ELGIN, Ore. -- Boise Cascade announced a temporary curtailment at its La Grande sawmill and an Elgin stud mill.

Company officials said Thursday the curtailment will occur next week and affect roughly 60 workers in La Grande and 70 in Elgin.

Lumber demand and prices remain low amid the national housing slump and Boise Cascade officials say they are trying to minimize short-term losses to ensure long-term success.

Boise Cascade operates four plants in Union County, employing about 700 people. The company has been struggling with poor market conditions for more than a year and has scaled back operations at all the local plants.

Work at the Elgin stud mill was curtailed for two weeks in February and early March.