The Lumber Word

The crew is back together for a jam-packed episode! Matt returns from his travels, and we hit the mailbag to tackle listener questions before diving into regional updates: Matt covers U.S. Spec and Texas, Charles breaks down SYP, and Gregg takes us through the Great Lakes and Boston. We recap key takeaways from Russ Taylor’s insights last week, then dig into the latest in housing—both new and existing, and what it all means for lumber demand. The team lays out short-term forecasts for supply, demand, and pricing over the next 30–60 days. Don’t miss the debut of our Lumber Pick Challenge—each of us picks one undervalued and one overvalued item, with prices logged today and results reviewed on the August 4 episode. Plus, we play the Short-Term Market Forecast Game, giving our two-week price predictions on key indices like CME, WSPF, Hem-Fir, and SYP. We wrap it all up with 30-second rapid-fire advice for newer traders navigating today’s market. Big ideas, a few laughs, and one “Big Beautiful Bill.” Hit play and stay sharp.   Contact the show personalities below Gregg@Sitkainc.com Mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Cdelatorre@commtransport.com Ashley@Sitkainc.com

While Matt’s off living la dolce vita in Rome, Charles, Greg, and Ashley hold down the fort with a special guest—Russ Taylor from Russ Taylor Global. Fresh off the plane from a Global Lumber Conference in Vienna, Russ brings some sharp global insights. We dive into production costs across North America and Europe and ask the big question: Is anyone making money right now? Stick around to hear our market calls for the next 30–60 days. Link to Russ Taylor’s LinkedIn and Website https://www.linkedin.com/in/russtaylorglobal/ https://russtaylorglobal.com/ The Lumber Channel Website https://www.thelumberchannel.com/

In our second drop of the week, Ashley sits down with Alison Coughlin from the CME Group to unpack the newly launched Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) Lumber Futures contract. It’s been live for over a month now, and we’re breaking down how it came to be, how it works, and why it could be a game-changer for the fastest-growing segment in U.S. lumber production. Whether you're a trader, mill, or just lumber-curious, this episode offers a smart intro into what the new contract means for the market—and how you can get involved. To learn more, check out https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/agriculture/lumber-and-softs/southern-yellow-pine.html, or shoot a note to the CME team at Lumber@CME.com. To sign up for Fastmarkets' “Daily Southern Yellow Pine” Newsletter, click here: https://www.fastmarkets.com/forest-products/wood-products/southern-yellow-pine/ For more information on The Lumber Word” or to drop us a note, visit us at https://www.thelumberchannel.com/

The full crew's back before Matt jets off to Spain, and there’s a lot to unpack. What’s up with the Section 232 inquiry into lumber? Are we looking at more tariff talk for Canadian and European imports—and how soon could it hit? Gregg throws some cold water on the hype, while Charles declares SYP officially DOA (for now) and breaks down the lack of market dynamics. We all agree: something is shifting in lumber. Is it upside? Downside? Depends who's driving. Gregg says supply push is now behind the wheel, and demand pull has taken the backseat. If this sounds confusing—perfect. That’s why you hit play, filter through our take, and walk away sharper. Like and subscribe if you’re into that kind of thing.

Matt, Gregg, Charles, and Ashley lay out their trading strategies for the next 30 days. Are we headed lower, or is a bounce coming? Find out who’s buying spot, selling print, and what it all means for lumber buyers and sellers. Smart trades start here—don’t miss it!

Matt, Gregg, and Ashley reconvene after a week off to discuss the current state of the lumber market. Charles was out but will be back next week. They analyze whether the market, which has been selling off since the Montreal event, is showing signs of a recovery or merely experiencing a temporary bounce within a bear market. The hosts note a slight uptick in activity for certain lumber items during the week but question if this is significant enough to indicate a broader market shift. They also discuss renewed talks of curtailments, emphasizing the need to monitor these developments closely. The episode offers insights for lumber enthusiasts and market watchers looking to understand the latest trends and potential future directions.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Thomas Mende of Binderholz, a leading expert in European lumber manufacturing, the largest importer of dimension from Europe to the US, and operator of two cutting-edge Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) mills in Florida and North Carolina. In this episode, Thomas dives into the future of European lumber shipments to the US, exploring the impact of currency fluctuations and log costs. We discuss the home center business, mass timber trends, and global export markets. Learn about the innovative flexibility of Binderholz’s US SYP mills to adapt cutting profiles swiftly and uncover value opportunities in the eastside vs. westside 2x4 #2 SYP pricing spread. Packed with industry insights, this episode will leave you smarter and inspired with fresh trading ideas.

The crew is back from Montreal, and Episode #118 kicks off with a debrief on what it’s like returning to the grind after the high energy of the convention floor. Matt, Ashley, Charles, and Gregg dive right into the pulse of the lumber market: is it ready to roll over, or are we seeing glimmers of strength under the surface? They break down key indicators from the field—what species look like a buy, what’s dragging, and what might surprise to the upside. From SYP to SPF and beyond, the gang weighs in on what they’re moving and what they’re steering clear of. Plus, are customers quietly building inventory or continuing to run lean? The answer might impact how you trade the next few weeks. This one is packed with real-time lumber market guidance. If you’re in the game—or want to be—you’ll walk away with sharp trading insights and maybe even a better idea of how the second quarter is shaping up. Don’t miss it!

Charles, Ashley, Gregg and Dustin go live onstage in Montreal. The #1 lumber podcast breaks down their thoughts on the convention. What did we feel coming to the event, and what do we feel now that we've been here and are getting ready to leave with our thoughts? Is the market going to go up down, sideways or uncertain? Wow did we get the information here! Come have a listen!

With the full lumber crew—Matt, Charles, Gregg, and Ashley—dive deep into the current state of the lumber market as April kicks off. From SYP oddities to the new CME contract, the team covers what traders, builders, and mills are buzzing about. Matt breaks down volatile DDF prices and the coastal Hem-Fir jump, Charles unpacks the SYP 2x4 #2 vs. #3 price parity mystery, and Gregg gives us the lowdown on European spruce and Eastern SPF. The crew also tackles the low-volume launch of the new SYP futures contract at CME, supply/demand imbalances across home centers and pro yards, and where inventory might be bottling up. Rounding it out: a lively chat on mill margins, tariff speculation, and of course, our favorite segment—Marry, Date, Dump—featuring lumber picks and a few laughs.  If you're in the wood world, you don’t want to miss this one.