Following the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association convention the first week of February, business in Alder has been steady and has slightly improved.  Most of the distributors and manufacturers we met with in Indiana look for a gradual improvement in business activity throughout the year.  Our production volumes remain consistent, with availability remaining constrained on Superior in most thicknesses and lengths, and most other grades available for prompt.   
 
Last week we ran 10/4 and 12/4 Alder which we generally only do 2-3 times per year.  We have in half packs 10/4 and 12/4 SUP for prompt for those that stock this for specialty uses.   
 
On the economic front last week’s employment and wage data looks like it will forestall any change in the federal funds rate until at least their June meeting.  A lot of analysts feel that any downward trajectory in interest rates would stimulate housing starts and begin to use up some of the excess softwood plywood and dimension ready to go into the housing market.  When this happens, a recovery in Alder and hardwood demand should follow a few months later.