The Rural Voice, 2006-04, Page 550
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Woodlot
Management
The changing
world of lumber
Steve Bowers
is a forester
and forest
owner, a
member of
the Huron -
Perth
Chapter of
the Ontario
Woodlot
Association
and
Stewardship
Co-ordinator with the Huron
Stewardship Council.
In 1968 when 12 -year-old Richard
Keeso started working at the family
sawmill in Listowel, he was the
fourth generation to work at the
business started by his great
grandfather. The many changes he
has seen in the 38 years since then,
current market conditions and
expectations for the future, provided
very interesting content for his recent
presentation at the annual meeting of
the Huron Perth Chapter of the
Ontario Woodlot Association.
One of the most significant
changes he has observed is in
technology. In 1968 their mill used a
circular saw, logs were turned by
hand and the sawyer rode on the
carriage as it moved back and forth
past the saw.
In the current mill at J. H. Keeso
and Sons Ltd. the sawyer sits in a
small control booth and performs all
functions remotely with a computer-
assisted video screen that helps to
optimize the output from the log.
With the double cut band saw
currently used, less than half the
sawdust is produced than with the old
circular mill.
As with many other businesses
such as farming and manufacturing,
Keeso says that increases in
productivity and yield provided by
improved technology are essential as
margins shrink. In recent years a
EXCEPTIONALLY SAFE
EFFICIENT - DURABLE CHIMNEY
C H I MTE KN+
"Help minimize pollution"
SAFETY - $AVE $$$ - burn Tess solid fuel!
Masons - home owners, for into please contact
EBERSOI, MASONRY CHIMNEY SUPPLY
Line 67 # 4922, R.R. #2,
Milverton, ON NOK IMO
Voice Mail 519-595-4919
or Frank at 519-699-4092
WINGHAM
FORESTRY SERVICE
R.R. #1, Wingham
Ontario NOG 2W0
TREE MARKING FOR TIMBER
SALES OR FUEL WOOD
CALL (519) 335-6768
MURRAY HALL -
FORESTRY TECHNICIAN
The Rural Voice
welcomes gour opinions for our
Feedback letters to the editor column.
Mail to: The Rural Voice,
PO Box 429, Blyth, ON
NOM 1H0
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