NEBRASKA'S FOREST PRODUCTS BULLETIN

TIMBER TALK

The past several weeks have been typically fall-like in terms of cooler and wetter weather conditions. Seventy-five percent of this week’s sawmill survey respondents state that log inventories are declining, production has been flat or is lower. However, some areas of the region already had wet snowfalls on unfrozen ground, making logging conditions all the more challenging. It will be some time before cold temperatures set in and improve ground conditions enough for winter logging activity. Concentration yards and secondary manufacturers are purchasing developing supplies of most species, grades, and thicknesses. There is an emphasis on purchasing Hard Maple. Demand for this species has been buoyed by rapidly improving housing construction. Hardwood finished goods business has increased significantly, with many secondary manufacturers unable to keep pace with demand. Contacts in the cabinet industry say finished goods are backordered by as much as six weeks. Moulding and millwork producers are operating at the highest rates possible as labor circumstances allow. Solid wood flooring companies are busy, too; residential flooring shipments have jumped in the past five months. Kiln dried lumber sales are strong to these market sectors, as well as to distribution yards. Orders and shipments are keeping kiln dried inventories especially low for Hard Maple, Red Oak, and White Oak. International markets are picking up to a degree, though some European countries are dealing with another wave of COVID-19 shutdowns, which is impacting demand.

May 2020 was the lowest recorded level of estimated Eastern US hardwood sawmill production since HMR began tracking production data. June and July posted monthly gains, but very small gains. Year to date sawmill production is 17.1% below the same period in 2019. Lower output and slightly better domestic demand have eased price pressures and could cause shortages of certain kiln dried items later this year, most notably #1C&Btr Red Oak and FAS White Oak. There are other issues that could keep mill output down. Finding and keeping qualified laborers is an ongoing problem. Financial constrains stemming from reduced business in China and broader competitive market pressures could hold back a rebound in production, as well. However, there are no indications of severe or chronic supply shortages of any particular item to this point.

The annualized rate of Eastern US hardwood sawmill production in October climbed past the five billion board foot mark for the first time since April. Still, the daily rate of production was up only 1.7% from September. Production typically dips amid holidays and hunting seasons, which are fast approaching. However, with most grade and many industrial items selling quickly and at higher prices, some expect mills to buck the usual trend the last two months of the year – to the extent that is possible. To do so, mills must have logs. And, while log decks are increasing in some areas, it appears overall supplies are not high enough to support significantly more production. Furthermore, holiday and hunting seasons also cut into logging productivity. Reports from sales contacts are quite favorable. Domestic markets are busier, as are China and Vietnam. Reportedly, the rebound in Chinese demand is influenced by concerns about lumber availability and pricing for the remainder of 2020 into Q1 2021. New coronavirus containment measures in Germany, France, and elsewhere in Europe have not significantly impacted exports to the region, yet.
 

(Source: Condensed from Hardwood Market Report, November 6, 2020. For more information or to subscribe to Hardwood Market Report, call (901) 767-9216, email: hmr@hmr.com, website: www.hmr.com)

FOREST NEWS

Destined for the mulch pile, lumber from Boys Town trees available for higher use

In the Spring of 2017, Daniel Zavadil, then a sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, noticed a pile of trees off of the intersection of 144th Street and Dodge Street in Omaha as contractors were grading the former Boys Town “West Farms” property and laying infrastructure for the future developments.

After receiving permission from the developer to retrieve the trees, if he could find a way to haul them from the site, Daniel marked the logs (mostly pin oak and a few maple and elms) which were set aside for his use. Trade Well Pallet in Gretna was hired to haul and mill the large trees. “The trees were 70-80 years old according to a Boys Town Historian,” said Daniel.

Daniel took on the effort of moving and milling the logs with the intent of it being available for those who might have an attachment to Boys Town. “I think this wood might have some sentiment to some people,” he said in a June 5, 2018 Omaha World Herald article.

The 8 logs that were salvaged yielded approximately 3,000 board feet of rough lumber, which has been stacked and stickered air drying in a barn near David City.

After 3 years in storage, Daniel is making this lumber available for sale. The inventory is composed of a mixture of different rough sawn dimensions including 10-15 different live edge slabs, a few beams, but a majority was milled at 1.25” thickness. Length of the lumber ranges from 8’ - 15’. A spreadsheet listing the actual inventory is available upon request.

For information about the lumber and pricing, contact Daniel Zavadil at (402) 659-9362 or via email at zavadil.daniel@gmail.com.

EAB Confirmed In Hall County; Quarantine Information Updated

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Nebraska Forest Service (NFS), confirmed the first discovery of emerald ash borer (EAB) in Hall County. EAB, an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees and was first found in Nebraska 2016. “Due to the confirmations of EAB in several new counties in Nebraska in 2020, covering a wide geographic area, NDA has determined that regulatory enforcement of a state quarantine is no longer warranted, and will rescind the Nebraska EAB quarantine effective immediately,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “NDA will continue to work with USDA on biocontrol releases targeting EAB as a long-term mitigation strategy, and continue to promote responsible disposable of ash materials and the “Don’t Move Firewood” campaign.”

For the full press release, please visit https://nda.nebraska.gov/press/october2020/EABFoundHallCounty.pdf

Wood Innovation Grants Available

 
“Healthy and productive markets for wood products and wood energy are integral to supporting sustainable management and improving conditions of our nation’s forested lands,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “We can enhance the health and resilience of public and private forests while fostering innovation and strengthening economic opportunities around wood products.”
 
For more information about the program, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/naspf/wood-innovations-home/2021-community-wood-energy-and-wood-innovation-grant-program-request-proposals
 
If you have an idea for a Nebraska-focused project and would like assistance in assembling a proposal please contact Heather Nobert (hnobert2@unl.edu) at the Nebraska Forest Service.

Advanced Lumber Drying Virtual Seminar

Announcement: National Biochar Week - December 7-11, 2020

TRADING POST

The Trading Post is provided as a free marketing service for forestry industry. Only forestry-related advertisements will be accepted. Please submit written ads to the Timber Talk editor at least 15 days before scheduled Timber Talk publication dates. Ads may be edited to meet space constraints.

For Sale

Post Peeler. Morbark PS8 Post Peeler. Comes with 2 engines, 1 diesel and 1 electric. 8ft in-feed table with short return system. 33 ft of dead rolls with markers for trimming with hydraulic bar saw. Markers for 6½, 7, 8 and 10ft posts. Several bunks and banding equipment included. 24ft triple axle trailer for hauling also included. In excellent condition. Video available. Call John Hahn. 308-430-0630(c); 308-638-7531(h) Hay Springs, Nebraska.

Mulch. City of Nebraska City has approx. 60 semi loads of single grind mulch $200/ semi load or $50/dump truck load. Shipping not included. Arrangements will be made to load. Contact: Marty Stovall 402-873-5515 or email mstovall@nebraskacity.com

Sawmill. Mighty Mite bandsaw. 20 HP electric motor, tandem axles w/ brakes on one axle, 36” x 24’ log capacity, (have cut 46” beams) hydraulic operation includes winch, knees, taper, near arm, dogging arms, far arm, dogging spike, log loading arms, and electric clutch and blade lift. Includes automatic blade sharpener, setting machine, 12 used blades and 4 new blades. Excellent condition. Never been used commercially. $17,500. Contact: Gary Fisher, Crawford, NE. Phone: 308-665-1580; email: fisher@bbcwb.net.

Walnut Lumber. All dimensions. $3.00 per board foot. Falls City, NE. Contact: Bruce Walker at 402-245-2031

Services and Miscellaneous

Portable Sawmilling Service. Offering portable sawmilling service, turning your logs into valuable lumber. Contact : Doug Patton, D&S Sawmill Services, Palmyra, NE. Phone : (402)-269-4866 or Email : dssawmillservices@gmail.com

Woodshop Services. Millwork made from your lumber on my planer/molder. Chris Marlowe, Butte, NE 402-775-5000. Marlowepasture@nntc.net.

Sawmill Service and Supplies. Saw hammering and welding. Precision knife and saw grinding. Contact: Tim Schram, Schram Saw and Machine, PO Box 718, 204 E. 3rd St., Ponca, NE 68770, 402-755-4294.

Used Portable Sawmills. North America’s largest source of used portable sawmills and equipment. Contact: Sawmill Exchange, 800-459-2148, website: www.sawmillexchange.com.

Wanted

Wood Residue. Slab wood, cutoffs, sawdust, mulch, bales, etc. Lincoln, NE. Call Scott Hofeling at 402-432-0806 or email scott@hofelingenterprises.com.

Logs and Slabwood. Cottonwood, cedar and pine. 4-26” diameter and 90-100” lengths. Below saw grade logs acceptable. Contact: American Wood Fibers, Clarks, NE at 800-662- 5459; or email: Pat Krish at pkrish@AWF.com

Cottonwood Logs. Veneer-quality cottonwood logs, 16-36” diameter, 7’ and longer. Pick up service available. Contact: Barcel Mill & Lumber, Bellwood, NE 68624. Ask for Barton or Megan. Phone: 800-201-4780; email: bj@barcelmill.com.