Joseph L. Conrad

Adapting to a Changing Landscape: How Wisconsin Loggers Persist in an Era of Parcelization

Abstract The average forest landowner in Wisconsin owns fewer than 30 acres, and in 2014, landowners with as few as 10 acres of forestland were eligible to enroll in a tax program that required per...

Barriers to logging production and efficiency in Wisconsin

ABSTRACT Approximately one-third of Wisconsin loggers left the industry in recent years, prompting concerns about logging capacity. In addition, research suggests seasonal barriers to timber harvesting in the state, which may result in seasonally low utilization of remaining capacity. A 1-year study of logging capacity utilization was conducted in Wisconsin beginning in late September 2014. Thirty participating loggers provided weekly reports describing number of loads delivered; hours worked; and number of loads lost due to weather, breakdowns, and other reasons. Logging capacity utilization was calculated by dividing loads delivered by the sum of loads delivered and loads lost. Logging efficiency was calculated using stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). For the SFA model, the output variable was delivered loads per week, input variables were man-hours worked and capital invested per week, and six environmental variables were included in the model. Logging capacity utilization averaged 72% when spring break-up shutdowns were excluded and 64% when these weeks were included. The primary causes of lost production were weather (11.5% reduction in delivered loads) and equipment breakdowns (3.8%). Logging efficiency averaged 64%, as measured by stochastic frontier analysis, with mechanized crews significantly more efficient than chainsaw crews (p < 0.01). Productivity was highest during winter (p < 0.01) and efficiency was higher during winter than summer (p < 0.01). This study suggests that adequate logging capacity exists to support current forest industry demand. Adequate capacity also exists to increase production outside the winter months; however, weather-related downtime and restrictions on timber sales make this difficult.

Should unthinned oak stands of advanced age (≥ 60 yr) be thinned?

ABSTRACT Oaks (Quercus sp.) account for nearly one-third of the sawtimber harvest in Wisconsin. As trees age, their ability to respond to thinning is reduced; therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether thinning previously unthinned oak stands of advanced age (≥ 60 yr) would achieve biological, financial, and operational objectives. During 2014, we conducted an inventory of 25 oak stands in northern Wisconsin. Fifteen received their first thinning 8–14 yr ago at ages 60–78 yr and 10 had never been thinned. Stand-level volume growth, logging costs, and net present values were estimated for each site. The age and site index of the thinned and unthinned sites were not significantly different (p > .10). Thinned and unthinned sites grew comparable net volumes per ha (5.09 and 5.90 m3, respectively); however, because this growth was concentrated on fewer trees, the trees on the thinned sites responded vigorously to thinning. As age at first thinning increased, growth response was reduced (p = .067); however, thinning still increased the growth of residual trees. Thinned sites had higher net present values compared to unthinned sites (p < .01) and logging costs were 10.6% lower (p = 0.06). Overall, for stands between 60 and 78 years old, thinning was beneficial financially, operationally, and biologically.

Effects of Seasonal Timber Harvesting Restrictions on Procurement Practices

Abstract Wisconsins forest products industry relies on a consistent supply of sustainably produced timber for its mills; however, recent research suggests significant seasonal variation in timber sale availability. We conducted a survey of Wisconsin mills to examine their procurement practices and assess how seasonal timber harvesting restrictions (STHRs) affect the forest products industry. Fifty-seven mills responded to the survey, which represented a 40 percent response rate. Respondents processed approximately 75 percent of the states annual roundwood production. The average procurement radius ranged from 75 miles for small sawmills to over 120 miles for pulp mills. Peak inventory levels exceeded 30 days during each quarter for both pulp mills and sawmills, and peak inventory levels during the first quarter exceeded 60 days. Respondents reported that STHRs were common in the state and mills had adjusted their procurement practices in response. Pulp mills estimated that STHRs cost each firm an averag...