Dougal Morrison shares carbon, tree farming insights at Red Meat Updates

Posted 29 July 2025

Plantation planning On-farm benefits Economic benefits and markets Carbon benefits PFT

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Private Forests Tasmania was front and centre at one of the state's largest gatherings of red meat producers last week.

PFT sponsored a Primary Session at the 2025 Red Meat Updates conference at the Tailrace Centre, Riverside, with the theme: “The influence of change on cost of production in red meat businesses.”

The session was chaired by PFT CEO Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski and featured a thought-provoking discussion facilitated by Felicity Richards and included insights from farmers James Knight (Sisters Pastoral), Georgie Burbury (Burbury Ag), and Midlands farmer and PFT Stems for CO₂ project grant recipient Dougal Morrison.

Dougal, a fifth-generation farmer from St Peters Pass, shared his family’s experience integrating forestry into their farming enterprise — a decision driven by careful analysis and long-term thinking.

Following the harvest of a former Gunns eucalyptus nitens plantation, the family assessed their options: convert the land to pasture or replant with trees.

They decided to establish Pinus radiata plantations, recognising the species' suitability to Tasmania’s Midlands climate and soil conditions.

"The land wasn’t ideal for pasture," Dougal said.

"We weighed up the economics and decided replanting and claiming carbon credits made more sense — especially with support from two Private Forests Tasmania grants [a round 2 Integrated Farm Forestry grant and the Stems for CO₂ grant]."

The new plantings will support both carbon sequestration and future timber production — and more importantly, Dougal said, contribute to a succession-ready farm for the next generation at St Peters Pass.

With 405 hectares of plantation and 30–40% of the property retained as native forest, the family applies a “right tree, right place” approach, using marginal land that’s not viable for grazing or cropping.

Dougal was candid about the learning curve.

“I’m not a forester,” he said.

“I’d strongly encourage anyone looking to plant or manage trees to get professional advice — on everything from species selection and planting to carbon and long-term management. PFT is a great place to start if you want pre-commercial guidance.”

He also pointed to research showing the broader benefits of integrating trees into farming systems — from improving lamb survivability and pasture growth to enhancing water retention and providing shade and shelter for livestock.

But his message was clear: “Don’t rush in. Understand your goals and work with a forestry consultant to plan properly".

For Dougal and his family, trees on underperforming land aren't just an environmental investment — they’re a strategic, economic decision that aligns with long-term, whole-farm planning.