2024 Logger survey: working tough ground

Loggers across the U.S. responded to Timber Harvesting’s recent 2024 Logger Survey, which showed that contractors in all parts of the country are having a tough time grappling with rising costs and dropping demand in some areas. For example, for the first time ever across 20-plus years of logger surveys, the number of loggers who rate their company’s financial health “poor” (9%) to “very poor” (21%) outnumber those who say “good” (21%) to “very good” (7%)—30% to 28% overall in favor of the negatives.

Meanwhile, two-thirds (66%) of loggers who responded say they see a trend toward lower sawlog and plylog demand in their area, an overwhelming number of loggers (89%) say they see a trend toward lower pulp and fiber wood in their area. Of the almost 200 loggers who responded, the top four challenges cited are insurance (68%), limited markets (62%), load quotas (57%) and mill compensation (56%). There’s much more included, but here’s a quick look at other survey results:

• 45% of loggers have trucks parked for lack of qualified drivers.

• 61% buy at least some of their own timber.

• 69% have employees who regularly operate two or more different machines.

• 85% of loggers say they would seek other work rather than relocate to stay in logging.

Full survey results are covered in the July-August Timber Harvesting, both hard copy and digital versions.

Latest News

Pulpwooders Lose Potential Market

Feb 15, 2023 | News

“Once again, the state of Minnesota is giving the finger to good companies trying to create jobs here.” That’s how Minnesota State Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) responded to a Minnesota Court of Appeals decision in early February that would have caused further delay in the construction of a $440 million OSB plant by Huber Engineered Woods in Cohasset, but instead…