Maximising Value of the Plantation Resource: Part 1. Development of a Log Grading Proposal for Pruned Softwood logs

There are at present strong market pressures to increase the price of pruned softwood logs in South Africa. However, there is currently no equitable basis on which to price pruned logs, as their value can vary enormously, depending upon a number of issues which are not fully accommodated in the current South African log grade specifications.The objective of this study was to consider an approach to log grading that recognises the inherent value of the log and offers a meaningful framework for price negotiations between the growers and processors.The paper describes the process by which log grade proposals were developed. The work involved extensive sawmill simulation studies using a modified version of SIMSAW 5 © (Price and Singmin, 1994) in consultation with the South African Lumber Millers' Association (SALMA) Technical Committee and its appointed Technical Working Group on Log Grading.It is clear from the work undertaken to date that the proposed log grading system could have a significant impact, assisting both the growers and processors in focusing their activities on value addition to the limited South African sawlog resource