Timber Talk 8/26/25

Jenna Reese
16 hours ago
9 min read

OFA Update

The Paul Bunyan Show is around the corner

We are fast approaching our 2025 Paul Bunyan Show at the Guernsey Co. Fairgrounds in Cambridge, Ohio.

Over 160 exhibitors will join us to showcase their products to thousands of excited attendees. We would like to thank our members who are participating, and will be sending out complimentary tickets to all members in the coming weeks. We would greatly appreciate if you can share the QR code or ticket link on the right with your friends and family and tell them about the show. We look forward to seeing so many of you in October.

Join us at the 2025 Lumberman's Outing

We look forward to seeing some familiar faces at this year's fundraiser benefitting the Lumberman's Benevolent Fund. On September 10, 2025, Fire Ridge Golf Course and Airport Ridge Sporting Clays will host all registrants for a day of golfing and clay shooting in Millersburg, Ohio. It's time to putt, shoot, and eat for a good cause. Follow the link below to register and contact OFA staff to inquire about sponsorship opportunities.

Chainsaw Safety Awareness that Works

OFA's CSAW program provides quality chainsaw safety education for anyone operating a chainsaw, from professional loggers to landowners, city/county workers, emergency response teams, volunteers and anyone else using a chainsaw for work or casual reasons. The CSAW program offers different levels of classes from in-depth tree felling and bucking to general chainsaw maintenance and safety.

MORE INFO

Market Update

HardwoodReview Forecasting

With U.S. single-family housing starts already 7% slower than last year through Jun, and now set to trend seasonally lower through Dec, much was riding on a late-year surge in exports following final tariff and trade resolutions with the largest hardwood markets. But final resolutions are not there yet for three of the four largest buyers—China, Canada and Mexico—which collectively accounted for 63% of global demand in 2024. The ongoing uncertainties have contributed to 15%-20% year-over-year shipment declines to each of these markets in 2025 and, even with the threat of large reciprocal or Section 232 tariffs still lingering, none seem particularly anxious to shore up extra inventory. Accordingly, some of the optimism we and others had just a month ago has tempered a bit.

Still, from a market stability standpoint, low log availability and lumber production will continue to prevent major oversupply and price corrections, even if demand doesn’t materially improve through year-end. In fact, the market sector price index forecasts for the next two months (pages 4-5) are as flat as any we’ve published in 20 years. While the recent easing of Poplar and Red Oak prices indicates just how easily this market can be oversupplied, demand will just as easily outrun productive capacity the day it turns up even a little.

Legislative Update

The following is brought to us by our national partner, the Forest Resources Association (FRA)

FRA 2025 Legislative Fly-In and Fall Meeting, October 7-9

The FRA fly-in and fall meeting will take place at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, DC, steps away from the Capitol. We encourage FRA members to attend and advocate for important legislation beneficial to the forest industry. Register HERE.

We encourage members to take action now on FRA’s Policy Issue Priorities.

By engaging your elected officials ahead of the Fly-In, you will help reinforce our message and strengthen our collective impact.

Jobs in the Woods Act S. 1336, H.R. 4575

Contact your Representatives and urge them to cosponsor the Jobs in the Woods Act (S. 1336, H.R. 4575). This bipartisan bicameral legislation addresses critical workforce shortages in the forestry sector. The Jobs in the Woods Act proposes a targeted grant program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to address critical workforce shortages in the forestry sector. It focuses on supporting training, recruitment, and skill development for forestry-related jobs.

Resources

FRA Action Alert

Jobs in the Woods Issue Brief

Safe Routes Act S.1063, H.R. 2166

Contact your Representatives and urge them to cosponsor the Safe Routes Act (S.1063, H.R. 2166). This legislation aims to amend Title 23 of the United States Code to address vehicle weight limitations for certain logging vehicles. Allowing trucks transporting raw forest products, such as logs, pulpwood, chips, or biomass, to access the U.S. Interstate Highway System at legal state gross vehicle weights (GVW). Studies have shown that granting log trucks access to interstate routes can reduce accident rates, lower CO2 emissions, minimize damage to rural roads, and decrease transportation costs for small logging businesses.

Resources

FRA Action Alert

FRA's Safe Routes Video

Safe Routes Issue Brief

Secretary Rubio Suspends Visas for Commercial Vehicle Drivers

The Department of Transportation and the State Department have both moved to strengthen enforcement of English proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers. This week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a freeze on new work visas for commercial truck drivers, citing safety concerns and stating that the increasing number of foreign drivers on U.S. roads is endangering American lives. The American Trucking Associations has expressed support for the pause. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is also investigating state compliance with federal licensing rules as part of this broader effort.

H-2B Interview Waiver Rollback- Update

As reported last week, effective September 2, 2025, the U.S. State Department will eliminate most interview waivers for H-2B visa applicants and will require in-person consular interviews for seasonal workers. This change may delay visa processing and disrupt workforce planning for forestry operations, especially during peak wildfire recovery and reforestation periods.

FRA has authored and signed a letter sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem expressing serious concern regarding the decision affecting seasonal non-immigrant labor. The letter urges both departments to support targeted exemptions or implement streamlined interview protocols for H-2B workers serving in forestry and other critical seasonal sectors. Additionally, it calls for consideration in advancing a permanent solution to the H-2B visa cap, to ensure consistent access to seasonal labor and mitigate the volatility that employers face year after year.

EUDR

Yesterday, the White House issued a Joint Statement announcing the US and EU have reached a Framework Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade that “represents a concrete demonstration of our commitment to fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade and investment”.

The three-and-a-half-page document specifies that a 15 percent import tax will be imposed on roughly 70 percent of European products entering the U.S. market. The deal also includes a non-binding commitment for the EU to procure $750 billion in U.S.-produced energy and for EU companies to invest $600 billion in the U.S.

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is specifically addressed in Section 10 of the Agreement – “Recognizing that production of the relevant commodities within the territory of the United States poses negligible risk to global deforestation, the European Union commits to work to address the concerns of U.S. producers and exporters regarding the EU Deforestation Regulation, with a view to avoiding undue impact on U.S.-EU trade.”

FRA considers EUDR inclusion in the Framework Agreement a positive sign for U.S. wood supply value chain stakeholders. Also noteworthy for the forest products industry, Section 3 of the Agreement states “the United States intends to promptly ensure that the tariff rate, comprised of the Most-Favored Nation (MFN) tariff and the tariff imposed pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, applied to originating goods of the European Union subject to Section 232 actions on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber does not exceed 15 percent.”

FRA Legislation Tracker

FRA is actively tracking key legislative measures in this Congress that impact forest management, transportation, workforce development, tax policy, and deregulation. You can review the full listing here to stay informed on the latest legislative developments and FRA's advocacy efforts.

Safety Update

Sedgwick Safety Services

Ohio BWC launches new SUPR program

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is making changes to enhance its efforts in addressing substance abuse among the state’s workforce. The new program, known as the Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Program (SUPR), combines the Drug-Free Safety Program (DFSP), DFSP Safety Grants and the Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program. This single program helps to address workplace misuse of alcohol and other drugs. The goal is to help state-fund employers prevent work-related injuries and illnesses by combining drug free efforts into an employer’s safety program.

The changes to the program took effect for private employers on July 1, 2025 and will take effect for public employers on January 1st, 2026.

Some highlights of the changes include:

· Most program participants will automatically be eligible for reimbursement grants.

· Expenses eligible for reimbursement have been expanded to include substance use assessments for employers with “second chance” policies.

· Enrollment has moved to year-round with the ability to earn a pro rata bonus.

· The requirement to file the Safety Management Self-Assessment (SH-26) has been eliminated.

· The requirement to file the Safety Action Plan (DFSP-5) has been eliminated.

· The requirement to file the online Accident Report (DFSP-1) will be required for lost-time claims only.

· An online portal is being developed to report on program requirement completion and request reimbursement of activities in one place.

As with many BWC programs, employers must meet certain eligibility requirements. To participate in SUPR, employers must:

· Be current on all BWC premium payments.

· Be in an “active” policy status (not lapsed or inactive).

· Have reported actual payroll and paid any premiums due for the previous year.

· Have no more than 40 days of lapsed workers’ compensation coverage in the last 12 months (Advanced and Basic Levels).

Employers electing to participate in the program have four program levels to choose from:

· Advanced – 7% bonus on premium payments.

· Basic – 4% bonus on premium payments.

· Comparable – Allows employers to be included on the list of approved state construction contractors.

· SUPR Reimbursement only – Eligible employers can request reimbursement of up to $5,000 for costs associated with developing or reviewing a drug-free workplace policy, employee and supervisor training, drug and alcohol testing and substance use assessments.

Program requirements vary by level of participation, so employers will need to provide the requirements as outlined by the BWC based on the participation level they select. Program Requirements include:

· Written policy

· Employee education

· Supervisor training

· Drug and alcohol testing

· Annual report

· Employee assistance

· Accident analysis

· Online accident reporting

As an example, if you choose to participate in the Basic, you will only be required to complete specific program requirements. However, if you choose Advanced you will need to complete Basic requirements in addition to other requirements.

If you would like to learn more about the changes to the program, go to Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Program or if you would like to enroll in the (SUPR) Program go to Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) Program.

This is just one of the great opportunities the state of Ohio offers for employers, but there are other grant programs designed to help employers reduce injuries and illnesses in the workplace, as well. Click on the link to go to the BWC’s Safety Grant Programs.

If you would like to know more about Sedgwick’s safety services or would like to schedule a confidential consultation, please contact Andy Sawan at andrew.sawan@sedgwick.com or 330.819.4728.