Production costs for selected Florida vegetables

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ABSTRACT

Costs of production are reported for seven vegetable crops produced in one or more of

six production areas in Florida for the 1986-87 season. In all, sixteen crop-area combinations

are presented along with net return range analyses. Labor and machinery cost breakdowns by

operation are detailed in appendix A.

Keywords: budgets, cost of production, vegetables.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report is the outcome of work contributed by numerous individuals. In particular the

assistance of Gary Brinen, Reggie Brown, Jim Crall, Harold Dee, Anthony Drew, Gary Elstrom,

Paul Everett, Phyllis Gilreath, Larry Halsey, Tim Hewitt, Cathy Neal, Steve Olson, Ken Shuler,

Alto Straughn, Richard Tyson, Darryll Williams and Dave Zimet is greatfully acknowledged. In

addition, the authors would like to express their appreciation to the various Florida growers

who contributed their technical knowledge of vegetable crop production.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract i

Acknowledgements ii

Table of Contents iii

List of Tables iii

Map of Florida Vegetable Producing Areas ix

Definitions x

Introduction 1

Appendix A: Cultural Labor Costs by Activity and Machinery Costs by Operation

List of Tables

Table Page

1. Bush Beans: Estimated production costs in the Dade County Area, 1986-87. 3

2. Bush Beans: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the Dade County Area, 1986-87. 3

3. Bush Beans: Estimated production costs in the Palm Beach County Area,

1986-87. 4

4. Bush Beans: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the Palm Beach County area, 1986-87. 4

5. Cucumbers: Estimated production costs in the Southwest Florida Area, 1986-87. 5

able

6. Cucumbers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the Southwest Florida area, 1986-87. 5

7. Eggplant Estimated production costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1986-87. 6

8. Eggplant: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in

the Palm Beach County area, 1986-87. 7

9. Green Peppers: Estimated production costs in the Palm Beach County area,

1986-87. 8

10. Green Peppers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the Palm Beach County area, 1986-87. 9

11. Green Peppers: Estimated production costs in the Southwest Florida area,

1986-87. 10

12. Green Peppers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the Southwest Florida area, 1986-87. 11

13. Summer Squash: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1986-87. 12

14. Summer Squash: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the Dade County area, 1986-87. 12

15. Ground Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1986-87. 13

16. Ground Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the Dade County area, 1986-87. 14

17. Staked Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area,

1986-87. 15

18. Staked Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1986-87. 16

19. Staked Tomatoes: Estimated Production costs in the North Florida area, 1986-87. 17

Table Eae

20. Staked Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the North Florida area, 1986-87. 18

21. Staked Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the Southwest Florida area,

1986-87. 19

22. Staked Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the Southwest Florida area, 1986-87. 20

23. Watermelons: Estimated production costs in the Alachua/Levy County Area,

1986-87. 21

24. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the Alachua/Levy County area, 1986-87. 21

25. Watermelons: Estimated production costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1986-87. 22

26. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1986-87. 22

27. Watermelons: Estimated Production costs in the North Central Florida area,

1986-87. 23

28. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the North Central Florida area, 1986-87. 23

29. Watermelons: Estimated Production costs in the North Florida area, 1986-87. 24

30. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in

the North Florida area, 1986-87. 24

31. Watermelons: Estimated production costs in the Southwest Florida area, 1986-87. 25

32. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations

in the Southwest Florida area, 1986-87. 25

Table Page

A-I. Bush Beans: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County area,

1986-87. 26

A-2. Bush Beans: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area,

1986-87. 26

A-3. Bush Beans: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Palm Beach County area,

1986-87. 27

A-4. Bush Beans: Summary of machine use and costs in the Palm Beach County

area, 1986-87. 27

A-5. Cucumbers: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Southwest Florida area,

1986-87. 28

A-6. Cucumbers: Summary of machine use and costs in the Southwest Florida area,

1986-87. 29

A-7. Eggplant: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Palm Beach County area,

1986-87 30

A-8. Eggplant: Summary of machine use and costs in the Palm Beach County area,

1986-87. 31

A-9. Green Peppers: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Palm Beach County

area, 1986-87. 32

A-10. Green Peppers: Summary of machine use and costs in the Palm Beach County

area, 1986-87. 33

A-11. Green Peppers: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Southwest Florida

area, 1986-87. 34

A-12. Green Peppers: Summary of machine use and costs in the Southwest Florida

area, 1986-87. 35

Table

A-13. Summer Squash: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County area,

1986-87.

A-14. Summer Squash: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area,

1986-87.

A-15. Ground Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County

area, 1987-86.

A-16. Ground Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade

County area, 1986-87.

A-17. Staked Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Manatee/Ruskin

area, 1986-87.

A-18. Staked Tomatoes:

area, 1986-87.

A-19. Staked Tomatoes:

area, 1986-87.

A-20. Staked Tomatoes:

area, 1986-87.

A-21. Staked Tomatoes:

area, 1986-87.

A-22. Staked Tomatoes:

area, 1986-87.

Summary of machine use and costs in the Manatee/Ruskin

Summary of preharvest labor costs in the North Florida

Summary of machine use and costs in the North Florida

Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Southwest Florida

Summary of machine use and costs in the Southwest Florida

A-23. Watermelons: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Alachua/Levy

County area, 1986-87.

A-24. Watermelons: Summary of machine use and costs in the Alachua/Levy County

area, 1986-87.

Pane

A-25. Watermelons: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Manatee/Ruskin

area, 1986-87.

A-26. Watermelons: Summary

area, 1986-87.

A-27. Watermelons: Summary

1986-87.

A-28. Watermelons: Summary

area, 1986-87.

A-29. Watermelons: Summary

1986-87.

A-30. Watermelons: Summary

1986-87.

A-31. Watermelons: Summary

1986-87.

A-32. Watermelons: Summary

area, 1986-87.

of machine use and costs in the Manatee/Ruskin

of preharvest labor cost in the North Central Florida area,

of machine use and costs in the North Central Florida

of preharvest labor cost in the North Florida area,

of machine use and costs in the North Florida area,

of preharvest labor costs in the Southwest Florida area,

of machine use and costs in the Southwest Florida

Table

PRINCIPAL VEGETABLE PRODUCING AREAS IN FLORIDA
AND MAJOR VEGETABLES PRODUCED

West--tomatoes, watermelons

North

A. Alachua/Levy

B. Hastings--potatoes, cabbage

C. Jefferson County--watermelons

D. Quincy--tomatoes

3. North Central--celery, sweet corn,
lettuce, carrots, watermelons

4. West Central

E. Plant City--strawberries

F. Manatee/Ruskin--tomatoes, watermelons

5. East Central--tomatoes, watermelons

6. Southwest--cucumbers, peppers, squash
tomatoes, watermelons

7. Everglades--celery, sweet corn, lettuce,
radishes, escarole

8. Southeast

G. Palm Beach--beans, cucumbers, sweet
corn, eggplant, squash

H. Dade County--beans, potatoes,
tomatoes, Cuban vegetables

/b
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DEFINITIONS

Bactericide: includes only the cost of bactericides applied.

Bees: bee hive rental when used for pollination purposes.

Containers: includes cartons, crates or baskets in which the product is transported to market.

Crop insurance: represents crop hail or multi-peril insurance.

Custom work: work performed on a contract basis.

Fertilizer: includes only the cost of fertilizer (and lime) applied.

Fungicide: includes only the cost of fungicides applied.

Harvesting: represents the cost of harvesting the crop and preparing it for movement to the

packinghouse on a per packed unit basis.

Hauling: moving the produce from the field to the packinghouse.

Herbicide: includes only the cost of herbicide applied.

Insecticide: includes only the cost of insecticides applied.

Interest cost: interest charged on production capital only. An interest rate of 10% was used in

estimating this cost.

Labor: includes field labor, tractor labor and supervisory labor used to produce the crop. Labor

used for harvesting the crop is included in harvesting cost.

Land rent: an estimate of the prevailing rate charged for land utilized in each production area

and for each specific crop.

Machinery cost: represents the cost of using farm machinery and implements exclusive of

labor. This cost is reported in two subcategories:

Fixed: this component includes depreciation, interest charged to capital expenditures,

taxes, storage and insurance.

Operating: this component includes expenditures on fuel, oil, repair and maintenance.

Mobile/Moveable shed: represents all machinery costs associated with field packing a

commodity.

Overhead: includes indirect production costs such as office supplies, legal and audit fees,

administrative costs, telephone and incidental expenses. Typically, 4 to 5

percent of preharvest cost was used to estimate overhead costs.

Packing: preparing the product for shipment either in the field or at the packinghouse.

Packing material: hay used in packing watermelons.

Picking basket: baskets used by harvest laborers to move commodities from the field to trucks,

hauling carts, or field packing units.

Plastic mulch: represents only the cost of materials. Labor and machinery costs are not

included.

Seed: represents only seed costs.

Selling: the packinghouse, market, sales organization or dealer's charge for performing the

service of selling the crop.

Soil fumigants: includes only the cost of fumigants applied.

Supervision: cost of hired farm management. This value is based on a percent of preharvest

cost and does not include returns to the owner/management.

Surfactant: includes crop oils and sticker/spreaders.

Transplants: includes seed and/or nursery charges. This value does not include transplanting

labor or machinery.

Transportation: moving the crop to a local market for sale.

Wrapping paper thin paper used to prevent damage to product caused by contact within

containers.

Yield: the number of marketable units produced per acre. It is not based on data surveyed

during a given season. Rather it is an estimate for the current year based on

historical data and other relevant information as available.

INTRODUCTION

This report presents estimated costs of production for seven vegetable crops produced in

one or more of six producing areas in Florida for the 1986-87 season. In all, sixteen crop-

area combinations are included. The budgets were constructed using the VEG-BUD fresh

vegetable budget generator. Technical coefficients used in constructing the budgets were

obtained by consultation with individual growers, county agents, and IFAS researchers. The

input prices used in conjunction with the technical coefficients were obtained by telephone

survey of farm suppliers.

The budgets presented in this report are intended to reflect the cost of production

incurred when production practices that are considered typical for any given crop in a given

area are followed. What constitutes a typical production practice for each crop was defined

by a consensus of opinion between IFAS personnel and various producers in each production

area. It should be emphasized that cost estimates resulting from this process should not be

considered as representing the average cost of production in a statistical sense nor should

they be considered as necessarily relating to recommended production practices. Rather, the

cost of production estimates presented are representative of what costs would be realized if

production practices typical for a given crop and area were followed.

For each crop contained in this report there are four tables that include various types of

information. In addition to reporting estimated cost of production per acre and per unit, a

table of estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations is presented in the

text for each crop. The appendix contains two additional tables for each crop that summarize

preharvest labor costs by production activity and a breakdown of fixed and variable machinery

and implement costs.

The net return range analyses provide information on how sensitive the estimated net

return for any crop is to variations in either yield per acre or price per unit. For each crop

net returns are estimated for 25 price and yield combinations. The ranges for both price and

yield are intended to be broad enough to include the actual season average prices and yields

obtained by growers in any given area.

The appendix contains cost breakdowns for both labor input and various types of

machinery and implements. For labor, the estimated hours per acre required to perform an

operation and the cost per acre are delineated. Also included is the estimated cost per acre

for supervision. Machinery costs are reported for tractors, implements and a miscellaneous

category. For each machine or implement, the total hours used per acre and estimated fixed

and variable costs per acre are reported.

Fixed machinery costs include interest cost, taxes, insurance and depreciation. Variable

machinery cost include the cost of fuel and oil, and repair and maintenance. Both fixed and

variable machinery costs are calculated on the basis of hours of use per acre for each

machine or implement. It should be noted that tractor driver labor is not included in the

variable cost of machinery, but reported as "tractor labor" in the labor cost breakdown.

Finally, in some cases, the total cost figures for various subcategories will not exactly

equal the sum of individual cost components due to rounding errors. In all cases, this

difference is no more than a few cents.

Table 1. Bush Beans: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1986-87.
Average oer
Category Acre 30 lbs.
Yield (30 lbs.) 140
- Dollars -

OPERATING COSTS
Seed
Fertilizer
Fungicide
Insecticide
Surfactant
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Crop insurance

Total operating cost

FIXED COSTS
Land rent
Machinery
Overhead

Total fixed cost

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Picking and packing
Containers
Selling

Total harvest and marketing cost

TOTAL COST

85.00
136.52
43.50
52.54
8.58
89.29
50.07
12.72

40.00

518.22

130.00
46.10
42.86

218.96

737.18

455.00
175.00
70.00

700.00

1,437.18

5.27

3.25
1.25
0.50

5.00

10.27

Table 2. Bush Beans: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in
the Dade County area, 1986-87.
Dollars per carton
Yield (30 lbs.) 8.77 9.52 10.27 11.02 11.77

100 -361.00 -286.00 -211.00 -136.00 -61.00
120 -285.00 -195.00 -105.00 -15.00 75.00
140 -210.00 -105.00 0.00 105.00 210.00
160 -135.00 -15.00 105.00 225.00 345.00
180 -59.00 76.00 211.00 346.00 488.00

Table 3. Bush Beans: Estimated production costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1986-87.
Average per
Category Acre 30 lbs.

Yield (30 lbs.) 140

- Dollars -

OPERATING COSTS
Seed
Fertilizer and lime
Fungicide
Insecticide
Surfactant
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Custom work

Total operating cost

FIXED COSTS
Land rent
Machinery
Overhead

Total fixed cost

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Pick and haul
Packing
Containers
Selling
Transportation

Total harvest and marketing cost

TOTAL COST

60.00
128.15
9.99
11.12
6.72
99.60
64.32
12.05

45.00

436.95

187.50
65.69
30.51

283.70

720.65

175.00
194.60
155.40
56.00
14.00

595.00

1,315.65

5.15

1.25
1.39
1.11
0.40
0.10

4.25

9.40

Table 4. Bush Beans: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
Palm Beach County area, 1986-87.
Dollars per carton
Yield (30 lbs.) 5.90 7.65 9.40 11.15 12.90

80 -589.00 -449.00 -309.00 -169.00 -29.00
110 -539.00 -347.00 -154.00 38.00 231.00
140 -490.00 -245.00 0.00 245.00 490.00
170 -440.00 -143.00 155.00 452.00 750.00
200 -391.00 -41.00 309.00 659.00 1,009.00

Table 5. Cucumbers: Estimated production costs in the Southwest Florida area, 1986-87.
Average per
Category Acre 55 lbs.

Yield (55 lbs.) 725
- Dollars -

OPERATING COSTS
Seed
Fertilizer and lime
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Soil fumigant
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Bees
Plastic mulch

Total operating cost

FIXED COSTS
Land rent
Machinery
Overhead

Total fixed cost

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Pick
Haul
Pack
Containers
Selling

Total harvest and marketing cost

TOTAL COST

90.00
325.80
88.83
10.97
37.55
150.00
432.24
177.96
50.33

6.00
195.00

1,564.68

300.00
176.08
199.04

675.12

2,239.80

855.50
174.00
1,225.25
551.00
181.25

2,987.00

5,226.80

3.09

1.18
0.24
1.69
0.76
0.25

4.12

Table 6. Cucumbers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in
the Southwest Florida area, 1986-87.
Dollars per carton
Yield (55 lbs.) 6.21 6.71 7.21 7.71 8.21

575 -1,038.00 -751.00 -463.00 -176.00 112.00
650 -882.00 -557.00 -232.00 93.00 418.00
725 -725.00 -362.00 0.00 363.00 725.00
800 -568.00 -168.00 232.00 632.00 1,032.00
875 -412.00 26.00 463.00 901.00 1,338.00

Table 7. Eggplant: Estimated production costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1986-87.
Average per
Category Acre 33 lbs.

Yield (33 Ibs.) 2250

- Dollars -
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants 160.00
Fertilizer and lime 632.14
Fungicide 105.80
Herbicide 58.08
Insecticide 184.89
Soil fumigant 184.00
Surfactant 13.31
Labor 594.67
Machinery 214.50
Interest 146.30
Miscellaneous
Crop insurance 170.00
Custom work 227.00
Plastic mulch 270.00

Total operating cost 2,960.69

FIXED COST
Land rent 375.00
Machinery 245.75
Overhead 154.58

Total fixed cost 775.33

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 3,736.02 1.66

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvesting 1,147.50 0.51
Mobile shed 157.50 0.07
Wrapping paper 337.50 0.15
Containers 1,687.50 0.75
Selling 787.50 0.35
Transportation 450.00 0.20

Total harvest and marketing cost 4,567.50 2.03

TOTAL COST 8,303.52 3.69

Table 8. Eggplant

Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
Palm Beach County area, 1986-87.

Dollars per carton
Yield (33 lbs.) 2.69 3.19 3.69 4.19 4.69

1,750 -2,580.00 -1,705.00 -830.00 45.00 920.00
2,000 -2,415.00 -1,415.00 -415.00 585.00 1,585.00
2,250 -2,250.00 -1,125.00 0.00 1,125.00 2,250.00
2,500 -2,085.00 -835.00 415.00 1,665.00 2,915.00
2,750 -1,920.00 -545.00 830.00 2,205.00 3,580.00

Table 9. Green Peppers: Estimated production costs in the Palm Beach County area,
1986-87.

Average per
Category Acre 25 lbs.

Yield (25 lbs.) 875
- Dollars -
OPERATING COSTS
Seed 86.00
Fertilizer and lime 342.00
Fungicide 102.90
Herbicide 33.00
Insecticide 306.00
Soil fumigant 184.00
Surfactant 68.46
Labor 706.09
Machinery 182.76
Interest 117.33
Miscellaneous
Crop insurance 180.00
Custom work 150.00
Plastic mulch 270.00

Total operating cost 2,728.54

FIXED COSTS
Land rent 375.00
Machinery 185.02
Overhead 142.70

Total fixed cost 702.72

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 3,431.26 3.92

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Pick and pack labor 1,006.25 1.15
Mobile shed 131.25 0.15
Containers 638.75 0.73
Selling 350.00 0.40
Transportation 175.00 0.20

Total harvest and marketing cost 2,301.25 2.63

TOTAL COST 5,732.51 6.55

Table 10. Green Peppers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combination
in the Palm Beach County area, 1986-87.

Dollars per carton
Yield (25 Ibs.) 5.55 6.05 6.55 7.05 7.55

725 -1,314.00 -951.00 -589.00 -226.00 136.00
800 -1,094.00 -694.00 -294.00 106.00 506.00
875 -875.00 -438.00 0.00 437.00 875.00
950 -656.00 -181.00 294.00 769.00 1,244.00
1025 -437.00 75.00 588.00 1,100.00 1,613.00

Table 11. Green Peppers: Estimated production costs in the Southwest Florida area,
1986-87.
Average per
Category Acre 25 lbs.

Yield (25 lbs.) 900

- Dollars -
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants 425.00
Fertilizer and lime 364.40
Fungicide 159.30
Herbicide 21.94
Insecticide 133.02
Soil fumigant 150.00
Surfactant 4.85
Labor 451.74
Machinery 195.28
Interest 113.20
Miscellaneous
Crop insurance 180.00
Land leveling 300.00
Plastic mulch 195.00

Total operating cost 2,693.73

FIXED COSTS
Land rent 300.00
Machinery 191.28
Overhead 138.23

Total fixed cost 629.51

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 3,323.24 3.69

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvesting 729.00 0.81
Hauling 198.00 0.22
Packing 1,260.00 1.40
Containers 657.00 0.73
Selling 270.00 0.30

Total harvest and marketing cost 3,114.00 3.46

TOTAL COST 6,437.24 7.15

Table 12. Green Peppers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the Southwest Florida area, 1986-87.
Dollars per carton
Yield (25 lbs.) 6.15 6.65 7.15 7.65 8.15

750 -1,304.00 -929.00 -554.00 -179.00 196.00
825 -1,102.00 -689.00 -277.00 136.00 548.00
900 -900.00 -450.00 0.00 450.00 900.00
975 -698.00 -211.00 277.00 764.00 1,252.00
1,050 -496.00 29.00 554.00 1,079.00 1,604.00

Table 13. Summer Squash: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1986-87.

Average per
Category Acre 42 lbs.

Yield (42 Ibs.) 200
- Dollars -

OPERATING COSTS
Seed
Fertilizer
Fungicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Custom work

Total operating cost

FIXED COSTS
Land rent
Machinery
Overhead

Total fixed costs

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvesting
Picking baskets
Hauling
Packing
Containers
Selling
Movable shed
Transportation

Total harvest and marketing cost

TOTAL COST

106.00
193.50
47.05
34.25
93.90
44.62
18.45

43.40

581.17

130.00
48.95
45.27

224.22

805.39

350.00
8.00
30.00
150.00
216.00
100.00
6.00
30.00

890.00

1,695.39

4.03

1.75
0.04
0.15
0.75
1.08
0.50
0.03
0.15

4.45

8.48

Table 14. Summer Squash: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the Dade County area, 1986-87.
Dollars per carton
Yield (42 lbs.) 6.98 7.73 8.48 9.23 9.98

160 -401.00 -281.00 -161.00 -41.00 79.00
180 -351.00 -216.00 -81.00 54.00 189.00
200 -300.00 -150.00 0.00 150.00 300.00
220 -250.00 -85.00 80.00 245.00 410.00
240 -199.00 -19.00 161.00 341.00 521.00

Table 15. Ground Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1986-87.
Average per
Category Acre 25 lbs.

Yield (25 Ibs.) 1,000
- Dollars --
OPERATING COSTS
Seed 125.00
Fertilizer 346.13
Bactericide 58.40
Fungicide 93.30
Herbicide 25.09
Insecticide 223.38
Soil fumigant 200.00
Surfactant 21.34
Labor 504.16
Machinery 126.23
Interest 97.72
Miscellaneous
Crop insurance 196.00
Custom work 164.03
Plastic mulch 182.13

Total operating cost 2,362.91

FIXED COSTS
Land rent 220.00
Machinery 138.74
Overhead 120.56

Total fixed cost 479.30

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 2,842.21 2.84

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvesting 630.00 0.63
Hauling 70.00 0.07
Packing 1,740.00 1.74
Containers 580.00 0.58
Selling 150.00 0.15

Total harvest and marketing cost 3,170.00 3.17

TOTAL COST 6,012.21 6.01

Table 16. Ground Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the Dade County area, 1986-87.
Dollars per carton
Yield (25 lbs.) 4.51 5.26 6.01 6.76 7.51

600 -2,037.00 -1,587.00 -1,137.00 -687.00 -237.00
800 -1,769.00 -1,169.00 -569.00 31.00 631.00
1000 -1,500.00 -750.00 0.00 750.00 1,500.00
1200 -1,232.00 -332.00 568.00 1,468.00 2,368.00
1400 -963.00 87.00 1,137.00 2,187.00 3,237.00

Table 17. Staked Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area,
1986-87.
Average per
Category Acre 25 lbs.

Yield (25 lbs.) 1,200
- Dollars -
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants 150.00
Fertilizer and lime 301.60
Fungicide 103.80
Herbicide 27.20
Insecticide 244.35
Soil fumigant 115.00
Surfactant 3.23
Labor 634.07
Machinery 229.39
Interest 86.76
Micellaneous
Crop insurance 77.00
Irrigation pipe 27.74
Plastic mulch 130.00
Plastic string 25.20
Replacement stakes 36.00

Total operating cost 2,191.34

FIXED COSTS
Land rent 100.00
Machinery 220.31
Overhead 109.12

Total fixed cost 429.43

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 2,620.77 2.18

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and haul 996.00 0.83
Packing 1,704.00 1.42
Containers 636.00 0.53
Selling 180.00 0.15

Total harvest and marketing cost 3,516.00 2.93

TOTAL COST 6,136.77 5.11

Table 18. Staked Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1986-87.
Dollars per carton
Yield (25 lbs.) 3.61 4.36 5.11 5.86 6.61

800 -2,074.00 -1,474.00 -874.00 -274.00 326.00
1000 -1,937.00 -1,187.00 -437.00 313.00 1,063.00
1200 -1,800.00 -900.00 0.00 900.00 1,800.00
1400 -1,663.00 -613.00 437.00 1,487.00 2,537.00
1600 -1,526.00 -326.00 874.00 2,074.00 3,274.00

Table 19. Staked Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the North Florida area, 1986-87.

Average per
Category Acre 25 lbs.

Yield (25 lbs.) 1,200
- Dollars -
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants 165.60
Fertilizer and Lime 341.00
Fungicide 201.45
Herbicide 33.00
Insecticide 61.39
Soil fumigant 202.50
Surfactant 13.38
Labor 291.16
Machinery 81.76
Interest 92.95
Miscellanous
Crop insurance 161.50
Custom work 298.50
Irrigation 26.00
Plastic mulch 180.00
Replacement stakes 180.00
Twine 100.00

Total Operating Cost 2,430.19

FIXED COSTS
Land rent 30.00
Machinery 85.51
Overhead 110.37

Total Fixed Cost 225.88

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 2,656.07 2.21

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and haul 948.00 0.79
Packing 2,820.00 2.35
Containers 660.00 0.55
Selling 180.00 0.15

Total harvest and marketing cost 4,608.00 3.84

TOTAL COST 7,264.05 6.05

Table 20. Staked Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the North Florida area, 1986-87.
Dollars oer carton
Yield (25 lbs.) 5.05 5.55 6.05 6.55 7.05

800 -1,686.00 -1,286.00 -886.00 -486.00 -86.00
1000 -1,443.00 -943.00 -443.00 57.00 557.00
1200 -1,200.00 -600.00 0.00 600.00 1,200.00
1400 -958.00 -258.00 442.00 1,142.00 1,842.00
1600 -715.00 85.00 885.00 1,685.00 2,485 00

Table 21. Staked Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the Southwest Florida area,
1986-87.
Average per
Category Acre 25 lbs.

Yield (25 lbs.) 1,200
- Dollars -
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants 225.00
Fertilizer and lime 353.00
Fungicide 160.64
Herbicide 50.67
Insecticide 110.84
Soil fumigant 150.00
Labor 705.11
Machinery 272.06
Interest 132.55
Micellaneous
Crop insurance 260.00
Level land 300.00
Plastic mulch 195.00
Plastic string 25.00
Remove stakes/plastic 75.00
Replacement stakes 6.00

Total operating cost 3,020.87

FIXED COSTS
Land rent 300.00
Machinery 275.36
Overhead 346.37

Total fixed cost 921.73

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 3,942.60 3.29

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and haul 636.00 0.53
Packing 1,200.00 1.00
Containers 840.00 0.70
Selling 900.00 0.75
Transportation 60.00 0.05

Total harvest and marketing cost 3,636.00 3.03

TOTAL COST 7,578.60 6.32

Table 22. Staked Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the Southwest Florida area, 1986-87.
Dollars per carton
Yield (25 lbs.) 5.32 5.82 6.32 6.82 7.32

800 -2,114.00 -1,714.00 -1,314.00 -914.00 -514.00
1000 -1,657.00 -1,157.00 -657.00 -157.00 343.00
1200 -1,200.00 -600.00 0.00 600.00 1,200.00
1400 -743.00 -43.00 657.00 1,357.00 2,057.00
1600 -286.00 514.00 1,314.00 2,114.00 2,914.00

Table 23. Watermelons:

Estimated costs of
1986-87.

production in the Alachua/Levy County area,

Average per
Category Acre 100 Ibs.

Yield (100 lbs.) 300
- Dollars -
OPERATING COSTS
Seed 10.00
Fertilizer and Lime 102.50
Fungicide 26.15
Labor 134.11
Machinery 50.39
Interest 11.10
Miscellanous
Custom work 62.00

Total operating cost 396.25

FIXED COSTS
Land rent 40.00
Machinery 45.97
Overhead 18.84

Total fixed cost 104.81

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 501.06 1.67

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and Haul 375.00 1.25

Total harvest and marketing cost 375.00 1.25

TOTAL COST 876.06 2.92

Table 24. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in
the Alachua/Levy County area, 1986-87.
Dollars per 100 lbs.
Yield (100 lbs.) 1.92 2.42 2.92 3.42 3.92

200 -367.00 -267.00 -167.00 -67.00 33.00
250 -334.00 -209.00 -84.00 41.00 166.00
300 -300.00 -150.00 0.00 150.00 300.00
350 -267.00 -92.00 83.00 258.00 433.00
400 -233.00 -33.00 167.00 367.00 567.00

Table 25. Watermelons:

Estimated costs of production in the Manatee/Ruskin area,
1986-87.

Average per
Category Acre 100 lbs.

Yield (100 lbs.) 320
- Dollars -

OPERATING COSTS
Seed
Fertilizer and Lime
Fungicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Bees

Total operating cost

FIXED COSTS
Land rent
Machinery
Overhead

Total fixed cost

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and pack
Packing material
Selling

Total harvest and marketing cost

TOTAL COST

20.68
275.00
85.60
23.25
65.56
165.29
77.37

3.60

716.35

100.00
128.57
34.70

263.27

979.62

480.00
9.60
320.00

809.60

1,789.22

3.06

1.50
0.03
1.00

2.53

5.59

Table 26. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in
the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1986-87.
Dollars per 100 lbs.
Yield (100 lbs.) 4.59 5.09 5.59 6.09 6.59

220 -526.00 -416.00 -306.00 -196.00 -86.00
270 -423.00 -228.00 -153.00 -18.00 117.00
320 -320.00 -160.00 0.00 160.00 320.00
370 -217.00 -32.00 153.00 338.00 523.00
420 -114.00 96.00 306.00 516.00 726.00

Table 27. Watermelons:

Estimated costs of production in the North Central Florida area,
1986-87.

Average per
Category Acre 100 lbs.

Yield (100 lbs.) 300
- Dollars -
OPERATING COSTS
Seed 13.75
Fertilizer and Lime 137.71
Fungicide 32.70
Insecticide 6.25
Labor 112.57
Machinery 120.40
Interest 61.83

Total operating cost 485.21

FIXED COSTS
Land rent 100.00
Machinery 150.33
Overhead 26.95

Total fixed costs 277.28

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 762.49 2.54

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and Haul 375.00 1.25

Total harvest and marketing cost 375.00 1.25

TOTAL COST 1,137.49 3.79

Table 28. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in
the North Central Florida area, 1986-87.
Dollars per 100 lbs.
Yield (100 lbs.) 2.79 3.29 3.79 4.29 4.79

250 -454.00 -354.00 -254.00 -154.00 -54.00
275 -377.00 -252.00 -127.00 2.00 123.00
300 -300.00 -150.00 0.00 150.00 300.00
325 -223.00 -48.00 127.00 302.00 477.00
350 -146.00 54.00 254.00 454.00 654.00

Table 29. Watermelons: Estimated costs of production in the North Florida area, 1986-87.

Average per
Category Acre 100 Ibs.

Yield (100 lbs.) 350
- Dollars -

OPERATING COSTS
Seed
Fertilizer and Lime
Fungicide
Insecticide
Nematicide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Air compressor
Plastic mulch

Total operating cost

FIXED COSTS
Land rent
Machinery
Overhead

Total fixed cost

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest
Haul
Selling

Total harvest and marketing cost

TOTAL COST

15.63
125.13
51.25
8.20
4.95
85.78
56.42
18.08

44.70
56.25

466.39

55.00
77.38
75.23

207.61

674.00

353.50
10.50
35.00

399.00

1,073.00

1.93

1.01
0.03
0.10

1.14

3.07

Table 30. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in
the North Florida area, 1986-87.
Dollars per 100 lbs.
Yield (100 lbs.) 2.07 2.57 3.07 3.57 4.07

250 -443.00 -318.00 -193.00 -68.00 57.00
300 -396.00 -246.00 -96.00 54.00 204.00
350 -350.00 -175.00 0.00 175.00 350.00
400 -304.00 -104.00 96.00 296.00 496.00
450 -257.00 -32.00 193.00 418.00 643.00

Table 31. Watermelons: Estimated costs of
1986-87.

production in the Southwest Florida area,

Average per
Category Acre 100 Ibs.

Yield (100 Ibs.) 340
- Dollars -

OPERATING COSTS
Transplants
Fertilizer and Lime
Fungicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellanous
Bees
Irrigation
Plastic mulch

Total operating cost

FIXED COSTS
Land rent
Machinery
Overhead

Total fixed cost

TOTAL PREHARVEST COST

HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest, haul and pack
Packing material
Selling

Total harvest and marketing cost

TOTAL COST

39.00
185.80
82.73
66.84
138.11
88.65
28.26

6.00
20.10
195.00

850.49

250.00
92.05
58.21

400.26

1,250.75

510.00
6.80
255.00

771.80

2,022.55

3.68

1.50
0.02
0.75

2.27

5.95

Table 32. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in
the Southwest Florida area, 1986-87.
Dollars per 100 lbs.
Yield (100 lbs.) 4.95 5.45 5.95 6.45 6.95

240 -608.00 -488.00 -368.00 -248.00 -128.00
290 -474.00 -329.00 -184.00 -39.00 106.00
340 -340.00 -170.00 0.00 170.00 340.00
390 -206.00 11.00 184.00 379.00 574.00
440 -72.00 148.00 368.00 588.00 808.00

Table A-I. Bush Beans: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County area, 1986-87.

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Irrigation 4.68 19.89
Other cultural labor 1.25 5.31

Total cultural labor 5.93 25.20
Total tractor labor 2.92 18.52
Supervision 45.57

TOTAL LABOR COST 89.29

Table A-2. Bush Beans: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area, 1986-87.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

40 hp 0.70 1.39 1.94 3.33
70 hp 0.87 3.16 4.33 7.49
160 hp 0.80 7.26 9.54 16.80

IMPLEMENTS

13-ft Heavy disk 0.80 9.24 3.36 12.60
4-Row fert. applicator 0.27 0.77 0.51 1.28
4-Row planter 0.27 2.30 1.44 3.74
4-Row cultivator 0.60 1.29 0.78 2.07
Sprayer 0.70 8.33 4.57 12.90

MISCELLANEOUS

117-hp Pump 3.75 12.38 23.59 35.97

TOTAL MACHINERY COST 46.12 50.06 96.18

Table A-3. Bush Beans: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the
1986-87.

Palm Beach County area,

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Cultivate 4.00 18.80
Irrigate 1.00 4.79

Total cultural labor 5.00 23.59
Total tractor labor 5.96 31.65
Supervision 44.36

TOTAL LABOR COST 99.60

Table A-4. Bush Beans: Summary of machine use and costs in the Palm Beach County area,
1986-87.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

40 hp 1.07 2.12 2.97 5.09
70 hp 1.87 6.79 9.29 16.08
100 hp 1.83 11.47 14.43 25.90

IMPLEMENTS

6-ft Weed chopper 0.36 0.99 0.62 1.61
12-ft Disc 1.07 8.82 3.21 12.03
1-Row middle buster 0.40 0.58 0.14 0.72
1-Row bedder 0.40 0.45 0.27 0.72
1-Row fumigator 0.40 1.02 0.80 1.82
1-Row fert. distributor 0.67 5.62 4.76 10.38
1-Row cross ditcher 0.40 0.87 0.41 1.28
2-Row bean planter 0.40 2.13 1.33 3.46
2-Row cultivator 1.07 4.76 0.80 2.13
Sprayer 0.40 1.32 2.61 7.37

MISCELLANEOUS

30-hp Electric pump 6.00 6.60 1.60 8.20
100-hp Diesel engine pump 3.61 12.42 21.07 33.49

TOTAL MACHINERY COST 65.69 64.32 130.01

Table A-5. Cucumbers:

Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Southwest
Florida area, 1986-87.

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Remove plastic mulch 20.00 85.00
Mark off ditches 1.33 5.65
Mark off rows 1.33 5.65
Bed and fumigate 0.67 2.85
Apply top fertilizer 0.67 2.85
Lay plastic 2.00 8.50
Make cross-ditches 7.50 31.88
Set plants 14.40 61.20
Thin plants 7.20 30.60
Water control 1.50 6.63
Other 4.00 17.00

Total cultural labor 60.60 257.81
Total tractor labor 12.74 79.65
Supervision 94.78

TOTAL LABOR COST 432.24

Table A-6. Cucumbers:

Summary of machine use
1986-87.

and costs in the Southwest Florida area,

Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

100 hp
125 hp
180 hp

IMPLEMENTS

6.94
1.13
2.13

43.50
7.82
22.83

54.73
10.38
29.36

98.23
18.19
52.20

12-ft disc
16-ft disc
14-ft leveler
Row marker
V-ditcher
14-ft reverse plow
3-Row bedder
3-Row fumigator
3-Row fert. distributor
3-Row plastic layer
1-Row hole puncher
3-Row herbicide sprayer
Sprayer
1-Row plastic lifter

MISCELLANEOUS

20-hp Diesel engine pump
100-hp Diesel engine pump

TOTAL MACHINERY COST

0.80
1.20
0.40
0.54
0.53
0.60
0.53
0.53
1.06
0.53
0.70
0.27
2.77
0.27

8.28
4.92

6.60
11.88
1.34
0.65
1.43
1.19
1.35
3.04
12.50
4.10
0.39
0.92
32.96
0.98

5.69
16.91

176.08

2.40
4.32
0.45
0.03
0.63
0.43
1.06
2.38
11.11
3.22
0.16
0.50
18.10
0.36

9.68
28.67

9.00
16.20
1.79
0.68
2.06
1.62
2.41
5.42
23.61
7.32
0.55
1.42
51.06
1.34

15.37
45.57

177.96 354.05

Table A-7. Eggplant Summary of preharvest labor costs
County area, 1986-87.

in the Palm Beach

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Place plastic in rows 5.33 25.05
Bed and fumigate 0.40 1.88
Apply fertilizer 0.67 3.15
Make cross ditches 13.33 62.65
Lay plastic 1.34 6.30
Set plants 20.00 94.00
Replant 1.00 4.70
Water control 3.00 14.10
Other 12.00 56.40

Total cultural labor 57.07 268.23
Total tractor labor 19.14 101.71
Supervision 224.73

TOTAL LABOR COST 594.67

Table A-8. Eggplant

Summary of machine use and costs in the Palm Beach
1986-87.

County area,

Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

40 hp
70 hp
100 hp

IMPLEMENTS

0.40
10.53
4.39

0.79
38.22
27.51

1.11
52.33
34.61

1.90
90.55
62.12

1-Row mower
12-ft Disc
1-Row middle buster
1-Row bedder
1-Row bed presser
1-Row fumigator
1-Row fert. distributor
1-Row cross ditcher
1-Row plactic layer
1-Row hole puncher
2-Row herbicide sprayer
Sprayer
1-Row plastic lifter
Baler

MISCELLANEOUS

100-hp Diesel engine pump
aEggplant mule train
30-hp Electric pump

TOTAL MACHINERY COST

0.40
2.24
0.40
0.53
0.53
0.53
1.06
0.53
0.53
0.40
0.80
8.00
0.27
0.16

8.33
2.75
14.29

0.96
18.48
0.58
0.59
0.20
1.35
8.99
1.15
1.98
0.23
2.04
95.20
0.98
2.30

29.26
112.50
15.36

0.60
6.72
0.14
0.36
0.16
1.06
7.61
0.54
1.32
0.09
1.12
52.27
0.36
0.77

57.33
45.00
3.81

358.25 259.50

aNot included in preharvest costs.

1.56
25.20
0.72
0.95
0.36
2.41
16.19
1.69
3.31
0.32
3.16
147.47
1.34
3.07

78.86
157.50
19.09

617.75

Table A-9. Green Peppers:

Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Palm
Beach County area, 1986-87.

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Place plastic in rows 5.31 25.05
Bed and fumigate 0.40 1.88
Fertilize 1.00 4.70
Lay plastic 1.00 4.70
Prepare plug mix 3.00 14.10
Plant 30.00 141.00
Thin plants 20.00 94.00
Water control 2.50 11.75
Other 25.00 117.50

Total cultural labor 88.21 414.68
Total tractor labor 15.96 83.95
Supervision 207.46

TOTAL LABOR COST 706.09

Table A-10. Green Peppers: Summary of machine use and costs in the Palm Beach County
area, 1986-87.
Dollars ver acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

40 hp 1.60 3.17 4.43 7.60
70 hp 8.81 31.97 43.77 75.74
100 hp 2.24 14.04 17.67 31.72

IMPLEMENTS

1-Row mower 0.40 0.96 0.60 1.56
12-ft Disc 1.28 10.56 3.84 14.40
1-Row middle buster 0.40 0.58 0.14 0.72
1-Row bedder 0.80 0.90 0.54 1.44
1-Row fumigator 0.80 2.04 1.60 3.64
1-Row fert. distributor 0.80 6.03 5.36 11.39
1-Row cross-ditcher 0.80 1.73 0.82 2.55
1-Row plastic layer 0.80 3.00 2.00 5.00
1-Row hole puncher 0.80 0.45 0.18 0.63
2-Row herbicide sprayer 0.80 2.04 1.12 3.16
Sprayer 5.08 60.43 33.18 93.61
1-Row plastic lifter 0.53 1.92 0.70 2.62
Baler 0.16 2.30 0.77 3.07

MISCELLANEOUS

100-hp Diesel engine pump 7.27 25.00 42.39 67.39
Mixer 1.00 4.73 20.45 25.18
30-hp Electric pump 11.97 13.17 3.19 16.36

TOTAL MACHINERY COST 185.02 182.76 367.78

Table A-11. Green Peppers:

Summary of preharvest labor costs in the
Southwest Florida area, 1986-87.

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Remove plastic 9.00 38.25
Bed, fumig. and top fert. 0.40 1.70
Make cross ditches 3.50 14.88
Lay plastic 1.20 5.10
Set plants 12.00 51.00
Replant 2.00 8.50
Water control 2.50 10.63
Other 10.00 42.50

Total cultural labor 40.60 172.55
Total tractor labor 12.52 78.23
Supervision 202.96

TOTAL LABOR COST 451.74

Table A-12. Green Peppers: Summary of machine use and costs in the Southwest Florida
area, 1986-87.
Dollars per acre
Desciption Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

100 hp 7.29 45.73 57.53 103.26
125 hp 0.80 5.54 7.36 12.90
180 hp 1.92 20.59 26.48 47.07

IMPLEMENTS

1-Row mower 0.40 0.96 0.60 1.56
16-ft Disk 0.96 9.50 3.46 12.96
V-Ditcher 0.32 0.86 0.38 1.25
14-ft Reverse plow 0.32 0.63 0.23 0.86
3-Row bed fertilizer 0.32 1.78 1.40 3.17
3-Row fumigator 0.32 1.83 1.44 3.27
3-Row fert. distributor 0.32 3.78 3.36 7.14
3-Row cross-ditcher 0.32 1.55 0.73 2.28
3-Row plastic layer 0.32 2.48 1.95 4.43
3-Row plant setter 0.80 2.02 0.60 2.61
2-Row herbicide sprayer 0.64 1.63 0.90 2.53
Sprayer 4.79 57.04 31.31 88.35
1-Row plastic lifter 0.50 1.82 0.66 2.48

MISCELLANEOUS

20-hp Diesel engine pump 12.41 8.53 14.50 23.03
100-hp Diesel engine pump 7.27 25.00 42.39 67.39

TOTAL MACHINERY COST 191.28 195.28 386.56

Table A-13. Summer Squash: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the
1986-87.

Dade County area,

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Seed and fertilize 0.22 0.94
Cultivate 0.99 4.21
Irrigate 3.76 15.98

Total cultural labor 4.97 21.12
Total tractor labor 3.73 23.28
Supervision 49.50

TOTAL LABOR COST 93.90

Table A-14. Summer Squash: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area,
1986-87.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

40 hp 1.20 2.38 3.32 5.70
70 hp 0.98 3.56 4.87 8.43
160 hp 0.80 7.26 9.54 16.80

IMPLEMENTS

13-ft Heavy disc 0.80 9.24 3.36 12.60
4-Row fert. applicator 0.98 2.79 1.86 4.65
4-Row planter 0.18 1.53 0.96 2.49
Sprayer 1.20 14.28 7.84 22.12
4-Row cultivator 0.80 1.72 1.04 2.76

MISCELLANEOUS

117-hp Pump (truck mounted) 1.88 6.20 11.81 18.01

TOTAL MACHINERY COST 48.95 44.62 93.57

Table A-15. Ground Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest
County area, 1986-87.

labor costs in the Dade

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Frost protection 1.50 6.38
Fumigate and lay plastic 2.50 10.63
Haul plastic 1.00 4.25
Lay plastic 6.25 26.56
Other cultural 15.00 63.75
Plant 2.00 8.50
Prepare plug mix 0.50 2.13
Prune plants 25.00 106.25
Supplemental fertilizer 0.33 1.40
Thin plants 6.25 26.56

Total cultural labor 60.33 256.41
Total tractor labor 12.02 75.12
Supervision 172.64

TOTAL LABOR COST 504.17

Table A-16. Ground Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area,
1986-87.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

40 hp 6.26 12.39 17.35 29.74
70 hp 2.03 7.37 10.09 17.46
160 hp 1.33 12.04 15.82 27.86

IMPLEMENTS

13 ft. Heavy disk 1.07 12.32 4.48 16.80
1-Row mower 0.20 0.48 0.30 0.78
1-Row plastic cutter 0.20 0.07 0.01 0.08
2-Row herbicide sprayer 1.20 3.06 1.68 4.74
3-Row bedder 0.13 0.33 0.26 0.59
3-Row fert. distributor 0.40 4.73 4.20 8.93
3-Row fumigator 0.20 1.15 0.90 2.05
3-Row middle buster 0.13 0.29 0.12 0.41
3-Row scrapper 0.20 0.25 0.15 0.40
3-Row shanks 0.10 0.24 0.06 0.30
3-Row tomato planter 0.80 11.90 7.47 19.37
Sprayer 4.26 50.68 27.82 78.50
Baler 0.13 1.87 0.62 2.50
Fertilizer tender 0.40 3.38 3.00 6.38
Side hole puncher 0.20 0.38 0.15 0.53

MISCELLANEOUS

117-hp Pump (truck mounted) 4.22 13.93 26.54 40.47
2-Ton truck 0.20 1.26 2.54 3.80
Mixer 0.13 0.61 2.66 3.27

TOTAL MACHINERY COST 138.74 126.22 264.96

Table A-17. Staked Tomatoes:

Summary of preharvest labor costs in the
Manatee/Ruskin area, 1986-87.

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Apply cricket bait 1.00 4.50
Drive stakes 4.00 18.00
Irrigate 2.50 11.25
Prune plants 3.50 15.75
Remove plastic 10.00 45.00
Remove stakes 8.00 36.00
Replant 1.00 4.50
Set plants 3.00 13.50
Set stakes 8.80 39.60
Tie plants 18.00 81.00
Other 25.00 112.50

Total cultural labor 84.80 381.60
Total tractor labor 17.06 93.83
Supervision 158.64

TOTAL LABOR COST 634.07

Table A-18. Staked Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Manatee/Ruskin
area, 1986-87.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

70 hp
100 hp
150 hp

IMPLEMENTS

13-ft Heavy disk
14-ft Leveler
1-Row bedder
1-Row fert. distributor
1-Row fumigator
1-Row plactic layer
1-Row plant setter
2-Row gas burner
2-Row herbicide sprayer
2-Row hiller
4-Row stake drivers
Ditch plow
Row marker
Sprayer
Stake wagon
V-Board
V-Ditcher

0.82
10.83
2.00

2.98
67.89
16.50

1.60
0.40
0.32
0.64
0.32
0.32
0.80
0.80
0.72
0.32
0.80
0.32
0.32
3.84
0.50
0.32
1.00

18.48
1.34
0.36
5.18
0.82
1.20
0.94
3.82
2.62
0.77
7.39
0.29
0.38
45.70
0.48
0.38
2.70

4.08
85.42
21.99

6.72
0.45
0.22
4.60
0.64
0.80
0.28
2.83
1.44
0.19
3.58
0.11
0.02
25.09
0.16
0.10
1.20

7.06
153.31
38.49

25.20
1.79
0.58
9.78
1.46
2.00
1.22
6.65
4.06
0.96
10.97
0.40
0.40
70.79
0.64
0.48
3.90

MISCELLANEOUS

100-hp Diesel engine pump
2-Ton truck

TOTAL MACHINERY COST

10.18
0.80

34.99
5.10

59.34
10.16

220.31 229.42

94.33
15.26

449.73

Table A-19. Staked Tomatoes:

Summary
1986-87.

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Pump operator 3.33 13.20
Soil preparation and bedding 4.80 19.20
Staking and driving 6.40 25.60
Transplanting 4.80 19.20

Total cultural labor 19.33 77.20
Total tractor labor 13.38 53.50
Supervision 160.46

TOTAL LABOR COST 291.16

Table A-20. Staked Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the North Florida area,
1986-87.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

40 hp 9.90 19.60 25.88 45.48
85 hp 0.80 3.70 4.68 8.38

IMPLEMENTS

1-Row bedder 0.80 0.90 0.54 1.44
1-Row bed presser 1.59 0.61 0.48 1.09
1-Row fumigator 0.80 2.04 1.60 3.64
1-Row fert. distributor 1.59 11.96 10.63 22.59
1-Row plastic layer 1.59 5.95 3.97 9.92
3-Row plant setter 0.80 2.02 0.60 2.62
3-Row herb. sprayer 7.50 25.50 14.00 39.50
Stake wagon 0.80 0.77 0.26 1.03

MISCELLANEOUS

100-hp Diesel engine pump 3.33 11.46 18.12 29.58
Truck 10.00 1.00 1.00 2.00

TOTAL MACHINERY COST 85.51 81.76 167.27

of preharvest labor costs in the North Florida area,

Table A-21. Staked Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the
Southwest Florida area, 1986-87.

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Lay plastic/cross ditch 20.00 85.00
Transplant and reset 13.43 57.08
Staking 17.91 76.12
Prune 14.94 63.50
Tieing 23.88 101.49
Hand cultivate 5.97 25.37

Total cultural labor 96.13 408.55
Total tractor labor 21.06 131.62
Supervision 164.94

TOTAL LABOR COST 705.11

Table A-22. Staked Tomatoes: Summary of machine
area, 1986-87.

use and costs in the Southwest Florida

Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

100 hp 13.25 83.06 104.50 187.56
125 hp 2.00 13.86 18.40 32.26
180 hp 1.60 17.16 22.07 39.23

IMPLEMENTS

12-ft Disk 1.60 13.20 4.80 18.00
3-Row bedder 0.32 0.82 0.64 1.46
3-Row fert. distributor 0.32 3.78 3.36 7.14
3-Row fumigator 0.80 4.59 3.60 8.19
3-Row middle buster 0.40 0.90 0.36 1.26
3-Row plant setter 1.60 4.03 1.19 5.23
3-Row plastic layer 0.80 6.21 4.87 11.07
6-Row herbicide sprayer 2.13 10.88 5.97 16.85
6-Row stake driver 1.60 14.78 7.17 21.95
Sprayer 5.27 62.76 34.46 97.21
Stake wagon 0.80 0.77 0.26 1.02
V-Ditcher 1.20 3.24 1.44 4.68

MISCELLANEOUS

20-hp Diesel engine pump 12.41 8.53 14.50 23.03
100-hp Diesel engine pump 7.27 25.00 42.39 67.39
1-Ton truck 0.40 1.80 2.08 3.88

TOTAL MACHINERY COST --- 275.36 272.06 547.42

Table A-23. Watermelons: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Alachua/Levy County
area, 1986-87.

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Hoe 3.00 13.50
Irrigation operator 20.00 90.00
Turn vines 3.00 13.50

Total cultural labor 26.00 117.00
Total tractor labor 3.42 17.11

TOTAL LABOR COST -134.11

Table A-24. Watermelons: Summary of machine use and costs in the Alachua/Levy County
area, 1986-87.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

40 hp 1.78 3.52 4.65 8.17
125 hp 0.96 6.64 8.35 14.99

IMPLEMENTS

1-Row bedder 0.25 0.28 0.17 0.45
1-Row fert. distributor 0.49 3.22 2.87 6.09
1-Row planter 0.29 3.30 1.41 4.70
1-Row cultivator 0.86 3.94 1.95 5.89
Chisel plow 0.25 0.83 0.50 1.33
12-ft disc 0.29 2.36 0.86 3.21
Tandem disc harrow 0.25 2.48 0.90 3.38
Spring tooth harrow 0.13 1.03 0.50 1.53
Moldboard plow 0.33 1.18 1.08 2.26

MISCELLANEOUS

100-hp diesel engine pump 5.00 17.19 27.17 44.36

TOTAL MACHINERY COST 45.97 50.39 96.36

Table A-25. Watermelons: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area,
1986-87.

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Hoe. 2.00 8.00
Replant 4.00 16.00

Total cultural labor 6.00 24.00
Total tractor labor 7.56 41.56

TOTAL LABOR COST -65.56

Table A-26. Watermelons: Summary of machine use and costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area,
1986-87.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

40 hp 0.20 0.40 0.55 0.95
85 hp 2.40 11.09 14.85 25.94
100 hp 2.78 17.42 21.91 39.33
320 hp 0.67 14.85 17.90 32.75

IMPLEMENTS

6-ft Weed chopper 0.67 1.84 1.15 2.99
12-ft Disc 1.60 13.20 4.80 18.00
14-ft Leveler 0.20 0.67 0.22 0.89
V-ditcher 0.20 0.54 0.24 0.78
1-Row bedder 0.33 0.37 0.23 0.60
1-Row fert. distributor 1.00 7.76 6.90 14.66
6-Row herbicide sprayer 1.60 8.16 4.48 12.64
1-Row planter 0.44 5.13 2.19 7.32

MISCELLANEOUS

100-hp Diesel engine pump 14.29 47.14 89.87 137.01

TOTAL MACHINERY COST 128.57 165.29 293.86

Table A-27. Watermelons:

Summary of preharvest labor costs in the North Central Florida
area, 1986-87.

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre

CULTURAL LABOR

Hoe 8.00 35.04
Irrigation operator 2.24 9.81
Move irrigation 1.36 5.96
Turn vines 2.00 8.76

Total cultural labor 13.60 59.57
Total tractor labor 8.48 53.00

TOTAL LABOR COST -112.57

Table A-28. Watermelons: Summary of machine use and costs in the North Central Florida
area, 1986-87.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total

TRACTORS

40 hp 2.00 3.96 5.54 9.50
100 hp 4.78 29.99 37.74 67.73

IMPLEMENTS

1-Row bedder 0.33 0.37 0.23 0.60
1-Row fert. distributor 1.33 11.17 9.93 21.11
1-Row planter 1.00 11.54 4.92 16.46
1-Row riding cultivator 1.00 0.41 0.02 0.43
16-ft disc 0.45 4.46 1.62 6.08
12-ft disc 0.50 4.13 1.50 5.63
6-Row herb sprayer 2.50 12.75 7.00 19.75
Moldboard plow 1.00 3.55 3.23 6.77

MISCELLANEOUS

Cable tow traveling gun 2.22 68.00 49.20 117.20

TOTAL MACHINERY COST 150.33 120.93 271.26

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MILLISECOND	CLASS.METHOD	MESSAGE
0	sobekcm_page_globals.constructor
0	sobekcm_page_globals.constructor	Application State validated or built
0	sobekcm_database.verify_item_lookup_object
0	sobekcm_page_globals.constructor	Navigation Object created from URI query string
0	sobekcm_database.verify_item_lookup_object
0	sobekcm_page_globals.display_item	Retrieving item or group information
0	sobekcm_page_globals.get_entire_collection_hierarchy	Retrieving hierarchy information
0	sobekcm_assistant.get_entire_collection_hierarchy
0	cached_data_manager.retrieve_item_aggregation
0	cached_data_manager.retrieve_item_aggregation	Found item aggregation on local cache
0	item_aggregation_builder.get_item_aggregation	Found 'all' item aggregation in cache
0	system.web.ui.page.page_load (ufdc.page_load)
0	sobekcm_page_globals.constructor.on_page_load
0	html_echo_mainwriter.add_style_references	Adding style references to HTML
0	html_echo_mainwriter.add_text_to_page	Reading the text from the file and echoing back to the output stream
40	html_echo_mainwriter.add_text_to_page	Finished reading and writing the file

	Front Cover
	Abstract
	Acknowledgement
	Table of Contents
	Map: principal vegetable producing...
	Definitions
	Introduction
	Tables
	Tables