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Canadian lumber duties just jumped to 35.19%, more than double what they were in January. At the start of 2025, the combined “all others” duty on Canadian softwood lumber was 14.40%. This included 7.66% anti-dumping and 6.74% countervailing duties. Two Department of Commerce rulings in July and August increased the total to 35.19%, made up of 20.56% anti-dumping and 14.63% countervailing. Source: HBS Dealer When Canadian prices rise, US mills often raise their own prices in response. As Brian Rodgers, purchasing manager at Shepley Wood Products, recently told the Boston Globe, “Everybody follows the numbers. It doesn’t matter what side of the border it’s coming from.” This market behaviour reduces negotiating room for dealers and tightens margins no matter where the lumber originates. Tony Shepley, president of Shepley Wood Products, emphasized the industry’s responsibility to protect housing affordability: “It’s our mission as an industry to protect consumers, to not let housing get driven further out of reach.” There is a prevailing trend unfolding where more architectural and engineering specifications are calling for Canadian SPF (spruce-pine-fir). The reason is not quality but differences in grading rules and design values. Canadian SPF and American SPFs are graded differently and are not interchangeable under many construction specifications. This means that when a project specifies Canadian SPF, dealers must supply it to meet the requirement. Some New Hampshire retailers report that this has shifted their entire inventory to Canadian SPF. This is not a marginal factor, as the United States already purchases nearly 70% of all Canadian softwood lumber exports. The more specifications lean toward Canadian SPF, the more entrenched that reliance becomes, narrowing opportunities for American SPFs to compete. Eric Murphy, purchasing and marketing manager at East Coast Lumber & Building Supply Company and incoming president of the New Hampshire Retail Lumber Association (NHRLA), explained: “We’re seeing the specifications in project plans leave us with no real choice. If the plan calls for Canadian SPF, that’s what we have to supply. Over time, it’s pushed us to the point where we now only stock Canadian SPF. It’s not a question of preference; it’s about meeting the requirements of the jobs our customers are building.” The NHRLA is working to introduce state legislation that would require a preference for American SPFs when pricing and performance are competitive. Without action, this specification trend could further increase dependence on Canadian lumber at the same time tariffs and duties are reaching historic highs. The softwood lumber dispute between the United States and Canada has lasted for decades, with duties in place for much of that time. This long history has reshaped supply chains. While tariffs and duties are meant to raise the price of imports and protect domestic producers, they have also prompted Canadian sawmills to relocate to the United States to avoid paying the duties. As I explained in a recent CBS 3 Vermont interview, we have seen with these tariffs that have been in place for decades on Canadian lumber, sawmills have moved into the United States to avoid the tariff, so it actually has brought in a certain level of manufacturing jobs. These relocations have created American jobs and investment but have not eliminated upward pressure on prices. ABMA supports a negotiated resolution to the U.S.–Canada softwood lumber dispute that addresses unfair trade practices while ensuring stable supply and predictable pricing for dealers, mills and builders. Tariffs and duties can be an effective enforcement tool, but they are no substitute for a long-term, enforceable trade framework. Our outlook is that the current 35.19% duty rate when combined with the emerging structural preference for Canadian SPF over American SPFs will keep price pressure high. Without resolution, retailers will remain tied to a pricing structure driven as much by policy shifts as by actual supply and demand fundamentals. “Our industry has lived with these duties for decades, and we’ve adapted but what we want most is a resolution that delivers long-term stability. Duties and tariffs at this level send a clear signal that the status quo isn’t sustainable, and they can be a tool to bring both sides back to the table. The sooner we can achieve a fair agreement, the better it will be for the entire North American lumber supply chain,” said Rod Wiles, Vice President of Human Resources at Hammond Lumber Company and Chair of the American Building Materials Alliance.

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Studying at the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Nicholas Stratmann feels he has found a uniquely perfect place to complete his honours research into eucalyptus conservation. Source: Timberbiz “You don’t have to go far from campus to be in the bush,” he said. “That connection to place is a big part of what keeps me motivated.” Originally from Victoria, Mr Stratmann has long been fascinated by Australia’s rich botanical diversity. And it was Tasmania’s unique native flora – particularly its diverse species of eucalyptus, that inspired him to relocate to the island state and specialise in it. Mr Stratmann is currently working on an honours project focused on understanding and conserving Tasmania’s eucalyptus populations, which are increasingly vulnerable to the pressures of climate change, land use, and habitat loss. “Eucalypts are incredibly important, not just ecologically, but culturally and economically,” he said. “They’re keystone species in many Australian ecosystems, and Tasmania is home to some of the most distinctive and rare types.” His research involves sampling eucalyptus populations across different parts of the state and analysing their genetic diversity and local adaptation to climate. The aim is to assess how populations are structured across the landscape, as well as how adapted these populations are to their environments. This helps to inform conservation strategies, particularly in the face of climate uncertainty. “Understanding the genetic variation within and between eucalyptus species can tell us which populations are more resilient, which ones are isolated, and where we need to prioritise conservation efforts,” Mr Stratmann said. Mr Stratmann made the move to Hobart after learning about the University’s strength in environmental science and its close ties with conservation organisations and research initiatives across the state. “I knew I wanted to do work that could have a real-world impact,” he said. “Tasmania offered the chance to study in a place where nature is still accessible and relatively intact and where people are passionate about protecting it.” That move was made easier by the welcoming academic environment he discovered at the University of Tasmania. The support he received from supervisors and staff helped him settle in quickly and focus on his research from day one. “There’s a really strong research culture here. My supervisors have been incredibly generous with their time and knowledge, and the university has excellent facilities for both field and lab work,” Mr Stratmann said. “It’s been a great environment to grow in as a scientist.” Mr Stratmann’s work will be used by landholders and community groups who are actively involved in environmental restoration and native vegetation management. And he also hopes to continue with postgraduate research into eucalyptus genetics once his honours project is complete. “Engaging with people on the ground is one of the most rewarding parts of this work,” he said. “Conservation is a shared responsibility, and it’s exciting to see how research can support community-driven efforts,” he said. “There’s still so much we don’t know, and I feel really lucky to be contributing to that knowledge here in Tasmania.” View a video at https://youtu.be/f_GI9CH7bbY

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For architect Kim Baber, Principal of Baber Studio, being awarded the Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award for his work on the timber-rich Maryborough Fire Station was an opportunity to highlight what’s possible when working with sustainably sourced materials. Source: Timberbiz “As architects and designers, we have a lot of responsibility to ensure selection of the materials we use and the impact of the buildings we create are managed in a responsible way,” Mr Baber said. With nominations for this year’s Richard Stanton Award now closed, Mr Barber believes the recognition of awards like this one play a broader role in promoting better practice across the industry, with leadership in timber design grounded in accountability. “It’s not just about recognising good design practices. We need to understand where materials are coming from, that they’re being used properly and how that’s going to impact the future life of the building – and the footprint of the resource extraction from the current environment,” he said. A cyclone-rated emergency services building, the Maryborough Fire Station is estimated to contain approximately 500m3 of Australian grown timber from Responsible Wood-certified softwood plantations. The result of many years of advocacy to the state government, the project was a collaborative effort between Mr Baber’s firm, Kim Baber Architects, Hyne Timber, XLAM and Hutchinson Builders. “It was really rewarding to see that effort translate into a timber building that’s so valued by both its users and the local community,” Mr Baber said. Fittingly, the $2000 bursary he received for his award win was put towards a trip to Japan to present at a Tohoku University seminar series focused on resilient timber design, and how mass timber can be used in buildings designed for extreme weather events. “In Japan, their focus is often seismic resilience but they’re also facing typhoons and tsunamis. We were able to share insights into designing for cyclonic conditions here in Australia, I was able to put my bursary towards making that trip happen,” Mr Baber said. The Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award recognises the winner with a $2000 bursary for work like: Significant and valuable contributions to sustainability Innovation, improvement, or excellence in sustainable forest management or the fabrication, supply, or utilisation of certified forest products Strong commitment to the principles of sustainable forest management Innovation and improvement in promoting Responsible Wood and/or PEFC-certified products.

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Forestry Corporation’s Chris Scollen, a seasoned Crew Leader and Operations Planner, has deployed to Canada to assist with the nation’s fire containment efforts. NSW has this year sent 140 firefighters to Canada, and more than 400 firefighters from across Australia and New Zealand have deployed since June. Source: Timberbiz Mr Scollen, who is based at Taree, has worked with Forestry Corporation for five years and volunteered with the NSW Rural Fire Service for 25 years. He joins 14 other NSW and ACT fire specialists to serve as a Safety Officer in a mixed Incident Management Team (IMT) that oversees fire control across the province. He will spend 33 days on deployment. “The role I am undertaking involves identifying hazards that arise in the field, whether that be weather changes, a shift in fire intensity, or high winds, and also mapping dangerous trees to ensure firefighter safety remains the number one priority,” Mr Scollen said. “A lot of the major fires are burning in rugged, isolated terrain so I’ll also be coordinating plans to ensure firefighters can exit the field safely as fires evolve, and this includes forming helicopter insertion and extraction safety plans.” Mr Scollen said he was looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to learn about new fire behaviour and containment strategies in the Canadian landscape. Forestry Corporation’s firefighting crews have been part of these consecutive deployments. The fires burning across Canada have grown in both size and number as summer in the Northern Hemisphere has intensified. More than 4,000 fires have burnt across 14 million hectares of land.

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Around 50 people joined Private Forests Tasmania at farmer Dougal Morrison’s property at St Peters Pass in Oatlands to celebrate the launch of operations as part of the Stems for CO2 Project. Source: Timberbiz During the event, attendees heard from Private Forests Tasmania about its project and insights from participating farmers Mr Morrison and Alison Napier. Professor Matthew Harrison from the University of Tasmania spoke about carbon forestry, the Australian Carbon Credit Units Scheme and different types of forestry carbon projects that could be registered in Tasmania. In addition, a presentation on FullCAM carbon modelling was shared by Bernard Prosser, which included examples of the carbon modelling undertaken as part of the Stems for CO2 project. Participants then received an operations update at the site of one of Mr Morrison’s woodlot plantings adjacent to the Midlands Highway. It was great opportunity to introduce the Stems for CO2 Project to neighbouring landowners, and to share information about the benefits of planting trees for timber and carbon outcomes. To find out more about Private Forests Tasmania’s Stems for CO2 Project, visit https://pft.tas.gov.au/stems-for-co2-program-2024  

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Reducing the time period within which a consent authority must process and decide an application for a resource consent for a specified wood processing activity to one year after the date the application is lodged as outlined within the new Resource Consenting (RMA) Act passed in the New Zealand parliament this week is applauded by the wood products industry. Source: Timberbiz “With examples of resource consent renewal for wood processing sites taking up to 13 years and costing in excess of NZ$2 million due to the drawn-out regional council processes, a more efficient system is essential,” said Chief Executive of the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ (WPMA), Mark Ross. “The new Act amends the RMA to open up a consenting pathway for all wood processing and related activities, which is intended to reduce costs and time frames, plus open up much-needed investment opportunities for the industry. “In adopting this change, the Government has listened to WPMA and our members and for that we thank the Minister responsible for reform, Chris Bishop, and Act MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court, for providing the leadership needed to back future development of both new and existing wood processing facilities.” As a low net emissions industry, wood processing offers many public benefits, including being a high-value regional employer, adding value to commodities that are otherwise exported in raw form, along with providing domestic resilience in terms of the supply of building materials, residues for sustainable packaging and biofuel. The full replacement for the RMA will be introduced to parliament this year, be passed into law next year, and be in effect by 2027, but in the meantime, through this Amendment Bill, it should be a quicker and simpler process to consent wood processing activities, incentivising future growth within the industry. As defined in the new RMA Act, wood processing activity means the establishment, operation, or maintenance of a facility that specialises in the production of long-lived wood products, products derived from wood fibre, or wood-derived bioenergy, for example, the production of sawn timber, panel products (for example, veneer, plywood, laminated veneer, lumber, particle board, or fibreboard), pulp, paper, and paperboard, wood chips, bioproducts, chemicals, and materials; or provides for the storage of logs, processed wood products, or hazardous materials used in or produced by the operation of the facility.

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SFM is collaborating with land data analytics company Agtuary to support its assessment of properties suitable for carbon project development, helping to streamline decision-making and enhance the integrity of its project pipeline. Source: Timberbiz Through Agtuary’s transparent, science-backed benchmarking platform, SFM will be able to evaluate the carbon potential and land value of properties with greater speed, accuracy and consistency. The engagement will enable SFM to make earlier, more informed decisions about where carbon projects can deliver strong environmental and commercial outcomes. “Agtuary’s customisable platform allows us to align scientific data with our project criteria — from carbon sequestration to co-benefit potential — all while ensuring transparency and efficiency in our processes,” said SFM’s Managing Director, Andrew Morgan. “It’s a smart investment in both technology and rigour as we continue to grow our portfolio of high-integrity carbon projects.” Agtuary enables third-party assessments using independent data sources and geospatial modelling, providing valuable insights on land performance, opportunity, and value. The platform will support SFM’s ongoing efforts to identify properties in Australia that can support long-term, sustainable land use change through carbon forestry. “SFM is applying Agtuary in exactly the way it’s intended — as a decision-support tool grounded in science and built for practical outcomes,” said Brent Wedesweiler, Chief Operating Officer at Agtuary. “We’re pleased to be contributing to projects that create measurable environmental and economic value.” This collaboration underscores SFM’s continued leadership in sustainable forestry and carbon development and reinforces its commitment to evidence-based project design.

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‘The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomed the opportunity to represent the forestry sector at the recent Agriculture Productivity Roundtable convened by Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins. Source: Timberbiz “Like all sectors, improved productivity is a priority for us, and we believe the answers lie with various reforms and changes including, strategic regional planning, improved R&D outcomes to maximise resource opportunities, as well as technology upgrades,” AFPA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Richard Hyett said. “Our sector provides the solutions to many of the Government’s challenges, including helping solve the housing crisis and decarbonising the economy. It’s important we work with Minister Collins and her Ministerial colleagues in the Albanese Government to get the policy settings right, to improve productivity for our sector and to enhance our national contribution to the economy, climate and the creation of essential products,” Mr Hyett said. At the Roundtable, AFPA focussed on the importance of strategic regional planning, increased forestry research and development investment, improved timber and wood-fibre outcomes, along with improved supply chain technology and policy settings that promote the sustainability of the forestry industry and its products. The Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership – made up of industry, unions and other sector stakeholders working with Government, has developed the Timber Fibre Strategy, released several weeks ago. It also recommends a number of Albanese Government actions to drive a step change improvement in productivity, including: Recognising forestry and wood products as a priority industry under the Government’s Future Made in Australia Network Promoting investment in workplace productivity across the sector including trialling the “smarter” High Performance Workplace model to encourage programs, projects and pilots De-risking investment in modern manufacturing capability by improving cross-government regulatory reform “We have a huge potential using our amazing materials, maximising use and value of the resource as well as developing new uses. It’s all key to our future success,” Mr Hyett said.  

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