Oct 26, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Rayonier reported 3Q net income of $63 million, compared to $81 million in the prior year period. 3Q 2009 results included a $49 million, benefit from the alternative fuel mixture credit (AFMC). Excluding this 2009 special item, year-over-year net income increased $31 million over the prior year period, company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. Year-to-date 2010 net income totaled $158 million, compared to $215 million in 2009. Excluding special items, year-to-date net income rose to $147 million from $86 million in 2009. Sales for the quarter grew to $377.5 million from $312.2 million in the corresponding quarter of last year. “We are pleased to report strong 3Q results today, following our announcement last week of an 8% dividend increase,” said Lee M. Thomas, chairman and CEO. “These results reflect increased contributions from each of our core businesses. In timber, we continued to benefit from our action to lock-in higher stumpage prices early in the year. In real estate, we had higher year-over-year rural and non-strategic timberland sales, including a significant conservation sale. And in performance fibers, we capitalized on continued strong demand for both cellulose specialties and absorbent materials products.” Timber segment's sales of $47 million were $1 million above the 3Q 2009, while operating income of $9 million increased $8 million. Year-to-date sales of $143 million increased $18 million from prior year, while operating income of $26 million was $27 million above 2009 results for the same period. Rayonier is a leading international forest products company with three core businesses: Timber, Real Estate and Performance Fibers. The company owns, leases or manages 2.4 million acres of timber and land in the United States and New Zealand.