It fits right in with our farm equipment dealer network. Sounds like it has finally arrived as a money maker. Big numbers if true. Well, if you owned the forest, you'd have several options. Or you could do the whole process yourself and make the big bucks.
Value depends on the condition, age, and yield of the stand.
Looks like the guy baling the straw has the better deal. At about 6 years old you do a controlled burn. Year 7 you apply herbicide as needed. This, I think, is pretty much a recommended process for the tree grower anyway. Then the straw has to be cleaned of limbs and pine cones and raked into small windrows, like hay.