The Lumber Word

EP 127: The Basis is Hot, But Bart is Cooler

This week, Matt and Ashley are joined by Bart Charles from Atlantic Forest Products, one of thetop cash and futures traders in North America. We dig into what we’re doing with our currentpositions and what we see ahead in the lumber market. From May housing numbers to thelooming increase in Canadian CVD and AD duties, we cover the major forces shaping the near-term outlook.We also unpack the CME premium and what it means for basis, mill behavior in the cash market,and where customer inventories stand today. This episode is loaded with insights you won’t hearanywhere else. If you’re in the business of buying or selling construction lumber, this is a must-listen.
Contact the show participants at:Charles@AtlanticForest.comMattBeymer@HamptonLumber.comAshley@Sitkainc.com

EP 126: Quiet Deals, Big Feels, and a Greggless Few Weeks

With Gregg off to Europe for a few weeks, the rest of the crew held down the fort and had plenty to unpack. We kicked things off by acknowledging the incredible growth of our audience—thanks to the many decision-makers across the industry who tune in every week.
This week’s market feels... weird. Confusion reigns as everyone waits for the updated Anti-Dumping (AD) and Countervailing Duties (CVD) on Canadian lumber. While the consensus is that prices will trend higher, mills are quietly cutting below-the-published-number deals to keep volume moving. Southern Pine remains painfully cheap, and we're openly asking: how much longer can some mills hold on?
We also (just barely) grazed the third rail—politics—before steering it back to what matters: the supply chain, the market moves, and what you should be watching over the next few weeks.
Hit play, crush the like button, and stay sharp with the #1 lumber podcast in America.
 
If you want to leave us a note, or get in for an early summer advertising discount visit us at:  https://www.thelumberchannel.com/contact
Or directly at:
Mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com
Cdelatorre@ifpwood.com
Gregg@Sitkainc.com
Ashley@Sitkainc.com

EP 125: Whose Pick Is It Anyway?

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 belowGregg@Sitkainc.comMattbeymer@hamptonlumber.comCdelatorre@commtransport.comAshley@Sitkainc.com

EP 124: The Lumber Word Podcast

While Matt’s off living la dolce vita in Rome, Charles, Greg, and Ashley hold down thefort with a special guest—Russ Taylor from Russ Taylor Global. Fresh off the plane froma Global Lumber Conference in Vienna, Russ brings some sharp global insights. Wedive 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 next30–60 days.Link to Russ Taylor’s LinkedIn and Websitehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/russtaylorglobal/
https://russtaylorglobal.com/
The Lumber Channel Websitehttps://www.thelumberchannel.com/

EP 123: The New Southern Pine Lumber Futures Contract at the CME

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/

EP 122: Supply Push Takes the Wheel

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.

EP 121: The Playbook is Out: Bulls, Bears & Big Bets in Lumber

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!

EP 120: Spring Market Review

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.

EP 119: European Lumber's U.S. Port Pinch & Southern Yellow Pine's Wild Regional Spreads

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.

EP 118: "Montreal to Market Moves: What Lumber Traders Need to Know

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!