PoPlar ChiP ProduCtion for Willamette Valley Grass seed sites

This publication is part of a 1-year project funded by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Alternatives to Field Burning Program. Crop substitution is one strategy for reducing smoke from field burning. The objective of the project was to evaluate the potential for hybrid poplar as an alternative crop for poorly drained agricultural soils in the Willamette Valley. The evaluation focused on the potential yield of poplar on agricultural soils commonly used for annual ryegrass production, and on an economic analysis of poplar grown for pulp chips in the valley. The pulp chip market was seen as the most immediate and viable market outlet for poplar wood, although it is not the only possibility.