The Lumber Word

Ashley Boeckholt
  • 5.0 (16)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Three Lumber Industry veterans talk about the weekly, monthly and yearly trends. What is going on with inventory in the field, production and distribution. We help educate everyone in the distribution chain with information most like to not talk about. Highlighted items that are overvalued and undervalued are also discussed. Guests in the industry will occasionally drop in to help us dial in some lumber details. Most important is we have fun talking lumber and our listeners love it.

  1. 2D AGO

    EP 158: Equilibrium or Explosion?

    Kip Fotheringham joins the crew to break down a lumber market that feels coiled. Canadian shipments are down 30% year-over-year. Inventory on the ground is near multi-year lows. Futures are trading at a discount to cash. And dealers are running lean. So are we stuck in a trading range… or one buying shift away from a $100 move? In this episode, the guys debate: Why majors aren’t aggressively EFP’ing Government “support” vs. subsidy risk in Canada Southern Pine regional price spreads What happens if retailers add just 2–3 weeks of inventory Why breakeven doesn’t matter — return on capital does Tariff noise vs. actual lumber exemption rules Is the low already in? Or are we just chopping sideways?   Strap in. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome + Kip joins 02:00 – Cash vs. futures disconnect 04:00 – 30% drop in Canadian shipments 10:00 – Southern Pine update 18:30 – Lean inventories & catalyst discussion 24:00 – Trading range debate 36:00 – Why mills keep running 42:00 – Tariff clarification   Guest:  Kip Foteringham Independent Trader and Market Analyst  kipf@telus.net   Advertiser Fastmarkets RISI Dustin Jalbert Senior Economist Wood Products djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com

    47 min

  2. FEB 21

    EP 157: Euro Pressure, Pine Pivots & A Flattening Curve

    This week, we welcome Thomas Mende back to break down what’s really happening in the lumber market. Eastern Spruce is showing selective discounts (especially 16’s), Southern Pine had midweek block buying, and Western low-grade is tight while higher grades sit. Are we finally near equilibrium? Thomas walks through European production declines, rising log costs, and why tariffs alone don’t drive shipments — economics do. Canadian shipments are down sharply year over year, and when you combine that with slightly softer housing starts, supply and demand may be closer than most think. We also dig into the flattening futures curve, what that means for hedgers, whether Southern Pine mills are actually making money, and why a flat market might cause the most pain. If you trade lumber, build with it, or hedge it — this one matters. Timestamps 00:00 – Market pulse: Spruce, Pine & truck spreads 06:30 – Southern Pine block buying & 16’ pricing 10:00 – Europe shipments, tariffs & rising log costs 17:30 – Western market: low-grade squeeze 21:30 – Housing starts & real wood usage math 27:00 – Canadian shipment declines 31:00 – Futures flattening: what it means 35:30 – Mill closures & Southern Pine profitability 40:00 – Softwood Lumber Board & CLT demand growth 45:00 – Tariff ruling update & market outlook     Advertiser: Fastmarkets RISI Dustin Jalbert Senior Economist Wood Product djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Guest: Thomas Mende Thomas.Mende@binderholz.com https://www.binderholz.com/   Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com

    46 min

  3. FEB 12

    EP 156: : Quiet… or Weak?

    Is the lumber market quiet… or is it weak? That’s the debate this week on The Lumber Word Podcast. Charles breaks down how SYP is trading — some items are moving, but others are dug in tight. Matt walks through what he’s seeing in Texas as activity starts to open up, and why low-grade SPF is creeping closer to #2 in ways that matter. Gregg zooms out to the macro, unpacking monetary supply and asking the big question: what kind of price move would hurt the most people the most?  Ashley connects the dots on what he knows is happening in real-time supply and demand. Did we leave the studio sucking our thumbs… or bulled up and ready?  Crush the follow button and find out. Advertiser Fastmarkets RISI Dustin Jalbert Senior Economist Wood Products djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com

    52 min

  4. FEB 5

    EP 155: Recalibrating the Lumber Compass

    Senior Economist Dustin Jalbert from Fastmarkets is back, and that means it’s time to stress-test the lumber market. We dig into real supply and demand, where we are in the cycle, and what buyers and sellers are actually saying. Were we too bullish the past few weeks? Will the cost of production finally pull capacity, or do higher prices today just set up lower prices tomorrow? Tune in and recalibrate your lumber compass.   Advertiser and Guest Fastmarkets RISI Dustin Jalbert Senior Economist Wood Products djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com

    59 min

  5. JAN 29

    EP 154: "You sent me the same lumber job inquiry for two weeks?”

    Two familiar faces are back as Bart Charles and Matt Layman join us to break down a lumber market that just won’t quit. Prices across all species are climbing the classic wall of worry—up nearly $100/MBF in the last two months and still catching a bid. With big multifamily jobbers caught short and orders leaking back in, is an $800/MBF print really in play? Take a breather, hit play, and hear what we think—most listeners walk away a lot smarter and entertained.   Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Advertiser and Guest Layman’s Lumber Guide www.laymansguide.com Matt@laymansguide.com Guest Bart Charles Atlantic Forest Products charles@atlanticforest.com Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com

    49 min

  6. JAN 23

    EP 153: When the Phones Don’t Stop Ringing

    The lumber market keeps showing strength across all species. Gregg and Matt discuss longer-term multifamily projects starting to appear, while Charles breaks down how Southern Pine strength has evolved. We’re seeing tight availability, trucks being chased after purchase, and the same quotes coming back days later — classic up-market signals that surprised many. How long does it last? Tune in to find out.   Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Lumberhub.net George@Lumberhub.net   Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com

    57 min

  7. JAN 15

    EP 152: The Dilbert Curve of Lumber: When Reality Bends, and Prices Move

    This episode of The Lumber Word is dedicated to Scott Adams, who passed away this week. One of the main reasons this podcast exists is because of his influence—his ability to cut through noise, challenge assumptions, and explain complex systems in a way that actually made sense. That mindset is at the core of what we try to do every week: make this podcast useful and give back to the lumber industry. Thanks, Scott. Gregg, Matt, Ashley, and Charles circle up and jump right into North American species dynamics, with a quick (and well-earned) look back at calling the Q1 price move—and then a deeper discussion on the more important question: how far can it go from here? With demand still a head-scratcher and supply slowly coming off the board, the group breaks down what this tightening setup could mean over the next few months. You’ll hear exactly how we’re thinking about inventory positioning, hedging, and pricing strategy in this market. Charles goes the extra mile with a boots-on-the-ground read of SYP, sharing what the market feels like—not just what the numbers say. If lumber is an input cost, your main cost, or something you actively trade, this episode reinforces why The Lumber Word remains the go-to podcast for practical, real-world market insight. Thanks for listening. Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Layman’s Lumber Guide www.laymansguide.com Matt@laymansguide.com Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com

    53 min

  8. JAN 9

    EP 151: Are you Reelin’ in the Lumber Years!

    Matt, Gregg, Ashley, and Charles kick off the New Year by breaking down the flow of lumber heading into 2026. From what different species are doing to why listeners of The Lumber Word tend to be a step ahead. The crew digs into market positioning, hedging misconceptions, and where real opportunity lies. If you want a few laughs and to be a smarter, better-prepared lumber trader in 2026, this episode is a must-listen.   Advertisers: Fastmarkets Random Lengths djalbert@fastmarkets.com www.fastmarkets.com Show Contacts: Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com Ashley Boeckholt Ashley@sitkainc.com

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Three Lumber Industry veterans talk about the weekly, monthly and yearly trends. What is going on with inventory in the field, production and distribution. We help educate everyone in the distribution chain with information most like to not talk about. Highlighted items that are overvalued and undervalued are also discussed. Guests in the industry will occasionally drop in to help us dial in some lumber details. Most important is we have fun talking lumber and our listeners love it.

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Boeckholt
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ashley Boeckholt
  • Show Website
    The Lumber Word

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