Back to basics focus for KZN wattle growers

Friedel Eggers of UCL urges foresters to plant the best black wattle clones on the right sites to reap the benefits of good bark and timber yields

NCT Forestry organised an informative field day in October for its members and farmers in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Midlands region. Terry Wolhuter of Elands Spruit Farm in New Hanover hosted the event.

Roger Poole, from NCT, explained that the wattle farming area in KZN has been decreasing over the past decade due to various factors such as land returned to new owners who are not interested in tree farming, wattle being vulnerable to pests and diseases, and damage caused by wild and domesticated animals.

The theme for the day was 'Back to Basics', meaning it is crucial to focus on getting the basic principles of tree farming right to ensure the health of your trees and to get a return on your investment.

Open for business. Rob Thompson delivered the good news that NCT’s Richards Bay mill is open

NCT’s Greytown District Manager Cliff Walton provided info on the log specs required by the mills — Open for business. Rob Thompson delivered the good news that NCT’s Richards Bay mill is open

The day was divided into two parts. Indoors, attendees heard presentations on pests and diseases by Brett Hurley from the Forestry & Agriculture Biotechnology Institute (FABI) and the demand for pulpwood during the 2024-2025 financial season by Rob Thompson of NCT.

The outdoor session included presentations from NCT's tree farming manager, Craig Norris, on wattle clones, planting, pruning, thinning, and maintenance by Friedel Eggers of UCL, as well as the timber specs required by the NCT mills for harvested timber by NCT's Greytown area manager Cliff Walton.

INDOOR SESSION

Wattle pathogens

Brett Hurley of FABI and the Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP) started the day's programme with information on the latest pest and pest-related diseases affecting wattle trees.

These include the wattle rust fungus, which infects the foliage of trees and stems of saplings, flowers, and seed pods. Telia, resembling brown powdery masses, develop dry on young host tissue but become slimy under wet conditions. In severe cases, wattle rust can reduce the growth of young black wattle trees by up to 40%. A lot of work is being done through the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) to breed rust-tolerant trees.

NCT’s Craig Norris provided info on the growth performance of the latest black wattle clones and the benefits of planting green wattle

Seedlings or clones are planted in a rip-line created by this customised ripper at Eland Spruit Farm — NCT’s Craig Norris provided info on the growth performance of the latest black wattle clones and the benefits of planting green wattle

Other noteworthy pathogens in the KZN region are Ceratocystis wilt and Phytophthora species. The Ceratocystis wilt is a relatively new disease that affects wounds on black wattle. Hence, it is crucial when pruning to make clean cuts and avoid unnecessary stem damage, as these can become entry points of this pathogen.

Phytophthora spp is present in the midlands area, causing leaf and root rot. The Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP) is doing research to gain a better understanding of this pathogen.

Wattle pests

Brett said tree pests affecting wattle includethe Melanterius seed weevil, Aqrilus grandis, a wood-boring jewel beetle, and white grubs.

The Melanterius weevils are seed feeders that lay eggs and feed on wattle seed. Lately, it has been noted that there has been a shift in its feeding pattern, and it is now infesting and feeding on young shoots and twigs of the black wattle. The weevils typically have one generation per year, coinciding with seed maturity. The Melanterius weevil is present in the Howick region.

The Agrilus grandis jewel beetle is a wood borer in the Melmoth region. It is native to the South and East African areas. It bores underneath the bark and leaves a network of tunnels. Researchers are trying to find out why it is now attacking wattle.

Ongoing work is being done on white grubs to learn more about the different species and what drives them. Brett requested growers to alert the FABI team if they detect heavy white grub infestations on their farms and plantations.

Brett said FABI’s Diagnostic Clinic is open to NCT and TWK members and partners free of charge. Individuals and organisations that are not members are charged a fee for the service. The clinic identifies plant pests and diseases so that appropriate management strategies can be adopted.

Pulpwood demand 2024-2025

NCT's Rob Thompson began his presentation with a reality check: "If you thought we were the only ones with problems, please think again".

He said 46,000 American workers in all 36 ports went on strike for about four days recently, demanding a wage increase of up to 50%. The strike cost America over $5 billion per day and caused shortages of items ranging from bananas to essential goods.

Shifting the focus closer to home, Rob announced that NCT Richards Bay Mill's two chipping lines are operating well. Durban Wood Chips has recently reopened after a successful mill service shutdown in September, with the damaged vessel loader now back in operation.

Rob noted that NCT's current challenges included the strong Rand-Dollar exchange rate (R17,44 on 8 October 2024) and the hard and dry wattle being received by the mill, which negatively affected chipping blades. This old stock has been significantly drawn down at the mills and NCT farm depots.

Pulpwood demand for the 2024 – 2025 financial period indicates that Durban Wood Chips will require an estimated 500,000 tons of wattle and 120,000 tons of Eucalyptus smithii. Richards Bay Wood Chip would need about 1,3 million tons of wattle. Thompson hoped 2025 would be prosperous for NCT, its members, and partners.

IN THE FIELD

A customised planter applies water and fertiliser when sowing seeds on the Wolhuter farm

Terry Wolhuter, owner of Eland Spruit farm near New Hanover in the KZN midlands, hosted the NCT wattle field day — A customised planter applies water and fertiliser when sowing seeds on the Wolhuter farm

Wattle clones

NCT's Craig Norris explained why planting clones in modern forestry is preferable. Wattle clones are genetically identical which means they grow better, there is more uniformity and need less thinning. For example, rust-tolerant clones have a higher MAI (mean annual increment) than commercial seedlings.

He advised farmers to plant the frost-tolerant clones at the exposed valley bottoms where frost occurs. “Frost tolerant does not mean frost-resistant”, he warned, “they are more likely to survive severe frost events”.

SP644 was the first commercial rust-tolerant clone released in SA and was fast-tracked to combat the impact of wattle rust. It shows increased growth and better uniformity than commercial black wattle seedlings.

Craig said AF01 is currently the best-performing rust-tolerant wattle clone. Corrective pruning may be necessary due to heavier branching.

JC108 is the latest rust-tolerant clone to be released. It is similar to AF01 but with a better stem form. FW54 is currently the only frost-tolerant wattle clone on the market. It is explicitly bred for rust tolerance but shows no growth advantage over commercial seedlings.

Craig urged growers to remember:

Plant rust tolerant clones (SPs, AFs or JCs) on good wattle sites or sites prone to rust infection and NOT in frost areas.
Avoid sites exposed to windthrow and don’t plant root-bound seedlings.
Planting espacement of 1.8m x 3m is critical especially for the SP644 clone susceptible to windthrow.

Silviculture

Friedel Eggers of UCL stressed the importance of good site preparation before planting, including the correct pit depth and width (25cm x 25cm) and pre-plant weeding (weed-free pits). Planting espacement of 3m x 1.8m is recommended for clones, and you need to maintain the compartment weed-free for the first year.

Callum MacKenzie of Midlands Spraychem demos the Faka-Plenty planting tube

Two two-person teams equipped with Stihl earth augurs can make as many pits in a day as a manual planting team of 12 people using picks — Callum MacKenzie of Midlands Spraychem demos the Faka-Plenty planting tube

Pruning should be done in winter before the trees are two metres tall. Prune only the double leaders and branches competing with the prominent stem leader. Do not over-prune, as it can inhibit tree growth. Make clean cuts, not too close to the main stem, to avoid infection.

Friedel said that if the above is observed and the site is ideal for wattle, it is easy to get yields of up to 120 tonnes per hectare from wattle clones. This produces a nett standing value (after harvesting and transport costs are deducted) of roughly R90,000/hectare.

Specifications

NCT's Cliff Walton outlined the timber specifications for harvesting wattle. Logs must not be fire-damaged as it is difficult for the mills to bleach burnt timber. The correct length for logs is 2.4m, with diameters between 5cm and 40cm. There must be no knots, bark, and mud. The logs must be delivered 4 to 10 weeks after felling.

Ensure that the logs are free of contamination like nails, steel, plastic, fungal growth, oil or anything else that may negatively influence pulp quality. Other factors to watch out for include drought-stressed timber, which is identified by low moisture and the presence of wood borers.

Thanks to the sponsors

The field day ended with a braai and drinks courtesy of NCT and other event sponsors, including Stihl, Midlands Spray Chem, Sunshine Seedlings, TWK, Rhino Charcoal, Rolfes Agri, and Eland Earth Moving.

The Shire Eco Lodge and nursery focuses on sustainability

Rob Scott uses the Wood-Mizer to cut wood for his building and furniture projects and custom orders

Rob Scott, owner of Shire Eco Lodge near Stutterheim, says the curved shape of the chalets is unlike standard timber buildings and posed so many problems that it took over a year to complete the shell of the first lodge.

The design of the chalets takes its cue from nature. "I wanted the design of the chalets and their location on the margins of the indigenous Xholora forest to be a win-win for all", Rob explains.

Construction started in 2004, and the first chalet was up and running in 2008. The 20-acre Shire Eco Lodge and indigenous nursery is owned by entrepreneur Rob Scott and his family in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province.

Recalling scenes of the film version of the fertile vales of the shire in JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, the Shire Eco Lodge is home in the peaceful afro-montane forests of the Amatola mountain range. The rich trove of waterfalls, mountain streams, ancient yellowwood, stinkwood and lemonwood forests, surrounded by pockets of fynbos, leaves an indelible impression on visitors.

An inside view of a chalet built by Rob Scott

Rob Scott in his furniture factory — An inside view of a chalet built by Rob Scott

Lessons learnt

The curved A-frame timber chalets are uniquely designed and built. Rob recounts several obstacles they had to overcome because of inexperience. These included timber bending techniques, the value of bracing, bent timber breaking and bending glass windows.

"My father, Hamish, supplied the solution to the breaking problem. Laminating thin strips of wood together. This is a fascinating process and has, in fact, become an art. It worked well and is now used for other parts of the building's anatomy", explains Rob.

"Once all the laminated ribs are in place, the wall planks are fastened over them in layers, moving upwards as you go. Once the walls are complete, the roof ribs (about 50 laminated bow-shaped beams) are attached to them, giving the roof a curved shape and Asian-like appearance.

"It was then time to start the interior work, which also took time because all the walls, cupboards, etcetera had to be profiled in the curved shape of the walls. There was a new lesson every day. I became an electrician, plumber and painter in a few months."

Wood-Mizer

Rob's reliance on buying sawn timber from suppliers sparked the idea of getting a sawmill to produce sawn timber. It was further strengthened by the uncommon widths and thicknesses needed for the curved and bent components of the chalets.

He decided to invest in a Wood-Mizer LT15GO portable sawmill, which lets him move it to wherever it's needed to cut fallen hardwoods and invasive alien trees.

Some of the blocks, slabs and boards are sold as is. The bulk of the sawn wood goes to Rob's furniture workshop. It is supplemented with heavy, fine-grained spruce stringers sourced from Mercedes-Benz in nearby East London. He uses the wood to build custom furniture for his projects and discerning customers nationwide.

Shire Bulbs is an indigenous nursery selling bulbs, plants and trees across South Africa

Shire Bulbs nursery

A brief stint at a plant nursery during a gap year in the UK kindled Rob's passion for botany, laying the foundation for the start of Shire Bulbs in 2003.

The Shire Bulbs' initial successes quickly duplicated into further expansion, with the current bulb production site now comprising four shade houses and expansive open beds. It produces over 150 species of indigenous bulbs that are shipped to customers worldwide. The international acclaim is proof of Shire Bulbs' successes.

But it's about far more than the monetary value of bulbs for Rob. The business partners with Fruit and Trees for Africa, a Non-Profit Organisation that addresses food security, environmental sustainability, and greening.

"Many of the plants we grow are threatened, and so in addition to the conservation and protection of wild populations, we have prioritised the conservation of the rarer species through cultivation", he says.

Our guests get to experience this unique location to revitalise tired spirits. At the same time, The Shire and local communities benefit from tourists visiting and job opportunities created," Rob continues.

The unique chalets at the Shire Eco Lodge blend into the forms and shapes of their environment

The Shire Eco Lodge is in a peaceful valley near Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape — The unique chalets at the Shire Eco Lodge blend into the forms and shapes of their environment

Organic farming

Organic farming is another arm of Rob's vision to harness business as a tool for greater sustainability, community upliftment, and self-reliance. His mother, Monica, is his partner in this part of the business, which produces organic fruits, vegetables, and crops that are sold and delivered free to nearby communities that need fresh produce.

Sawdust and chips from the furniture shops are also used as animal bedding for Rob and Monica's geese and duck flocks, allowed to roam free to rid the crops of pests. The rest of the waste is sold to nearby farmers, who use it to improve the health and well-being of their animals.

"We have an abundance that we like to share with the community to ensure that they also benefit from our bounty," Rob says, smiling.

Profit pointers for wattle growers

Open for business. Rob Thompson delivered the good news that NCT's Richards Bay mill are back up and running just over a year after the devastating fires that stopped their chipping and export operations.

A recent wattle field day organised by NCT Forestry provided an ideal opportunity for local tree farmers to pick up some pointers from the wattle “experts” who have been working with wattle for decades. The field day was hosted on Elands Farm near New Hanover in the KZN midlands, owned by Terry Wolhuter.

Chris Chapman reports that the key takeaways from the field day were:

NCT’s woodchip export operation at the port of Richards Bay is back up and running after the devastating fire destroyed the facility just over a year ago. The demand for wood chips is strong, and green and black wattle timber are among the preferred species by international customers.

The demand for wattle bark is strong, preferably fresh bark stripped from mature black wattle and delivered on the same day. UCL and NTE are starting to accept limited quantities of green wattle bark. Wattle farmers in the Eastern Cape have also been supplying dry stick bark to NTE, adding value to their crops. The wattle bark extracts are used to make tannins and adhesives for softening leather.

Black wattle: Advances in tree breeding have developed several black wattle clones showing promising results for improved form and growth, as well as wattle rust tolerance and frost tolerance. Although wattle clonal development is still relatively early, there are clones available that will give growers improved performance over seedlings if well managed and planted in the right sites.

Green wattle (A. decurrens) is a good option on some sites. It is more adaptable to a wide range of climatic conditions, is more tolerant of critical pests, the bark strips in the winter months, and produces more useable timber than black wattle. Although it produces less bark than black wattle, the bark factories accept limited quantities. The ICFR is ramping up a green wattle tree improvement programme, and NCT is planting it to replace some eucalypts on their farms.

Growing wattle is not so simple. Get the basics right, like planting the right seedling or clone for the site, prepare good, uniform pits (25cm x 25cm), plant with water/gel in the rainy season, keep it weed-free for a year, do careful pruning and thinning – and you will reap the rewards.

Friedel Eggers of UCL urges foresters to plant the best black wattle clones on the right sites to reap the benefits of good bark and timber yield

Pruning: Friedel Eggers of UCL advises pruning before the trees reach two metres. Use a skilled team with sharp secateurs or bow saws (not axes). Remove competing double leaders and dominating side branches with clean cuts. Be careful not to tear the bark while pruning. Do not over-prune.

Blanking: Wattle grows fast. You must blank within three weeks of planting if the mortality of clones is above 10% or above 15% in the case of seedlings.

ROI: The rule of thumb among foresters is that wattle bark sales should cover the cost of the harvesting operation. In contrast, the timber sales deliver the profit.

The Forestry & Agriculture Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at the University of Pretoria has a diagnostic clinic to help identify pests and diseases affecting wattle. This is a free service for members of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP).

Eastern Cape tree farmers cash in on wattle bark sales

By Lwazi Ngqwebo (NCT) and Eza Mapipa (NTE)

Eastern Cape farmer Murray Elliott red cap), NCT forester Lwazi Ngqwebo and the harvesting team with a bundle of wattle stick bark

NCT members in the Eastern Cape have seized the opportunity created by the current demand for wattle bark to utilise their timber resources more effectively.

The devastating fire that damaged infrastructure at NCT’s Richards Bay mill in September last year was a significant blow to the South African wattle industry. Wattle growers were forced to cut back on their harvesting plans because of the NCT mill’s reduced capacity to receive and chip timber.

NCT's Lwazi Ngqwebo shows the harvesting team how to bundle and tie stick bark for delivery — Good quality, mature stick bark

This inevitably impacted the wattle bark industry, which faced a reduction in the volume of bark delivered to the bark factories. But every storm cloud has a silver lining.

In the past, NCT members in the Eastern Cape would discard bark with the rest of the harvesting residue. Now they have found a way to supply stick bark to the NTE Hermannsburg Factory, with the support of NCT and NTE. This provides them with an additional source of revenue for their forest enterprises.

While multiple challenges associated with the transportation of forest raw material (timber and wattle bark) from the Eastern Cape province into Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) for primary processing are evergreen, enthusiastic NCT members from the Stutterheim, Komga and Elliot areas have pioneered a tough journey with bravery and success.

A well-presented load of wattle bark leaving Komga in the Eastern Cape for the 500km drive to the NTE factory in Hermannsburg, KZN — Eastern Cape farmer Murray Elliott red cap), NCT forester Lwazi Ngqwebo and the harvesting team with a bundle of wattle stick bark

Covering an average one-way distance of 550km from the loading site to the factory, these passionate growers are the first NCT members to deliver stick bark to NTE in the 2023/2024 season.

Eastern Cape farmer Murray Elliott said he is happy to help support the wattle bark Industry and is excited about being one of the first wattle growers to deliver stick bark from the Eastern Cape. Selling the bark adds significant financial value to the cash flow of wattle growers.

The NTE factory management was reported to be satisfied with the quality and presentation of the stick bark from the Eastern Cape. These growers are certainly trendsetters, and what they have achieved marks the beginning of a promising future for wattle growers in the province.

It is expected that more NCT members will be inspired by the wattle bark champions of the Eastern Cape and will follow them. Forestry is a long-term investment, and what cannot be ignored is that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

With positive cash flow benefits being realised by members from this initiative, there is a solid intention to convert self-seeded wattle plantations into managed stands, providing better harvest yields in timber and bark.

Eza Mapipa of NTE (right) discusses wattle harvesting with Eastern Cape farmer Murray Elliott

De-barked wattle destined for NCT's Durban chipping factory — Eza Mapipa of NTE (right) discusses wattle harvesting with Eastern Cape farmer Murray Elliott

The Eastern Cape is a greenfield opportunity that has the potential to attract forestry investments. Land is an abundant natural resource in the province, with minimal alternative economic opportunities.

NCT and NTE representatives believe that large-scale forestry development in the province is long overdue, and the potential for selling wattle stick bark provides an added incentive.

The Eastern Cape farmers have delivered four loads of stick bark to date, and another three loads are currently in the drying sheds, where they will stay for eight weeks before they are despatched to the bark factory. Although the factories continue to prioritise fresh, same-day bark, they are equally happy to accept stick bark from further afield if it is properly harvested, dried and bundled.

The innovative Eastern Cape farmers are utilising their trucks for the 500km journey to the factory. They are making it worthwhile by securing return loads.

Another benefit of this initiative is that the wattle harvesting and bark stripping operations are done by hand. It is labour-intensive work that is helping to create much-needed jobs in the region.

Source: This article was first published in NCT’s News & Views magazine (September 2024) and was edited by Chris Chapman.

SP, TimberPro harvesting equipment demo impresses

*Checking out the big SP 761LF head, attached to a TimberPro TL 725D tracked, levelling harvester.*

A forwarder carrying a 20-ton plus load of pine logs down a 50% slope drew gasps from a group of experienced foresters and harvesting contractors attending a field day in the KZN midlands recently.

The forwarder was a TimberPro TF 840D, distributed and supported in South Africa by Zululand-based Logmech. The occasion was a field day hosted by Logmech on Sappi’s Clan plantation in the KZN midlands, the highlight of which was this demonstration of the TimberPro forwarder’s supreme power and balance.

When the highly skilled and experienced forwarder operator, Enoch Mthembu, stepped out of the vehicle having safely brought the load to roadside at the bottom of the slope, the foresters and contractors in attendance broke out in spontaneous applause. Enoch was clearly surprised by this reaction, as working in such steep terrain is all in a day’s work for him.

*The forwarder confidently approaches the steepest part of the slope, with a 20 to 22 ton load on board.*

*Spontaneous applause greeted the forwarder operator, Enoch Mthembu, who brought the load safely to the extraction road.*

Sappi Clan is located on the edge of the Karkloof escarpment with a lot of steep slopes, providing the mechanised harvesting team with plenty of challenges. It also provided an ideal location for Logmech to demonstrate the flagship logging equipment in their stable, namely the TimberPro forwarders and harvesters, SP Maskiner heads and their own Logmech grabs.

The day started with a static display showcasing the iconic red SP heads that are well known in South African forestry, and the MF42 and big MF86 grabs which the Logmech engineering team has developed specifically for the African market.

Also on display was Oregon equipment including saw chains, guide bars and sprockets.

The first stop was the TimberPro forwarder doing its thing on a ridiculously steep slope that did not look do-able. But the TimberPro forwarder, with a load of around 20 to 22 tonnes of pine logs on board, handled it with apparent ease with experienced operator Enoch Mthembu at the controls. A set of chains on the bunk wheels provided extra traction.

*Foresters and contractors at the field day give the TimberPro forwarder the once-over. Note the wide bunk which gives the forwarder a low centre of gravity, maximising stability.*

This demo should come with a cautionary advisory: don’t try this unless you have a machine like the TimberPro and an operator with the skill and experience of Enoch!

Next up was a demo by a tracked, levelling, purpose-built TimberPro harvester TL 725D, equipped with a big SP 761LF head. It operated efficiently on a steepish slope, felling, de-limbing and cross-cutting some pretty big pine trees with speed and precision.

Then it was on to a flatter compartment where the iconic SP 591LX, attached to a Hitachi excavator, was put through its paces. As Anders Gannerud of Swedish manufacturers SP explained, the 591LX is the head that put them on the map. It was developed in close collaboration with the Logmech team over many years, and is perfectly adapted to conditions in southern Africa. Productive, easy to maintain and tough as nails, the 591 has proved its worth and is now also widely used in some of the vast Eucalyptus plantations of South America.

SP 591LX head attached to a Hitachi excavator harvesting pine in the Karkloof.

Logmech’s Leon van Eeden said that the company has been operating in South Africa for 23 years, and they have been distributing and supporting SP heads since the very beginning. They carry a huge spare parts inventory, they know the heads inside out and are able to provide the back-up to ensure they keep working productively for thousands and thousands of hours. Logmech has sold 140 SP heads in the region to date.

They are also sole distributors in South Africa of the highly versatile TimberPro range of machines which include wheeled and tracked harvesters, feller bunchers and forwarders. The TimberPro’s are manufactured in the USA and are renowned for their durability, productivity and power. They are relatively simple machines to operate, are easy to maintain and are therefore well suited to rugged African conditions.

*Leon van Eeden of Logmech (right) provides info on the SP heads.*

The TimberPro’s come standard with 360° continuous rotation, allowing the operator to work effectively all around the machine. They are highly versatile and can be used as combo machines as they are equipped with a quick detached boom to allow conversion from a forwarder to a harvester.

The Logmech team has also launched a range of grabs which they have developed in partnership with an international manufacturer.

The field day was well attended by leading contractors and technical foresters who expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to see the harvesting equipment in action.

For more info on Logmech, TimberPro and SP heads in South Africa, visit www.logmech.co.za

*The TimberPro harvester doing the business in the Karkloof.*

Anders Gannerud of SP Maskiner, the Swedish manufacturers of the SP heads, explains the ins and outs of the 4th generation SP 591LX that has been developed in close collaboration with the Logmech team.

*The SP 591LX, attached to a Hitachi excavator, churning out cut-to-length pine logs.*

*Cut-to-length pine logs harvested by the SP 591LX.*

*The TimberPro forwarder loads up at the top of the slope.*

Zanele Nkhosi - SAFCOL Machine Operator

In a new series of videos, She Is Forestry SA profiles women who have had fascinating journeys and careers in forestry. These videos serve to inspire women to pursue careers in the forestry sector and educate the public on the wide variety of interesting roles and avenues that exist in the forestry value chain.

Women's Month is an ideal time to share these stories and celebrate the roles that women play in the industry, challenging stereotapes and bringing unique skills to every facet of the industry.

Zanele Nkhosi shares her forestry journey from general worker to machine operator, hoping this will inspire others to follow in her footsteps...

Smart software from CMO streamlines EUDR compliance

*Daniel von Heynitz, Chief Technology Officer at CMO, rolling out Tracer in Vietnam.*

The European Union's Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) marks a significant step in the global effort to combat deforestation and promote sustainable forestry practices. Enacted to ensure that products entering the EU market do not contribute to deforestation, this regulation imposes strict due diligence requirements on companies producing or trading in forest products. It affects the entire forestry sector - regardless of the country of origin.

By mandating traceability and verification of supply chains, the regulation aims to reduce the environmental impact of forestry operations and promote more responsible land-use practices worldwide. This policy not only influences producers and exporters in deforestation-prone regions but also reshapes the economic and operational landscape for forestry businesses globally, emphasising the importance of sustainability in international trade.

Achieving compliance with EUDR is a complex challenge, but CMO, a leading forestry software and services provider, has developed software platforms that streamline these processes, making them more accessible and manageable for businesses.

CMO offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to meet the diverse needs of smallholders, commercial forestry companies, and the broader supply chain, with a strong focus on compliance with the EUDR. CMO tailors solutions to ensure adherence to all major certification requirements, including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC^TM) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) standards, alongside EUDR compliance.

*Michal Brink of CMO doing an FSC Group audit on small-scale growers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.*

Empower is a comprehensive sustainability command centre developed to oversee and enhance a business’ compliance efforts. The principal aim was to create tech for smallholders to plan and control their farming practices. To this end, Empower gives the smallholder full control over their tree plot, with a clear picture of the standing volume of the trees planted and thus when best to harvest them.

One of its most notable features is the efficient onboarding of members, which simplifies the integration of new users into the system and ensures that all stakeholders are aligned with sustainability goals from the outset. Additionally, Empower facilitates comprehensive on-site audits, allowing organisations to conduct thorough evaluations of practices and processes to ensure adherence to established standards.

*FSC/EUDR group scheme members onboarded by CMO Thailand with Empower.*

Continuous improvement
The application also includes an Action Log, a vital tool for addressing and closing non-compliances swiftly. This feature helps in identifying areas that require improvement and provides a structured approach to managing corrective actions, thereby fostering continuous improvement. Moreover, Empower’s capability to manage stakeholders both nationally and locally ensures that all stakeholders are engaged and informed, thus promoting a coordinated approach to sustainability.

Empower becomes even more powerful when paired with Tracer, a tool that maps supply chains and monitors volumes and commodity movements in real-time. Together, they promote efficiency and transparency.

*Smallholders in Thailand get to grips with Empower.*

Tracer captures detailed product information, supplier data, and coordinates throughout the supply chain, providing a complete overview of the entire production and distribution process. This level of detail is crucial for generating accurate and reliable reports, particularly for the EUDR due diligence statements, ensuring full compliance with the stringent regulatory requirements.

Over the past year, CMO has collaborated with Weber & Schaer (W&S) in Germany, the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (SIRB) in Malaysia, and the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) to promote sustainability practices and certification within the rubber industry. This partnership leverages CMO's Empower software to enhance sustainable practices and ensure compliance with industry standards.

In Vietnam, CMO has just concluded a successful trial for CMO Tracer in partnership with W&S in June and July 2024. The trial has allowed the first shipment of EUDR-compliant rubber to be sent to the USA. The users appreciated the simplicity of the new application, but also supplied valuable feedback around usability and language optimisation. The application was quickly adopted by the various processing plants that took part in the pilot project.

The CMO team, which has used its extensive knowledge and experience in forestry and certification to develop their software toolbox, are looking forward to scaling their EUDR solution for the benefit of the whole southern African forest industry – particularly where commercial farmers and smallholders are involved in the supply chain.