1. Timber Biomass Offers Increased Returns
to Timber Owners
Andrews*, E.L., University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Lanier County, Lakeland, GA 31635
Abstract
Lanier and Clinch Counties have 500,000 acres of timber land where nearly $30 million of timber is harvested each year. After harvest the timber residue is normally pushed and burned. This is an added cost to the land owner.
Some new strategies for residue left on cut over timber land include pine mulch for increased plantings of blueberries, mulch for landscaping, and biomass for heat, power and biofuels. A Lanier County timber harvesting company
purchased a grinder to mulch residue left from the harvested timber. Lanier County Extension Coordinator (CEC) worked with blueberry growers to find a less expensive mulch to amend blueberry soil. The cost of mulched pine
residue from the grinder saved $400/load compared to pine bark purchased to amend the soil. The USDA now has a Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). BCAP provides financial assistance to producers or entities that
deliver eligible biomass material to designated biomass conversion facilities for use as heat, power, bio-based products or biofuels. Initial assistance will be for the Collection, Harvest, Storage and Transportation (CHST) costs
associated with the delivery of eligible materials up to $45 per ton. The dollar value for these materials will be based on the type of timber and amount of residue. Lanier CEC collaborated with USDA Farm Service Agency CED
working with timber companies to increase awareness of the new USDA biomass program. These are two new sources of income for Southeast Georgia timber producers that have not been available in the past.
Situation Loading Timber Biomass Results
Lanier and Clinch County have 500,000 acres of timber A Lanier County blueberry grower stated the mulched residue
with approximately $30 million worth of timber harvested from the timber grinder cost him $400/load compared to $800/load
each year. This cut land is normally pushed up in rows or for purchased pine bark to amend his blueberry soil. He also had
Timber Residue Grinder
burned to replant in pines. I
b d l Increased plantings of
d l f the land cleaned and stumped to plant blueberries The USDA
blueberries.
blueberries, pine bark for landscaping, and wood biomass biomass program provides up to $45/dry ton for delivery of eligible
for heat, power and biofuels have led to different strategies materials to conversion facilities that can be used for heat, power
for clear cut timber land. or biofuels.
Biomass for Renewable Energy
Amending Blueberry Soil
Extension’s Response
A Lanier County timber harvesting company purchased a grinder in 2008
to mulch timber harvest residue. This mulch was to provide soil Mulched Residue
amendments for blueberry growers. The USDA now has a Biomass Crop
Timber Assistance Program (BCAP). BCAP provides financial assistance to
producers or entities that deliver eligible biomass materials to designated
biomass conversion facilities for use as heat power bio-based products
heat, power,
or biofuels. Initial assistance will be for the Collection, Harvest, Storage
and Transportation (CHST) cost associated with the delivery of eligible
materials. Lanier County Extension Coordinator collaborated with USDA
Farm Service Agency CED to work with timber owners and timber
companies to increase awareness of the new USDA program. Lanier
County Extension Coordinator worked with blueberry growers to make
Conclusion
them aware of a cheaper soil amendment. The new USDA program and the ability to mulch timber residue,
Harvested Timber
have provided a source of income for timber producers that has
not been available in the past. The dollar value from this return
will be based on the timber and amount of residue. T
ll The
estimated return can be $100/acre or more. As the USDA
Biomass Crop Assistance Program is implemented more will be
known about the amount of return to timber owners.
Preparing Timber Residue