UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources Outreach

Logging Cost Analysis and Best Management Practices - Savannah GA

Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center, 5960 GA-17, S. Guyton, GA 31312

Sponsored by: Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources

Date: Sep 10, 2025 08:00 AM to Sep 11, 2025 12:15 AM

About the Event

Day 1 of the course will cover both principles and applications of logging cost analysis techniques from the perspective of wood suppliers, procurement foresters, and independent logging businesses. Course content will focus on methods for evaluating production and cost records within the context of the evolving wood supply chain and current research. Spreadsheet models will be reviewed and provided to participants for hands-on training involving modifications necessary to assess and simulate a range of harvesting systems, techniques, and equipment mix variations. Upon completion, participants should be well-equipped to evaluate logging costs using a range of techniques[MB1] .

Day 2 of the course will provide an overview of recent developments in best management practices in Georgia and focus on the effectiveness and cost of specific best management practices to protect water quality. The course will provide an overview of stream crossing options, alternatives to protect water quality on forest roads, and the effectiveness of streamside management zones.

Completing both days will fulfill loggers’ and foresters’ annual or semi-annual continuing education requirements. Participants can also choose to attend only one day of the course as well.

Location

Mary Kahrs Warnell Forestry Education Center – Savannah

5960 Hwy 17 South

Guyton, GA 31312

Who Should Attend?

Foresters, wood buyers, suppliers, harvest managers, and logging contractors involved in wood procurement, timber sale layout, trucking, and timber harvesting. Forest engineers, forestry equipment representatives, and others who service the timber harvesting industry would benefit from the course content.

Equipment Needs

A laptop computer with Microsoft Excel is optional but recommended for an afternoon exercise. Course files will be transferred from a flash drive that will be provided to all participants. A class notebook (paper) will be provided as well.

Instructors

Dr. Joe Conrad is an Associate Professor of Forest Operations in the Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business at the University of Georgia. He earned a B.S. in forestry from the University of the South and an M.F. and Ph.D. in forest operations from Virginia Tech. Prior to his appointment in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, he was an Assistant Professor of Forestry at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for four years. Joe teaches courses in timber harvesting, forest measurements, timber procurement, and senior project (capstone). He conducts applied research on timber harvesting and wood supply chain efficiency. His recent research has focused on timber transportation safety. Specifically, he is evaluating how new technologies can reduce crashes and increase the productivity of timber harvesting and transportation. Joe actively collaborates with forest industry in his research. He has received awards from the Forest Resources Association and Society of American Foresters for his research. Joe has authored or co-authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications. He is associate editor for the Journal of Forestry and is chair of the Southern Region Council on Forest Engineering. He is an active member of the Society of American Foresters, Council on Forest Engineering, and Georgia Forestry Association.

Dr. Chad Bolding is a Professor and Langdale Endowed Chair in the Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business at the University of Georgia. He has a B.S. and M.S. in forestry from Auburn University, an M.F in silviculture, and a Ph.D. in forest engineering from Oregon State University. Before joining the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources in 2022, he was a Professor of Forest Operations/Engineering at Virginia Tech for 14 years and at Clemson University for 2 years. Chad teaches graduate courses in forest business and conducts research on supply chain management, harvesting system feasibility, transportation and logistics, biomass utilization, and forestry best management practices. His focus is to solve applied, industry relevant, problems that will aid in advancing efficiency, profitability, and environmental sustainability. He has received numerous teaching and mentoring awards, including the 2022 Carl Alwin Schenck Award for Outstanding Teaching in Forestry, which is a national award presented by the Society of American Foresters. He has published 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, completed 36 graduate students, and secured over $25 million in research grants and contracts. He is active in professional organizations such as the Society of American Foresters, the Georgia Forestry Association, and the Council on Forest Engineering. He serves as Associate Editor for both Forest Science and the International Journal of Forest Engineering.

Agenda

September 10, 2025 (8 CFE/CLE credits)

Time	Session
8:00 AM	Welcome and Introductions (Conrad)
8:15	Ch. 1 – Production Estimation (Bolding)
9:30	Break – Refreshments (provided)
9:45	Ch. 2 – Logging and Trucking Production Evaluation (Conrad)
11:00	Ch. 3 – Cost Estimation (Bolding)
12:00 PM	Lunch (provided)
1:00	Ch. 4 – Logging and Trucking Cost Analysis (Conrad)
2:00	Ch. 5 – Logging System Performance (Bolding)
2:45	Break – Refreshments (provided)
3:00	Ch. 6 – Cash Flow Analysis (Conrad)
4:00	Ch. 7 – Logging Systems Evaluation (Bolding)
5:00	Final Thoughts and Adjourn

September 11, 2025 (4 CFE/CLE credits)

Time	Session
8:00 AM	Georgia BMP Implementation Update (Georgia Forestry Commission)
9:00	Ch. 8 – Streamside Management Zones and Stream Crossings (Bolding)
9:45	Break – Refreshments (provided)
10:00	Ch. 9 – Estimating Cost of BMP Implementation and Roads (Conrad)
11:00	Ch. 10 – Protecting Water Quality: Forest Roads and Skid Trails (Bolding)
12:15 PM	Adjourn