The Southern Tree Breeding Association (STBA) – manager of national tree improvement programs and supplier of tree genetic evaluation services to Australia’s $23 billion forestry sector – will become Tree Breeding Australia (TBA) from 1 July 2019. Source: Timberbiz
At its recent 2018 AGM, STBA members voted unanimously to form the new company and create a national tree breeding organisation, which will better reflect the geographically-diverse nature of its membership base.
Dr Tony McRae, General Manager, STBA, said the logical administrative evolution from a state-based association to a national entity will ensure the organisation continues to evolve, modernise and prepare for the future.
“The establishment of Tree Breeding Australia has been in the pipeline for several years but we believe now is the time to proceed with the transition to the new entity,” Dr McRae said.
“As the pre-eminent manager of Australian tree improvement programs and genetic evaluation services, the formation of TBA will help us improve our governance structures, better manage risk on behalf of our members, and more efficiently meet their current and future needs.
“Demand for timber is currently exceeding grower’s capacity to supply and it’s increasingly important for the industry to continue maximising the productivity of the existing estate. It is clear genetics will play a key role in achieving this,” he said.
Established in 1983 to develop improved genetics for plantation forestry, the STBA is based in Mount Gambier, South Australia. In recent years, it has expanded to service member companies and clients in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, ACT, Tasmania and New Zealand, Asia and Europe.
The STBA continues to consolidate genetic resources developed over more than 60 years by private companies, State and Federal Governments to breed better genetics, more cost effectively and enhancing the return on investment.
