31 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2026 Research and Development Research and Development remained central to future competitiveness, species improvement and climate resilience. Total investment for the year amounted to R6 664 013, comprising direct NCT funding, industry-administered research contributions and student project support. This funding supported Acacia and Eucalyptus improvement, forest protection, pest and disease monitoring, soil and species research, and collaborative projects with industry and academic partners. Eleven trials were established during the year, covering frost-tolerant Acacia, rust tolerance, cold-tolerant Eucalyptus and subtropical Eucalyptus material, while new hybrid selections and clone evaluations continued to expand the pipeline of improved planting material. Notable progress included the continued development of improved E. smithii, E. grandis x E. smithii and E. grandis x E. nitens material, targeted work on frost-prone Acacia areas, and pest and disease screening in partnership with specialist institutions. Two new E. grandis x E. nitens clones, GN325 and GN347, were released for commercial production in December 2025, offering improved tolerance to current pests and pathogens and reducing reliance on chemical intervention. Collaboration with ICFR, TPCP, Sappi, Merensky, FABI and higher-learning institutions continued to extend research reach, improve seed security and support field-level advisory and diagnostic capacity for members. This work remains directly supportive of productivity, environmental stewardship and long-term adaptation to changing growing conditions.
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