SHREVEPORT, La. – Persist for the long run and remain aware of what is happening in the short run to be productive in the end LSU AgCenter forester Ricky Kilpatrick told forest landowners at the 26th annual Ark-La-Tex Forestry Forum here March 11.

The program featured a panel that discussed market conditions, taxes and research.

The national timber market is affected by globalization, changing demand and supplies, environmental and social issues and the Internet, said Bill Hubbard, southern regional extension forester at the University of Georgia.

He said the United States is shipping more wood pellets to Europe because of taxes on coal energy there.

The Internet provides the ability to connect with someone overseas to make a timber sale and communicate new products and abilities, Hubbard said.

Locally, he said, pulpwood prices are strong in the South but saw timber has hit the doldrums.

“Saw mills are waiting on housing recovery,” Hubbard said.

He said a plant in north Florida is using pulpwood to produce wood pellets for co-firing in coal-based power plants.

Paul Spillers, a local tax attorney, said taxes can be minimized by forming a family limited partnership for business succession and estate taxes avoidance, hiring your children at a reasonable payment for services and exercising the first-time homebuyer’s credit.

“You are the captain of your ship,” Spillers said. “You can reduce your taxes. You can take charge.”

Buck Vandersteen, executive director of the Louisiana Forestry Association, told the group of 145 to be involved, get their family involved, stay the course and keep optimistic about the industry.

The forum was sponsored by the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Louisiana Forestry Association, Northwest Louisiana Extension Forestry Advisory Committee and the Ark-La-Tex Ag Council.

Mary Ann Van Osdell