OFA Update
Paul Bunyan Show Tickets Coming to Your Inbox Soon
We are very excited to announce that the Paul Bunyan Show now has the capability to issue electronic tickets! About this time every year, OFA Members receive a mailing that includes four complimentary tickets to the show. This year it will look a little different. Keep an eye on your email box as your tickets will arrive electronically. Once you receive your tickets, be sure to download them to your Apple or Samsung Wallet, or print to bring with you to the show.
Register Now for OFA's Kiln Drying Short Course
OFA's kiln drying class was created in close consultation with the "Wood Doctor," Gene Wengert. Instructors Bob Pope with SII Dry Kilns and Chad Niman, forest products specialist at the University of Kentucky, were highly recommended by Gene and provided an excellent course last year for manufacturers. This same course will be provided again August 12-13, at Yoder Lumber and is sponsored by Ohio Valley Lumber Drying Association, Great Lakes Kiln Drying Association, and Yoder Lumber. Check out the course agenda at https://www.ohioforest.org/page/Kiln and view a printable registration form.
2024 Lumberman’s Outing Registration is Open
The 2024 Lumberman’s Outing will be held on September 11, 2024. The golf outing will be held at Fire Ridge Golf Club in Millersburg, and the Clay Shoot and Dinner will be held at Airport Ridge Sporting Clays. Please make plans to join us for a day of fun and fellowship. We are also accepting sponsorships for the event. 100% of the proceeds are donated to the Lumberman’s Benevolent Fund, which offers assistance to those in the timber industry who have suffered a tragedy. Click here for more information, to register and to see who is coming. We hope to see you there.
Legislative Update
From our national partner, the Forest Resources Association
Biomass
We received good news this week on our carbon neutrality advocacy in the appropriations space. On Tuesday, the full House passed its Fiscal Year 2025 Interior, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Related Agencies appropriations bill. That measure includes FRA's long-supported provision directing EPA, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Energy to recognize forest-based biomass as carbon neutral in any environment and energy policymaking. This language has been in statute since 2017, when it was enacted as part of a year-end omnibus appropriations bill. Legislating this policy issue as part of the budget process is unusual, but since the language was originally enacted as part of a budget deal, we have been confined to working this specific provision in the appropriations lane ever since. As we have noted, we strongly support this directive and look forward to it being reauthorized. At the same time, we are working on the Farm Bill reauthorization process to secure more legally binding language that would force not only these agencies to recognize biomass carbon neutrality but the entire federal government footprint. Currently, the Department of Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and a host of other government entities are making policies on climate, energy, and the environment.
Following Tuesday's positive development, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its Fiscal Year 2025 Interior bill yesterday. That legislation also keeps our biomass carbon neutrality directive intact and reauthorizes it for another year. We are feeling positive about this year's successful outcome on this particular appropriations effort and will keep you apprised of developments.
Workforce
FRA is hearing that the Senate will not move on a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorization bill until after the August recess. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee recently released a 441-page discussion draft of WIOA reauthorization legislation. The document largely tracks with the House-passed measure (H.R. 6655—the Stronger Workforce for America Act) but includes language that has drawn opposition from the business community. Specifically, there is a provision in the Senate's discussion draft that would preclude a company from receiving funding from any WIOA workforce program if that company has ever had a federal labor law violation. Known as the "blacklisting" provision, there is concern that even the most minor violation would lock a business out of existing workforce program participation. Conversely, labor unions are pressing committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to include more labor-friendly provisions than what is already in the House-passed bill.
The bottom line is that House and Senate committee staff will be in negotiations with stakeholders over the month of August to try to forge a consensus on legislation that can clear the upper chamber and make it to the President's desk.
Corporate Transparency Act
FRA joined about 135 other trade groups in a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee asking for a one-year delay in the implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act or CTA. Specifically, Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and James Lankford (R-OK) have submitted amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act that would delay the CTA's filing deadline by one year. Under current law, millions of small businesses have to file beneficial ownership information with FinCen—the Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network—beginning this year. Although many businesses have filed the requisite information, the law is obscure, and most business owners lack awareness that this is an obligation and risk steep fines for non-compliance.
Resources:
DOD Truck Beds/Red Oak
On July 12, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) led a bipartisan group of eight other senators in a letter to the Department of Defense (DOD) and General Services Administration (GSA) to expedite the transition to domestic Red Oak lumber for hardwood floorboards in U.S. Military and other government vehicles, trailers and platforms. Currently, the U.S. Military uses apitong, an endangered tropical hardwood species, for its truck trailer beds. Recently, U.S.-grown and manufactured Red Oak hardwood lumber was specified as the preferred material for DOD truck beds and trailers used by GSA. In the letter, which may be found here, the senators point out that using Red Oak will replace "critically endangered apitong hardwood from tropical forests with a readily available, sustainable domestic source of lumber," scoring a win/win for the U.S. economy and environment. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bob Casey (D-PA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Angus King (I-ME) and JD Vance (R-OH) joined Senator Shaheen in the letter.
Resources: Senator Shaheen's Press Release
In addition to this letter, Senator Shaheen has secured report language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) reauthorization legislation urging DOD and GSA to expedite the transition to U.S. Red Oak for its truck trailers.
Market Update
HardwoodReview Forecasting
There remain some positives in the market, but after a strong year of market growth, they are beginning to be overshadowed by the negatives. Or at least, every positive needs to be understood in the larger context. Exports were steady through May and very slightly ahead of the 2023 pace, but the 2023 pace was an 11-year low. Exports to Europe jumped in May, but exports to Asia uncharacteristically dropped, and the European bump was largely due to White Oak and Ash spikes to the UK. Most lumber prices remained elevated from year-ago levels, and production levels are low enough to prevent massive inventory build-ups and price collapse, but most price forecasts are flat to negative for the next two months. With demand still strong and production seasonally slower, Maple prices should be more resilient than most. Additionally, whatever declines may come in White Oak and Walnut will be minimal.
Hardwood component demand has been decent thus far in 2024, but the fundamentals aren’t showing enough strength for that to continue through the summer, especially since demand should now be at its seasonal high. Rising lumber costs have also challenged component manufacturers, and the most likely relief expected in the near-term will be only modest declines in common-grade Red Oak and Poplar prices.
Partner Update
Happy Birthday ODNR! ODNR Celebrates 75th Anniversary at the Ohio State Fair
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) celebrated its 75th anniversary with a special “Birthday Bash” at Natural Resources Park today during the Ohio State Fair. The party was open to all fairgoers with special ODNR 75th anniversary giveaways and fun! “Our 75th anniversary is such an important milestone for ODNR and it makes perfect sense to be celebrating it at the Ohio State Fair,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “The work that we do impacts all Ohioans, whether you’re visiting one of our amazing state parks, enjoying recreational boating on our waterways, and so much more. That’s why it’s so special to celebrate with every single visitor at Natural Resources Park.”
All the excitement and fun were spread out throughout Natural Resources Park’s 8 acres and was free for all visitors. Cupcakes and refreshments were set up at Governor’s Grove, entertainers were spread out through the grounds, and naturalists were roving through the park with a variety of animals.
Visitors pose for a photo during ODNR's Birthday Bash.
Celebratory fun will continue throughout the Ohio State Fair. The All-Ohio State Youth Fair Choir will sing “Happy Birthday” every day at Natural Resources Park and a variety of giveaways will be available at the Information Booth. In addition to the 75th Anniversary, ODNR will also honor individuals who have made significant contributions to preserving and protecting the state’s water, soil, woodlands, wildlife and mineral resources with its annual Hall of Fame and Cardinal Awards Wednesday, July 31.
Naturalists were on hand at the Birthday Bash to talk to visitors about a variety of animals.
ODNR will send out a daily newsletter highlighting events and activities happening during the 2024 Ohio State Fair. You can find more information, including the amphitheater schedule here.
In 2024, join ODNR as we celebrate 75 years of protecting Ohio’s natural resources and providing outstanding and award-winning recreational opportunities.ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
Upcoming Events
Southeastern Ohio Loggers Chapter Meeting
8/14/2024
Location: Shawn Sexton's Lodge, Jackson, Ohio Time: 6:00 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
Master Logger Chapter Meetings
Paint Valley Loggers Chapter Meeting
9/9/2024
Location: Bainbridge, Ohio Time: 7:00 PM
Southern Ohio Loggers Chapter Meeting
9/10/2024
Location: Lucasville, Ohio Time: 7:00 pm
Northeastern Ohio Loggers Chapter Meeting
9/11/2024
Location: Middlefield, Ohio
Muskingum Valley Loggers Chapter
9/11/2024
Location: F.O.E., McConnelsville, Ohio Time: 7:00 PM
East Central Ohio Loggers Chapter
9/16/2024
Location: Fresno, Ohio Time: 6:00 PM
Northwest Ohio Loggers Chapter Meeting
9/18/2024
Location: Findlay, Ohio
Scioto River Valley Loggers Chapter Meeting
9/19/2024
Location: Scioto Township Fire Hall, Wakefield, Ohio Time: 7:00 PM
2024 Paul Bunyan Show
10/4/2024 » 10/6/2024
Location: Lore City, Ohio
2025 Annual Meeting
2/5/2025 » 2/6/2025
Location: Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio
OFA Proudly Supports
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