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Janary 6, 2012
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An email newsletter
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News from Texas Forestry Association
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Dear Reader,
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Happy New Year! Included in this newsletter are a few items that might interest you.
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H-2B Christmas came early
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Source: Forest Resources Association (FRA)
In mid-December, the Omnibus Appropriations Bill containing H-2B Wage Rule killing language was sent to the President for signature. The language that FRA and other H-2B Workforce Coalition members were successful in inserting in this Bill will stop the US DOL from "implementing" the H-2B Wage Rule through September 30, 2012.
In our case this means that the 2011-2012 tree planting season can move ahead at the former H-2B Wage Rule labor rates.
What does this victory mean in dollars and cents to the wood fiber supply chain?
FRA Forestry Contractor Task Group Chair Mike Kelly and I have made some "back of the match book cover" calculations. Using the USDA-FS number of 2.5 million acres of annual US reforestation and an average $40.00/acre tree planting labor cost the new Wage Rule would have increased tree planting labor costs by a range of $9.20/acre to $51.60/acre depending on the county where the reforestation was occurring.
Using a mid range $30.04 average tree planting wage rate increase Mike and I are pleased to conservatively report that we all have been successful in stopping the US DOL from adding $75.1 million dollars to wood fiber supply chain costs over the current planting season.
We have won a major battle in the US DOL's misguided effort to drive H-2B Guest Worker and US worker wages up to unaffordable levels. Please do not be lulled into complacency! Next October 1st the US DOL will be poised to load the increased costs of the new Wage Rule into our pockets again.
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Calendar of Events
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January 13 Logger Safety Training in Silsbee - registration may be found on the TFA website.
February 8 Drought Symposium, Civic Center, Diboll
February 17 Tax Workshop, Civic Center in Diboll
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Drought Symposium Set for February 8th
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To view the agenda and list of speakers, click here.
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CellFor Files for bankruptcy protection
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CellFor, a producer of varietal loblolly pine, has filed for bankruptcy in Canada and for protection from creditors in the U.S and reduced its workforce by 60 people across all CellFor locations. As of last fall, CellFor had sold more than 40 million seedlings, representing plantings on more than 80,000 acres. CellFor has U.S. offices in Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas and Maine.
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Drought Considerations for Tree Planting
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To Plant or Not To Plant:
New Timber Stand Drought Risk Assessment.
Texas has experienced some tough environmental conditions over the last decade. These conditions have led many to ask the very relevant question, to plant or not to plant. Review the CHECK LIST (click here) to determine if YOU are ready to plant this season.
If yes, then make sure to visit with a natural resource professional to discuss planting
strategies, specific to your site, that will promote success and productivity.
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Pineywoods Prescribed Fire Cooperative to Meet January 26
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On January 26th, there will be a prescribed fire training in Nacogdoches. The meeting will be held in room 117 on the lower level of the Stephen F Austin Forestry building and will start at 9 A.M.
You will need to pick up a parking pass as you arrive from one of Texas Parks & Wildlife's representatives for your windshield. A demonstration burn (pending weather conditions) is planned for Friday the 27th just outside the loop in Nacogdoches for those interested. More details on that will be available at the meeting.
Click here to view the agenda.
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Timber Income and Property Tax Workshop on February 17
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The daylong workshop will provide an understanding of timber tax including basics about timber taxation and the latest changes to tax laws and rules for 2011 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 clear understanding of commonly misunderstood timber tax issues.
For individuals who have had timber losses due to wildfires and other casualties, this course can explain who can take a casualty loss deduction, determination of allowable loss deduction and how to claim the loss.
The workshop is designed for forest landowners, consulting foresters, accountants, attorneys, and others who work with forest landowners in matters pertaining to timber taxes.
For more information and a registration form, click here.
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Email Advertising
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Until further notice, advertising is available in TFA email news on a short-term (1-3 weeks) basis. TFA reserves the right to refuse any and all advertisements.
Member Price: $100
Non-member: Price: $200
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Texas Forestry Association is a non-profit trade association whose members grow, manage, harvest and process the forest resource of Texas.
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