May 06, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Rayonier reported 1Q 2010 net income of $57 million. The results include a special item gain of $12 million from the sale of a portion of the company’s interest in its New Zealand joint venture. Excluding the gain, 1Q earnings were $45 million, compared to $26 million in the prior year period, company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. Cash provided by operating activities of $91 million was $27 million above the prior year period. Cash available for distribution1 (CAD) was $77 million compared to $53 million in 1Q 2009. Operating income rose to $76.9 million from $46.2 million the previous year. Sales increased to $310.2 million from $279.4 million the prior year. “Our 1Q results were strong with solid contributions from each of our three core businesses,” said Lee M. Thomas, Chairman, President and CEO. “In Timber, we accelerated the year’s harvest schedule to capitalize on increased prices due to weather-related supply constraints as well as improved export demand in the West. In Real Estate, we successfully marketed 24,000 acres of non-strategic timberlands; and in Performance Fibers, we met solid demand for all of our products." Rayonier is a leading international forest products company with three core businesses: Timber, Real Estate and Performance Fibers. The company owns, leases or manages 2.5 million acres of timber and land in the United States and New Zealand.