Timber Talk 4/15/2025
- Jenna Reese
- Apr 15
- 8 min read
OFA Update
2025 Spring Camporee Event
OFA helped sponsor a youth outreach 2025 Spring Camporee event in Coshocton, Ohio with the Muskingum Valley Council of Scouts of America. Over 200 11–18-year-old kids were presented forest career opportunities from DOF Jeremy Scherf, and OFA's William Ray.
A huge thanks goes out to Cameron McKee of Rocky Ridge Forestry for bringing out a Skidder and two Peterbilt's. He and ECOLC Chair, Gary Raber, were able to share their career stories, as well as other pathways to entering a career as a logger or truck driver. Eric Hayes of Keeping it Native Land Management also joined to highlight the contractor's role in forest stand improvement. Additional thanks goes to Roger Stoll of Weyerhaeuser for helping put the event together.
Market Update
HardwoodReview Forecasting
Hardwood lumber sales are improving but production thus far is not. Among the trifecta of log supply issues, log/timber prices now trump weather and the lack of loggers. However, it is likely also true that, even if mills were willing to pay significantly more for logs than they are worth in lumber, weather and the lack of loggers would still be significant limiting factors. Though the demand pull from secondary markets is starting to increase, most notably from the cabinet sector, recent price gains in Red Oak, Poplar and Ash appear to have been largely driven by a bit of a scramble to procure available inventory, which more than a few producers have indicated is the lowest of their careers. Some producers and yards reported very good Jan sales and many have good orders in Feb, but with log and green lumber prices rising faster than KD prices, margins are worsening.
Thus far, the U.S. has imposed no new tariffs on Canada or Mexico, and China did not include wood products in its reciprocal tariffs, though the threats remain. However tight lumber supplies get, and however high prices for some items climb, things could quickly rebalance or shift to a buyers market if the Q1 America First Trade Policy investigations lead to Q2 trade sanctions.
Legislative Update
The following is brought to us by our national partner, the Forest Resources Association (FRA)
Jobs in the Woods Act Introduced in the Senate
Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Jim Risch (R-ID) have introduced the bipartisan Jobs in the Woods Act (S.1336), aiming to address workforce challenges in the forestry sector. This legislation mandates the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create a competitive grant program, providing funding to eligible entities for career pathway training initiatives in forestry operations and forestry products industries. Eligible entities encompass nonprofit organizations, state governments, Indian tribes, local government units, and higher education institutions. The USDA is directed to prioritize applicants that focus on tackling workforce aging and youth migration issues, collaborating with secondary schools to engage students, and demonstrating effective workforce placement and hiring strategies in the forestry sector. Senators King and Risch are joined by original cosponsors, including Senators Mike Crapo, Susan Collins, Amy Klobuchar, Jeff Merkley, Jeanne Shaheen, and Tina Smith. Notably, provisions of the Jobs in the Woods Act were incorporated into the House version of the Farm Bill last Congress.
Resources:
House Adopts Senate Framework Unlocking Reconciliation
On Thursday, the House approved the Senate's budget framework, paving the way for the reconciliation process to move forward. This critical step could result in substantial fiscal policy changes, including the potential extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions. These provisions, such as bonus depreciation and pass-through deductions, have historically encouraged business investments and could continue to do so if extended. With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire on December 31, 2025, lawmakers are under pressure to act swiftly. Beyond tax and spending adjustments, Republican leaders are prioritizing increased funding for military operations and border security enhancements. The House and Senate leadership will now collaborate to draft the reconciliation bill, aiming to finalize and pass the legislation by Memorial Day.
Tariffs/Trade
On April 9, via social media, the President announced a pause and reduction of the reciprocal tariffs his Administration has levied against more than 75 countries. However, he is doubling down against China, raising tariffs to 125 percent, which is now in effect. China immediately announced retaliatory tariffs to match the U.S. action. The Chinese ban on the importation of U.S. logs, purportedly due to phytosanitary concerns, remains in effect.
The pause will last 90 days, and the tariff rate during that period for targeted countries will be 10 percent. The announcement was welcome news to Wall Street, where the one-day rebound in stock indexes was historic. The Administration has yet to name the 75 countries, but we understand the list will include the 27-member European Union.
EUDR
This week, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer testified before the Senate Finance and House Ways & Means Committees on "The President's 2025 Trade Policy Agenda." During his time in front of the Senate Finance panel, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-07) asked him about the EUDR, indicating how this regulation imposes excessive reporting requirements on Tennessee pulp and paper producers that would shut them out of the EU market. Senator Blackburn asked how USTR is working to protect U.S. businesses and deal with foreign governments who are weaponizing their 'bogus environmental regulations' to harm U.S. companies. Ambassador Greer responded that American companies are always the cleanest and most responsible and should always be treated that way. He also acknowledged that he had raised this issue with his counterparts in the EU. You can view the exchange here at the 2:39 mark.
Wood Innovation Grants
The USDA Forest Service has announced the resumption of its review process for Wood Innovations Grants, which the Trump Administration had temporarily paused. During this pause, the agency revised its guidelines to better define funding priorities and preferences. Applicants are now encouraged to revisit their original grant submissions and, if desired, submit a one-page addendum detailing how their proposals align with the updated guidelines.
White Oak
Last week, Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY-06) reintroduced the White Oak Resilience Act (H.R. 2405). The measure empowers the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service to lead white oak restoration projects. It establishes a White Oak Restoration Fund to support public-private partnerships focused on regeneration, reforestation, and long-term sustainability of this critical hardwood species that is the lifeblood of the bourbon industry in Mr. Barr's home state.
The legislation enjoys bipartisan support and passed the House last Congress.
Resource:
Biomass Tax Incentive
This week, Senator Angus King (I-ME), joined by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced S. 1345, America's First Fuel Act. The bill would amend the existing tax incentive for residential wood and pellet stoves to provide a more generous credit for whole-home biomass heating systems (boilers) and those used to heat small to mid-sized commercial buildings. Currently, consumers purchasing a wood or wood pellet stove are eligible for a 30 percent tax credit on fully installed costs capped at $2,000. This legislation would maintain that level for these units but increase the cap to $10,000 for larger systems.
The bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
Safety Update
Managed care & workers’ compensation: best practices for recordkeeping, documentation and injury reporting
Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) play an important role for both employers and their injured employees. Not only do MCOs have an oversight function in the medical treatment and return-to-work process, but they are also responsible for the initial reporting of claims to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Studies show a clear correlation between the early documentation and reporting of a workplace injury and the duration of lost-time in claims. Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio is a key partner for our workers’ compensation program, and their own claim data validates this connection.
Recordkeeping and Documentation
One of the roles of an MCO is to collect the essential data elements of a workplace injury to initiate a workers’ compensation claim. Depending on the approach to collecting and arranging this information, the MCO can be an excellent warehousing partner for injury-related data.
Sedgwick MCO provides clients a series of value-added reports designed to facilitate record keeping obligations of OSHA and PERRP. Many report options include an ongoing tally of lost workdays associated with each claim, as well as the number of modified duty workdays. Access to this information on a monthly, quarterly and especially an annual basis (early January) can help employers complete their OSHA 300 and PERRP posting that is due each February.
MCOs should also be able to account for additional datapoints to help determine whether a workers’ compensation claim is OSHA-recordable. For example, if medications are prescribed in the treatment of a workplace injury, it may be OSHA recordable despite having incurred no lost or modified workdays. Similarly, if treatment for an injury includes services that exceed what is considered first-aid in nature, the injury may also be recordable despite involving no lost time. An example of this would be a laceration that involves stitches, but the employee returns to work immediately. Referencing medical billing codes to identify specific covered treatments can be a simple way to gather information that simplifies the OSHA and PERRP reporting process.
Injury reporting
The claim filing process depends on information from multiple parties, including the injured employee and the treating physician. But Sedgwick MCO encourages employers to take action as quickly as possible after a workplace incident to control this vital early stage of the process. Establishing post-injury protocols that include thorough documentation of the incident, as well as compiling information required by BWC, can accelerate a sound claim allowance decision. Early clarity on the nature of incident and injury can help frame the scope of the claim and define the medical conditions that are included for treatment.
The First Report of Injury (FROI) is the standard BWC form that accommodates the required information and typically initiates a new claim. Many employers keep the FROI on-hand to serve as an incident report. Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio will provide clients with an Injury Reporting Packet, which can include the FROI and other forms and information to help guide both the employer and the injured employee through the claim process.
Many employers have developed an incident report that collects much of the information required for the workers’ compensation claim. Consider modifications to your incident report that may facilitate a more efficient claim filing process. One of the best steps an employer can take to promote speed and accuracy in claim filing is to have an incident report completed quickly and sent directly to the managed care organization.
Contact Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio
If you feel there is room for improvement with your organization’s injury management program, or if you can use assistance organizing data for OSHA recording, consider Sedgwick MCO a resource. Every work environment is different, and Sedgwick can talk through your circumstances to build a process that works for you and your employees. Visit Sedgwick MCO online to explore information and tools that facilitate the injury documenting, reporting, and investigation process, or reach out directly to our team at ClientServices@Sedgwickmco.com.
Additional Links
Sedgwick Safety Article
ECOFA April Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Southeastern Ohio Loggers Chapter Meeting
4/16/2025
Location: Shawn Sexton's Lodge, Jackson, Ohio Time: 6:00 PM
Master Logger Certification Class
4/16/2025 » 4/17/2025
Location: Bloomingdale, Ohio
Camp Canopy
6/8/2025 » 6/13/2025
Location: Carrollton, Ohio
2025 Lumber Grading Short Course
6/16/2025 » 6/19/2025
Location: Millersburg, Ohio Time: 8:00 - 4:00 Daily
2025 OFA Summer Meeting
7/9/2025
Location: Lake Erie, Ohio Time: Details Coming Soon!
2025 Paul Bunyan Show
10/3/2025 » 10/5/2025
Location: Old Washington, Ohio
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