Although lumber prices have dropped, you can still get better than a $300/Mbf average even in the log. You can't overlook the veneer value, which is still around $1200-1500. That usually pays for the stumpage and the logging costs. So, the other logs are either free or a low cost item.
Our prices on red oak range from $490 for 2 Com to $650 for uppers. Ties will yield about $450, but that's dropping. Overrun will help bring down your operating costs. Bigger mills have a lot lower cost of production than small, one man operations.
