Starting Time: 00:00
Hayes D. Brown, attorney and forest owner, will moderate this news conference. Hayes’ email address is hbrown@hayesbrown.com.
Starting Time: 00:57
Steve Hague is the Head of the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences at Auburn University. As he knows well, the deer industry offers significant economic contribution to the state of Alabama, generating approximately $1.5 billion annually in the state. However, for farmers and landowners, deer can often be a considerable nuisance. Deer populations, if not properly controlled, can lead to overbrowsing, which damages young trees and undergrowth, ultimately affecting forest regeneration and biodiversity, as well as cause significant crop damage to soybeans and cotton, among others. This is why deer abatement programs are crucial. These programs help balance the ecological needs of the forest with the economic benefits of deer hunting. Steven joins us to talk about effective deer management strategies and how landowners can protect their investments in timber and other forest resources while still supporting the thriving hunting industry.
Auburn University’s Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Starting Time: 07:15
Dr. Tamara Cushing is an Extension Assistant Professor in Forest Business at the University of Florida and is one of the top forest taxation experts in the United States. When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was enacted in 2017, it offered significant tax benefits to forest landowners, including reduced tax rates for both individuals and businesses. Among the most impactful provisions was the favorable tax treatment for income from timber sales, which allowed landowners to benefit from lower capital gains tax rates. This not only boosted profitability but also encouraged sustainable forest management. However, these advantages are set to expire at the end of 2025. Without new legislation to extend these benefits, forest landowners could face higher taxes and lose key financial incentives. Tamara joins us to talk about the expiring of the TCJA and what landowners should do to effectively manage their properties.
Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA)
Starting Time: 13:30
Dana Stone is the Management Division Director for the Alabama Forestry Commission. Southern pine beetles are capable of causing significant damage to Alabama’s forests. These beetles are particularly destructive, with outbreaks leading to the loss of thousands of trees and substantial economic impacts. Unfortunately for landowners, the numbers for these pests have increased this year. With the price of pine pulp already low, it could mean significant problems for landowners. Dana joins us talk about this threat and how landowners can best combat the problem and promote tree health.
Insect & Disease Map
AFC: Southern Pine Bark Beetle
Starting Time: 17:33
Pete Stewart is President/CEO of ResourceWise, a company that provides data, analytics, and consulting services for a robust range of natural-resource-based commodity industries, including forest products, low-carbon feedstocks and fuels, and chemicals. The European Union Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR) introduces a significant challenge for forest landowners, especially in areas like Alabama where the forestry industry is already under pressure. With pine stumpage prices at a low and the persistent threat of southern pine beetles, the EUDR adds another layer of complexity by enforcing strict requirements on timber products destined for the EU market. Landowners must now ensure their timber is not only legally harvested but also free from contributing to deforestation or forest degradation. This requires extensive due diligence, including precise tracking of the timber’s geographic origin, potentially driving up costs and squeezing profitability even further. Peter joins us to talk about the new regulation and its bottom line for landowners.
