In the February 2013 edition of Southern Stumpin’, Associate Editor David Abbott discusses Weyerhaeuser’s dispatch trucking program in the South and the feedback generated by the company’s logging contractors about the program. The consensus among southern contract loggers who take part in the program is that the mandatory participation and signing over of rights to contractor owned trucks required by Weyerhaeuser is, at this point, doing more harm than good. Many of the southern loggers who commented on the program feel that they have been let down by what the program originally promised to do, but that they continue to participate because they rely so heavily on Weyerhaeuser to keep their operations running

Southern Loggin’ Times Associate Editor Jessica Johnson visits R. Stuart Timber, LLC in DeRidder, Louisiana. Owner Robbie Stuart has had his fair share of misfortune and tragedy in the past, losing six pieces of equipment in two years to fires, and dealing with the passing of his mother. Despite all of his hardships, Stuart has overcome his professional and personal loss to run three crews, all of which he says are like family. Stuart is also a die-hard John Deere fan, citing their willingness to work with him following his equipment losses, their dependability, and their financing options as his reasons why.

Southern Loggin’ Times Associate Editor David Abbott travels to Mayfield, Kentucky to spend some time with Danny Murphy Logging, or as owner Danny Murphy likes to call it, Murphy & Sons Logging. The company had very humble beginnings, with Murphy starting the operation in 1987 with $20.00 to his name and a few pieces of overpriced and overused equipment. Today, Murphy has built the company into an impressive enterprise that is now run by his two sons, Ronnie and Daniel. The operation currently operates in two states, covering parts of western Kentucky and northwest Tennessee.

Southern Loggin’ Times Associate Editor David Abbott has the opportunity to visit Trott Lumber Company, Inc., the Tennessee Forestry Association’s 2012 Logger Of The Year, located in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Owned by third-generation logger Sam Trott, the company will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2013. Trott’s unique company, both a logging operation and a sawmill, is run and operated by Sam, his wife Jennifer, and their son Jeremy. “Business is very good,” says Trott. The family attributes their continued success to their hard work and faith in God.

Doctors More Dangerous Than Guns; Smart Flight Attendant; A Tale Of Good Deeds; Have You Ever Wondered…; North Carolina’s Hartley Clan

At The Margins is designed to help loggers manage and/or operate their business better. Each month an expert provides information, tips or advice on how to maximize profitability, enhance efficiency or increase business knowledge. This month’s column is provided by Thad Currier, a Product Marketing Manager at John Deere Financial. Currier holds a BS in Commercial Economics From South Dakota State University. He works at the Construction & Forestry Marketing Division of John Deere Financial, where he has spent 20 years working with the forestry division.

As We See It: Becoming Active; Rayonier Sells Sawmills To Interfor; Alabama Sawmill To Reopen Soon; Terex Changes Name To Reflect Strategy; Martin & Martin Opens MS, AL Auction Offices; KFIA Annual Meeting Scheduled For Lexington; Potomac Supply Will Continue Operations; Deere Intensifies Forestry Focus; New Division Of GCS Is Grinder Wear Parts.