AgEBB-MU CAFNR Extension
Green Horizons
Volume 24, Number 2
Spring 2020
The Bid Box
Hank Stelzer, MU Extension, School of Natural Resources
Rare as it is, there are times when a landowner may receive only one bid on their timber. This is why retaining a professional forester is critically important; not only to provide you with a good estimate on the value of your timber, but also to give you sound advice, if in fact you receive a single bid.
Moniteau County
- 70 acres
- 364 marked trees
- Estimated total volume 62,810 bd ft (Doyle Scale)
- About 50% of volume was white oak group species, the rest was a mix of various other hardwoods, both upland and bottomland species.
- Timber quality lower than average, a few upland areas had been used for livestock grazing in the past, but the sale did have a small amount of stave-quality material.
- Forester estimated the value at $12,500
- A single bid of $12,610 was received which the landowner accepted
- Return: $180/ac
The buyer was local; someone the forester has worked with for several years did great work. A combination of lower quality timber and wet weather with many loggers behind in harvesting contracts in-hand might have resulted in the low bidder turnout. Still, both the landowner and the forester felt it was a good deal given the circumstances.
Whether a sale brings one bid or ten, check out the following MU Guides to help you become familiar with some of the aspects of selling timber:
G5051 - Selling Timber: What the Landowner Needs to Know
G5057 - Basic Elements of a Timber Sale Contract
G5056 - Managing Your Timber Sale Tax
These Guides will help you better understand the ins and outs of marketing your timber and will help you help your professional forester!