate is like a massive flywheel, meaning today’s planting decision can immediately affect today’s harvesting decisions.
Forestry has other economic properties that make it a superior investment to meat or dairy farming.
[In response to the report about the afforestation of Glen Islay station, Southland, in Southern Rural Life last week.]
