AFA NEWSROOM - April 16, 2025

Jasper Lumber Investing $135 Million to Become State-of-the-Art Sawmill Facility

Jasper Lumber Company is nearing completion on a long-term investment of more than $135 million to upgrade its sawmill facility with state-of-the-art, high-technology equipment that will position the company to be competitive and profitable in the marketplace for decades to come. Work began on mill improvements in 2020 and will reach completion in 2026.

“This is huge for Jasper and comes at a time when many companies are looking at ways to downsize,” said Jasper Mayor Gary Cowen. “Jasper Lumber has long been a major employer in our city and is making an investment that really shows their commitment to the area.”

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AFA Connect -

Got Wildlife? Enhancing Early Successional Habitats to Improve Game and Nongame Species.

April 17th

Join AFA Connect on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 11:00 am CST for Alabama Cooperative Extension System Wildlife Biologist Kyle Marable's presentation Got Wildlife? Enhancing Early Successional Habitats to Improve Game and Nongame Species.

FRA’S 2025 Southcentral Region Outstanding Logger Award Winner - Alabama's Own Douthit Timber Co.

The Forest Resources Association (FRA) honored Donald and Jared Douthit with Douthit Timber Co., LLC from Wellington, AL, as the 2025 Southcentral Region Outstanding Logger Award winner at FRA’s Southcentral Region Spring Meeting in Morrilton, Arkansas. Clay Altizer, FRA’s Southwide Region Manager, introduced Douthit Timber Co., LLC as this year’s winner and invited Ben Smith, Executive Director of the Alabama Loggers Council, to come to the podium to share his thoughts on the Douthit family and why they were nominated for the award.

Please join us for a Back the Blue with Representative Susan DuBose at Dunnavant Valley Park in Birmingham on April 25! If you would like to volunteer, please contact Anna Morgan Skipper at askipper@alaforestry.org

STEPHANIE FULLER RECEIVES FRA’S 2025 SOUTHCENTRAL REGION TECHNICAL WRITING AWARD

The Forest Resources Association (FRA) proudly recognized Stephanie Fuller, Director of Promotions and Economic Development for the Forest Workforce Training Institute (ForestryWorks®), as the recipient of the 2025 Southcentral Region Technical Writing Award. The honor was presented during FRA’s Southcentral Region Spring Meeting in Morrilton, Arkansas.

FRA’s Technical Releases are quarterly publications that highlight technical advancements, research, and innovative programs across the forest products industry. Many of these releases are authored by FRA members, and the best in each region are selected annually by the region’s Steering Committee for recognition.

How Much Money Is an Acre of Timber Worth?

Understanding the value of an acre of timber is essential for anyone in the forest products supply chain—whether managing timberland, planning harvests, or securing raw materials. A complex interplay of market dynamics, harvest strategies, and emerging environmental trends shapes timber valuation.

In this updated analysis, we explore the forces driving timber worth, dive into fresh 2022-2024 stumpage price data for US South plantation and natural pine, and highlight key trends to watch in 2025.

Initial PLM Training- Phenix City, AL

April 30th

2025 ForestPac Pinecone Open

May 15th

The 2025 Pinecone Open is quickly approaching! Sign up today to be a part of ForestPAC’s effort to elect leaders who support the forest products industry!

A First for Southern Yellow Pine Trading

Do it Best has executed what it's calling the first-ever trade on the newly launched Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) Futures contract on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).

In addition to placing the first bid and executing the first trade (in fact, it completed two of the eight trades made the day the contract first opened), Do it Best says it played an early role in collaborating with the CME Group to develop the contract. The goal, according to Do it Best, is to leverage its market expertise to help shape a tool that provides the industry with greater price stability and predictability for SYP lumber products.

AFF & Partners are Hosting Upcoming Events Across the State

Curious about how Prescribed Fire can enhance the health of your woodlands? The Alabama Forestry Foundation and its partners invite you to register for upcoming Learn & Burn events. Keep checking back - we will be adding more events across the state!

🔥 Hands-on learning

🌿 Expert insights

📍 Multiple locations – more counties coming soon!

Visit our events page to learn more about that county's upcoming Learn & Burn and secure your spot today!

Events Calendar

Good and Bad News on Lumber Production and Tariffs

Recent developments on the lumber front indicate that increased logging from federal lands and higher tariffs are in the offing later this year.

Meanwhile, developments continue at a rapid pace on the overall tariff front. President Trump on April 9 announced a 90-day pause on the reciprocal global tariffs that he called for on April 2.

The pause drops his country-specific tariffs down to a 10% rate for all trade partners except China. The president raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%.

Online CE Available For PLM & CFE

Still need CFE hours? Check out AFA's online CE Classes available for CFE & PLM credit.... New 2024 Bundle (5 Hours) is available now. Click the link below to see all the classes available.

AFA Online Education