NEBRASKA'S FOREST PRODUCTS BULLETIN

TIMBER TALK

The hardwood industry continues to experience challenges. Labor issues, lack of available transportation, and higher costs for most everything are the primary concerns of industry contacts. But, the world is learning to live with the pandemic, and demand for hardwood products remains good. Too, production is edging up, though not at the same rate as usage for all species. Shortages are still the norm for Soft Maple, Hard Maple, Birch, Basswood, Beech, and Aspen. Prices are responding for these species in reported green and kiln-dried transactions. Markets for Red Oak are varied. Interest from Canadian and US customers is steady and keeping kiln dried Red Oak inventories at manageable levels, and prices generally stable. On the other hand, Chinese buyers are more cautious with purchases. There are decent volumes moving to this country, but sales are price sensitive. Demand for White Oak is holding up well, with interest in the upper grades best. Sales of FAS are keeping on hand supplies thin, although reports indicate adequate volumes of #1C and #2A are available. Industrial markets remain good. Wooden pallet manufacturers are busy and using consistent quantities of cants and pallet lumber. There is a closer balance between supplies and buyers’ needs for raw materials now than this time last year. The railroad industry is in need of additional ties, as inventories have declined for several consecutive months.

Weather conditions have been less than ideal for harvesting timber in many parts of the South. Freeze and thaw cycles, as well as intermittent rain events, have slowed logging. Several sawmill operators report low hardwood log decks. In addition, a number of hardwood mills continue to process Pine rather than hardwoods. Current production is readily being absorbed by concentration yards and secondary manufacturers. Available for sale kiln dried inventories have declined, but some companies state that loads already sold but waiting on trucks or containers have increased. Contacts indicate kiln-dried demand, in general, is better now than at the end of 2021. However, prices for some items remain under pressure.

With few exceptions, contacts at companies that produce lumber, intermediary products, and finished goods are pleased with current business conditions. Many are forecasting increased business in 2022 over and above robust 2021 sales. However, company owners and operators are quite concerned about several issues that are disrupting business activity. Labor shortages, which had eased for a time, have reemerged as a major problem because many employees have COVID or are quarantining at home due to COVID exposure. What is more, companies of all kinds are struggling to get products shipped, particularly export loads. For example, some sales organizations report having almost twice as much lumber in warehouses as a year ago that is sold and waiting on trucks and containers. Having large backlogs of products that are sold but not shipped disrupts warehouse operation efficiencies and restricts cash flow.

Log Matchmaking Program Launch

Heather Kingery – Forest Products Specialist – Nebraska Forest Service

Research conducted by the Children and Nature Network, the North American Association for Environmental Education, and the National Wildlife Federation, shows a very positive relationship between environment-based education and student performance in school; however, the benefits for students learning outdoors go beyond just academics. Research has found that being exposed to the outdoors during instruction benefits students’ mental health, brain development, physical health, and more.

Outdoor classrooms create physical spaces in schools, non-profits, and community organizations where outdoor learning opportunities can become a reality. To help promote outdoor learning and connections with our local tree and forest industry, the Nebraska Forest Service has created the Log Matchmaking Program to assist in supplying materials to schools and organizations throughout the cornhusker state. This program will help give Nebraskans the tools and resources needed to create dedicated outdoor learning spaces to enrich the lives of school students and learners of all ages.

Through our Conservation Education and Forest Products programs, the Nebraska Forest Service will connect schools, non-profit organizations, and community groups who request outdoor classroom materials with Nebraska wood providers. These organizations will be able to request specific items to implement, expand, and enrich their outdoor learning spaces, while forest industry suppliers will partner with NFS to make a positive impact in their local communities. This initiative aims to connect more people with the outdoors while working with the tree and forest industry to secure these unusual items and ultimately increase the amount of wood being put to good use throughout the state.

We hope you will join us in creating positive and enriching environmental learning opportunities for Nebraskans, especially our state’s youth. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!

Save the Date! – “Managing Carbon Through Healthy Forests in the Southern Great Plains”

When: June 21-23, 2022

Where: Wichita, KS

The forests and woodlands of the Southern Great Plains hold great promise for carbon storage in the face of climate change challenges for the region. This workshop will explore science and management recommendations that leverage forestry resources for energy while promoting economic resilience by

creating new and expanded markets. Speakers will include experts from USDA-Forest Service, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, State Forestry, and more.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Upcoming NFS Cedar Management and Utilization Workshop Series

Where: Niobrara State Park at Eagle View Lodge – Located at 89261 522 Ave, Niobrara, NE 68760

When: Wednesday, May 18th, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Topics: This workshop will include a combination of indoor and outdoor presentations and demonstrations. We will discuss the financial tools and programs available to aid in cedar management and demonstrate opportunities to utilize the wood residues that remain after the management is complete.

Cedar Management/Utilization Field Day

Where: Cedar Canyon State Forest - Located in Lincoln County, Nebraska.

· From North Platte – From Highway 83 south of North Platte, drive east on East State Farm Road 13.5 miles. Continue to the south onto South Box Elder Canyon Road (cross over the Tri-County Canal) for 1.5 miles. The access road will be on the west side of the road. Signs will be posted.

· From the Maxwell Exit on I-80 (Exit 190) - Go south on NE-56A Spur for 1.4 miles. Turn right (west) onto State Farm Road and continue west 2.7 miles. Turn south onto South Box Elder Canyon Road (cross over the Tri-County Canal) for 1.5 miles. The access road will be on the west side of the road. Signs will be posted.

When: Wednesday, May 25th, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Topics: The event will operate as an open house. Continuous demonstrations of cedar management models, land management equipment, and wood utilization options will run throughout the day so attendees can visit site as their schedules allow.

More information about these events will be provided in a Special Timber Talk Edition in the near future.

Timber Sales