LSU AgCenter animal science researcher Glen Gentry explains research that’s being conducted with sodium nitrite as a toxicant for controlling feral hogs at the Florida parishes forestry forum held in Hammond on March 20. He is testing different flavors that attract pigs, which is proving to be more difficult than first expected. (Photo by Johnny Morgan)

News Release Distributed 03/25/15

HAMMOND, La. – Forest landowners heard the latest updates on invasive species and other issues of importance in their industry at the Florida parishes forestry forum on March 20 in Hammond.

The theme of this year’s meeting was issues and concerns for forest landowners, said LSU AgCenter area forester Brian Chandler.

“There are issues that they need to be aware of, and this meeting provides an opportunity for them to get their questions answered in one location,” Chandler said.

Issues affecting Florida parish landowners are usually of concern to landowners across the state, Chandler said.

“One of the topics that is on the minds of forest landowners, and landowners in general, is what’s coming down from EPA as it relates to ‘waters of the U.S.’ and what effect those regulations will have on Louisiana landowners?” he said.

Another issue was the emerald ash borer, which was recently detected in Webster Parish, in the northwest corner of the state.

U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist Wood Johnson said the insect has the potential of destroying the ash tree population in the state as it has in Michigan and Ohio. It is now known to be in 25 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.

“Right now, we can’t put a number on the amount of economic loss caused by the emerald ash borer because there are no leaves on the trees,” Johnson said. “But come summer, we’ll be able to survey better when we can locate trees with no healthy crowns. Then we’ll have a better idea.”

Johnson said some surveys will be done from the air, which will give an idea of where they need to look on the ground.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service will survey over the summer to determine the extent of the damage from this pest.

“It’s going to be hard to nail down the amount of damage for two reasons,” Johnson said. “One, the ash population is scattered here and there. And two, that’s all private ownership in that portion of Webster Parish where it has been identified. So just getting access to take a look could be problem.”

Ash is not widely planted in the state, making up only about 4 percent of the state’s hardwoods, he said. But they are significant, with the annual harvest valued at $2.6 million.

Feral hogs continue to be a major problem in the state and research is being conducted to reduce their numbers, said LSU AgCenter animal science researcher Glen Gentry.

Sodium nitrite is currently being studied as a way to reduce the hog numbers, but it will take time to get approvals and to know proper doses to achieve the needed effect, Gentry said.

“Feral hogs are prolific in their reproductive activity, and their young tend to survive in high numbers,” Gentry said.

Terry Hubbs, a forest land owner north in Holden, has been attending the forum for the past 20 years and looks forward to gaining new information.

“I don’t walk my property every day like some, and as I should, so I don’t know if I have some of the problems being discussed, such as the feral hogs,” Hubbs said. “Frankly, I thought the hog problem was just a problem for hunters, but I now see how I could be affected as a forest landowner.”

Forestry every year in Louisiana generates more than $11 billion of economic value, said Louisiana Forestry Association executive director Buck Vandersteen.

“And more importantly, the forest products industry each and every year generates over $700 million in taxes to Louisiana and to the federal government,” he said.

LSU AgCenter forest economist Shaun Tanger discussed the timber price outlook for 2015 and said it looks like pine pulpwood will be the big mover in the coming years because of the pellet industry that’s starting to ship wood pellets to Europe for energy.

A panel discussion focused on dealing with families, the changing dynamics of the family and how estates should be handled.

The group discussed the importance of conducting family meetings so children of forest landowners are aware of the wishes of parents for their estates.

Other topics discussed included the potential economic development in the forest products industry and making sure landowners have adequate liability insurance to cover possible damages from fires originating from their property.

Johnny Morgan