COST AND RETURNS OF GOOD FOREST MANAGEMENT 



Reliable data on production, costs, and income from improved 

 forest management of cutover land are needed by progressive land- 

 owners. Many basic studies are conducted on small experimental plots 

 that do not give satisfactory cost and production data. Therefore, new 

 and improved methods are tested and demonstrated on fairly large areas, 

 either on the Experimental Forest or on private lands in cooperation 

 with landowners. 



A study of integrated management of timber and beef cattle has 

 been started on 550 acres of cutover land on the North Pasture of the 

 Johnson Tract. The main objective is to get the tract into high timber 

 production rapidly and economically. Meanwhile, the forage will be 

 utilized by range beef cattle. The most practical methods known or 

 developed by current research will be followed in the reforestation and 

 timber management program. Accurate data will be kept on both the 

 timber and the cattle operation. Early income from sales will be re- 

 invested in the project. 



The beef cattle operation began in 1951 with 20 cattle owned by 

 Mr. John C. Johnston and his son J. W„ Johnston. Culling and herd 

 improvement started in 1952, and the herd is to be built up to about 35 

 head of high-grade cows. 



In 1951, the area had a few scattered patches of merchantable 

 timber suitable for sawlogs, crossties, pulpwood, and fence posts. 

 About 250 acres were understocked and needed planting. Hardwood 

 control was necessary on about 200 acres. A salvage cut of damaged 

 and diseased pines was made in 1951 following a severe ice storm. The 

 income was $2, 077 from 611 cords of pulpwood at $3. 40 per cord 

 stumpage. Additional income was obtained from 515 tons of longleaf 

 pine stumpwood that sold for $1. 26 per ton, or $649. 



In the winter of 1951-52, 60 acres of open land were hand- 

 planted with slash pine for $9. 00 per acre (800 seedlings per acre). 

 About 16 acres were hand-planted with longleaf pine (1, 200 trees per 

 acre) at a cost of $13. 58 per acre. About 81 acres were direct- seeded 

 with 3-1/2 pounds of longleaf seed per acre. Direct- seeding costs 



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