NEBRASKA'S FOREST PRODUCTS BULLETIN
|
|
|
LUMBER MARKET REPORTS
Northern
A higher percentage of Northern hardwood production is consumed in the US and Canada than Southern or Appalachian production. Maples and white-woods, in general, are not exported to the extent as Oak, Poplar, and Walnut, for example. The dependence on domestic and cross border trading has been advantageous to Northern producers during this unprecedented run up in new home construction and historically high private spending on single family homes and remodeling. The US is entering the 12th consecutive year of increased new home starts. The longest streak prior to the current one was five years. In January, private spending on residential construction reached $719 billion, by far the highest amount since US Census began tracking data. February’s numbers were nearly as high ($713B). The fact that the domestic marketplace favors whitewoods has also been a plus for Northern suppliers. But, Northern hardwoods are sold globally, as well, and international business has also picked up. Des pite a good winter timber harvesting season in the North Country, followed by a short spring breakup, log decks and green lumber production have not increased at the same rate as demand for sawn products. Lumber shortages are currently commonplace, at a time of year when surpluses are expected to support demand into and throughout summer. Many sellers state that order files are deep. This combination has pushed prices for some species, grades, and thicknesses to all time highs. Hard Maple, Soft Maple, Walnut, and White Oak have performed particularly well, though markets for lower cost substitute species have ticked up alongside the more popular species.
Southern
Markets for hardwood finished goods and lumber remain strong. Domestically, new home construction and record setting spending on single family housing and remodeling are driving business. Outside of the US, many countries are reopening after extended lockdowns, buoying demand for US produced lumber all the more. At the same time, sawmill operators are boosting production to the extent personnel will allow. Labor issues continue to restrain mill owners from substantially increasing output through improved workflow efficiencies or by expanding capacity utilization. However, sawmill production is increasing and is easing price pressures on green lumber in a number of species, grades and thicknesses.
Appalachian
US gross domestic product increased at an annualized rate of 6.4% in the first quarter of 2021, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. From all reports, economic expansion remains robust as we approach the middle of the second quarter. Perhaps most important, from a hardwood industry perspective, home construction and remodeling markets are highly energized. Wood flooring, cabinets, furniture, moulding, doors, blinds and shutter, and a variety of other products for the home are in high demand, as is upholstered furniture. Markets for wood pallets and containers are vibrant. Eastern US hardwood sawmill production is edging up, but most domestic end use markets are still undersupplied. Labor and transportation issues are also restraining what might otherwise be faster growth in lumber and finished goods output.
(Source: Condensed from Hardwood Market Report, May 7, 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 |
| 5/21 |
2/21 |
11/20 |
8/20 |
5/21 |
2/21 |
11/20 |
8/20 |
5/21 |
2/21 |
11/20 |
8/20 |
| Ash |
1070 |
930 |
830 |
775 |
665 |
540 |
495 |
460 |
400 |
305 |
295 |
290 |
| Basswood |
885 |
830 |
740 |
755 |
465 |
425 |
400 |
410 |
215 |
205 |
195 |
205 |
| Cottonwood |
780 |
780 |
780 |
780 |
575 |
575 |
575 |
575 |
260 |
260 |
260 |
260 |
| Cherry |
1450 |
1120 |
900 |
925 |
830 |
615 |
485 |
480 |
470 |
360 |
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 |
975 |
875 |
795 |
755 |
700 |
615 |
530 |
500 |
600 |
430 |
430 |
400 |
| Soft Maple |
1600 |
1365 |
1245 |
1245 |
1100 |
890 |
805 |
790 |
660 |
470 |
450 |
450 |
| Red Oak |
1285 |
1090 |
915 |
855 |
855 |
705 |
605 |
555 |
620 |
495 |
425 |
415 |
| White Oak |
2415 |
2045 |
1815 |
1725 |
1125 |
935 |
820 |
810 |
680 |
545 |
480 |
480 |
| Walnut |
3025 |
3025 |
2470 |
2265 |
1715 |
1715 |
1325 |
1175 |
850 |
850 |
590 |
465 |
|
|
| 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 |
| 5/21 |
2/21 |
11/20 |
8/20 |
5/21 |
2/21 |
11/20 |
8/20 |
5/21 |
2/21 |
11/20 |
8/20 |
| Ash |
1625 |
1350 |
1260 |
1200 |
1090 |
870 |
765 |
715 |
740 |
580 |
565 |
575 |
| Basswood |
1375 |
1250 |
1100 |
1165 |
800 |
735 |
725 |
710 |
495 |
465 |
465 |
465 |
| Cottonwood |
1025 |
1025 |
1025 |
1025 |
760 |
760 |
760 |
760 |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
| Cherry |
2290 |
1860 |
1500 |
1550 |
1415 |
1130 |
950 |
985 |
850 |
650 |
545 |
620 |
| Elm |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
| Hackberry |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
| Hickory |
1630 |
1525 |
1450 |
1400 |
1250 |
1160 |
1050 |
1035 |
1090 |
985 |
885 |
900 |
| Soft Maple |
2425 |
1990 |
1810 |
1810 |
1435 |
1210 |
1145 |
1145 |
865 |
780 |
765 |
765 |
| Red Oak |
1985 |
1655 |
1385 |
1275 |
1430 |
1230 |
1070 |
995 |
1075 |
875 |
775 |
775 |
| White Oak |
3595 |
3110 |
2655 |
2445 |
1835 |
1515 |
1290 |
1290 |
1075 |
1035 |
960 |
945 |
| Walnut |
5190 |
4385 |
3800 |
3650 |
3290 |
2610 |
2180 |
2030 |
2025 |
1545 |
1170 |
1080 |
|
|
| 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.) |
|
|
Pallet Lumber - Green
|
|
Ties (7x9) - Green
|
| Dimension |
5/21 |
2/21 |
11/20 |
8/20 |
|
Region |
5/21 |
2/21 |
11/20 |
8/20 |
| 4/4 x RW |
400 |
365 |
335 |
335 |
|
Crossties |
---- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
| 5/4 x RW |
435 |
400 |
370 |
370 |
|
Northern - 8.5' |
28.4-32 |
27.9-31.5 |
27.9-31.5 |
27.9-31.5 |
| 6/4 x RW |
460 |
425 |
395 |
405 |
|
Appalachian (South) - 8.5' |
29.75-33.75 |
27.75-32.75 |
29-34 |
29.5-34.5 |
| 4/4 x SW |
445 |
410 |
380 |
380 |
|
Appalachian (North) - 8.5' |
28.25-32.25 |
27.5-31.5 |
28-32 |
28.5-32.5 |
| 5/4 x SW |
465 |
430 |
400 |
400 |
|
Southern (West) - 9' |
33-37 |
31.5-35.5 |
31.5-35.5 |
31.5-35.5 |
| 6/4 x SW |
495 |
460 |
440 |
440 |
|
Southern (East) - 8.5' |
31.5-36 |
30.25-34.5 |
31-34.5 |
31-35 |
|
|
| Not+A1:M41e: Pallet lumber prices quoted in $/MBF, average market prices FOB mill, truckload and greater quantities, rough, green, random widths and lengths graded in accordance with NHLA rules. Tie prices quoted in $/piece, average market prices FOB mill. Prices for pallet lumber from Northern Hardwood list. Prices for ties from the respective regional lists. (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.) |
|
|
Field Day to Kick-off Effort to Revive Nebraska Chapter of National Walnut Council
|
|
Walnut timber enthusiasts, forest landowners, and other interested parties are invited to a forestry field day hosted at Walnut Grove Tree Farm north of Lincoln on Saturday, June 19. The event is hosted and coordinated by Dennis Adams (retired NFS Rural Forestry Program Leader) and LeRoy Sievers (shareholder in Backacres LLC walnut tree farm and member of the National Walnut Council Board of Directors).
This is a good opportunity to see first-hand the long-term management of black walnut trees in a mature, natural woodland setting and also in a relatively young plantation of trees grown from selected nuts,” says LeRoy Sievers. Regarding the opportunity to revive the Walnut Council presence in Nebraska, “we think that everyone can gain something from well-organized and well-presented field days that cover topics of interest to forestry enthusiasts here in Nebraska.”
The Nebraska Chapter of Walnut Council has been dormant now for over ten years. The National Walnut Council would gladly welcome a Nebraska contingent back to the table if there was enough commitment by walnut enthusiasts in the state to revive the chapter. Throughout the day, there may be some informal discussion on whether to pursue this option or potentially start some form of forest owner’s group tied into the National Walnut Council.
- Steve Karloff, Past President of Nebraska Walnut Council
The field day will highlight various topics covering the establishment of walnut plantings, care and management of forest stands and plantations, and preparing your timber for harvest. See the full schedule here.
Because lunch will be provided, please let LeRoy or Dennis know if you will be attending so that adequate food will be on hand. Also, if you have any questions about the event, please contact LeRoy W. Sievers (leroy.sievers@gmail.com or 402-488-0988) or Dennis Adams (dmadams46@gmail.com or 402-840-1562).
|
|
|
AGENDA
Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Location: Walnut Grove Tree Farm, 19020 NW 12th Street, Raymond, NE
10:00 am - Welcome & overview of Field Day activities - LeRoy Sievers
- Introductions of attendees
- History of Walnut Grove Tree Farm - Dennis Adams
10:30 am - Natural Woodland Tour
- Management Objectives
- Site Productivity
- Species Selection
- Thinning
- Harvests
- Tree/Log Measurement
- Tree/Log Grading & Value
Noon - Lunch (provided)
1:00 pm - Black Walnut Plantation Tour
- Objectives
- Site Selection
- Planting Stock
- Competition Control
- Pruning
- Thinning
- Harvests
2:30 pm - Wrap Up
- Possible reorganization of Nebraska Chapter of Walnut Council
- Future Meetings?
- Questions
|
|
|
Are record-setting lumber prices giving you the “wood-buying blues?” Shop Nebraska’s sawmills.
|
|
Lumber prices during the pandemic reached record highs, with softwood lumber prices increasing 377% between May 4, 2020, and May 5, 2021 (source: tradingeconomics.com). In 2020, $50,000 worth of lumber would build ten single-family units (2,301 square feet, Source: Census Bureau, Home Preservation Manual). In 2021, that same $50,000 of lumber would build only two single-family units. Home starts and home renovation demands are frequently linked to this dramatic increase in lumber prices.
While softwood lumber is largely the focus of media stories about the problem, hardwood lumber prices have also increased 30-70% over the past year (depending on species, grade, and thickness) (source: Hardwood Market Report).
If increased lumber prices at your typical retail vendor have you second-guessing your next project or renovation, consider shopping at your local Nebraska sawmill. In an impromptu survey of a handful of Nebraska mills, none of the surveyed Nebraska mills had increased their prices over the past year in response to this increase in lumber demand. The Nebraska Primary Processors directory includes a partial listing of Nebraska mills, offering a wide variety of products to meet your needs (https://nfs.unl.edu/timber-buyers). Whether you are looking for Siberian elm fireplace mantles, cedar paneling, kiln-dried walnut, live edge ash slabs, or rough-sawn pine, your local Nebraska sawmill may have you covered.
|
|
|
No new sales to report in this issue.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
