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The Rural Voice, 2003-03, Page 35and offered money to buy a couple of them, says Steve Bowers, co- ordinator of the Huron Stewardship Council and advisor to the Huron - Perth Woodlot Association. A farmer's not apt to sell his cattle to the first bidder but is more likely to seek other prices or to take the cattle to an auction to try to get the highest price possible. "The bottom line is the landowner needs to look after his own interests," says Bowers. Taking part in an association allows woodlot owners to learn from the experience of others, all those interviewed agree. Though he has been working in woodlots most of his life. Horning says, tours of other people's woodlots have shown him things he never knew. For Horning sharing information on the latest diseases and newly - discovered pests like the ash beetle which has invaded the Essex County area, is another valuable part of belonging to a woodlot association. Also through meeting with others, the reputation, good or bad, of logging companies is shared. If someone has had an unhappy experience with a logger, the word will spread. But on the other hand, says Roland, loggers also know that if they keep woodlot owners happy, they'll not only get called back again but they'll have that reputation spread. Because of that, more and more loggers are wanting to co- operate, he says. Those attending association meetings can also often get a chance to meet with local woodlot consultants in an informal setting and learn if they're someone they'd be comfortable hiring. For some reason, Roland says, there's a hesitancy that he can't understand on the part of woodlot owners to hire consultants. Many people in agriculture use consultants for everything from crops to nutrition for their livestock but when it comes to woodlot consultants they resist the idea of paying someone to advise them on forestry management, Roland says. He himself uses two or three consultants to give him a diversity of advice to choose from — and not just for marking trees. "You don't have to call in someone just when you're selling a hush," he says. Walking through your woodlot \ \t4 L. 7 Z Marvin L. Smith B.Sc.F. (Forestry), R.P.F. Farm Woodland Specialist 570 Riverview Dr. Listowel, Ontario N4W 3T7 Telephone: (519) 291-2236 Providing advice and assistance with: • impartial advice/assistance in selling timber. including selection of trees and marking • reforestation of erodible or idle land • follow-up tending of young plantations • windbreak planning and establishment • woodlot management planning • diagnosis of insect and disease problems • conducting educational programs in woodlot management • any other woodland or tree concerns 2003 GREY -BRUCE WOODLOT alb CONFERENCE "Woodlot Diversification" Elmwood Community Centre Saturday, March 22, 2003 9:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. • View Displays (9:00 a.m. ) • Participate in Conference (9:30-3:30) • Agroforestry - integrating trees onto agricultural land in useful ways • Growing Trees From Seed • Trail Development • Harvesting - minimizing damage • Mushrooms & your woodlot Pre -registration Cost - $20.00 per person, payable to Grey -Bruce Woodlot Conference (includes hot meal) Registration at the door $25.00 (includes hot meal) Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. A field trip to explore how a woodlot is managed and see a trail sv stem. Cost is $10.00. Admission is free for those who attend the Saturday Conference or are a member of the Bruce County Woodlot Association or Grey County Woodlot Association. Pre -registration is necessary For More Information or to register contact: Saugeen Valley Conservation 519-364-1255 ext. 33 or jpforest@bmts.com Those who wish to set up an agroforestry display, please contact Jim Penner 519-364-1255 ext. 33 or jpforest@bmts.com The 2003 Grey -Bruce Woodlot Conference & Exhibition is hosted by; ,.•ems,,. ,, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority LS) Bruce County Woodlot Association OMAFRA 0 ONT/W O /. 11,WieW MARCH 2003 31 a