OFA Update
Master Logger Certification Training 10/31
This is a two-day training consisting of three separate training types of BMP, CSAW, and First Aid/ CPR, all of which are needed to gain the Ohio Master Logger Certification. We will be holding in-class portions at the Tar Hollow State Forest, Forest Service Center. Starting with the in-class portion of BMP's followed by CSAW and First Aid/ CPR the next day.
When: 10/31-11/01, 2024; 8:00 AM
Where: Tar Hollow State Forest, Forest Service Center, 50874 Clark Hollow Rd.
Londonderry, Ohio 45647
Contact: William Ray, william@ohioforest.org or 888-388-7337
Online registration is available until: 10/30/2024
End-of-Year Membership Renewals
As a reminder, the OFA board approved an end-of-the-year membership renewal process in 2023 to replace the anniversary renewal system we had been using. This is the second year for this change, and we have already seen an improvement in operations. You can expect to receive a renewal packet in early December by mail including a letter highlighting any major changes for OFA in the last year, an inventory of the benefits you received in 2024, corporate sponsorship opportunities, an agenda and lodging details for the 2025 annual meeting, information about the Real American Hardwood Coalition and how to get involved, and your membership invoice. Please return invoices with payment by January 1, 2025, to ensure your membership remains uninterrupted.
National Forest Products Week
The third week of October is set aside each year to honor and celebrate our nation’s forests, forest professionals, and forest products. It began on Sunday, October 20, 2024, and lasts all week. Be sure to check out OFA’s Facebook page as well as Real American Hardwood, American Loggers Council, NHLA, ODNR Division of Forestry, and many others.
Market Update
Forecasting by HardwoodReview
While most contacts still indicate demand for hardwood lumber is historically low, production has clearly fallen below demand, and five of our six headline price forecasts are for increases over the next two months. And, of the 28 other items we forecast, only Cherry, upper-grade White Oak, flooring-grade Red Oak, and crossties are expected to decline. Modest demand increases get partial credit for market stability, including a surprise late-summer jump in exports to Europe, which came before the announced delay in EUDR implementation. And, single-family U.S. housing starts were actually higher this year than last year in six of the eight months through Aug, providing some additional demand lift. There remains some concern that seasonally slower log exports will stimulate more lumber production than the market can handle by early next year, but, at least through Dec, logs will remain scarce and expensive. In addition, weak #2 Com demand and softening low-grade markets will disincentivize large production increases.
Sustained stress on U.S. consumer budgets will continue to provide inroads for less-expensive imports of wood and nonwood substitute products. Through Aug, hardwood moulding imports were up 54%, and engineered flooring receipts have climbed 54% since the spring of 2023.
Legislative Update
Election 2024
While OFA does not endorse specific candidates, we do monitor election activity closely since elections greatly impact the forest products industry through policy and agendas that determine regulations. It is critical that we all exercise our right to vote on November 5, 2024, or through early voting. I think everyone realizes there is a presidential election between Democratic incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump and has all the information they could want to make their decision. This election is predicted to be very close across all races, which can lead to uncertainty, expensive recounts, and Supreme Court challenges. Below are some key races and issues for Ohioans.
State Issue 1
This is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would “create an appointed redistricting commission that is unelected by or subject to removal by the voters of the state.” It will be on your 2024 ballot. View the language of the amendment here. https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/2024/gen/issuereport.pdf
Ohio Supreme Court Justices
The importance of these races is becoming increasingly apparent to our industry considering a recent Ohio Supreme Court decision in favor of Ohio woodland owners that sited OFA testimony. Unfortunately, these races typically receive much lower votes than the top of the ticket even though they have a far greater impact on our everyday lives. Below are the races and some information about them.
Democratic incumbent Justice Michael Donnelly vs. Republican challenger Judge Megan Shanahan
Democratic incumbent Justice Melody Stewart vs. Republican incumbent Justice Joseph Deters
Open seat: Republican Judge Dan Hawkins vs. Democratic Judge Lisa Forbes
Read more here. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/09/election-2024-who-is-running-for-ohio-supreme-court/74800383007/
United States Senate: Democratic incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown vs. Republican challenger Bernie Moreno
This race has become the most expensive senate race in US history. It is currently considered a toss up and polls show it within the margin of error. This race is being monitored nationally as a key race; whichever party holds the US Senate majority in 2025 will do so by razor thin margins, and this race is one of the determining factors. Read more information about the candidates here. https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/ohios-us-senate-face-off-between-sherrod-brown-and-bernie-moreno-is-key-race-nationally/DPUP7AQXNFAWZAL6XVHBP5B4IE/
Other Races
All 99 representatives of the Ohio House are on the ballot in 2024 along with 16 seats in the Ohio Senate will be on the ballot, so be sure to look up who represents you in the Ohio General Assembly and search if your senator is on the ballot. You can look up your representative here. https://www.ohioforest.org/page/Advocacy. There are many local races that have immediate impacts on the industry so be sure to research your local races and vote for them.
EUDR Update from NAFO
The European Commission proposed a 12-month delay in enforcing the EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR). This is a result of pressure from non-government stakeholders (including NAFO and other global industry organizations), the U.S. government, and EU member states. The delay still needs approval from the European Parliament and national governments, but it’s expected to pass by the end of this year.
This delay gives us additional time to engage in advocacy with EU policymakers to ensure that future guidance provides clarity and workable solutions for U.S. forest owners. The Global Forestry Task Group is working with our consultants in Brussels on updating our advocacy plan in light of this development.
Key Points:
The EUDR delay will likely be approved by year-end, allowing compliance deadlines to be pushed to December 2025 for large companies, and June 2026 for smaller ones.
The Commission has published initial guidance documents, but these will likely be updated in the coming months.
We are continuing to work closely with the U.S. Forest Service and others to ensure the U.S. is designated as a low-risk country.
We will provide more detailed analysis at the board meeting in November.
Key Links:
The Commission also published:
This Guidance Document for implementation of the EUDR.
This updated FAQ document.
Safety Update
Please see the following articles from our partner Sedgwick.
Additional Links
ECOFA Newsletter
NEOFA Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Master Logger Training @ Tar Hollow State Park
10/31/2024 » 11/1/2024
Location: Laurelville, Ohio
Master Logger Chapter Meetings
Paint Valley Loggers Chapter Meeting
11/11/2024
Location: Bainbridge, Ohio Time: 7:00 PM
Muskingum Valley Loggers Chapter
11/12/2024
Location: F.O.E., McConnelsville, Ohio Time: 7:00 PM
Southern Ohio Loggers Chapter Meeting
11/12/2024
Location: Lucasville, Ohio Time: 7:00 pm
East Central Ohio Loggers Chapter
11/18/2024
Location: Fresno, Ohio Time: 6:00 PM
Steel Valley Loggers Chapter Meeting
11/21/2024
Location: DeNoon Lumber, Bergholz, Ohio Time: 5:30 PM
Scioto River Valley Loggers Chapter Meeting
11/21/2024
Location: Scioto Township Fire Hall, Wakefield, Ohio Time: 7:00 PM
Northeastern Ohio Loggers Chapter Meeting
12/11/2024
Location: Middlefield, Ohio
Northwest Ohio Loggers Chapter Meeting
12/11/2024
Location: Findlay, Ohio
Southeastern Ohio Loggers Chapter Meeting
12/11/2024
Location: Shawn Sexton's Lodge, Jackson, Ohio Time: 6:00 PM
2025 Annual Meeting
2/5/2025 » 2/6/2025
Location: Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio
2026 Annual Meeting
3/11/2026 » 3/12/2026
Location: Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio
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