Participants can tour a sawmill or cooperage and attend a field day on walnut and white oak management.

Published
  • Image
    Hank Stelzer, MU Extension forestry state specialist, discusses how white oaks provide wood products such as staves for whiskey and wine barrels at a field day tour. Field days such as this help landowners understand how they can improve conditions for wildlife while also generating revenue through timber sales.
    Hank Stelzer, MU Extension forestry state specialist, discusses how white oaks provide wood products such as staves for whiskey and wine barrels at a field day tour. Field days such as this help landowners understand how they can improve conditions for wildlife while also generating revenue through timber sales.
  • Image
    Hank Stelzer, MU Extension forestry state specialist, compares this high-quality tree to some lower-quality ones in the background. Proper management ensures trees are kept healthy, benefit wildlife and can be harvested when mature.
    Hank Stelzer, MU Extension forestry state specialist, compares this high-quality tree to some lower-quality ones in the background. Proper management ensures trees are kept healthy, benefit wildlife and can be harvested when mature.

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension and several partners invite the public to the Woodland Owners Conference, Oct. 11-12 in Columbia.

Two tour options are available on Friday, Oct. 11. Participants can tour the Missouri-Pacific Lumber Co. near Fayette or The Oak Cooperage in Higbee. Attendees can learn how Missouri Pacific processes 5 million feet of walnut and other hardwoods annually and ships it around the world, or they can experience the art of handcrafted oak barrels manufactured at The Oak Cooperage for use in the wine and spirits industry.

On Friday evening, Missouri Tree Farmer of the Year Jim Ball will be recognized for the outstanding work on his farm near Braymer. The evening will include a social, dinner and presentation from U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist Frank Thompson on “Our Songbirds Need Managed Forests.”

The field tour on Saturday, Oct. 12, will look at land management strategies for timber, income and wildlife. Doug Butler will host the event at his family farm north of Columbia. Consulting foresters and professionals from the Missouri Department of Conservation and MU Extension will be available to answer questions and provide insights on management practices.

Register at https://forestandwoodland.org/events. Registration closes noon Thursday, Oct. 3.

For questions, contact Brian Schweiss at schweissb@missouri.edu.

Photos

https://extension.missouri.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_media/wysiwyg/News/photos/20240923-stelzer-1.jpg

Hank Stelzer, MU Extension forestry state specialist, discusses how white oaks provide wood products such as staves for whiskey and wine barrels at a field day tour. Field days such as this help landowners understand how they can improve conditions for wildlife while also generating revenue through timber sales.

https://extension.missouri.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_media/wysiwyg/News/photos/20240923-stelzer-2.jpg

Hank Stelzer, MU Extension forestry state specialist, compares this high-quality tree to some lower-quality ones in the background. Proper management ensures trees are kept healthy, benefit wildlife and can be harvested when mature.