2009 Annual Report for FNC07-651
Improving Forests through Better Logging: Why Rob the Bank You Own?
Summary
WORK ACTIVITIES
Grant funds ($15,255.80 received to date) were partially expended to hire additional loggers as independent contractors (half of total payment in advance, remainder due on completion), to pay two loggers for hauling small wood, and to purchase newspaper ads and informational brochures for a field day in October 2008.
The harvests on the remaining two tree farms (Nussbaum and Wolf) were completed, with data collected on machine times, harvest volumes, and revenues. The loggers were very cooperative and committed to the collection of quality data.
The foresters completed pre-harvest inventories and post-harvest assessment of residual stand damage, and areal measurement of erodible skid trails on all three tree farms according to a consistent protocol.
All the above data have been tabulated and partially analyzed. Unfortunately, the two field days for the newly harvested tree farms could not be scheduled due to retinal surgery and ensuing visual problems of the Project Leader. A one-year, no-cost project extension has been approved.
RESULTS
Quantitative results are becoming available. For the first time, landowners and loggers will know what is the cost and profitability of quality harvest operations.
From the operations on all three tree farms, it is clear that a selective improvement harvest can be performed with acceptable levels of damage to the crop trees left behind. This result was very effectively reported by Joan Benjamin in an article for NCR-SARE’s “Farmer’s Forum Highlight” after she toured the Project Leader’s harvested tree farm in May 2009. The timing of this tour was very fortunate because one week later severe wind storm damage occurred.
Preliminary results indicate that about 15 t/ac of small wood may be readily co-harvested with saw timber by conventional equipment (chainsaw and skidder). This small wood is potential feedstock for biofuel production, and indications are that this may be harvested with economic profit to the logger and landowner. These findings are timely given the increasing interest of Missouri power plants in using woody biomass to meet newly mandated renewable electricity requirements.
WORK PLAN FOR 2010
Complete data analyses in February 2010 and tentatively schedule remaining two field days in the first half of the year.
OUTREACH
The Project Leader, MDC forester and NRCS agent conducted a field day at the Project Leader’s tree farm on October 25th, 2008 (15 attendees).
The Project Leader made a presentation on the project at the Farmers Forum in Columbia, MO November 8th, 2008 (~ 2 dozen attendees).
An article reporting progress to date was prepared by Joan Benjamin with input from the Project Leader for NCR-SARE’s “Farmer’s Forum Highlight”.
Field days for the second and third harvest sites will be scheduled during the first half of 2010.
Reports targeting tree farmers and loggers will be prepared for online publication. These will be followed by completion of all reports to NCR-SARE.