Stumpage paid for pine sawlogs in Louisiana averaged $325.78 per thousand board feet in the first quarter of 2001, according to information from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

The state average was down from $341.57 average in the last quarter of 2000, and from $375.12 in the first quarter one year ago.

Mixed hardwood logs averaged $254.73 per thousand board feet in the first quarter of 2001, down from $261.60 in the last quarter of 2000, but up from $221.16 in the first quarter last year.

Other statewide average prices reported by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry:

Product - - - - - - -1st Qtr., '01 -- Prev. Qtr. -- Year ago
Poles, ton . . . . . . . . . . $48.91 . . . . .21.46 . . . . . 25.98
Pine Pulpwd.(Cord). . .$22.04 . . . . . 21.46 . . . . .25.98
Mxd Hdw Pulp . . . . . .$12.10 . . . . . . 9.78 . . . . .12.40
Chip-N-Saw . . . . . . .$101.71 . . . . . 88.69 . . . .113.06
Pine OSB(Cord) . . . . .$17.01 . . . . $19.52 . . . . .13.50
Hdwd OSB(Cord) . . . . 16.54 . . . . . 15.81 . . . . .14.25

The Department of Agriculture and Forestry points out that prices vary for specific stands of timber, based on differences of size, species, quality, quantity, logging conditions, distance to mill, end product, demand, and competition.