By Sean Smith, Vice President, Starfire Lumber Co. So far the Obama Administration’s plans for the federal forests of the West are the subject of much speculation and conjecture, but little that is concrete.  The list of political appointees the Administration has posted to the major federal agencies holding sway […]

Weekend National News Focus: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association:  WASHINGTON (Apr. 22, 2008) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) criticized a decision by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to proceed with implementation of a new feed ban on April 27, 2009, despite numerous objections from farmers, ranchers, states, and […]

Weekend National News Focus: American Farm Bureau Federation:  WASHINGTON, D.C., April 17, 2009 – “The American Farm Bureau Federation is deeply concerned about the impact of the Environmental Protection Agency’s finding on greenhouse gas emissions, released today. The agency’s announcement could lead to harmful consequences with the government overextending its […]

By Congressman Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-05) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-04) led the Oregon Democratic congressional delegation today in sending a letter to Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke, urging him to provide an extension of the 2008 salmon disaster so that the unspent $50 million […]

By Rick Sohn, Housing  starts and permits have fallen back again.   See the 3-year price comparisons for lumber, logs, housing starts, permits, and unsold home inventories below.  A profile of Keller Lumber Company, a Roseburg cedar mill, follows.

OCA 2009 Legislation: What’s Happening? By Oregon Cattlemen Association The legislation (HB 3417), to help reduce the cost of doing business for the Department of Agricultures Brand Division and alleviate near future increases for brand inspection, and increased costs to cattle producers, will be heard on April 23.  If there […]

Terry L. Witt,  Executive Director Oregonians for Food & Shelter, We are now at the next juncture in a series of legal steps set in motion by the Washington Toxics Coalition lawsuit against EPA for failing to consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) over the potential for pesticides […]

Update on Current Policy News Affecting Forest Business & Timber Supply by Rex Storm, Forest Policy Manger Associated Oregon Loggers, Forest Stimulus Spending $1 Billion:  Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell announced that the agency would spend $1.15 billion in 2009 on its Economic Recovery Program.  The USFS claims its programs […]

Oregon Department of Forestry:  The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet on Monday, April 20, to discuss legislation that would alter the management focus of state-owned forests. House Bill 3072 calls for a change in the “greatest permanent value” rule, which directs that Oregon’s state forests be managed as “healthy, […]

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University is seeking comments on a statewide study of sustainable agriculture in order to gauge potential for establishing a new program to help the agriculture and food business communities meet sustainability standards.