EUGENE, OREGON –  Forestry industry professionals gathered for three days of networking, education, equipment exhibitions, and social activities at the 87th annual Oregon Logging Conference (OLC). It was held February 20-22 at the Lane Events Center and Fairground.

This year’s conference drew more exhibitors, both inside and outside, and greater attendance.

Conference organizers thanked sponsors, many of whom support it every year, who – without their support – the annual event would not be possible.

“The 2025 Conference was excellent,” said Jayme Dumford, OLC president. “The show continues to grow and has become the place to be for industry professionals.” Dumford expressed his appreciation to everyone who did their part to make such an event so successful.

Keynote speaker Chris Evans, president of Oregon-based Timberlab, spoke about the environmental benefits that mass timber building materials have over concrete and steel. Using mass timber instead of concrete and steel will result in a 60 percent reduction in greenhouse gases, he said.

“Using wood helps reduce carbon emissions,” said Evans. “If you put this product into a building where it’s going to be stored for 100 years, that really is a deferment of having that carbon released into the atmosphere.”

A typical mass timber building also is half the weight of a concrete building, he noted. “It’s hard to fathom how much a building weighs when you look at it, but when you think about the impact that has to the local community, as that building is being built, that’s half the trucks on the road.”

Equipment Exhibits

DC Equipment showcased Madill logging equipment for the first time in the U.S. along with its Falcon Forestry Equipment brand. The company exhibited a Madill 3000B log loader.

Madill loaders feature a number of improvements. For example, the boom and stick have increased strength and durability in key stress areas. “We have also redesigned the cooling package to reduce vibration, generate extra capacity for warmer temperatures, and provide access improvements for serviceability,” said Dale Ewers, managing director of DC Equipment.

DC Equipment manufactures and exports forestry equipment to North and South America while supplying the New Zealand and Australian markets. With its acquisition and relaunched production of the Madill brand last year, it opened a facility in Prince George, British Columbia.

“By manufacturing locally, we can ensure faster delivery times and maintain the highest standards of quality and innovation that our customers have come to expect from Madill and DC Equipment,” said Ewers.

Among other companies that exhibited new equipment and other products for the forestry industry, Peterson Cat showcased a Weiler M860 mulcher with a factory-installed 825 mulching head. Building on the Cat 586C site prep tractor, the Weiler M860 features a Cat C9.3B Tier 4 Final engine that generates 375 hp and a 113 gpm hydraulic pump. It can cut through trees up to 16 inches in diameter or clear a path more than 8 feet wide in one pass.

Hoffman Boots displayed its new Grizzly boot. It features a stout 10-inch upper, carbon finish on the outside leather, and a waterproof membrane. The Grizzly, the newest addition to the Hoffman Boots line of outdoor boots, is available with a Vibram or calk sole.

FAE announced a partnership with Papé Machinery to bring its premium land clearing, construction, and agriculture equipment to more customers in the Pacific Northwest. Papé Machinery, a leading supplier of equipment for forestry and other industries, will sell FAE tracked carriers and attachments in Oregon, Washington, Northern Idaho, Nevada, and Hawaii. FAE tracked carriers with mulching attachments, like the PT-300, already are used widely in the West, particularly for wildfire prevention.

Gem Chain Bar announced its partnership with SSAB as a new member of the Hardox® in My Body program. Gem has been using SSAB specialized wear plate Hardox® steel for harvester bars since 1998. It became a member of the program last fall.

“Only products that have been certified to meet the strictest standards of quality in design and fabrication may display the Hardox® in My Body sign,” said Gem manager Melissa Kaschmitter. “The sign is an acknowledgement of our dedication to providing high-quality, high-performing and cost-efficient products. The Hardox® in My Body sign on all of our harvester bars indicates that they are made from the world’s number one abrasion resistant steel Hardox® 500 Tuf wear plate.”

Desserts Fundraiser Tops Previous Years

More than $30,000 was raised at the annual Desserts for Dreams luncheon. It was the most successful of all events held since it began in 2004.

Conference First Lady Maria Dumford selected Every Child Lane County as this year’s charity to benefit from the annual fundraiser. The non-profit organization provides assistance for children and families in the foster care system.

“Dessert for Dreams was an overwhelming success with the largest attendance ever!” Dumford said. “Thank you to everyone who came and gave generously.”

The luncheon included salads and desserts donated by local bakeries and restaurants, and a special sock drive, with all donations given to the charity’s Brighter Side Giving Store.

Career Day

More than 700 students, educators and industry professionals participated in the 7th annual Future Forestry Workers Career Day, held in conjunction with the conference.

Students from more than 32 Oregon high schools attended the interactive and hands-on career day, learning about jobs in logging, forestry, reforestation, sawmills, wildland firefighting, diesel mechanics, and heavy equipment operation.

Some students had an opportunity to operate a small excavator. “That’s the most fun I’ve ever had,” said one student. “That was so cool.”

One of the educators accompanying her students described the event as a “one-stop shop” for learning about job opportunities and careers in natural resource-related industries, adding how much she and her students look forward to coming to this event every year.

One of the activities of Future Forestry Workers Career Day was the high school forestry skills relay. Teams competed in the four skills relay, which included hose lay, choker setting, crosscut sawing. and chainsaw use. With 100 students from 12 schools competing, Waldport High School teams took first and second places, finishing within seconds of each other. Third place was captured by La Pine High School, and Taft High School took fourth place.

The skills relay event is coordinated by Future Natural Resource Leaders. Executive director Rex Lowther said, “Overall the event went great with no issues. The kids did a great job of being ready to go and properly equipped.”

Log Loader Contest

Demonstrating their skills at operating a Link-Belt 4040B loader, the top three winners in the 15th annual Log Loader Competition were within 20 seconds of each other.

Jeremy Staats of Bryant Logging won first place with a time of 3:24:44. Second place was a familiar name in this annual contest, Bryan Chipps of Green Diamond Resource Company, with a time of 3:35:91, and Layne Walker won third place with a time 3:43.16.

Guess the Net Scale

Conference attendees gave their guesses for the net scale of two loads of logs, with the winner of each receiving a $250 Cabela’s gift card.

The winner of the load of alder chip and saw logs was Thomas Fox of Ethel, Washington. He was one of four who were 10 feet off the total of 4,690 board feet. The four names were put in a hat, and Thomas was the winner drawn.

The net scale of the load of logs was 6,660 net. The lucky winner was Jack Miller from California, who guessed the load to the exact foot.

The contest sponsors were Swanson Bros. Lumber and Southport Lumber Co., with log trucks provided by Leonard Masser Logging and Bracelin Trucking Co.

Family Day

Families and others turned out in large numbers on Saturday, the final day of the conference, and the rain held off until late afternoon, so the weather cooperated for children who built wooden bird houses just outside the Wheeler Pavilion. Other popular Family Day attractions included live wildlife, free seedling giveaways, face painting, balloons, art projects, and other hands-on forestry-related activities.

“The final day of the conference is an opportunity for families to attend the OLC and for the public to learn more about who we are, what we do, and to meet many of the professionals who make their living in our industry,” said Rikki Wellman, manager of the conference.

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TimberWest Magazine Celebrates 50 Years at Oregon Logging Conference Sawdust Bowl

TIMBERWEST MAGAZINE proudly celebrated 50 years of covering the forestry and logging industry at the Oregon Logging Conference Sawdust Bowl. It was an incredible evening of camaraderie, storytelling, and recognition of the people and innovations shaping the industry.

We wish to say a special ‘thank you’ to our sponsors who helped make this milestone event possible:

• Conrad Blacksmithing – Crafting high-quality tools for the logging industry.

• Husqvarna Chainsaws – Delivering trusted performance and innovation in forestry.

• Hoffman Boots – Providing durable, high-performance footwear for loggers.

• Cannon Bar Works – Manufacturing premium guide bars for professional loggers and sawmills.

• Jason Davenport Photography – Capturing the essence of the industry through stunning imagery.

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us in Eugene, Oregon, to celebrate.

Here’s to the next 50 years of TimberWest magazine and the continued strength of the forestry industry!