eFarmer.us Willow Production, Market and Return December 2008 copyright eStudy.us 2008

eFarmer.us Overview of Willow (salix) – A versatile woody, ornamental Well –known for flexible and vigorous growth (hundreds of varieties) Popular in basket and furniture making Can be used for trellises, fencing, floral arrangements, bio- energy and landscaping copyright eStudy.us 2008

eFarmer.us Market Opportunities Sold as dried rods for basketry, furniture, etc Sold as live cuttings for plantings Marketing possibilities: – Internet – Direct Sales to craftsmen – Craft fairs – Farmers’ markets – Nurseries copyright eStudy.us 2008

eFarmer.us Market Outlook Kentucky’s one commercial willow farm unable to meet increasing demand for domestically grown willow. (retired in April) Currently there are very few basketry willow growers in the U.S. – Much of the willow used for this is imported (mainly from British Isles) copyright eStudy.us 2008

eFarmer.us Production Characteristics Willows thrive in deep, rich soil where there is plenty of water It is, however, a hardy plant – Willow will tolerate poorer soils and windy sites – A high water table is not absolutely necessary

eFarmer.us Production Characteristics Soil preparation – The usual practice is to spray the site in late summer with a broad-spectrum contact herbicide, plow to 12 inches deep and power harrow in the spring

eFarmer.us Production Characteristics Planting material consists of fresh inch cuttings (taken from 1 year old willow shoots during dormancy) Cuttings are planted while still dormant (November through March) by inserting them directly into the soil by hand until 80-90% of the stem is buried. Planting distances vary depending on the willow variety and use (A common spacing is around 30cmX50cm for fine basketry willows)

eFarmer.us Production Characteristics Establishment and Maintenance – Once established, willows are low maintenance (may produce for 20+ yrs) – Full sun and the lack of competition are important for newly planted willows After the first year, willows are cut back to the ground during dormancy to promote multiple stem growth After the first year, plants are cut annually or according to preferred cutting cycle

eFarmer.us Production Considerations Pest Management – Deer can become a major problem, possibly requiring the installation of an electric fence – Rabbits can also be a problem when they girdle around the base of plants – Insect problems can include aphids and Japanese beetles

eFarmer.us Production Considerations Weed Management – It is very important to keep beds weed-free from planting to establishment – Methods include: Cultivation Hand weeding Herbicides Mulches (Black polyurethane not recommended

eFarmer.us Production Considerations Weed Management (cont’d) Once established, willows are better able to compete and will generally outgrow the weeds in the beds themselves. Areas between the beds can be mowed.

eFarmer.us Harvest and Processing Most basketry and floral willows are cut annually when plants are dormant, beginning in late fall and ending at bud break in the spring This is also the time that cuttings are taken to expand the operation and/or sell to other growers

eFarmer.us Harvest and Processing Harvested stems (rods) are first sorted by length and variety. Rods are then allowed to dry naturally or are processed Processing can involve steaming or boiling, followed by peeling and drying. Rods are stored under dry conditions until sold.

eFarmer.us Labor Requirements Estimated per acre : 15 to 35 hours for planting 10 hours for production 50 hours for harvesting 150 hours for sorting, handling and marketing. Installation of a fence the first year, would require additional labor copyright eStudy.us 2008

eFarmer.us Product Cost Site preparation is a key economic consideration for perennial crops like willow Upgrading soil quality, preparing planting beds and controlling weeds can be costly Potential producers should experiment with willow production to refine production costs and marketing strategies

eFarmer.us Product Cost Producers with a potential deer feeding problem should be prepared to invest in fencing for deer control. Depending on the type of fence, this cold be the most costly part of production. If permanent fencing is desired, costs could easily exceed $5,000 per acre (lower cost electric fence options could decrease this cost) copyright eStudy.us 2008

eFarmer.us Product Cost Variable Costs Site prep herbicide Hired Labor Willow plantings Weed control: -Mulch -Or herbicides Machinery costs Marketing costs Fixed Costs Fencing Farm Machinery

eFarmer.us Returns An acre of well-managed willow could produce 4 to 5 tons of marketable rods 2004 prices for willow rods for basketry are $5.50 per pound. If markets are accessible, this could provide significant returns to land, labor and management

eFarmer.us Risk Willow is a thinly traded commodity Returns to land, labor and management could vary from $4,000 to $40,000 per acre – Depending on acreage, production method, type of willow and market Cost of fencing (if necessary) copyright eStudy.us 2008

eFarmer.us Basic Summary Currently very few U.S. Producers of willow KY’s one local producer unable to meet market demand Costs are due mainly to site preparation and fencing (if required) One acre could produce 4 to 5 tons of willow rods Market price (2004) is $5.50/lb. copyright eStudy.us 2008

eFarmer.us Appendices /willowintro.pdf html s - American Willow Growers Network (AWGN) basketrywillows.com copyright eStudy.us 2008