New words like wood pellets and biomass are providing a ray of hope for Louisiana forest landowners who have seen nothing but low prices since the downturn in the economy.
Producers who attended the LSU AgCenter Forestry Forum in West Monroe on January 17th heard from a range of forestry professionals and received more positive news than in the past five years.
Topics at the meeting included the pros and cons of using different out-planting containers, plant productivity under a changing climate, short-rotation hardwood management for traditional and alternative forest products, current legislative issues and sustainable forestry initiatives.
LSU AgCenter forestry specialist Steven Hotard, who coordinates the annual meeting in conjunction with AgExpo, said new technologies will help growers who are used to waiting years in order to receive a payday on their crop.
“Growers know when they plant trees that it is a long-term process,” Hotard said. “With pine you can start cutting pulpwood at age 10, but for hardwood it’s a little longer. You’re looking at about 40 years before you will have pretty good-sized saw logs.”
From KNOE 8 News: https://www.knoe.com/story/24519638/new-technologies-could-mean-profit-for-forest-landowners