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Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Trees Need Site Prep for Replanting Success
Released: SeMsu Ag Communications News
Contact: Dr. John Kushla, 662-566-2201
Trees need site prep for replanting success
By Keri Collins Lewis
MSU Ag Communications
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Landowners interested in maximizing the value of their investment need to plan for proper site preparation when replanting trees after harvesting timber.
John Kushla, a forestry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and MSU’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center, said this preparation involves manipulating the site to increase the survival and growth of seedlings. Proper site preparation also makes tree planting or seeding more efficient.
“The goal is to give seedlings a chance to grow and develop without fighting for needed resources, such as space, light, moisture and nutrients,” Kushla said. “Many landowners treat replanting as an afterthought, but regeneration requires proper planning and execution. Some of the profits made from harvesting should be used to pay for site preparation and replanting.”
Over time, scientists have figured out the pros and cons of different site preparation methods, as well as the costs associated with each.
“The four primary techniques for site preparation are fire, mechanical, chemical or a combination of these three,” Kushla said. “For years, fire was the primary tool used to clear land for farming and to manage hunting land. Burning the logging debris left behind is the least expensive method of site preparation. It enhances wildlife habitat, and it improves access for tree planting.”
But prescribed burns have their disadvantages, too.
“You’ve got to deal with smoke and the chance that fire may escape, which is why we recommend working with a certified burn manager,” he said. “Nitrogen is lost during combustion, you’re limited by the weather, and steeper slopes tend to erode. Burning also doesn’t solve the problem of how quickly some plants grow back.”
Weather conditions in late summer and early fall are often favorable for burning. In 2012, the average cost for site preparation by burning in the Southern coastal plain was $53 per acre.
Mechanical site preparation is the most expensive option, in spite of equipment advances that reduce the number of times a site must be passed over to clear the area.
“Combination plows attached to tractors with a small blade can shear and clear debris, rip the subsoil, and make planting beds in one pass for about $185 per acre,” Kushla said. “The removal of debris allows for easier machine planting, improves the soil’s physical condition, and controls competing brush. But some woody species may seed in, fertility can decrease with the loss of topsoil, and it can be pricey.”
Improved effectiveness of herbicides has led to the increased use of chemicals to control vegetation as part of a forest management plan.
“Now we have helicopter spray booms, ground sprayers for skidders and ATVs, and hand-held sprayers that allow foresters to prescribe and apply herbicides targeting a broad range of vegetation with one application,” he said. “This method costs between about $67 and $89 per acre, depending on the method of application.”
The pros of using herbicides include reduced compaction and erosion, lower cost and some residual weed control. Herbicides control unwanted vegetation longer than the other methods. Herbicide drift onto other plants and trees is a risk.
Garron Hicks, the assistant district forester for the Mississippi Forestry Commission’s northeast district based in Tupelo, said landowners need to evaluate their objectives when planning next steps after a clear cut.
“If landowners want to grow timber to generate revenue, then they would want to regenerate the site, which involves conducting some site preparation to ensure a good planting job and adequate survival,” Hicks said. “Land that isn’t replanted will naturally regenerate a stand of trees, but landowners will be left with a poor-quality stand that takes 25 to 30 years to reach
merchantable size.”
Hicks said landowners should contact their local Mississippi Forestry Commission forester, an MSU Extension forester or a forest consultant to discuss regenerating a clear cut. The Mississippi Forestry Commission also keeps a list of reputable site prep vendors.
Mississippi requires that foresters are licensed to practice forestry. To find a list of local registered foresters, visit the Mississippi Board of Registration for Foresters athttp://www.cfr.msstate.edu/
For more information, visit the Mississippi Forestry Commission at http://www.mfc.ms.gov. Publication 2470 “Managing the Family Forest in Mississippi” and other Extension forestry publications can be found at http://www.msucares.com.
Contact: Dr. John Kushla, 662-566-2201
Trees need site prep for replanting success
By Keri Collins Lewis
MSU Ag Communications
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Landowners interested in maximizing the value of their investment need to plan for proper site preparation when replanting trees after harvesting timber.
John Kushla, a forestry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and MSU’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center, said this preparation involves manipulating the site to increase the survival and growth of seedlings. Proper site preparation also makes tree planting or seeding more efficient.
“The goal is to give seedlings a chance to grow and develop without fighting for needed resources, such as space, light, moisture and nutrients,” Kushla said. “Many landowners treat replanting as an afterthought, but regeneration requires proper planning and execution. Some of the profits made from harvesting should be used to pay for site preparation and replanting.”
Over time, scientists have figured out the pros and cons of different site preparation methods, as well as the costs associated with each.
“The four primary techniques for site preparation are fire, mechanical, chemical or a combination of these three,” Kushla said. “For years, fire was the primary tool used to clear land for farming and to manage hunting land. Burning the logging debris left behind is the least expensive method of site preparation. It enhances wildlife habitat, and it improves access for tree planting.”
But prescribed burns have their disadvantages, too.
“You’ve got to deal with smoke and the chance that fire may escape, which is why we recommend working with a certified burn manager,” he said. “Nitrogen is lost during combustion, you’re limited by the weather, and steeper slopes tend to erode. Burning also doesn’t solve the problem of how quickly some plants grow back.”
Weather conditions in late summer and early fall are often favorable for burning. In 2012, the average cost for site preparation by burning in the Southern coastal plain was $53 per acre.
Mechanical site preparation is the most expensive option, in spite of equipment advances that reduce the number of times a site must be passed over to clear the area.
“Combination plows attached to tractors with a small blade can shear and clear debris, rip the subsoil, and make planting beds in one pass for about $185 per acre,” Kushla said. “The removal of debris allows for easier machine planting, improves the soil’s physical condition, and controls competing brush. But some woody species may seed in, fertility can decrease with the loss of topsoil, and it can be pricey.”
Improved effectiveness of herbicides has led to the increased use of chemicals to control vegetation as part of a forest management plan.
“Now we have helicopter spray booms, ground sprayers for skidders and ATVs, and hand-held sprayers that allow foresters to prescribe and apply herbicides targeting a broad range of vegetation with one application,” he said. “This method costs between about $67 and $89 per acre, depending on the method of application.”
The pros of using herbicides include reduced compaction and erosion, lower cost and some residual weed control. Herbicides control unwanted vegetation longer than the other methods. Herbicide drift onto other plants and trees is a risk.
Garron Hicks, the assistant district forester for the Mississippi Forestry Commission’s northeast district based in Tupelo, said landowners need to evaluate their objectives when planning next steps after a clear cut.
“If landowners want to grow timber to generate revenue, then they would want to regenerate the site, which involves conducting some site preparation to ensure a good planting job and adequate survival,” Hicks said. “Land that isn’t replanted will naturally regenerate a stand of trees, but landowners will be left with a poor-quality stand that takes 25 to 30 years to reach
Hicks said landowners should contact their local Mississippi Forestry Commission forester, an MSU Extension forester or a forest consultant to discuss regenerating a clear cut. The Mississippi Forestry Commission also keeps a list of reputable site prep vendors.
Mississippi requires that foresters are licensed to practice forestry. To find a list of local registered foresters, visit the Mississippi Board of Registration for Foresters athttp://www.cfr.msstate.edu/
For more information, visit the Mississippi Forestry Commission at http://www.mfc.ms.gov. Publication 2470 “Managing the Family Forest in Mississippi” and other Extension forestry publications can be found at http://www.msucares.com.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Women Take Aim at Bow Hunting Action
By Mary Grace Eppes
MSU Ag Communications
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Many Mississippi bow hunters eagerly await the first hunt of the season and each year, more of those hunters are women.
Katie Pepper of Canton, a former Mississippi State University student and an ardent hunter, is proof that bow hunting is no longer just a male sport.
See the full story by clicking here > Women take aim at bow hunting action
'via Blog this'
MSU Ag Communications
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Many Mississippi bow hunters eagerly await the first hunt of the season and each year, more of those hunters are women.
Katie Pepper of Canton, a former Mississippi State University student and an ardent hunter, is proof that bow hunting is no longer just a male sport.
See the full story by clicking here > Women take aim at bow hunting action
'via Blog this'
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Franklin County School District Scores a 'B' .... Ms Schools, Districts Continue to Improve
NEWS RELEASE
Embargoed News Release: Until 12:01 a.m., September 13, 2013
Mississippi Schools, Districts Continue to Show Improvement
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) today officially released letter grades for schools and districts, showing more districts earning an “A” and fewer districts earning an “F” for the third consecutive year. The Mississippi Board of Education is expected to approve the 2013 accountability results at its meeting today.
The accountability model measures student performance on rigorous curricula and assessments. Schools and districts received performance classification letter grades of “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” and “F.”
To see the full story click on link > Mississippi Schools, Districts Continue to Show Improvement:'via Blog this'
492,847 Children Registered For School in Ms
ROXIE, MS - As of September 12, 2013 (according to records) there are 492,847 children attending school in Mississippi in grades beginning with Pre- Kindergarten which includes 19 levels of classes. The largest class is Kindergarten with 43,201 and the second largest class is Grade 1 of primary school with 40,836. The smallest class to be included in Primary Schooling is Grade 12 with 29,489 enrollment.
Source - http://orshome.mde.k12.ms.us/maars/
Note: * Represents suppressed data to prevent the identification of individuals in small cells or with unique characteristics
See chart below:
| Pre-Kindergarten | 3997 |
| Special Education Pre-K | 1313 |
| Kindergarten | 43201 |
| Special Education Kindergarten | 334 |
| Elementary Special Education | 3332 |
| Grade 1 | 40836 |
| Grade 2 | 37994 |
| Grade 3 | 37732 |
| Grade 4 | 36653 |
| Grade 5 | 37324 |
| Grade 6 | 37632 |
| Grade 7 | 39011 |
| Grade 8 | 36709 |
| Grade 9 | 37770 |
| Grade 10 | 34826 |
| Grade 11 | 31206 |
| Grade 12 | 29489 |
| Secondary Special Education | 2524 |
| Secondary GED | 964 |
| Total Enrollment | 492847 |
The largest group in the 492,847 total enrollment is 51% MALE and 49% Female
The largest ethnic group is 49% Black with 46% White
| Group Name | Group Number | Group Percent (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Female | 240903 | 49 |
| Male | 251944 | 51 |
| Asian | 4786 | 1 |
| Black | 243827 | 49 |
| Hispanic | 13376 | 3 |
| Native American | 1153 | 0 |
| White | 225326 | 46 |
| Multi Racial | 4379 | 1 |
Source - http://orshome.mde.k12.ms.us/maars/
Note: * Represents suppressed data to prevent the identification of individuals in small cells or with unique characteristics
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