The Lumber Word

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:
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www.fastmarkets.com
Layman’s Lumber Guide
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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

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.
 
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djalbert@fastmarkets.com
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Show Contacts:
Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com
Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com
Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com
Ashley Boeckholt Ashley@sitkainc.com

EP 150: Fuel for the Next Move

Alex Mead from StoneX joins Gregg, Matt, Ashley, and Charles for a milestone Episode 150 packed with market insight. The group breaks down current lumber conditions, why the new CME SYP lumber contract is positioned to grow in the coming years, and what the Commitment of Traders Report is signaling about the next move.They discuss the wide spread between CME and spot lumber, how buyers across the supply chain are reacting, and whether being short into Q1 could be risky. Stick around to the end for early 2026 forecasts and a strong close from Matt, highlighting gratitude for the industry and why this market still matters.
Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
djalbert@fastmarkets.com
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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
Guest: Alex Mead
Risk Management Consultant
StoneX
Alex.mead@stonex.com

EP 149: Rudderless or Ready to Turn?

Industry veteran Sig Thoma joins Gregg, Matt, and Ashley to break down a lumber market searching for direction. The crew digs into mill fixed costs, why curtailments are so tough, and where early green shoots may appear heading into 2026. They debate contracts vs. VMI for next year, highlight what sellers are doing, and share the items they’re buying—plus the risk strategies they’re using right now. A fast, insightful episode to help you trade smarter.
Guest: Sig Thoma / Industry veteran
Sig@xmico.com
Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
djalbert@fastmarkets.com
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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
 

EP 148: Grateful in the Grind

In Episode #148 of The Lumber Word, Matt, Gregg, Charles and Ashley sit down with Kyle Little, COO of Sherwood Lumber and current NAWLA Chairman, to talk about staying grateful in one of the toughest markets we've seen in years. Kyle gives an inside look at what NAWLA is working on to improve meetings and member engagement, while the crew runs through a quick market round robin — how short is multi-family, where inventory is hiding, 2x4 #2 R/L Chicago trading around $485–$495, and whether the three-year streak of $30 CME rolls can keep going. Who are the Long CME traders?They hit SYP futures, new potential deliverables in the legacy lumber contract, whether big buyers are stepping in, and if demand is starting to feel a little 2008-ish. The episode wraps with thoughts on growing customers in a slow market and what the industry can learn from this moment.
Guest: Kyle Little COO of Sherwood Lumber and Current NAWLA Chairman
klittle@sherwoodlumber.com
NAWLA Contact Information
Matt Bruno MBruno@nawla.org
https://nawla.org/
Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
djalbert@fastmarkets.com
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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

EP 147: Fatigue, Fear, and the Great Curtailment No-Show

This week we welcome back one of our favorite guests — and sponsor — Matt Layman. The crew breaks down the strange mood gripping the industry: no curtailments, exhausted traders, Repair & Remodel softening, and customers disappearing into the weeds. We run through every major species, what’s cheap, what’s expensive, and how November expiration and January futures could shape the next move.Matt shares what his members are seeing across retail, multifamily, and manufacturing, while the team debates whether mills get bank lifelines or if cuts finally hit. We look at Home Depot’s outlook, immigration’s impact on the economy, and how much wood needs to come off for any kind of Q1 rally.If you’re trying to navigate this market or plan for H1 2026 business, this episode is loaded with takeaways. Come for the insight — leave smarter.
 
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
 

EP 146: Post Kansas City Breakdown

Gregg, Matt, and Ashley dive right in this week after a jam-packed NAWLA Traders event in Kansas City. The trio breaks down the mood coming out of the show — who was optimistic, who wasn’t, and what that means for the lumber market heading into year-end.They take a hard look at the November CME lumber expiration, asking whether open interest is too high or if most of it will roll into EFPs as the year winds down. The conversation heats up around curtailments, demand signals, and what kind of event or news could realistically turn the market around — or if things are really that bad.The guys wrap things up by sharing what they’re buying, selling, and watching, plus a few ideas for what others in the industry should be considering right now.Come for the post-NAWLA insights, stay for the trading talk — and as always, walk away smarter and better looking.
 
Fastmarkets/CME SYP Futures webinar, November 18, 2025, link:
www.fastmarkets.com/lumbertalk
 
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

EP 145: When Unplugging Doesn’t Work

This week on The Lumber Word, the crew welcomes Patrick Teoli, IT specialist and owner of BluCirrus, to tackle all those tech questions that “just unplug it and plug it back in” won’t solve. From system crashes to smarter setups, Patrick keeps it real about how tech meets the lumber world.
Then, things heat up fast in the lumber market discussion — and it’s a wild one. After a sharp CME selloff, fear is rippling through the supply chain. So where’s the opportunity hiding? Gregg, Matt, Charles, and Ashley break it down with their takes on Hem-Fir convergence, mills that might pull the plug, and why if you’re EFP’ing and sleeving through five people, you’re probably missing the real play.
Come for the information, stay for the laughs — and leave a little smarter (and maybe better looking).
 
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djalbert@fastmarkets.com
www.fastmarkets.com
Layman’s Lumber Guide
www.laymansguide.com
Matt@laymansguide.com
 
Guest: Patrick Teoli
BLUCIRRUS
pteoli@blucirrus.com
 
Show Contacts
Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com
Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com
Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com
Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com
 

EP 144: Good-Dealed to Death — Seasonal Weakness or Strength Ahead?

Matt, Gregg, Charles, and Ashley are back on track this week talking about what might be the calm before the next lumber storm. The crew breaks down the quiet market tone and asks the question everyone’s thinking — are we moving from seasonal weakness into a period of strength?Charles thinks many dealers have been “good-dealed to death” over the past 60 days and simply don’t need to buy, while Gregg takes the other side of that trade. Matt shares why he’s feeling better heading into year-end, and the group circles around how the bug basis is quietly helping hedgers manage risk. They also highlight Hem-Fir’s return as a deliverable species, adding another twist to the 2025 outlook.Plenty to unpack, lots of laughs, and as always — you’ll come out smarter and better looking.
 
 
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

EP 143: Mid-October Round Up

Gregg, Charles, and Ashley kick things off with a deep dive into Southern Pine curtailments — and why they still haven’t kicked in. The crew then runs through different scenarios for when Canadian mills might finally shut down more production. Gregg predicts we could see a 7-handle on lumber in Q1 of ’26, while Charles brings up multi-family projects and who’s short that business heading into 2026.Gregg also sparks a conversation about 2026 lumber contracts and some surprising insights that follow. The team rounds things out by highlighting undervalued items and how your inventory strategy might adapt to take advantage.Join the fun — and leave a little smarter.
 
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