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Abstract

The aim of the paper is to compare the volumes of timber sold at electronic auctions of standing timber organized by the state enterprise Lesy České republiky (Forests of the Czech Republic, or FCR) with volumes obtained through individual (volume) electronic measurements by harvesters at stand (stump production) sites. The data were obtained from a company actively involved in both electronic and traditional auctions organized by FCR. A total of 40 electronic auctions, which the company won in the 4-year period (2012–2015) were compared. The data on standing volumes were taken from the auction bid sheets. The remaining data were obtained from printed outputs of the Motomit IT forest machine software of the Logset H8 harvester. Prior to harvesting, control measurements were taken and, if necessary, the harvester was calibrated in every stand. Results obtained showed that the volumes offered at auctions are higher than volumes determined by harvester. The total timber volume determined by auctions stood at 19,685.46 m3, whereas the total timber volume determined by harvester was 18,532.51 m3. The difference between these values was 1,152.95 m3. Differences in individual tree species were determined as well. Larch with 7.23% showed biggest differences, followed by pine with 7.22% and spruce with the smallest difference of 5.42%. The results obtained may be applied in practice, particularly as data used by companies dealing with timber purchasing at auctions. Buyers will be able to take the determined differences into account when preparing an offer.