Green Horizons Newsletter - AgEBB

Green Horizons

Volume 9, Number 3
Summer 2005

Brookshire named as new Director of Missouri Forest Products Assn.

One of Missouri’s most recognized and well-respected statewide associations has a new CEO, effective June 1, 2005.

Brian Brookshire, 40, was named the new CEO & Executive Director of the Missouri Forest Products Association at an April 21 Board of Directors meeting held in Rolla. Brookshire has worked with Missouri’s forest industry for the past five years as a member of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Brookshire began his career with MDC in 1990 and has held several positions: Assistant Resource Forester, Forest Products Marketing Specialist, Wood Products Specialist, Silviculturist and most recently as Forestry Staff Supervisor.

"I have always admired the work ethic and skill demonstrated by those in Missouri’s wood products industry," Brookshire said. "The continuing increase and reach of MFPA’s services has already made an impact to individuals and companies alike across the state."

Recent expansion of MFPA’s services has given the organization a much larger regional and national presence. The Association is one of only 13 agencies in the U.S. that offers heat treating services for lumber being shipped overseas. The service is currently available to nine states. Other significant MFPA services include the Professional Timber Harvester program, the state’s first Online Timber Sale program, Missouri’s annual Best Live Christmas Tree contest and the introduction of the Provider Pals program, which will be honored by First Lady Laura Bush at a June 8 dinner in Washington, D.C. MFPA will also host the National Game of Logging Finals at their Midwest Forest Industry Show in St. Louis on Sept. 23 & 24.

The Bid Box... and Related Wood Product Information

Recent reports from the field and comparing reported price trends from a year ago suggest stumpage prices around the state have cooled off; particularly for lumber-grade red oak.

Incoming bids have been low enough that some landowners are rejecting all bids and waiting for higher prices to return. Unless you are losing trees to disease or insects, that is a good strategy. Your forester can help you feel the timber market pulse and advise you when to advertise your sale. Remember when soliciting competitive bids, make sure you clearly advertise that you retain the right to reject any and all bids. This will enable you to leverage the market and obtain the highest price for your trees.

MFPA’s substantial impact across the state is perfect for native Missourian Brookshire, who grew up in Rolla and received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Forestry from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is also married to wife Laura and has four children.

The Missouri Forest Products Association’s mission is to encourage the wise use and conservation of our nation’s natural resources. The industry’s complex business concerns also include safety and environmental issues. MFPA promotes the business of all forest-related industries and encourages closer working relationships among forest product firms, forest owners, producers, and harvesters. This networking helps improve procurement, processing, research, and marketing of forest products.

Learn more about MFPA at www.moforest.org.

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