In the latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast, listeners are invited to explore the transformative role of nutrition in enhancing forest productivity across Australia. This insightful episode features researcher John McGrath, who shares insights about three pivotal projects, with the potential to shape the long-term future of forest management for maximum yield and productivity.

The discussion kicks off with the hardwood yield gap project aimed at identifying forest management actions to help reduce the hardwood yield gap. This work successfully helped to recalibrate the Agricultural Production System sIMulator (APSIM) model for hardwood productivity. This tool offers a better understanding of environmental limitations to maximising hardwood yield, and invaluable guidance for forestry professionals.

Moving on to the softwood nutrition project, McGrath highlights the long-term collection of historical date to enable the extension of the pre-existing South Australian predictive tool ProFert into Western Australia. The recalibrated tool is already helping forest managers in WA to better predict fertiliser response in softwood plantations.

Similarly, a project was also conducted with a focus on hardwood, and the complex interactions between climate, temperature, soil, and nutrient responses

All projects emphasise how tailored nutrition strategies and an understanding of additional external variables are essential for optimising tree growth, yield and profitability across diverse environments.

Additionally, the episode also includes details of how Wespine - the largest sawmill in WA – supported the work that resulted in the recalibrated version of ProFert for WA. During the episode, Resource Manager Brad Barr shares how the initiative will help address long-term challenges such as the ongoing impact of bushfires, while simultaneously improving resource efficiency.

For those invested in forestry progression, this episode of the WoodChat podcast is a must-listen.