In this months update, you’ll find these headlines and more:

• SLB Continuance Referendum Postponed Until Late 2026: The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has postponed the SLB’s continuance referendum until two rulemaking actions recommended by the Board in March 2025 (addressing the net nominal issue and adding a seat to the U.S. South region) are complete. AMS estimates the rulemaking will be complete between September 2026 and March 2027. 
• USDA Announces 2026 Appointments to the Softwood Lumber Board: The USDA recently announced the appointment of six members and four alternates to serve on the Softwood Lumber Board. The three regional alternate seats and public member and alternate seats are new for 2026. 
• The 2025 constructsteel Awards recognized a hybrid mass timber and steel office project with the Excellence in Sustainability award—evidence that strategic collaboration between steel and wood isn’t just possible, but also commercially viable and future-facing.
• Removing Barriers to Wood Education by Engaging Architecture School Administrators: SLB placed mass timber into conversations about core competencies, learning outcomes, and long-horizon program planning