COMMODITY: FORESTRY

TITLE: Effects of Herbaceous Weed Competition on Loblolly Pine Plantation Growth

CONTACT: Dr. Terry R. Clason, Forester, Hill Farm Research Station  (318) 927-2578

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Recent research has shown that herbaceous weeds have a negative impact on early growth and development of loblolly pine plantations. This early growth loss reduces the financial potential of loblolly pine plantations.

PROBLEM / TOPIC: The early diameter growth that is lost to herbaceous weed significantly impacts long-term plantation development. As a plantation approaches harvest age this early diameter growth loss is expressed as reduced wood yields and lower value products. Thus, income can be reduced significantly.

ACTION: Research has shown that early growth losses can be mediated by properly timed herbicide applications. Herbicide prescriptions should be developed for each plantation and applied post planting from late February through mid April.

IMPACT: Long-term research at the Hill Farm Research Station has shown that herbaceous weed suppression enhanced growth and development of a 20-year-old loblolly pine plantation planted at a 6 X 6 foot spacing (1,200 TPA). A $121.00/acre investment in herbaceous weed suppression produced the following results:

1. Merchantable volume yields were increased by 5.8 cords/acre;
2. Chip-n-saw volume, a higher value product, yields were increased by 6.4 cords/acre;
3. Total revenues were increased by $521.00/acre; and
4. Unit production cost was decreased by $11.05/cord.

COMMODITY: FORESTRY

TITLE: Forage Management in Loblolly Pine Plantations Benefits Sawtimber Growth and Cattle Production

CONTACT: Dr. Terry R. Clason, Forester, Hill Farm Research Station  (318) 927-2578

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Introducing non-native improved forage crops under a forest canopy creates a commercial land management system on marginally productive land. Establishing and managing Pensacola bahiagrass, common bermudagrass, and Coastal bermudagrass in a thinned 20-year-old loblolly pine plantation, enhanced the production continuity of timber and livestock over a 14 year period.

PROBLEM / TOPIC: Forage and timber crops can be managed as a single intergrated system. The interactions among forage, timber, and cattle are managed intensively to simultaneously produce a high quality forage resource, timber commodities, and efficient livestock production. This interaction results in a land management system that produces  high value timber products, while providing short-term cash flow from the cattle component.

ACTION: At the Hill Farm Research Station, annual forage management practices included fertilization (N, P, and K at 100, 40 and 22 lbs/acre), broadleaf weed control, and winter cropping with subterranean clover. Mean daily dry matter yield for each forage crop exceeded the daily nutrient requirements for 1.2 growing yearlings/acre with an average annual weight gain of 196 lbs/yearling. Warm season dry matter yields differed (P=0.05) among forage crops, Pensacola bahiagrass, common bermudagrass, and Coastal bermudagrass averaged 5,875, 7,015, and 7,345 lbs/acre. Timber-grown forage yields were 10% less than open-grown yields. Annual timber production on the forage crop treatments averaged 2.1 cords/acres, while untreated check treatment production was 1.4 cords/acre. Annual sawtimber production on the forage crop treatments exceeded the check treatment by 200 bd. ft. /acre.

IMPACT: Over a fourteen year period, annual forage production costs, which included establishment and management costs, were $146/acre. Annual cattle income averaged $137/acre, while timber value accrued at an rate of $210/acre. In addition, fertilization increased the yield of high quality, high value finish grade and shop grade lumber by 13 and 40%, respectively. Establishing forage crops in commercial loblolly pine plantation enhanced land value and provided an annual rate of return that exceeded open pasture grazing and timber only options by 7% and 5%, respectively.
 

 
 Revised: May 6, 1999