NEBRASKA'S FOREST PRODUCTS BULLETIN

Northern Region

Data from this week’s surveys show quite a contrast from earlier this year. For one, the list of bestselling species has contracted and the list of worst sellers has grown. With that, the items on the worst selling list have changed. More Hard Maple and Soft Maple regularly appear as worst sellers, when all of last year and the first quarter of 2022, these were market darlings. But since then, lumber supplies have increased, and demand has declined. The most current information includes 100% of the responses about business with lumber distribution yards, residential flooring manufacturers, and wood furniture makers at the lowest possible reading. Two thirds of responses related to moulding and millwork were at the slow rating, with one third pointing to fair markets. Notably, there were no readings in the good category for any grade lumber market sector. Similar survey results were noted for international sales. Exports to China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom were all listed as slow. Each domestic and international market is well supplied with lumber, and US sales companies’ inventories are high amid customers’ softer sales of hardwood finished goods. The combination of factors continues to impact green and kiln dried lumber pricing. The bright spot for area mills is industrial markets. Tie buyers are assertive with purchases, and wooden pallet manufacturers are busy and are using steady volumes of hardwood cants.

Southern Region

Information shows a wide mix of log inventories at area mills. Dry weather conditions have allowed logging contractors access to timber, but not all mills are purchasing hardwood logs that are available. Some sawmill operators are pushing back on delivered prices and are willing to run short of hardwood logs rather than continue to operate at a loss. Others have switched to Pine and Cypress to avoid sawing Oak. And, many mill owners have cut the number of work hours. The decrease in hardwood output is beginning to be felt by some green lumber buyers, though shortages of kiln dried grade lumber are not a problem.

Appalachian Region

The HMR Demand Index (HDI) is a feature published in HMR Executive that illustrates the strength of business or demand from 10 major domestic markets for hardwood lumber. Components of the index are color coded with various shades of blue when demand is low, they transition to gray when demand is fair, and then to light red and deep red when demand moves from good to strong. During most of 2021 and the first five months of 2022, most index components were consistently red - indicating good to strong demand across a broad range of markets. However, most readings faded to the lighter color red or gray in the last two months, as yards and end users reached or surpassed inventory objectives and slowed purchases. Only the pallet and railroad tie components registered red in the HDI for July. 

(Source: Condensed from Hardwood Market Report, November 4, 2022. For more information or to subscribe to Hardwood Market Report, call (901) 767-9216, email: hmr@hmr.com, website: www.hmr.com)) 

US Biochar Initiative and Allied Soil Health Services are proud to present a two day deep dive on the new USDA NRCS Code 336 Soil Carbon Amendment and the funding it provides to build America's soil carbon using biochar & compost.

This free two day webinar series is hosted by the US Biochar Initiative and features Brandon Smith of Allied Soil Health Services, LLC (formerly with NRCS & led the development of the practice) and John Webster of the US Biochar Initiative.

During this event, December 14th & 15th, we will take a deep dive into understanding the NRCS funding process and how the newly developed Soil Carbon Amendment Conservation Practice Standard (Code 336 or 808) can be used to improve soil health and build soil carbon through the application of biochar and compost.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nrcs-code-336-funding-for-biochar-as-soil-carbon-two-days-dec-14-15-tickets-472393851727

Adam Smith, Bureau Chief Forestry & Fire
 

Buying and selling trees is a business transaction. Marketing, however, is the key to getting the most money for your timber. Anyone can sell something if they are not concerned about the price received or other outcomes of the sale. When you market something like trees, you are selling in a competitive market for the best possible price.

A satisfactory sale occurs when the needs of both buyer and seller are met. The buyer must acquire the material or goods (timber) at current market prices to stay in business and remain competitive. The seller (timber owner) should be paid the fair market value and have the land and remaining trees left in productive condition for potential future sales. The timber owner must receive a fair price to ensure sustained yields and to protect the forest land base from conversion to other uses.

Conducting a timber sale is often a new experience for some and this opportunity to cash in on a limited resource may only happen every 15 to 25 years. It is highly recommended when conducting a timber sale to ask for the assistance of a professional forester. Professional foresters can work at a state forest service or they can be private consulting foresters. These individuals can often help not only with a current sale, but also guide managing woodlands into the future.

To view the full publication, click the link here: https://nfs.unl.edu/publications/Marketing%20Your%20Timber%202021.Final%20%28003%29.pdf.

For assistance evaluating your timber for potential sale, please contact your local NFS Forester here: https://nfs.unl.edu/foresters.

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 at 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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