Bossier Parish Office Post Office Box 370 Benton, LA 71006-0370

Courthouse, 4th Floor 204 Burt Boulevard (318) 965-2326 Fax: (318) 965-3712

Timber Tales

No. 143 News and Ideas for Forest Landowners from Ricky Kilpatrick, Area Forestry Agent 1st Quarter 2013

Important Things to Remember When Using Forest Herbicides

Here are a few ideas that may be helpful if you use forest herbicides in your forest management work.

1. It is much safer to bring your water to the site and add it to your spray rig and chemical. Mixing at the water source can contaminate your well water from spillage. Putting a hose in the spray tank can and will often result in back-siphoning of the chemical into the well or water source. If this happens, you have got serious problems!

2. Always keep records of any forest herbicides you apply. This is required by law for any federally registered restricted use pesticides, but it is a good idea to do this for the others also. This is also a good way to keep track of costs for tax purposes. The Extension Service has a Field Diary for Recording the Application of Restricted Use Pesticides. Contact your county agent for a copy.

3. Anytime you apply forest herbicides, you should triple rinse your sprayer after completing the job. The rinsing should be done on the target site also.

4. For more information on spray equipment wastewater disposal, pesticide container disposal or pesticide regulations, contact your county agent. If you are unsure about anything regarding pesticides, be sure and call. Many big problems have arisen with regard to pesticides due to a lack of knowledge about laws and regulations.

5. For a complete list of restricted use pesticides (RUP), contact the nearest EPA office. This list is also available at the website http://entweb.clemson.edu/pesticid/document/RUP.htm.

For additional information, call Area Code 318 and . . . BIENVILLE 263-7400 BOSSIER 965-2326 CADDO 226-6805 CLAIBORNE 927-3110 DESOTO 872-0533 NATCHITOCHES 357-2224 RED RIVER 932-4342 SABINE 256-3406 WEBSTER 371-1317

A STATE PARTNER IN THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE PROVIDES EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN PROGRAMS AND EMPLOYMENT.Natural Resources LOUISIANA STATE Symposium UNIVERSITY AND ScheduledA. & M. COLLEGE. JulyLOUISIANA 16- PARISH17 at GOVERNING LSU BODIES, SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, AND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COOPERATING.

Here is a list of several pesticide safety brochures that are available from the county agent’s office:

How to Read and Understand A Pesticide Label Homeowner’s Guide to Pesticide Safety Pesticide Container Disposal Spray Equipment Washwater Disposal Transport Pesticides Safely Care of Pesticide-Contaminated Clothing

Ten Tips for Tree Farming

Here are some tips from former National Outstanding Tree Farmers, George and Joan Freeman from Pennsylvania, for successful tree farming:

1. Have your property surveyed. Establish your boundary lines and adequately identify them with visible markers or blazing. Maintain the boundaries on a regular schedule. 2. Identify the short- and long-term goals and objectives for your property. 3. Obtain quality consulting advice, whether it be through the state service foresters or consulting foresters. 4. Develop a forest management plan to meet your goals and objectives. 5. Don’t overdo it. Figure out your work schedule and timetable, and make certain your plan can be accomplished in the time allocated. 6. Give consideration to aesthetic values and the wildlife environment in your planning. 7. Take advantage of the many forestry workshops, publications, and awareness information available. Ask questions. 8. Share your accomplishments on your Tree Farm so that others can learn from your experience. 9. Take into consideration today’s tax laws when you plan how to preserve your land for future generations. 10. Think of your land as being on loan to you from future generations. It is your responsibility to leave the land in better condition than you found it.

Join us at the Ark-La-Tex Forestry Forum to get new ideas and tips from Louisiana’s 2012 Outstanding Tree Farmer, Bubba Rasberry.

Louisiana Young Ag Producers Program Applications Open

What does it take to get started in production agriculture? The LSU AgCenter‘s Louisiana Young Ag Producers Program will provide some answers for high school students who apply and are accepted into the 2013-2014 class.

Louisiana Young Ag Producers is a one-year, intensive classroom and hands-on, mentor-based experience that introduces high school juniors and seniors to the options available to them in the areas of food and fiber production and encourages them to enter an agriculture career, said program coordinator Bobby Soileau.

“This program provides students an opportunity to learn more about becoming an agricultural producer,” Soileau said. “Candidates must demonstrate a sincere interest in entering the profession, agree to attend the summer institutes held in 2013 and 2014, and complete 50 internship hours with a qualified mentor during the 2013-2014 school term.”

Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, sees the program as an opportunity to get young people interested in careers in agriculture.

2

“The face of agriculture is changing,” Coreil said. “The number of producers is decreasing, and their average age is increasing, so it is important that we present students with information about careers in production agriculture.”

Coreil also pointed out the importance of agriculture and forestry to rural economic development and the increased food and fiber demands required to sustain a growing world population. “The demand for food is expected to steadily increase over the next 40 years, which means careers in agriculture and forestry are essential to our future,” he said.

The 2013 summer session will be held July 22-26 on the LSU-Baton Rouge campus, Soileau said. In addition to the AgCenter, major sponsors of the program include the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

The 2012-2013 class has 13 members currently engaged in internships with their mentors, Soileau said. This group of students has a wide range of production interests, which include beef, rice, sugar, crawfish, goats and specialty crops.

Information on the application process is available online at www.lsuagcenter.com/layapp. The application deadline is March 1, 2013.

Bobby Soileau can be reached at 225-578-3659 or [email protected].

Fourth Louisiana Natural Resources Symposium Scheduled

The Louisiana State University School of Renewable Natural Resources will host the 4th Louisiana Natural Resources Symposium on August 1-2, 2013 at the Lod Cook Conference Center on the LSU Campus. The theme of the 2013 symposium will be impacts of human and natural disasters on forested and wetland ecosystems and wildlife. The symposium is the premiere natural resources outreach event of the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources.

The 2013 symposium will feature presentations from leading international experts covering contemporary issues related to controlled burns and wildfires, hurricanes, and forest management impacts on wildlife populations and species diversity. Speakers will also address the impacts of Hurricane Isaac on Louisiana wildlife, fires on natural ecosystems, the role of fire in longleaf pine regeneration, the relationship between hurricanes and fires in coastal forests, socio-economic risk of wildfire damage, and other topics.

The target audience includes land managers, foresters, land owners, academicians, and those interested in this important issue. A comprehensive and professional color proceedings will be available to all registrants. Please visit www.rnr.lsu.edu/lnrs for more information and to register.

For more information, contact Todd Shupe at 225-578-6432 or [email protected].

Texas Timber Tax Workshop

The Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Forestry Association are sponsoring a Timber Income and Property Tax Workshop on February 12, 2013 at the Lottie & Arthur Temple Civic Center, 601 Dennis Street, in Diboll, Texas. The speakers are Dr. Harry L. Haney, Jr., nationally known tax expert with Virginia Tech, and Dr. Yanshu Li, forest economist with the Texas Forest Service.

The day-long workshop will provide an understanding of timber tax including basics about timber taxation and the latest changes to tax laws and rules for 2012 tax return preparations. Topics will focus on federal timber income tax issues for private forest owners with a refresher on local timberland property tax incentives. Participants will gain a

3 clear understanding of commonly misunderstood timber tax issues. For individuals who have had timber losses due to the recent drought, this workshop can explain how to claim the loss.

For additional information or questions, please contact Monica Jadlowski at 979-458-6630 or [email protected] or go on line to http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/taxworkshop.

Events, Thoughts and Tidbits

***The pre-registration form date for the Ark-La-Tex Forestry Forum in the last Timber Tales (4th Quarter 2012) was wrong. The actual pre-registration deadline is February 25. The fee is $20 up until that date and $25 after that date. Sorry about the confusion…wouldn’t make much sense to pre-register after the meeting!

***Other upcoming forestry meetings around the state include: March 9 – SWLA Forestry Association Annual Meeting and Forestry Forum, DeRidder, 8:00 a.m. to noon. Contact Keith Hawkins at 337-463-7006 or [email protected]. March 12 – CENLA Forestry Forum, LSU AgCenter Evacuation Center at Dean Lee Research Station in Alexandria. Contact Robbie Hutchins at 318-767-3967 or [email protected]. March 15 – Parishes Forestry Forum. Contact Brian Chandler at 225-683-5848 or [email protected]. March 30 – Mineral leasing Workshop, 9:00 a.m. to noon, Deridder, LA. Contact Keith Hawkins 337-463-7006 or [email protected].

***If you’re planting trees, remember to call 811, or 1-800-272-3020 two full business days before you dig.

***If you have a private pesticide applicator’s card that is about to expire, check with your parish Extension office. We have several recertification meetings coming up in February and March.

Sincerely,

Ricky Kilpatrick Area Forestry Agent

It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability. If you have a disability which requires special assistance for your participation in a meeting, please contact the Bossier Parish Extension Office at (318) 965- 2326 three days prior to the meeting.

4

29TH ANNUAL ARK-LA-TEX FORESTRY FORUM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013 8:30 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M.

HOLIDAY INN FINANCIAL PLAZA 5555 FINANCIAL PLAZA SHREVEPORT, LA

The program is currently being planned and speakers are being contacted. Planned topics include:

Thoughts, ideas and overview from Louisiana’s 2012 Outstanding Tree Farmer Considerations when pipelines cross your property Managing marginal stands Current forest issues and legislation Pond construction Other topics

Door prizes will be given by several exhibitors.

Come and enjoy an excellent forestry meeting, great lunch and the fellowship of others interested in forestry. If you pre-register by February 25th, the fee is $20. After that date or at the door, registration will be $25. Your fee includes lunch and a copy of program proceedings.

______

ARK-LA-TEX FORESTRY FORUM FEBRUARY 28, 2013

Name ______Phone ______

Company/Organization______

Mailing Address______

City ______State ______Zip Code ______

This form may be duplicated. If more than one person shall be registered, please include names and addresses of the additional people.

______Number of people registered @ $20 per person ($25 after February 25th)

______Amount enclosed

Make check payable and mail to: ARK-LA-TEX FORESTRY FORUM P O Box 370 Benton, LA 71006-0370

5

LSU AGRICULTURAL CENTER 128 KNAPP HALL BATON ROUGE LA 70803

Bossier Parish Office Post Office Box 370 Benton, LA 71006-0370

Courthouse, 4th Floor 204 Burt Boulevard (318) 965-2326 Fax: (318) 965-3712

Timber Tales

News and Ideas for Forest Landowners from Ricky Kilpatrick, Area Forestry Agent, serving: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River and Webster Parishes

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Dr. William B. Richardson, Chancellor Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, Dr. Paul Coreil, Vice Chancellor and Director Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. 6