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News Filed Under Forest Economics

Rows of corn plants in a field.
November 19, 2024 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Forestry, Forest Economics

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Agriculture and forestry are Mississippi’s top industries, but their significance to the state’s economy extends beyond the revenue they generate on their own.

An analysis produced by agricultural economists with the Mississippi State University Extension Service found these sectors combined were an estimated $46.2 billion industry in 2022, accounting for 185,744 jobs and more than 14% of the state’s total economic activity.

Felled trees are grasped by logging equipment in mid-air.
December 19, 2023 - Filed Under: Natural Resources, Forestry, Forest Economics, Taxation, Timber Prices, Timber Harvest

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Mississippi’s 2023 timber harvest is expected to set a record for the 21st century. “We are on pace to exceed 36 million tons of timber harvested, which would be the highest level we have experienced this century, surpassing the previous high set in 2005 prior to the Great Recession,” said Eric McConnell, an associate professor of forest business at Mississippi State University. The increased harvest helped Mississippi’s forestry industry remain in third place among the state’s agricultural commodities, with an estimated production value of $1.5 billion. That is a 9.6% increase from 2022.

Tornado damaged pine trees.
April 28, 2023 - Filed Under: Forestry, Timber Prices, Timber Harvest

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Managers of forestland that was damaged or destroyed during the March 24 tornado outbreak in Mississippi now face questions about the short- and long-term future of their property.

Timber loss was recorded in six of the state’s counties after aerial surveys conducted by the Mississippi Forestry Commission estimated more than $13 million in losses on 23,155 acres, of which 9,281 acres were on nonindustrial private forestland. Storms also battered Enviva’s wood pellet production plant in Amory, suspending operations there.

Sandy field where pine tree stand has been recently harvested
March 6, 2023 - Filed Under: Trees, Forestry, Forestry Impacts, Forest Management, Forest Soils

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- When planting loblolly pine trees on well-drained soils, landowners should heed two basic rules: Don’t do it during a freeze, and make sure to plant roots and seedlings deep.

To increase the chance of survival on well-drained soils, some Southern regeneration foresters suggest planting loblolly pine in a deep hole with the root collar several inches below the soil surface.

A stand of timber.
February 17, 2023 - Filed Under: Natural Resources, Forestry, Forest Economics, Taxation

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Private timberland owners spend countless hours caring for and maintaining their property, and many are unaware that this investment can help lower their tax bills. One of the most overlooked timber activities that qualifies for a tax reduction is reforestation, said Curtis VanderSchaaf, forestry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Sunlight trickles through a stand of timber.
December 19, 2022 - Filed Under: Natural Resources, Forestry, Forest Economics, Timber Prices, Timber Harvest

RAYMOND, Miss. -- An increase in both the amount of timber harvested and delivered wood prices landed Mississippi’s forestry industry in third place among the state’s agricultural commodities. At an estimated production value of $1.3 billion, timber is up 15% from 2021. Poultry and soybeans ranked first and second, generating an estimated value of $3.8 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively, in 2022.

A stack of logs.
July 6, 2022 - Filed Under: Natural Resources, Forestry, Forest Economics, Timber Prices, Timber Harvest

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Mississippi has gained new timber mills over the last 18months, and producers have seen timber prices rise since last year.

Man in the background holding a cell phone in the foreground
March 9, 2022 - Filed Under: Marketing and Business Planning, Small Business, Marketing

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Business leaders looking to upgrade their social media marketing strategies can now get started by tuning in to a new podcast series.

Bricks-To-Clicks Marketing, a Mississippi State University Extension program, helps business leaders develop a digital marketing plan to bring in more customers and revenue. The program has launched an eight-episode marketing podcast centered around use of social media platforms to grow personal brands and businesses.

A front end loader.
December 21, 2021 - Filed Under: Forestry, Forestry Impacts, Timber Prices, Timber Harvest

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Forestry is the third largest agricultural commodity in Mississippi for the second straight year with a production value of nearly $1.29 billion in 2021, up 5.7% over last year.