LATEST NEWS
Center of Disaster Philanthropy Reports 3,629 Structures Burned in 2021 Wildfires
Unlike hurricane seasons or monsoons, there is no single prescribed date for the start of the North American wildfire season. Historically, Canada and the United States have shared wildland firefighting resources including personnel, vehicles, helicopters and airplanes. Both countries have developed their wildfire response plans around having access to resources from their neighbor. However, this year demonstrated the weakness in those plans as both countries were unable to share resources as they fought multiple wildfires within their respective borders simultaneously.
Heeding warnings of a predicted increased fire season, officials encouraged communities and people across the continent to prepare for a challenging summer ahead, and in many places that came to fruition. Colorado, multiple jurisdictions across California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington State and Western Canada (including Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) issued warnings about potentially catastrophic fire conditions that may exceed last year’s horrific wildfire season. Much of the risk came from major drought across the continent including Western Canada, most of the Western U.S. from the Pacific through the Midwest and almost all of Mexico.
To date, 8,619 wildfires have burned almost 2.6 million acres this year. There have been three fatalities and 3,629 structures have been damaged or destroyed.
American Loggers Council Named to Team Recognized for Prestigious US Forest Service Chiefs Award
The Chief’s Award is meant to celebrate the accomplishments of Forest Service individuals and teams throughout the United States and their contributions to the agency mission and communities they serve.
The Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (PATHH) program represents a unique public / private sector partnership that ensured the assistance was effectively disbursed to the targeted harvesters (loggers) and haulers (truckers). Recognizing and including the private sector within the “team” is uncommon but conveys the value of collaboration toward a common objective.
The American Loggers Council, along with a select group of timber industry organizations, worked collaboratively with the USDA (FSA and USFS) to develop and review the PATHH program, including American Loggers Council members from Oregon, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Maine, who provided strategic input.
The Chief’s Award recognizes more than the American Loggers Council work with the Farm Service Agency and U.S. Forest Service to provide necessary assistance to preserve the timber industry infrastructure. More importantly, it recognizes the timber industry’s critical role and value in meeting the forest management objectives of public and private land managers. The logging and transportation infrastructure is vital to the forest management mission of maintaining healthy forests.
American Loggers Council Requests Additional PATHH Funding
The American Loggers Council, and the timber industry that we represent, is extremely appreciative of the PATHH program assistance. The program received bi-partisan support in Congress and has also been supported by the Administration. Unfortunately, the program application process has also revealed the extent of economic loss and need within the timber industry sector, with eligible requests ($385 million) exceeding available funding ($200 million) by nearly double. Therefore, the American Loggers Council respectfully requests a supplemental appropriation of $185 million to meet Congress’ full intended level of assistance to the timber harvesters and haulers sector.
This unmet need forced the United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, to adjust the original formula to a point where in many cases the amount of financial assistance was reduced to less than half of what the applicant would have been eligible for. As an example, an applicant that would have been eligible, based on their gross income loss multiplied by 80% (original formula) for $180,000 would have been limited to a maximum award of $125,000. The new formula, due to the excess request for assistance, limited the maximum to $75,000 and then applies a multiplier of 70.5% to that figure resulting in a maximum limit of $52,875. This is 42% of the originally announced assistance level that timber harvesters and haulers expected would be provided to them in late 2021.
This level of need is evidence of the economic impact that the COVID-19 Pandemic has had on the American timber industry. Multiple economic analysis reports indicated that the loss to timber harvesters and haulers exceeded $1 billion. Congress recognized that timber harvesters and haulers had been left out of prior pandemic relief programs by appropriating $200 million. Now that the real economic need has been verified, and to meet the intent of Congress in providing adequate assistance to this vital industrial sector, a supplemental appropriation of $185 million (as per Farm Service Agency data) needs to be appropriated.
When other industry specific COVID relief programs had demand that exceeded resources, additional funding was provided. As an example, when the fishing industry received $300 million in 2020 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) it turned out to be much less than needed. In 2021, an additional $225 million was allocated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for the fishing industry. Currently Congress is considering an additional $68 billion for small businesses such as restaurants that received $28.6 billion through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which was quickly depleted before many restaurants received any assistance.
The objective of the PATHH program was to preserve the logging and trucking infrastructure until the effects of the pandemic were no longer a factor. This is a critical objective to avoid a collapse of the infrastructure which will otherwise prove difficult to rebuild.
The success of the PATHH program was the direct result of Congressional / Administration leadership, and the public / private sector partnership in developing the program. As the first time that the timber industry has been recognized within the agricultural sectors and provided assistance, the PATHH program was an historic and unprecedented success. Supplemental funding to match the eligible demand will ensure that the PATHH program accomplishes the objective and provides the level of support necessary to weather the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.
John Deere Announces Updates to M-Series Forestry Equipment
MOLINE, IL (Dec. 16 2021) — John Deere introduces new options and updates to the M-Series Tracked Feller Bunchers, Harvesters, and Shovel Logger. Enhancements have been made to the previously released Smooth Boom Control (SBC), as well as Improved Seat and Heated-Ventilated Seat (HVS) and Premium Radio that is XM ready.
Updated Smooth Boom Control (SBC) improves the amount of pressure needed to operate a function, giving the operator more feel and control of the movement, especially during fine metering. This allows for a wider tuning range for individual functions and improves the set-up for multiple Operator preferences and skill levels.
“A machine’s ability to adapt to any operator using equipment for extended periods is vital to productivity,” said Jim O’Halloran, product marketing manager, John Deere. ”Continuous improvement is always top of mind when it comes to our equipment, and enhancing the machine control and operator comfort levels are prime examples of offering a greater customizable functionality to operators.”
The new dual density foam seat provides more support and comfort during operation. With improved seat cushioning, built-in contoured lumbar and thigh support and additional clearance for their thighs, all sizes of operators can feel comfortable in any desired seating position.
Additionally, John Deere has added adjustable suspension dampers to reduce vibration and provide more variable dampening. Lastly, for improved overall comfort, a heated and ventilated seat option has been made available. All seat configurations come with either a standard wide lap belt, or optional four-point harness.
For more information about John Deere M-Series Tracked Feller Bunchers, Harvesters, and Shovel Loggers, as well as the full range of forestry equipment and technology solutions, visit https://www.deere.com/en/forestry/.
PATHH Program Demand Exceeds Funding Resources
The need and success of the Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers was demonstrated by over 5,600 applications representing eligibility for $385 million in aid. This figure is nearly double the $200 million appropriated for the program.
As a result, the Farm Service Agency had to implement an assistance formula modification which resulted in reduced financial assistance ranging 10%-57% compared to initial estimates. This adjustment was not an arbitrary decision by the Farm Service Agency but was a necessary action to ensure that all eligible applicants received some level of assistance.
The American Loggers Council anticipated that this might be the case based on multiple economic impact studies conducted by the American Loggers Council and the US Forest Service which indicated that the COVID-19 induced negative economic impact to the timber industry exceeded $1 billion.
Upon this final determination the American Loggers Council traveled to Washington DC and met with key Congressional Appropriations Committee Members and expressed a need for supplemental funding to ensure full assistance is provided to the timber industry as originally intended. This information and message was also conveyed to the White House.
PATHH Update: Letter From Tom Vilsack USDA
EXCERPT FROM LETTER: USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Forest Service worked together to ensure the program’s policies are equitable and will help as many as possible in the timber harvesting and hauling industry who have been affected by COVID-19. Initial payments of up to $2,000 per applicant have been made as applications have been made. Sign-up for the program closed last month and the remaining portion of the $200 million will be distributed among the eligible applicants in the coming weeks.
PATHH Deadline October 15, 2021
This is a reminder that the deadline for timber harvesters and haulers to apply for pandemic assistance through the PATHH program is fast approaching on Oct. 15.
Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers Program (PATHH). PATHH, a part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, will provide up to $200 million in financial relief to timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that experienced losses in 2020 due to COVID-19. Signup for PATHH began late July and continues through Oct. 15, 2021.
Total payment will be up to $125K.
Payment Protection Program funds and sale of equipment are NOT included in the gross revenue to determine eligibility. (Rationale: FSA recognizes that businesses severely impacted by the pandemic had to sell off equipment to stay afloat and it would not be appropriate to penalize them for that since this program is designed to assist those impacted financially by the pandemic).
Application is EASY! FSA is at the ready to assist in person, phone, email, etc.
Sustainable Forestry’s Role in Climate Solutions Hearing
The Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Development will hold a hybrid hearing titled: “Sustainable Forestry’s Role in Climate Solutions.” The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Participating members can also join remotely via Zoom.
As the Federal Government considers options for infrastructure investments and ways to help mitigate and adapt to climate change, the forestry sector offers multiple avenues to address these goals while also promoting small business development in rural and underserved communities. Sustainable forest management can provide economic and social benefits to meet the needs of present and future generations and also play a fundamental role in the natural resource infrastructure of our nation. This hearing will allow members to learn more about the role of sustainable forestry and how small businesses across this sector are helping to address climate change.
To view a livestream of the hearing, please click here.
WITNESSES:
Mr. Dana Doran
Executive Director
Professional Logging Contractors of Maine
Augusta, ME
Dr. Adam Daigneault
Associate Professor of Forest Policy and Economics
University of Maine
Orono, ME
Mr. Mark Thibodeau
Regional Manager
ReEnergy Stratton LLC
Carrabassett Valley, ME
Mr. Scott Dane
Executive Director
American Logger Council
Gilbert, MN
2021 Great Lakes Heavy Equipment and Logging Expo
Steve Anderson took 1st place in 2021 Forwarder Operator Challenge.
After missing last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Great Lakes Logging and Heavy Equipment Expo returned to Escanaba to celebrate a belated 75th anniversary.
Equipment operators got to test their mettle in the Loader Championship, the Komatsu America Corp./Roland Machinery Forwarder Operation Challenge, and even an excavator challenge hosted by Midway Rentals of Escanaba.
The Komatsu America Corp./Roland Forwarder Operator Challenge tests the operators’ skills in simulating normal daily tasks such as loading, unloading, and pulling logs from between trees, all while maneuvering in extremely tight spaces. But it also includes testing special hand-eye coordination skills such as placing a log between closely-spaced cones and vertically stacking log sections on end.
2021 FORWARDER CHALLENGE WINNERS:
1st: Steve Anderson, Steve Anderson Forest Products
2nd: Aaron Yoder, Lost Lake Logging
3rd: Alex Johnson, Cutting Edge Forest Products
4th: Terry Lynch, Sanville Logging
Marcus Steigerwaldt - Komatsu District Manager Forestry, Scott Dane - ALC Director, and Doug Morris - VP, Forest Machine Business Division
John Deere Introduces New H423 and H425 Harvester Heads
MOLINE, IL (September 21, 2021) — This fall, John Deere introduces the new, small-size H423 harvester head and the large-size H425 and H425HD. These new attachments replace the previous H413, H415 and H415HD models. Like its predecessor, these heads have 4WD feed.
The H423 harvester head works on the 1070G, 1170G and 1270G base machines and is ideal for thinnings and other fellings, where the tree diameter at chest height (BHD) is 150-350 mm. With improved hose routing from boom to harvester head, and from valve block to feed motors, this attachment offers improved durability, easy hose replacement and improved hose protection with modifications to the frame. It has an operating range of minimum diameter at chest height (BHD) 40 mm to a maximum 500 mm.
The H425 harvester head for the larger size class is available on the 1270G and 1470G base machines. This attachment is ideal for final fellings and other fellings where the tree diameter at chest height (BHD) is 250-500 mm. Also including improved hose routing from loader to harvester head and from valve block to feed motors, the hoses are routed through the frame and well protected within the structures, improving durability. Additionally, the H425HD harvester head added to the H425 model offers an HD tilt frame, expander pins in the upper end of the tilt cylinder, feed motor arms, and lower delimbing knives.
“The new harvesting heads provide excellent performance, durability, measuring accuracy and economy,” said Sakari Suuriniemi, product marketing manager Wheeled Harvesters and Heads at John Deere Forestry. “So far, we’ve received great customer feedback on the latest updates and can’t wait to see the updated harvester heads in action this season.”
A wide selection of saw motors and saw bars are also available for the H425 and H425HD harvester heads. For more information on the H423, H425 and H425HD models or the full portfolio of John Deere products, visit johndeere.com.