AFA Newsroom

AFA NEWSROOM V17N22, June 01, 2022

PotlatchDeltic and CatchMark To Combine

PotlatchDeltic Corporation (Nasdaq: PCH) (“PotlatchDeltic”) and CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. (NYSE: CTT) (“CatchMark”) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock transaction. The acquisition by PotlatchDeltic will strengthen and diversify a leading integrated timber REIT and continue to enhance shareholder value.

Join us for the Selma Area Regional Reception - June 9th

Make plans to join us next month at AFA's Selma Area Regional Reception at the Selma Country Club. We are looking forward to heading back to the Black Belt District.

Thank you to our Sponsors: Alabama AG Credit, ArborGen, First South Farm Credit, IFCO, & Great Southern Land Group. Interested in being a sponsor? Give us a call at 334-481-2135 or 334-481-2129

April Housing Starts Flat, Building Permits Plunge

US housing starts were largely flat in April but if new housing permits are a bellwether for future builds, fresh data for this metric suggests the homebuilding sector may be slowing. Building permits dropped more than 3% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 1.819 million units in April, the lowest level since November 2021. The decline was concentrated in the single-family housing segment, where permits tumbled 4.6% and decreases were seen in all four regions of the US.

Join Us For The June Session of

AFA Connect - June 16, 2022

Make plans to join us on June 16, 2022, at 11:00 am CST for the May AFA Connect session Recruiting Truck Drivers: Challenges and Strategies with Stephanie Fuller, FWTI. In this extraordinarily tight labor market, an aging workforce and more restrictive training guidelines, finding an insurable truck driver has become more difficult than ever. The Forest Workforce Training Institute (ForestryWorks) is working on solutions to help forest industry companies recruit and retain truck drivers through promotion, recruitment and training.

AFA Connect registration is two-part. Register with Alabama Forestry Association. You will receive a confirmation email from info@alaforestry.org with Zoom registration information.

Lumber Bubble 2.0 Just Burst—Here’s When To Expect The Best Deals

Since the beginning of the pandemic, lumber prices have been more volatile than at almost any other time in history, leading to some major headaches for homebuilders and buyers.

In fact, the volatile swings in lumber over the past year alone have pushed the average price of a new single-family home up more than $18,600, according to the National Association of Homebuilders.

IP Pine Hill PLM Workshop -

June 15, 2022

Registration

US Forest Industry Performance Maintains Pace in April

US forest industry performance in March and April was recently reported by both the US government and the Institute for Supply Management.

Total industrial production (IP) advanced 0.9% in March (+5.5% YoY)—resulting in an annualized rate of +8.1% during 1Q. Manufacturing output gained 0.9% (+5.4% QoQ), thanks primarily to motor vehicles and parts (+7.8%); factory output elsewhere moved up 0.4%. The index for utilities increased 0.4%, and the index for mining advanced 1.7%. The gain in mining suggests US oil companies and shale producers are ramping up production in response to oil’s price.

Teacher Conservation Workshop

July 12th -14th

More Information

Timber Briefing: U.S. Lumber Prices Could Be Affected By Sanctions on Russia

The U.S. lumber market has seen unprecedented price rises in recent years. Prices could climb even higher as the world responds to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is a major exporter of wood in the global market, particularly in China and the European Union. If these countries restrict wood products imports from Russia, or if Russia refuses to export to them, the strain on global supply could drive domestic prices to new heights as Russia-dependent markets look for new sources of wood.

Public Policy Series - Forest Economics

July 22

We will start with the Auburn/Opelika Regional Reception Cookout at the Grand National’s Patio on June 21 and then we will have the third Public Policy Seminar: Forest Economics on July 22. Don’t miss the fun, register now!

Alligator Hunt Registration Opens June 7

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will open online registration for the state’s regulated alligator hunts on June 7, 2022, at 8 a.m. Registration must be completed by 8 a.m., July 13.

Are You Ready For The Beach? We Are!

AFA Annual Meeting - September 11-13

Registration for the 2022 AFA Annual Meeting is now open! Click the link below to learn more about our speakers, agenda and hotel information. We look forward to seeing you in September!

2022 AFA Annual Meeting

National Fishing and Boating Week -

June 4-12

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and spend more time in nature. Fishing and boating allow you to release stress, relax, and enjoy wildlife. Consider the health and wellbeing of yourself and others before traveling to your favorite fishing spot and Recreate Responsibly to protect yourself, others, and the outdoors.

See How Much Land In Alabama Is Owned By The Federal Government

The federal government owns 27.1% of all land in the United States, or 615.3 million of 2.27 billion acres. Federal lands are managed mostly for preservation, recreation, and the development of natural resources.

The Bureau of Land Management, a governmental division that manages public lands, controls 39.7% of federally owned lands. The Forest Service, in charge of national forests and grasslands, is responsible for 31.4% of federal land. The Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages 14.5% of public lands, is responsible for restoration and protection efforts related to endangered species, wildlife refuges, fisheries, and migratory birds. The National Park Service manages 13% of federal lands, and finally, the Department of Defense takes care of 1.4% of government property.

Southern Timber Prices Continued To Climb In 1Q2022

Continuing the strong demand trend that we witnessed during most of 2021, the weighted average price for southern timber surged to a new 15-year high in 1Q2022. Stumpage prices were up +5% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) and +19% year-over-year (YoY). The last time Forest2Market’s Southwide weighted average stumpage price was this high was in 2Q2007, just before the onset of the Great Recession.