Nov 24, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. Lumber production, employment and wages continue to decline in Montana's forest products industry, Montana's News Station reported. The Director of Forest Industry Research at the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Todd Morgan, said the ongoing housing slump throughout the nation has had a real impact on Montana. Lumber production from Montana sawmills were down 31% compared with 3Q 2005 when markets were strong. Meanwhile, the number of production workers employed in Montana mills fell 6% from 3Q 2007 with about 700 fewer production workers are employed in Montana mills in 2008 compared with 2005. Mill production wages also fell during the 3Q 2008 when compared to 2005, when wages exceeded $33 million. Wages were just $28.9 during the 3Q 2008. Wage, employment and production figures refer only to Montana production workers at timber-processing facilities, and mills that use wood residue from timber-processing facilities.