OFA Update
Register Today for the OFA Summer Meeting
By popular demand, the OFA Summer Outing is headed back to Marietta! Join us for golf at the Marietta Country Club, clay shooting at the Marietta Gun Club, and a fun-filled networking reception on the Valley Gem Sternwheeler. This much-anticipated event is an ideal opportunity to network with your peers in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
Call the Lafayette Hotel for room reservations, 740-373-5522 . Ask for special OFA rates starting at $97.00. Book by June 30 to receive the room block rate!
OFA Members Now Receive $35 off with HAIX®
Save more on the gear you need with your OFA membership! Protective footwear is a critical component of PPE for forestry professionals, so HAIX® is offering all OFA members $35 off any boot purchase. Members can access the code by logging into their OFA member account at https://www.ohioforest.org/page/forestry-suppliers#HAIX.
HAIX® North America is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and carries boots for many professions, including a forestry line. Check them out online to take advantage of your member benefit today and be sure to visit their booth at the Paul Bunyan Show.
OFA Foundation Hosts 93 Students at Camp Canopy
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Camp Canopy Committee, OFA Staff, and sponsoring organizations, camp has grown by nearly 40 campers since 2022. Campers received technical training in forestry and wildlife skills such as chainsaw safety, tree identification, and electrofishing. All were able to see the diverse career opportunities within the forest products industry and some even got to tour Millwood Lumber and Firewood.
This year, seven scholarships were awarded to campers pursuing a major within forestry, wildlife, or environmental sciences for a total of $6,250.
Jacob Nelson (Steubenville) – $1,000, Ohio Forestry Association Foundation
Brenna Sampson (Deerfield) – $1,250, The Ohio State University
Megan Korn (Granville) – $1,000, The Ohio State University
Samuel Cox (Fayette) – $1,000, Hocking College
Griffen Jung (Miamisburg) – $1,000, Hocking College
Kylie Puckett (Mount Sterling) – $500 Zane State College
Marissa Funk (Boardman) – $500 Zane State College
Market Update
HardwoodReview Forecasting
Price increases in the North over the next two months will largely mirror those seen since mid-Mar, while most Appalachian and Southern gains will slow. KD FAS/1F Cherry and #1/Btr Poplar prices will be steady to somewhat weaker. U.S. hardwood lumber exports were decent in Q1, but not great, especially relative to the post-COVID boom. There is not much
evidence that overall export volumes will increase substantially before the summer lull, but Q1 results still point to growth opportunities for select species in nearly every major market, even those whose overall purchasing is down sharply. And, there has been no shortage of demand from China and Vietnam for hardwood logs, which shipped to China at the second-highest Mar volume ever. As expected in a down market, imported products made a strong first-quarter run at U.S. market share, with moulding receipts up 35% year-over-year, cabinet receipts up 2%, and engineered flooring receipts from the Top 5 global suppliers up 62%.
With log availability and sawmill production up from earlier in the year, low-grade markets will feel somewhat softer over the next several months. Crosstie production has outpaced purchasing for 20 months, and expanding tie quotas will likely push cant, cut stock, and flooring-grade lumber production ahead of demand.
Legislative Update
Last month, OFA was on Capitol Hill with the Hardwood Federation advocating for provisions in the Farm Bill, tax relief, and workforce development with Ohio’s Congressional delegation. Special thanks to OFA President Eric Doll (Doll Lumber Company) and OFA member Trent Yoder (Yoder Lumber) for taking time away from their mills during an incredibly difficult time in the industry. They met with Congressman Troy Balderson and Congressman Mike Carey as well as agriculture staff for the offices of Senator JD Vance, Senator Sherrod Brown, and Congressman Dave Joyce. The more hardwood professionals that attend from Ohio, the more members of Congress will hear about the hardwood industry. Please let OFA Executive Director Jenna Reese know if you are interested in attending next year's Fly-in to represent your business, Jenna@ohioforest.org.
Safety Update from Sedgwick
Trenching and excavation
Trenching and excavation work can be hazardous if not properly managed. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific safety requirements to ensure the safety of workers engaged in these activities. OSHA regulations 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652 identify the specific excavation and trenching requirements. Although these regulations pertain to OSHA’s Construction Standard, they can be used in other industries, so taking the necessary precautions regardless of your organization is key to safe working conditions. To read more, click here.
BWC rebate programs
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) offers employers many different rating, bonus and rebate programs to encourage cost control, return to work, efficiency and safety. If you are interested in enrolling in a BWC program, or are already enrolled, here are some important deadline dates to remember. If you have any questions, contact our Sedgwick program manager, Cordell Walton at 614.373.2656. View the deadline schedule here.
Additional Links
Upcoming Events
Master Logger Chapter Meetings
Northwest Ohio Loggers Chapter Meeting
6/19/2024
Location: Findlay, Ohio
Paint Valley Loggers Chapter Meeting
7/8/2024
Location: Bainbridge, Ohio Time: 7:00 PM
Southern Ohio Loggers Chapter Meeting
7/9/2024
Location: Lucasville, Ohio Time: 7:00 pm
East Central Ohio Loggers Chapter
7/15/2024
Location: Fresno, Ohio Time: 6:00 PM
Steel Valley Loggers Chapter Meeting
7/18/2024
Location: DeNoon Lumber, Bergholz, Ohio Time: 5:30 PM
2024 OFA Summer Outing
7/17/2024
Location: Marietta, Ohio Time: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
2024 Kiln Drying Short Course
8/12/2024 » 8/14/2024
Location: Millersburg, Ohio
Master Logger Training @ Fernwood State Forest
8/15/2024 » 8/16/2024
Location: Bloomingdale, Ohio
Tree Farm of the Year Tour
9/7/2024
Location: Cadiz, Ohio Time: 10:00 AM
2024 Paul Bunyan Show
10/4/2024 » 10/6/2024
Location: Lore City, Ohio
OFA Proudly Supports
Comments