[quote=waggler]^^
You guys are talking apples and pineapples when you're comparing saw logs to pulp.
Pulp prices are down everywhere, in big part due to the huge upswing in lumber production. An increase in trees being harvested for lumber creates an increase in chip production (tops, slabs, etc), this material goes into the pulp supply whether there is a demand for it or not.
Do you guys have any idea what the mills there are paying for softwood logs let's say, 7+" and 32' long?
I would be really surprised if it's not considerably more than it was a year ago.
Here's a list of average log prices in Washington for the month of February, following is a list from last July.
Realistically the prices from the middle column (high) are the prices a logger can expect to receive. Also, most logs are now being quoted at a "camp-run" price, not by various grades. The camp-run quotes being thrown around right now basically are what is shown in the charts as #2 saw prices, 7"+ and 36'long average log length (except cedar 32' lengths).
Notice cedar, it has doubled!
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You are comparing apple to oranges, big difference between Pacific Northwest softwood and Northeastern softwood prices.
Here in the northeast no one sells spruce fir stud logs 32’ long. Most Canadian stud mills purchase spruce/fir 6” diameter and up, 12’-16’ logs heavy to16 footers. Last I sold it was around $275 - $300 MBF International Rule. 20 years ago the same logs paid $310+ MBF. Red Pine logs around $200MBF, Red Pine poles pay the best depending on length. Local Amish mills pay $275-$300 MBF Doyle for hemlock logs.