Sponsors

Forest Products Commission

The Forest Products Commission (FPC) is a Government trading enterprise established to develop and market Western Australia's renewable timber resources.  In addition to growing millions of seedlings every year, FPC are investing in research and development - to secure the greatest possible returns on a variety of commercial species including eucalypt sawlogs, maritime pine, sandalwood, jarrah and marri. FPC aim to identify ways and means in which the traditional uses of timbers can be extended, so that value-added commercial opportunities can be provided.  The FPC is also working closely with local industry and Western Australian landowners and farmers, to ensure land is readily available for future tree crops and plantations.

ITC Limited

ITC Limited is a forestry company with a proud history of sawmilling and value-adding timber for over 80 years, and delivery of forest establishment and management services to retail, corporate and institutional investors since the early 1990s.  Today, ITC is one of Australia's largest hardwood plantation forestry managers and timber processors, with in excess of 160,000 hectares of plantations under management across Australia and a solidwood conversion capacity of 250,000 cubic metres per annum.  ITC is active across the forestry and forest product value chain ranging from plantation establishment and management to harvesting, sawmilling, timber and woodchip sales and export.

Forest and Wood Products Australia

Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is a newly established public company that provides a national, integrated research and development focus for the Australian forest and wood products industry.  FWPA are committed to helping the forest and forest products industry to be collaborative, innovative, sustainable and competitive against both international forest products industries and substitute products.  FWPA undertake research and development that promotes internationally competitive and environmentally sustainable practices.

Radiata Pine Breeding Company

The Radiata Pine Breeding Company (RPBC) manages the New Zealand radiata pine breeding programme. The organisation has the mission: “To be recognized internationally as the leading provider of radiata pine germplasm through demonstrated value improvements in fitness for purpose.

CRC for Forestry

The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Forestry is an Australia-wide joint venture supported by the forestry industry, research organisations, state agencies and the Australian Government. CRC for Forestry’s mission is to support a sustainable and vibrant Australian forestry industry through research, education, communication and collaboration.  CRC for Forestry are passionately committed to the growth of a socially responsible and ecologically sustainable industry that makes an increasingly important contribution to the Australian economy.

CSIRO Materials Science & Engineering

CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering (CMSE) has particular strengths in advanced materials, fibre technology and the physical sciences. They aspire to create world’s best innovations in materials, devices and processes.  CMSE is one of CSIRO's largest Divisions and is spread over six sites in Eastern Australia.  They provide a coordinated approach to materials design, creation, characterisation and application.  CSME focuses on delivering outcomes for the Australian manufacturing sector.

Great Southern Ltd

Great Southern is an investment manager specialising in the agribusiness sector, providing Australians with an opportunity to invest in agriculture.  The company’s strategy is very clear: to identify agricultural commodities which are in demand globally, particularly from Asian markets, and then to package projects which allow investors to participate in their development.  Great Southern is focused on particular segments of agriculture which the company believes can provide significant economic and social benefits through economies of scale.

PlantPlan

PlantPlan Genetics advises on species suitability, strategy development, economic breeding objectives, database development, trial design, statistical analysis of trial data, genetic evaluation, selection, mate
allocation tactics and deployment strategy.  PlantPlan Genetics provides strategic support for the national tree improvement programs in Australia for Pinus radiata, Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens.  PlantPlan Genetics is also involved in developing innovative software tools to assist breeders in operational tree improvement activities.  The TREEPLAN® system is part of its innovative package.  PlantPlan Genetics works with clients to provide successful commercial outcomes, by providing access to leading edge tools and specialist expertise in genetics.

seedEnergy

seedEnergy focuses on the Production and Sales of Genetically Superior Orchard Seed for Plantation Forestry.  seedEnergy was established as a specialist producer of genetically improved seed in 2001 with its headquarters at Yahl near Mount Gambier in the southeast of South Australia. The business was acquired from the Southern Tree Breeding Association (STBA).  seedEnergy manages more than 30 seed orchards for Radiata Pine and Eucalypt seed throughout southern Australia to produce a range of genetically improved seed.

Southern Tree Breeding Association

The Southern Tree Breeding Association Inc. (STBA) is the national body which manages the Australian tree improvement programs for Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata) and Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) and provides genetic evaluation services in forest trees.  The STBA was formed in 1983 to develop improved genetics for plantation forestry. The business is based in Mount Gambier, but has expanded to service member companies in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, ACT, Tasmania and New Zealand.  The STBA has consolidated genetic resources developed over more than sixty years by private companies, State and Federal Governments in order to breed better genetics more cost effectively.

Timbercorp

Timbercorp is Australia’s leading agribusiness investment manager. The Company sources, funds, and manages high quality large scale forestry and horticulture projects for investors looking for attractive tax advantaged returns.  Timbercorp developed and now manages 12% of Australia’s eucalypt plantations which produce wood fibre exported to Japan, the world’s largest olive grove on a single site and the largest almond orchard estate in the Southern Hemisphere. The Company has further diversified into citrus, table grape, mango, avocado and glasshouse tomato operations through alliances with Australia’s leading producers, processors and marketers.

WA Plantation Resources (WAPRES)

WAPRES is a leader in the Western Australian plantation and woodchip export industry, and operates as a vertically integrated business, which is reflected in their motto “From Seed to Sail”.  WAPRES nursery operations have the capacity to produce up to 6 million seedlings per year and they have extensive orchards of genetically improved bluegum created through selective breeding.  WAPRES plantation establishment and maintenance services are responsible for about 30,000 hectares of bluegum resource around the South West and Great Southern regions, with an annual establishment programme (first and second rotation) of 3000 hectares. In addition a smaller programme operates on behalf of another Marubeni Subsidiary, Southern Plantation Forests, in the Green Triangle region of South Australia and Victoria.