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The following seminars are offered on a regular basis throughout the Northeast. 

Check with your local state training coordinator or with the NELA office 

regarding the possibility of scheduling one in your area.

 

 

 

Buying Standing Timber

   Instructor: Jerry Miller

                        Miller Forest Products/Consulting Forester

This seminar is organized to help with finding and purchasing private and public stumpage. Determining timber value and bid presentation worksheets will be discussed using prices from the bi-annual NYS Stumpage Price Report (or equivalent) for purposes of the exercise. This is an opportunity for loggers, landowners and procurement people to pick the brain of a timber buyer with years of experience buying standing timber. He'll focus on locating standing timber and connecting with the landowner and/or forester. Appraising and determining bid timber value will also be discussed.

Content

* Sources for locating timber.

* How to contact the landowner.

* How to present yourself and your company.

* Developing a working relationship with the landowner and/or his(her) forester.

* Conflict Resolution

* Sizing up the timber.

* Evaluating the hurdles to harvesting.

* Preparing your offer.

* Timber Contracts

* Bidding on Timber

* Extra things you can do to help make the purchase happen.

Price comparisons will not be discussed as they vary with your costs and markets.

 

 

Computer Applications for Loggers

    Instructor: Steven Bick, Ph.D., ACF

                      Northeast Forests LLC/Consulting Forester

This two-part introductory level seminar will introduce you to common software applications and the vast amount of information to be found on the internet that can help to make any small business more efficient. Hands-on workshop will help to minimize the initial frustration of learning how to use common software that comes installed on most computers and begin to find useful information on the World Wide Web.

Content

Basic Computers for Loggers

(3 hours)

Focus on software applications in the Windows environment including MS Word and Excel.

* Basic use of word processing and spreadsheet software to make your business letters and reports more professional in appearance.

* Toolbar and Key Functions,

* How to send a fax from a computer.

* File management in Windows Explorer.

* Overview of types of software available for small business management, mapping and wood measurements.

Internet Surfing for Loggers

(3 hours)

Focus on internet navigation and email.

* An overview of the secrets to smooth surfing using common browsers.

* An introduction to search engines and

how they are used to find information.

* A tour of forest industry related sites

and directories specific to the forest products industry to be found on the World Wide Web.

* Participants will be introduced to free services for individuals and small businesses to be found on the internet.

 

 

 

Estimating Standing Timber Volume

    Instructor: Steven Bick, Ph.D., ACF

                      Northeast Forests LLC/Consulting Forester

Buyers of standing timber need to make reliable estimates of timber volume when they are purchasing standing timber . This workshop presents a proven, simple method of volume estimation for loggers and others who buy timber. The instructor will demonstrate the tools and procedures for taking tree measurements and "cruising". After lunch you will go to a woodlot to practice these skills. After collecting measurements, we'll calculate and summarize volumes. The procedures and math are not difficult. You'll go home with the fundamental skills needed to help make your own inventories.

Content

* Estimating Individual Tree Volume - dbh, height, cull deductions, and volume tables

* Basal Area Measurements - Angle gauge use

* Timber Cruise Design and Implementation - point sampling techniques, acreage determination,          compass use, and cruise layout

* Volume Calculation from Samples - simple formulas for turning field measurements into useful information.

 

http://www.northeastforests.com/NEindex.htm

 

 

Logging Costs

    Instructor: Steven Bick, Ph.D., ACF

                      Northeast Forests LLC/Consulting Forester

Boosting revenue by increasing production isn't the only approach to assuring or increasing your profits. The business of logging requires an understanding of costs and how controlling them contributes to profitability. This workshop will provide loggers with information and methods for evaluating and controlling these costs. If this is your responsibility, this course is for you.

Content

We will examine the following aspects of your business to help you develop a better understanding of your costs.

Evaluating Equipment Purchases

Financing Options

New vs. Used

Estimating Production Costs for Individual Jobs

Fixed Costs:

(Equipment payments, insurance)

Variable Costs:

(Payroll, fuel, maintenance, workmen's compensation)

Cost of implementing BMP's and other Contract Compliance

A guideline for Valuing

Income Taxes Associated with Cutting Your Own Timber

Capital gains on the Timber

Ordinary Income from Logs

Putting it All Together

Maximizing Production vs. Maximizing Profits

 

http://www.northeastforests.com/NEindex.htm

 

Manufacturing Logs: Intro to Hardwood Bucking, Grading and Scaling

    Instructor: Various

                         To Be Announced                    

This workshop is an introductory overview of bucking, scaling and grading considerations and how they impact the return received for logs in the marketplace. It will provide valuable information and hands-on practice on the identification and evaluation of hardwood log characteristics and on methods of determining log value.

  Content:

Classroom:

* How a tree grows

* Log scale & grade considerations

* How log defects are manifested in lumber

* How log grade affects lumber grade

* Avoiding machine/man made defects during harvesting

* Marketing logs to maximize profit

-------------------------------------------------

Mill or Landing:

* Practice making bucking decisions

* Discussion of the impact of those bucking decisions on market value

* Discuss why some logs are delegated to the trash log pile

 

Marketing Forest Products

   Instructor: Jerry Miller

                        Miller Forest Products/Consulting Forester

This seminar is organized to help participants in developing their knowledge and skills to create a successful strategy to promote their business and the forest products industry. Some simple worksheets will be introduced to help you track your raw material costs, product analysis, and aid in following an organized and efficient marketing plan. This is an opportunity for logging contractors, sawmill operators and lumber/log sales personnel to pick the brain of an industry veteran with years of experience marketing all facets of wood products both domestically and internationally.

Content

* Developing a Marketing Plan

* Marketing Strategies:.

        Domestic vs. International

        Commodity vs. Specialty Markets

        Niche Markets

* Product Preparation and Presentation

* Log re-sale programs, veneer, low grade, etc.

* Locating Customers

* How to Contact Potential Customers

* Building Good Customer Relationships

* Customer Maintenance

* Sales Contracts

* Extra things to do to help make the sales happen

Price comparisons will not be discussed as they vary with your markets.

 

Professional Forest Products Trucking

   Instructors:    Jeff Worrall

                            W. J. Cox Associates/Loss Control Specialist

This seminar is organized to help participants in developing their knowledge and skills to create a successful strategy to promote their business and the forest products industry. Some simple worksheets will be introduced to help you track your raw material costs, product analysis, and aid in following an organized and efficient marketing plan. This is an opportunity for logging contractors, sawmill operators and lumber/log sales personnel to pick the brain of an industry veteran with years of experience marketing all facets of wood products both domestically and internationally.

Content

* Developing a Marketing Plan

* Marketing Strategies:.

        Domestic vs. International

        Commodity vs. Specialty Markets

        Niche Markets

* Product Preparation and Presentation

* Log re-sale programs, veneer, low grade, etc.

* Locating Customers

* How to Contact Potential Customers

* Building Good Customer Relationships