Forests branch out with modern technology

LOW prices for beef and grain, bad summer weather and farming uncertainties are driving farmers into the trees.

After meeting thousands of farmers at last week's National Ploughing Championships, forest industry leaders were confidently predicting a rise of as much as 1000 hectares in afforestation this year.

Planting in 2001 was 15,500 hectares, compared with an industry target of 20,000 hectares, and there were fears of a fall this year.