AgExpo forum addresses forestry in hard times by Ray Newbold What should forest landowners be doing with their forest land in these economic times? A meeting of foresters and forest landowners was held in West Monroe, Louisiana in conjunction with AG EXPO to address this question. Several speakers shared their insight in getting assistance and advice to keep the forest resource growing in anticipation of stronger markets down the road. State Forester Wade Dubea described the work of the Office of Forestry and the impact State budgets may have on their operations. The Office of Forestry assists landowners in four primary areas: wildfire detection and suppression, supplying seedlings for planting forest plantations and around home sites, forest management assistance, and education of the public to the value of forestry. Dubea reported that fire suppression has been effective in reducing the average forest fire in Louisiana to 12 acres. Suppression work is being done more and more at the wildland-urban interface where suburbs meet the rural land. Closer road access, more pumper trucks, and fewer tractor/plow units make this suppression different than the traditional practices of either the urban firefighter or the forest firefighter. The Office of Forestry is also involved with evaluating more hurricane resistant trees that will survive better in strong winds and serve as protection rather than hazards in a storm. Wayne Roberts with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided an update on federal funding through the Farm Bill under the Environmental Quality and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Programs (EQIP and WHIP). Payment options now include work for pre-commercial thinning of stands that are too dense to grow well or maintain healthy conditions. In some cases, the landowner may also sell fuel chips from the thinning operation. Program information can be obtained from District Conservationists through their field offices. Dr. Mike Dunn, economist with the LSU AgCenter, described and demonstrated the Louisiana Best Management Practices (BMP) Guide that is being put on DVD. The new format includes video clips that illustrate the approved practices and will also be accessible from the Internet. The DVD version will be a better option for those lacking high speed Internet access. Forest landowners should be familiar with these practices and have BMP compliance included in harvesting and regeneration contracts. Dr. Michael Blazier with the LSU AgCenter discussed advantages that may be gained with containerized seedlings compared to bareroot stock, particularly on droughty sites. And Dr. Harry Quicke, BASF researcher, discussed the value of mid-rotation herbicide release. By reducing the hardwood competition while it is small, growth gains are evident for several years into the future. Marketing timber during times of economic recession was the topic addressed by Dr. Gordon Holley, Louisiana Tech University. During slowdowns in the economy, with dropping wood prices and curtailed wood orders, outlooks are discouraging, but opportunities are there if one can take advantage of them. Interest rates are down, fuel costs have dropped, construction prices have declined, and markets other than the traditional wood markets such as energy are appearing. Slow periods may be the time to prepare for recovery. Tree growth does not slow down because of weak markets, and harvest schedules can often be delayed for a time without serious consequences. However, when a stand is becoming seriously overstocked, a low stumpage price will be offset by a growth response that would be lost if the tract was not thinned. The landowner or forest manager should understand the components of a good timber sale: tract access, adequate harvest volume, and good quality trees. Holley shared an adage on tree growing space."You need blue (sky) to make green (foliage) which grows brown (boles) which equals green ($$)." Louisiana Forestry Association Director "Buck" Vandersteen made closing statements regarding State budget needs, legislative communication, Farm Bill funding, and other current issues. Vandersteen has also been appointed to a three-year post on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Advisory Board. |