NEBRASKA'S FOREST PRODUCTS BULLETIN

TIMBER TALK


LUMBER MARKET REPORTS
 
Northern
Despite a pandemic and the transition to a new administration, the US economy and housing market are performing well. The most recent report on US GDP shows Q4 2020 GDP increased 4.0% over Q3 2020, and Q3 GDP jumped 33.4% over the previous quarter. Housing starts continue to rise, and data on sales point out sharp gains, with new and existing inventories at extremely low levels. All of these factors bode well for hardwood products manufacturers and their suppliers. In fact, all secondary manufacturers surveyed state demand for finished goods is either steady or good. Each also acknowledges that lumber inventories are either low or adequate. And, there are no reports of excessive finished goods supplies. Hardwood producers have not been able to ramp up mill output in a meaningful way, though better logging conditions are increasing log decks. Labor and cash issues are credited with restricting sawmill production most. But, some areas are contending with paper plant closures that are affecting hardwood log availability. Too, there are hardwood mills processing softwoods rather than hardwoods, due to a better return on investment.

Southern
The hardwood industry has experienced a much needed increase in lumber prices. Historically low production fostered some of the gains, while domestic and international demand increases have added to price inflation, also. However, secondary manufacturers are struggling to pass through rapidly rising raw material costs. While progress has been made, solid wood flooring, cabinet, molding/millwork, and furniture manufacturers state margins are thin. Yet, the supply pipeline cannot rebuild without incentives for sawmill operators to make a reasonable return on investment. Advancing lumber prices are enticing additional mill output. Preliminary data show solid production gains in January.

Appalachian
Preliminary HMR estimates show a solid upturn in Eastern US hardwood sawmill production in January. That said, production is still low relative to historic averages. While markets are welcoming the additional lumber, most remain undersupplied. Secondary wood products manufacturers are attempting to increase finished goods output, but many are struggling to find enough employees and lumber to do so. Likewise, drying operations would like to significantly boost lumber receipts to capitalize on favorable market conditions and surging kiln-dried lumber prices, but that has proven to be challenging. Log decks in this and other regions are larger, overall, than a month ago. As such, buyers expect further growth in lumber availability in the months ahead. However, few expect supply to catch up with demand until the third quarter of this year, at the earliest.

(Source: Condensed from Hardwood Market Report, February 5, 2021. For more information or to subscribe to Hardwood Market Report, call (901) 767-9216, email: hmr@hmr.com, website: www.hmr.com)
 
Hardwood Lumber Prices - Green
 
Species FAS #1C #2A
2/21 11/20 8/20 6/20 2/21 11/20 8/20 6/20 2/21 11/20 8/20 6/20
Ash 930 830 775 775 540 495 460 475 305 295 290 320
Basswood 830 740 755 780 425 400 410 420 205 195 205 275
Cottonwood 780 780 780 780 575 575 575 575 260 260 260 260
Cherry 1120 900 925 980 615 485 480 500 360 290 290 290
Elm 670 670 670 670 420 420 420 420 290 290 290 290
Hackberry 530 530 530 530 480 480 480 480 295 295 295 295
Hickory 875 795 755 785 615 530 500 515 430 430 400 415
Soft Maple 1365 1245 1245 1305 890 805 790 830 470 450 450 470
Red Oak 1090 915 855 855 705 605 555 555 495 425 415 445
White Oak 2045 1815 1725 1725 935 820 810 875 545 480 480 510
Walnut 3025 2470 2265 2240 1715 1325 1175 1175 850 590 465 465
Note: Lumber prices quoted in $/MBF, average market prices FOB mill, truckload and greater quantities, 4/4, rough, green, random widths and lengths graded in accordance with NHLA rules. Prices for ash, basswood, northern soft grey elm, unselected soft maple, red oak and white oak from Northern Hardwoods list. Prices for cottonwood and hackberry from Southern Hardwoods list. Prices for cherry, hickory and walnut (steam treated) from Appalachian Hardwoods list. (Source: Hardwood Market Report (HMR), above prices are from the first issue of the identifed month. To subscribe to HMR, call 901-767-9126; email hmr@hmr.com; or go to www.hmr.com.)
Hardwood Lumber Prices - Kiln Dried 
 
Species FAS #1C #2A
2/21 11/20 8/20 6/20 2/21 11/20 8/20 6/20 2/21 11/20 8/20 6/20
Ash 1350 1260 1200 1225 870 765 715 765 580 565 575 595
Basswood 1250 1100 1165 1200 735 725 710 720 465 465 465 475
Cottonwood 1025 1025 1025 1025 760 760 760 760 ---- ---- ---- ----
Cherry 1860 1500 1550 1495 1130 950 985 970 650 545 620 575
Elm ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Hackberry ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Hickory 1525 1450 1400 1425 1160 1050 1035 1000 985 885 900 860
Soft Maple 1990 1810 1810 1810 1210 1145 1145 1165 780 765 765 790
Red Oak 1655 1385 1275 1250 1230 1070 995 995 875 775 775 790
White Oak 3110 2655 2445 2375 1515 1290 1290 1330 1035 960 945 995
Walnut 4385 3800 3650 3650 2610 2180 2030 2050 1545 1170 1080 1130
Note: Kiln dried prices in $/MBF, FOB mill, is an estimate of predominant prices for 4/4 lumber measured after kiln drying. Prices for cottonwood and hackberry from Southern Hardwoods list. Prices for ash, basswood, northern soft grey elm, unselected soft maple, red oak, and white oak from Northern Hardwood list. Prices for cherry, hickory and walnut (steam treated) from Appalachian Hardwoods list. (Source: Hardwood Market Report (HMR), above prices are from the first issue of the identified month. To subscribe to HMR, call 901-767-9126; email hmr@hmr.com; or go to www.hmr.com.)

FOREST NEWS
The Nebraska Forest Service partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Northeast-Midwest State Foresters Alliance to complete an analysis of the economic impacts and contributions of Nebraska’s forest industry (including wood products manufacturing, loggers, contractors and other entities) to the state of Nebraska. Information included in the report is based on 2017 IMPLAN economic indicator data.

Highlights of direct contributions from the industry:
  • 5,800 jobs provided
  • $283.2 million in labor income
  • $1.534 billion in economic output.
ACCESS THE FULL REPORT

 Emerald Ash Borer Quarantines Rescinded by State and Federal Departments of Agriculture
Effective January 14, 2021, both the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have discontinued  quarantine programs and removed regulations used to slow the spread of emerald ash borer (EAB). The NDA rescinded their quarantine on October 29, 2020 and released the following statement via their Facebook page.

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. NDA will continue to work with USDA on biocontrol releases targeting EAB as a long-term mitigation strategy, and continue to promote responsible disposal of ash material and the “Don’t Move Firewood” campaign.

The Nebraska EAB Working Group, which includes NDA, USDA, Nebraska Game and Parks, and the Nebraska Forest Service, offers the following suggestions to help prevent the human-assisted spread of EAB:
  • Since EAB can easily be moved in firewood, always use locally-sourced firewood and burn it in the same county where you purchased it.
  • Consider treating healthy, high-value ash tree located within a 15-mile radius of a known infestation.Treatment will need to be continually reapplied and will only prolong the tree’s life, not save it.Trees that are experiencing declining health should be considered for removal.
  • If you are in a non-infested county and think you have found an EAB infestation, please report it to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 402-471-2351, the Nebraska Forest Service at 402-472-2944 or your local extension office.
EAB will continue to impact Nebraska’s forests and communities for the next several decades. When transporting wood products, consider the potential impacts of spreading EAB across the state and region and understand the options available to you to slow the spread.
 

University of Arizona Extension Offering Online Biochar Workshop
Workshops Goals
  • Raise awareness about biochar ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration; forest management and forest health concerns; wildfire/WUI risk and smoke impacts on public health.
  • Raise awareness for entrepreneurs regarding economies of scale, including micro-scale opportunities; entrepreneurial clusters; markets and supply chains.
  • Collect and refine stakeholder input on barriers and opportunities to develop biochar as an economically viable forest product.
AUDIENCE
  • Biomass entrepreneurs: Active and potential
  • Landowners and managers from: Mining companies, ranches, non-industrial forest lands, state, county, tribal and federal lands, turf industry, landfill/waste management industry, sawmills, horticulture, agriculture
  • Potential markets: Wildland restoration, mining restoration, cattle industry, landfill/waste management, soil amendment for turf, saline soils, horticulture and farming
 
For more information about the workshops and to register, please visit https://extension.arizona.edu/events/2021-04-07/biochar-opportunities-southwest-extension-workshop

TIMBER SALES

The following listings are for stands of timber or logs being offered for sale by owners or persons of delegated authority. Timber was cruised and/or marked for harvest by the Nebraska Forest Service or other professional foresters. Volumes in board feet (Doyle scale unless otherwise indicated) are estimates by the forester. If no volume is listed, the trees or logs were not marked by a forester and the listing is included only as a marketing service to the owner. Listings are prepared according to the information at the time of publication.

Timber Information Forester/Date Seller Information
  Black Walnut, 48 trees
    Veneer 3 – 1,675 bf
    Lumber 1 – 1,420 bf
    Lumber 2 – 2,840 bf
    Lumber 3 – 3,585 bf
    Total – 9,518 bf
 		      Rasmussen
     J. Smith
     2/2021		   James Albrecht
  1009  S Main
  Emerson, NE 68733
  Ph: (712) 898-5035
  Email:  doca49@hotmail.com
  Location: Thurston County

TRADING POST

The Trading Post is provided as a free marketing service for the 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.
 
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