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This study investigated timber supply from Finnish non-industrial private forests (NIPF) using the consistent Tobit model and nationwide micropanel survey data on timber sales of 1299 forest owners during 2004–2008. The effects of forest owners’ gender and length of land tenure on timber supply were studied in particular. Women sold one cubic meter per hectare and per year (about 30%) less than men did. Female owners sold less frequently, but larger quantities at a time than did male owners. Short-tenure (

Two landowner classification methods based on owner objectives have been used to describe the heterogeneous group of farmland owners. As accurate information on landowner preferences is essential in policy planning and evaluation of the effects of various policy instruments, there is a need to develop feasible methods for classifying landowners. In this study we applied objective-based classification to Finnish farmland owners. The two classification methods compared in terms of their criterion validity were traditional cluster analysis and latent class analysis. Comparison of the convergent, concurrent, discriminant, and predictive components of criterion validity revealed that latent class analysis, particularly if sociodemographic covariates were included, was a slightly better classification method. Classification of farmland owners according to their ownership objectives was shown to be a relevant predictor of landowner behavior, and thus to provide valuable information for agricultural policymakers.

Non-industrial private forestry is important in many European countries as well as in the United States and eastern provinces of Canada. Private forests are especially important in Finland because the forest industries are highly dependent on private timber supply. In this article, we present the Finnish monitoring system for private forestry. Forest owners receive mailed inquiries regarding demographics, holding characteristics, ownership objectives, areas of silvicultural treatments, and timber sales, as well as connections with extension organizations. Studies based on such data have been useful in planning and implementation of national forestry programs and policies. Key words: non-industrial private forest owners, small-scale forestry, landowner characteristics, ownership objectives, forest management behaviour, timber supply, Finland