HomeMy WebLinkAboutPP - Poplar Harvest Update July 2019Poplar Harvest Management Update
Todd Miller
July 12, 2019
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Overview – Project Goals
Project Description: This project develops a long-term poplar management strategy for the Biocycle Farm through refinement of poplar harvest and planting practices and identification
of wood products markets best aligned with the highest and best use of Biocycle Farm poplar. The project ensures the timely harvest of the initial plantings in each MU within the regulatory
12-year rotation limit and subsequent replanting.
Oversee initial harvest and re-planting of three management units (MUs)
Harvest/Re-plant MU-3 by 2021 (rotation age of 12 years)
Develop poplar management strategies and best practices
Recommend long-term plan for operational management
Continue developing market/use opportunities
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Management Unit 1 (MU-1)
2013-2015 harvests
2016 replanting
Chips & hog fuel
Stumps removed
Veneer pilot project
Recap – Harvests to Date
Management Unit 1 (MU-1)
2013-2015 harvests, 9-11 year old trees
Variable growth/yield
Single harvest/market contract:
chips and hog fuel
best market: newsprint
stumps removed Pilot market project: veneer
Replanting:
OP367 (best performer)
trial varietals
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Management Unit 2 (MU-2)
2017 harvest
2018-19 replanting
Chips & veneer
Stumps treated
Ceiling grille pilot project
Recap – Harvests to Date
Management Unit 2 (MU-2)
2017 harvest, 10 year old trees
Improved pulpwood yield over MU-1
Ice storm impact: 30% trees; 25% recoverable material
Single harvest/market contract:
chips and veneer
best market: veneer (Boardman)
stumps cut and treated
Pilot market project: ceiling grilles
Replanting:
OP367 (nursery and self-sourced)
Best MU-1 trial varietals
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Management Unit 3 (MU-3)
2021 Age 12
Local market strategy
Wood waste reuse (compost / biochar)
MU-3 Harvest Strategy
Plan for 2021 Harvest
Optimize yields/revenues at full 12 year old growth of unit
Maximize lead team for market potential
Consider split harvest (2020/2021)
Develop market relationships in advance of harvest contract
Poplar workshop
Biocycle Farm website information updates
Market/interest survey fall 2019
Strategize stump management/replanting approach
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June 13 Poplar Workshop
In-person workshop/demo
Web site virtual workshop
Online survey
Co-hosted with OSU Extension – Forestry
OSU promoted through their channels/associations
For-credit workshop for loggers/woodlot managers
Supplied contact/mailing lists
MWMC mailed out flyer to 400+ contacts
3 registrants (millwork manufacturer, tree farm owner, rancher/buffer poplar grower)
5 guest presenters/collaborators
12+ non-MWMC participants
Total cost: <$5,000
Value: collaboration among current partners, outreach to prospective partners
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Current Market Status
Boardman Tree Farm: sold off & liquidated
Longview chip market: long trucking distance
Columbia Forest Products (poplar veneer): discontinued without Boardman tree farm
SP Newsprint - shutdown
Toledo chip market: less reliable
9Wood “Eco-Grille”: discontinued without Boardman tree farm)
Loss/limitations of several market potentials:
Poplar veneer market curtailed with loss of Boardman tree farm source
9Wood discontinued “EcoGrille” with loss of Boardman tree farm source
Newsprint chip buyer shut down
Most reliable chip buyer in Longview, WA – market-limited due to trucking distance
Hog fuel low to zero value
Challenge/Opportunity:
Develop local use of poplar (milling, production, use)
9Wood ceiling grille demo generating interest (architects, builders)
Continue networking, outreach, relationship building
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Yield Optimization
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Rotation Cycle Optimization
Current 3 MU rotation output
6-MU “biennialized” output
Predictable, regular production and harvest management needs
Irregular production schedule with high-acreage management needs
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Harvest Economics to Date
Note: MU-2 cost offset approximately $1,200 FEMA reimbursement for storm damage response (i.e. adjusted net harvest cost of $1,275/acre)
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