An economic analysis of landowner propensity for woodlot management and harvesting in northwestern Saskatchewan

Abstract

The recent development of new processing facilities in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan has created a long-term market for timber in the region. Although these processing facilities are currently supplied by crown timber reserves, increasing pressure on public forest resources from multiple users has caused processors to consider private woodlots as a supplemental source of fibre. A survey was undertaken to investigate conditions under which landowners may respond to the emerging demand by managing their timber resources for harvest and sale.Survey results indicate that, although virtually no management or harvesting has occurred in the past, approximately half of those interviewed would consider timber management and harvesting in the future. Logit analysis identified landowner characteristics that were related to landowners' willingness to consider forest management and harvest in the future and the likelihood that they would consider a timber contract. Significant characteristics of landowners in influencing the propensity to manage and harvest their woodlots included: the diversity of farm operations, the length of family tenure of the land, the number of ways respondents use their forest land, and area of forest owned. A preferred timber contract was identified as having: a duration of 1 to 5 years, young growth established at the end of the contract term, and payments for harvesting and management services made through a crop share arrangement. Key words: private forestry, forest economics, timber contracts, landowner characteristics, woodlot management

Exploring the availability of Ontario's non-industrial private forest lands for recreation and forestry activities

“…First, few studies (Salkie et al 1995, Wellstead et al 1999) have formally examined possible activity decisions made by Canadian landowners. It is possible that the decisions made by Canadian landowners might differ from the decisions made by their American and European cousins.…”

Modeling Forest Owner Harvesting Behaviour and Future Intentions in Tasmania

“…Wear and Parks (1994) showed empirically that the characteristics of forest owners had a significant impact on forest management and harvesting decisions. Other studies that also focussed on predicting NIPF owner harvesting intentions on the basis of owner characteristics (Binkley 1981;Jamnick and Beckett 1988;Clements and Jamnick 1989;Wear and Parks 1994;Salkie et al 1995) found that, for instance, being a younger farmer, shorter length of property ownership, and higher education levels increased the probability harvesting. The NIPF owner's attitude and beliefs were also frequently found to affect harvesting behaviour (e.g.…”

“…For this reason, numerous studies have investigated the variables that affect private landowners' timber supply internationally (e.g. Binkley 1981;Gramann et al 1985;Jamnick and Beckett 1988;Salkie et al 1995;Jennings and Matysek 1999). A comprehensive review of econometric studies of NIPF owners was undertaken by Beach et al (2005).…”

“…Binkley 1981;Dennis 1989Dennis , 1990, Canada (e.g. Clements and Jamnick 1989;Salkie et al 1995;Wellstead et al 1999), and Scandinavia (e.g. Kuuluvainen and Salo 1991;Løyland et al 1995;Kuuluvainen et al 1996).…”