TreeLines
February 2021
Announcing our new MCP® 2.0!
Article by Michael Cunningham, PhD
We often get the question, “why do you classify your MCP products, aren’t all MCP the same?” The answer is no! Just because we cross two trees to make MCP does not mean they will perform equally or in some cases even better than our best Open Pollinated (OP). A cross between two lower-performing parents will give a lower-performing MCP family. And remember, not all MCP and CMP are the same.
ArborGen created product categories that define the production of our MCP. ArborGen MCP product categories are based on the volume gain (in percent) above the average of our OP Elite. MCP Advanced has 5 to 10 percent more volume gain than average OP Elite. MCP Select has 10 to 20 percent more volume gain than OP Elite. MCP Elite has 20 to 30 percent more volume gain than OP Elite. In addition to improved volume, all crosses must meet a minimum letter grade of C or better for Rust Resistance, Straightness, and Forking.
All traits must be at least average or above average (no D or E scores). This table summarizes the volume gains for each provenance and MCP category currently for sale at ArborGen.
Volume gains are percent improvement over the unimproved Provenance checklot
For the 2021/2022 crop year, ArborGen is introducing a new MCP category for our South Coastal provenance – MCP 2.0. These MCP crosses have volume gains of 90 and 95% greater than the unimproved control seedlots and 30 to 40 percent more volume than the OP Elite average. There are 9 new families with rust scores of A+, A, or B; Straightness scores of A+ or A, and forking scores of A or C.
This new category of MCP is the result of:
- our internal product development program where we combine conventional tree breeding techniques with proprietary germplasm, propagation techniques, and genomics to develop new higher-yielding genetics
- our MCP testing program – every MCP family under development is tested to ensure that the predicted performance for growth, Rust Resistance, and stem form is realized across various geographies,
- and our accelerated seed orchard management and MCP production approaches bring new and better genetics into production quicker.
MCP 2.0 provides extra tons per acre at first thin and final harvest along with improvements in yields of the highest value sawtimber and pole product classes. The improvements in yield translate into higher first thinning and final harvest revenues.
Lower Coastal Plain site index 65 at 605 trees per acre
Available quantities of MCP 2.0 will start out small but will grow at the same rate as the seed orchards where these new elite selections continue to grow and become more productive.
Michael Cunningham, Ph.D
Vice President, Global Product Development
Mike joined ArborGen in 2007. He is responsible for the development of advanced genetic tree products for North and South America including pine, eucalyptus, and hardwood species. He has more than 30 years of experience in the areas of forest regeneration and forest genetics. Prior to joining ArborGen, Mike worked as a forest genetics researcher and leader of forest regeneration for pulp and paper companies Union Camp Corporation and International Paper.
Mike has a B.S. in forestry from Oklahoma State University as well as an M.S. in forest genetics from Texas A&M University. He earned his Ph.D. in forest genetics at North Carolina State University.
Customer Success Story: G. Clay Creed
Mr. Clay Creed of Shoeheel Land Management in North Carolina shares his experience with ArborGen. Watch video on the right.
Own or Manage Forest Land?
Participate in the 2020 Costs and Trends of Southern Forestry Practices Survey
Sponsored by Auburn University and Forest Landowners Foundation, this questionnaire will be used as a way to better understand the cost of current forestry practices as well as for a long-term study about how costs and management practices have changed over time and what influenced those changes.
Accessing The Questionnaire:
To fill out the questionnaire reporting the costs of forestry practices in your area, please click the button below.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions, please contact Adam Maggard, Ph. D., Alabama Cooperative Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor, School of Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, by email: adam0074@auburn.edu or by phone: 334.844.2401
Get in touch with a Reforestation Advisor to explore your options!
Austin Heine
North Carolina and Virginia
910-660-3209
Greg Hay
Arkansas, Northern Louisiana, and Oklahoma
501-350-4217
Shannon Stewart
Eastern Texas, Southern Louisiana
936-239-6189
Paul Jeffreys, Ph.D.
Alabama & Mississippi
Manager Special Projects & Sustainability
205-712-9582
Drew Fasano
Reforestation Advisor
South Carolina
843-520-6865
Blake Sherry
Reforestation Advisor
Georgia and Florida
912-433-5407
Kylie Burdette
U.S. Sales Manager
864-650-4454
Jason Watson
Director, U.S. Sales
404-840-7489
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