Willamette Industries and Canal Chip Corporation are capable of producing 300,000 tons of chips annually. Ozark Wood Products in southwest Missouri has a production capacity of 80-100 tons of chips annually. David Bedan asked if facilities in other states harvest wood in Missouri. Mr. Brookshire responded yes, but it is difficult to track since independent Missouri loggers could also sell logs to mills outside Missouri. The group had a lengthy discussion regarding timber harvesting feasibility vs. shipping costs.
Mills ship their product using various modes to include truck, rail and barge.
Optimum log size and quality were also discussed. A saw log is a log capable of being sawed into boards. The group discussed the rough and rotten category and whether chip mills use rough and rotten wood. In addition to size, grade and quality are important. Discussions ensued concerning the value of these various forest and timber resources for species habitat.