Production costs for selected vegetables

Scott A. Smith
Timothy G. Taylor
00oo
fz 31-

Production Costs for Selected
Florida Vegetables 1997-98

DOCUMENT

UNIVERSITY OF
: FLORIDA

100
F637fe
El
99-3

Economic Information
Report El 99-3

ititute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
aod and Resource Economics Department
Florida Cooperative Extension Service
Gainesville, FL 32611

August 1999

Production Costs for
Selected Florida Vegetables
1997-98

Scott A. Smith and Timothy G. Taylor

UNIVERSITY OF
FLORIDA
Institute of Food and Agricultural Science
Cooperative Extenson Savce
Umuverity of Flonda
Gminesvlle. FL

ABSTRACT

Costs of production are reported for eleven vegetable crops produced in one or more of
eight production areas in Florida for the 1997-98 season. In all, twenty-seven crop-area
combinations are presented along with net return analyses. Labor and machinery cost
breakdowns by operation are detailed in the appendix.

Keywords: budgets, cost of production, vegetables.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report is the outcome of work contributed by numbers individuals. In
particular the assistance of Suzanne Cady, Ben Castro, Anthony Drew, Phyllis Gilreath,
Ken Shuler, Stewart Swanson, Austin Tilton and Eric Waldo is gratefully acknowledged. In
addition, the authors would like to express their appreciation to the various state agencies,
Florida growers, and agricultural associations who contributed their technical knowledge of
vegetable crop production. Thanks also to Janice Baisden for her assistance in the
processing of this document.

ABSTRACT

Costs of production are reported for eleven vegetable crops produced in one or more of
eight production areas in Florida for the 1997-98 season. In all, twenty-seven crop-area
combinations are presented along with net return analyses. Labor and machinery cost
breakdowns by operation are detailed in the appendix.

Keywords: budgets, cost of production, vegetables.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report is the outcome of work contributed by numbers individuals. In
particular the assistance of Suzanne Cady, Ben Castro, Anthony Drew, Phyllis Gilreath,
Ken Shuler, Stewart Swanson, Austin Tilton and Eric Waldo is gratefully acknowledged. In
addition, the authors would like to express their appreciation to the various state agencies,
Florida growers, and agricultural associations who contributed their technical knowledge of
vegetable crop production. Thanks also to Janice Baisden for her assistance in the
processing of this document.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

A b stract .................. ............... ..................... ... .. ............................................... i
A cknow ledgem ents ...................................... ... ........ .. .... .......... ... ............. i
Table of Contents ..... ......... .. ...... ............. .............. ..... .............. .................. ...... iii
List of Tables ............................ .............. ................... .......................... ..... .. .... iii
List of A ppendix Tables........................ ................................................................... .. vii
Introduction ............................................................................... ...............................ix
Principal Vegetable Producing Areas in Florida and Major Vegetables Produced............................ xi
Key to Term s U sed in Tables .......................................................................................... xiii
Appendix: Cultural Labor Costs by Activity and Machinery Costs by Operation ........................... 29

List of Tables

Table P ge

1. Bush Beans: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.......................... 1
2. Bush Beans: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
Dade County area, 1997-98 ........................ ...................................................1
3. Cabbage: Estimated production costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98 ....................................2
4. Cabbage: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
Hastings area, 1997-98 ..................................... ...... .. ................ 2
5. Sweet Corn: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98............................3
6. Sweet Corn: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
Dade County area, 1997-98 .............................. .... ...................................... 3
7. Sweet Corn: Estimated production costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 .................4
8. Sweet Corn: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 .................... ............................... ..................4
9. Cucumbers: Estimated production costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98......................5
10. Cucumbers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
southwest Florida area, 1997-98 .......................................................................... 5
11. Eggplant: Estimated production costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 ............. ......
12. Eggplant: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
Palm Beach County area, 1997-98...................................................................... ......6
13. Eggplant: Estimated production costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system in
the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 ...................................................... ............. 7
14. Eggplant: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for the initial
crop of a double-crop system in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98..............................
15. Green Peppers: Estimated production costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 .............8

Table Pae

16. Green Peppers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 .....................................................................8
17. Green Peppers: Estimated production costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system
in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 ...................................................................9
18. Green Peppers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for the
initial crop of a double-crop system in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 ........................9
19. Green Peppers: Estimated production costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98................. 10
20. Green Peppers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98............................................................... 10
21. Green Peppers: Estimated production costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system
in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98................................................................... 11
22. Green Peppers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for the
initial crop of a double-crop system in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.......................... 11
23. Chip Potatoes: Estimated production costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98............................ 12
24. Chip Potatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the H astings area, 1997-98................................ .......................... .. 12
25. Table Potatoes: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98 ..................... 13
26 Table Potatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the Dade County area, 1997-98 ..................... ..... .. .................... 13
27. Table Potatoes: Estimated production costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98.......................... 14
28. Table Potatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the Hastings area, 1997-98........................................... ............... ............. 14
29. Summer Squash: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98 ................... 15
30. Summer Squash: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the Dade County area, 1997-98 ................................................ ................... 15
31 Strawberries: Estimated production costs in the Plant City area, 1997-98 .......................... 16
32. Strawberries: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the Plant City area, 1997-98 ...................................................................................... 16
33. Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98 .......................... 17
34. Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the Dade County area, 1997-98 .................................................................... 17
35. Fall Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98................. 18
36. Fall Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the M anatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98 ................................................. .................... 18

37. Fall Tomatoes: Estimated production costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system
in the M anatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98 ..................................................... .... 19
38. Fall Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for the
initial crop of a double-crop system in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98 .......................... 19
39. Spring Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98............ 20
40. Spring Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the M anatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98 ............................................... ... ................... 20
41. Spring Tomatoes: Estimated Production costs in the north Florida area, 1997-98 ................. 21
42. Spring Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
north Florida area, 1997-98............................................................................ 21
43. Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98...................... 22
44. Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
southwest Florida area, 1997-98 ......................................................... .................. 22
45. Tomatoes: Estimated production costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system
in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98............................................................ 23
46. Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for the initial
crop of a double-crop system in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98 ................................23
47. Watermelons: Estimated production costs in the Alachua/Levy County area, 1997-98 ............. 24
48. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the Alachua/Levy County area, 1997-98 .............................................................. 24
49. Watermelons: Estimated production costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98 ................... 25
50. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations
in the M anatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98 ........................................................ 25
51. Watermelons: Estimated Production costs in the north Florida area, 1997-98...................... 26
52. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in
the north Florida area, 1997-98 .............................................................................. 26
53. Watermelons: Estimated production costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98 ................. 27
54. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in
the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.................................................................... 27

Page

Table

vi

List of Appendix Tables
Table Page

A-1. Bush Beans: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98 ............... 31
A-2. Bush Beans: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98................ 31
A3. Cabbage: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98 ....................... 32
A-4. Cabbage: Summary of machine use and costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98......................... 32
A-5. Sweet Corn: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98 ............... 33
A-6. Sweet Corn: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98............ 33
A-7. Sweet Corn: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98........ 34
A-8. Sweet Corn: Summary of machine use and costs in the Palm Beach County area; 1997-98........ 34
A-9. Cucumbers: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.......... 35
A-10. Cucumbers: Summary of machine use and costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98........... 35
A-11. Eggplant: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 ........... 36
A-12. Eggplant: Summary of machine use and costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 ........... 36
A-13. Eggplant: Summary of preharvest labor costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system
in the Palm Beach area, 1997-98..................................................... .................... 37
A-14. Eggplant: Summary of machine use and costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system
in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 ........................................................ .... 37
A-15. Green Peppers: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 .... 38
A-16. Green Peppers: Summary of machine use and costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 .... 38
A-17. Green Peppers: Summary of preharvest labor costs for the initial crop of a double-crop
system in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 ............................ .................... 39
A-18. Green Peppers: Summary of machine use and costs for the initial crop of a double-crop
system in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98 .......................... ...................... .... 39
A-19. Green Peppers: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98....... 40
A-20. Green Peppers: Summary of machine use and costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98 ...... 40
A-21. Green Peppers: Summary of preharvest labor costs for the initial crop of a double-crop
system in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98 .......................................................... 41
A-22. Green Peppers: Summary of machine use and costs for the initial crop of a double-crop
system in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98 ......................................................... 41
A-23. Chip Potatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98................. 42
A-24. Chip Potatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98 ................. 42
A-25. Table Potatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98 ............ 43
A-26. Table Potatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98........... 43
A-27. Table Potatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98 ................ 44

Table Page

A-28. Table Potatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98............... 44
A-29. Summer Squash: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98........... 45
A-30. Summer Squash: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98 ......... 45
A-31. Strawberries: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Plant City area, 1997-98 ................ 46
A-32. Strawberries: Summary of machine use and costs in the Plant City area, 1997-98 ................ 46
A-33. Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98 ................. 47
A-34. Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98 ................... 47
A-35. Fall Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98 ........ 48
A-36. Fall Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98......... 48
A-37. Fall Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs for the initial crop of a double-crop
system in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98 ....................................... ................... 49
A-38. Fall Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs for the initial crop of a double-crop
system in the M anatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98 ................... ........ .............................. 49
A-39. Spring Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98...... 50
A-40. Spring Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98 ..... 50
A-41. Spring Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the north Florida area, 1997-98 ........ 51
A-42. Spring Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the north Florida area, 1997-98 ........ 51
A-43. Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98........... 52
A-44. Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98 ............ 52
A-45. Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system
in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98......................................... ...................... 53
A-46. Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system
in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98......................................... ...................... 53
A-47. Watermelons: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Alachua/Levy County area, 1997-98.... 54
A-48. Watermelons: Summary of machine use and costs in the Alachua/Levy County area, 1997-98 ... 54
A-49. Watermelons: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98........... 55
A-50. Watermelons: Summary of machine use and costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98 .......... 55
A-51. Watermelons: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the north Florida area, 1997-98 ............. 56
A-52. Watermelons: Summary of machine use and costs in the north Florida area, 1997-98.............. 56
A-53. Watermelons: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98......... 57
A-54. Watermelons: Summary of machine use and costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98 ........ 57

PRODUCTION COSTS FOR SELECTED FLORIDA VEGETABLES,
1997-98

Scott A. Smith and Timothy G. Taylor'

This report presents estimated costs of production for 11 vegetable crops produced in one or more of 8
producing areas in Florida for the 1997-98 season. In all, 27 crop-area combinations are included. The cost
budgets were constructed using a computerized budget generator program, AGSYS. 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 survey and
correspondence with farm suppliers and growers in each of the areas in which production costs are reported.

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. The intent of these cost budgets is to
establish a benchmark within the range of actual costs that could be expected to produce the crop.

Eight budgets reflecting double-crop production practices are included in this year's Cost of Production:
Manatee/Ruskin spring tomatoes, Manatee/Ruskin fall watermelons, Southwest spring tomatoes and peppers.
Southwest fall cucumbers and watermelons, Palm Beach area spring eggplant and pepper. Double-crop
production refers to the practice of planting a "following" crop directly into the plastic mulch-covered beds used
to produce an initial crop to utilize residual inputs from the proceeding crop. Most commonly, tomatoes or
peppers are followed by cucumbers or watermelons but other combinations may occur. The combination of
crops produced is generally determined by grower preference. This system of farming is practiced in an effort to
recover costs incurred in the production of the initial crop and reduce cost of production of the second crop.
Actual production practices for the initial crop, either tomatoes or peppers, are affected very little when double-
cropping is used. However, production of the subsequent crop is affected significantly relative to growing the
crop independently.

It should be noted that pre-cooling charges no longer appear in a number of budgets. Response from industry
reviewers has indicated that these charges are incurred by the buyer, are not included in F.O.B. values, and
therefore should not be presented in production budgets. Other changes to note are that supervisory or
management labor expense is now reported in fixed costs rather than included with variable labor costs. Also.
land rent has been adjusted to reflect net acreage as best possible.

For each crop contained in this report there are four tables that present various types of information. Two tables
for each crop are included in the text. The first reports estimated cost of production per acre and per unit, and
the second reports estimated net returns for various price and yield combination 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 following algorithm is used to
estimate net returns per acre for twenty-five price yield combinations.

Economic Analyst and Professor respectively, Food and Resource Economics Department, Institute of Food
and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Net Return Per Acre = TR [TPC + (HC Yj)]

where;

TR = total revenue (Pj Yj) per acre.

TPC = total preharvest cost per acre.

HC = per unit harvest cost.

Pj = range analysis price 1 to 5 per unit.

Yj = range analysis yield 1 to 5 per acre.

The appendix tables detail costs for both labor input and various types of machinery and implements. For labor,
the estimated hours per acre required to perform an operation, or total man hours per acre where specific
operations cannot be itemized, and the cost per acre are delineated. Machinery costs are reported for tractors,
implements, and a miscellaneous category. The total hours used per acre and estimated fixed and variable costs
per acre are reported for each machine or implement.

Fixed machinery costs include interest cost, taxes, insurance, and depreciation. Variable machinery cost include
the cost of fuel, 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 table.

Please make note that due to confidentiality concerns, budget reports for celery and sweet corn grown in
the Central Florida and Everglades areas have been discontinued. Questions regarding this decision may
be addressed to the authors.

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.

PRINCIPAL VEGETABLE PRODUCING AREAS IN FLORIDA
AND MAJOR VEGETABLES PRODUCED

S" D C

1. West--tomatoes, watermelons 3 *o-
2. North
B. Hastings area--potatoes, cabbage

C. eferson Contwatermelons<

4--LDELSOTO
2. North Central

E. Lake/Marion/Sumter County--watermelons C-., OT o, D. S
F. Zellwood area--celery, sweet corn

4. West Central
G. Plant City area--strawberries
H. Ruskin/Palmetto area-tomatoes, watermelons
5. East Central--tomatoes, watermelons
6. Southwest--cucumbers, peppers, squash
A. AlachuLevy Ctomatoes, watermelons

7. Everglades--celery, sweet corn, lettuce
B. H astings areapotadishes, cabbagrole
D. Quincy area--tomatoes ; AM

8. South Central 4st
E. Lake/Marion/Sumter County--watermelons

F. P alm Beach County--cucumberselery sweet corn
eggplant, squashWest Central
G. Plant City area--strawberries
H. Ruskin/Palmetto area-tomatoes, watermelons ^^__

5. East Central--tomatoes, watermelons

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

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

8. Southeast
I. Palm Beach County--cucumbers, sweet corn
eggplant, squash
J. Dade County--beans, sweet corn, potatoes
tomatoes, squash, cuban vegetables

I TOWARD

E-

xii

Bactericide:

Bees:

Containers:

Crop insurance:

Custom work:

Double-crop:

Fertilizer:

Fungicide:

General labor:

Harvesting:

Hauling:

Herbicide:

Insecticide:

Interest cost:

Labor:

Land rent:

Machinery cost:

Fixed:

Operating:

Management:

Key to Terms Used in Tables

Includes only the cost of bactericides applied.

Bee hive rental when used for pollination purposes.

Includes cartons, crates, or baskets in which the product is transported to market.

Represents crop hail and/or multiperil insurance.

Work performed on a contract or piece-rate basis.

Crop production system in which an initial crop utilizing plastic mulch is planted and
grown using normal production practices. A second (following) crop, usually
different from the first, is subsequently planted directly into the existing mulched
beds. This is done in an effort to spread some of the costs of the initial crop such as
plastic mulch, land and bed preparation over both crops. This also acts to reduce the
cost to produce the second crop by utilizing the remaining inputs from the first crop.

Includes only the cost of fertilizer (and lime) applied.

Includes only the cost of fungicides applied.

Estimate of labor hours per acre necessary to perform various production tasks
during the growing period. Harvest labor is included in harvesting cost.

Represents the cost of harvesting the crop and preparing it for movement to the
packinghouse on a per-packed-unit basis.

Moving the produce from the field to the packinghouse or storage area.

Includes only the cost of herbicides applied.

Includes only the cost of insecticides applied.

Interest charged on production capital only. An interest rate of 8.0 percent was used
in estimating this cost.

Includes field and tractor labor. Supervisory labor is included as a fixed cost of
management. Harvest labor is included in harvesting cost.

An estimate of the prevailing rate charged for land utilized in each production area
and for each specific crop.

Represents the cost of using farm machinery and implements exclusive of labor. This
cost is reported in two subcategories:

Includes depreciation, interest charged to capital expenditures, taxes, storage, and
insurance.

Includes expenditures on fuel, oil, repair, and maintenance.

Cost of salaried farm management. This value is based on a percent of preharvest
cost and does not include returns to management.

Overhead:

Packing:

Packing material:

Packing basket:

Plastic mulch:

Precooling:

Seed:

Selling:

Soil fumigants:

Transplants:

Transportation:

Wrapping paper:

Yield:

Includes indirect production costs, such as communications equipment, office
supplies, legal and audit fees, cost of regulatory compliance, administrative costs,
telephone, and incidental expenses. A range 10 to 25 percent of preharvest cost was
used to estimate overhead costs depending on the production characteristics of major
producers in an area.

Preparing the product for shipment either in the field or at the packinghouse.

Materials used to protect the produce whether containerized or shipped in bulk.

Baskets used by harvest laborers to move commodities from the field to tracks,
hauling carts, or field packing units.

Represents only the cost of materials.

The packinghouse charge for using one of a variety of methods to remove field heat
from the crop. Typically this is a charge to the buyer and not included in F.O.B.
values.

Represents only seed costs.

The packinghouse, market, sales organization, or dealer's charge for performing the
service of selling the crop.

Includes only the cost of fumigants applied.

Includes cost of seed and/or nursery charges.

Moving the crop to market.

Thin paper used to prevent damage to product caused by contact within containers.
See also Packing Materials.

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 anticipated production.

Table 1. Bush Beans: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98
Average per
Category Acre Bushel
Yield (30 lb. bushels) 185
OPERATING COSTS -------Dollars------
Seed 91.70
Fertilizer and lime 124.00
Fungicide 148.01
Herbicide 2.82
Insecticide 111.50
Labor 280.09
Machinery 239.82
Interest 33.67
Miscellaneous
Well maintenance 15.00
Farm vehicles 16.11
Total operating cost 1,062.73
FIXED COST
Land rent 200.00
Machinery 79.04
Management 261.62
Overhead 327.03
Total fixed cost 867.69
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 1,930.42 10.43
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Mechanical harvest (incl. container) 786.25 4.25
Hydro-cool 120.25 0.65
Load 129.50 0.70
Selling 92.50 0.50
Total harvest and marketing cost 1,128.50 6.10
TOTAL COST 3,058.92 16.53

Table 2. Bush Beans: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the Dade County
area, 1997-98.
Dollars per bushel
Yield (bushels) 10.00 12.00 14.00 16.00 18.00
170 -1,267.00 -927.00 -587.00 -247.00 93.00
178 -1,238.00 -883.00 -528.00 -173.00 182.00
185 -1,208.00 -839.00 -469.00 -99.00 271.00
193 -1,180.00 795.00 -410.00 -25.00 360.00
200 -1,150.00 -750.00 -350.00 50.00 450.00

Table 3. Cabbage: Estimated production costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98.
Average per
Category Acre Crate
Yield (50 lb. crates) 425
OPERATING COSTS -------Dollars-------
Transplants 240.00
Fertilizer and lime 148.00
Fungicide 35.34
Herbicide 28.35
Insecticide 124.55
Nematicide 35.29
Labor 215.57
Machinery 126.43
Interest 47.53
Miscellaneous
Set transplants 102.00
Cover crop seed 6.40
Farm Vehicles 10.35
Total operating cost 1,119.80
FIXED COST
Land rent 100.00
Machinery 58.78
Overhead 307.76
Total fixed cost 466.54
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 1,586.34 3.73
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Cut and pack 403.75 0.95
Haul 42.50 0.10
Containers 425.00 1.00
Selling 212.50 0.50
Total harvest and marketing cost 1,083.75 2.55
TOTAL COST 2,670.09 6.28

Table 4. Cabbage: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the Hastings area,
1997-98.
Dollars per crate
Yield (crates) 5.00 5.75 6.50 7.25 8.00
375 -668.00 -386.00 -105.00 176.00 457.00
400 -606.00 -306.00 -6.00 294.00 594.00
425 -545.00 -226.00 92.00 411.00 730.00
450 -484.00 -146.00 191.00 529.00 866.00
475 -423.00 -66.00 290.00 646.00 1,002.00

Table 5. Sweet Corn: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.

Average per
Acre Crate
300

Category
Yield (42 lb. crates)
OPERATING COSTS
Seed
Fertilizer

-------Dollars-------
71.50
281.83
29.64
40.77
259.91
285.89
237.27
65.23

Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Scouting
Custom fertilizer application
Well maintenance
Farm vehicles
Cover crop seed
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Pick, pack and haul
Containers
Sell Corn
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST

20.00
20.00
15.00
16.11
12.50
1,355.65

450.00
74.51
362.99
453.73
1,341.23
2,696.88

414.00
390.00
60.00
864.00
3,560.88

1.38
1.30
0.20
2.88
11.87

Table 6. Sweet Corn: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the Dade County
area, 1997-98.
Dollars per crate
Yield (crates) 5.50 7.00 8.50 10.00 11.50
250 -2,042.00 -1,667.00 -1,292.00 -917.00 -542.00
275 -1,976.00 -1,564.00 -1,151.00 -739.00 -326.00
300 -1,911.00 -1,461.00 -1011.00 -561.00 -111.00
325 -1,845.00 -1,358.00 -870.00 -383.00 105.00
350 1,780.00 -1,255.00 -730.00 -205.00 320.00

Table 7. Sweet Corn: Estimated production costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Average per
Category Acre Crate
Yield (42 lb. crate) 250
OPERATING COSTS -------Dollars-------
Seed 63.00
Fertilizer 281.98
Fungicide 28.77
Herbicide 22.39
Insecticide 212.64
Labor 207.72
Machinery 298.80
Interest 34.30
Miscellaneous
Ditch maintenance 17.50
Scouting 20.00
Aerial spraying 50.05
Contract fertilizer application 3.25
Crop insurance 25.00
Farm vehicles 16.12
Total operating cost 1,281.53
FIXED COST
Land rent 400.00
Machinery 105.66
Management 350.58
Overhead 438.22
Total fixed cost 1,294.45
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 2,575.98 10.30
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Pick, pack and haul 312.50 1.25
Crates 325.00 1.30
Sell 50.00 0.20
Total harvest and marketing cost 687.50 2.75
TOTAL COST 3,263.48 13.05

Table 8. Sweet Corn: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for the initial crop of a
double-crop system in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per crate
Yield (crates) 7.00 8.25 9.50 10.75 12.00
200 -1,726.00 -1,476.00 -1,226.00 -976.00 -726.00
225 -1,620.00 -1,338.00 -1,057.00 -776.00 -495.00
250 -1,513.00 -1,201.00 -888.00 -576.00 -263.00
275 -1,407.00 -1,063.00 -720.00 -376.00 -32.00
300 -1,301.00 -926.00 -551.00 -176.00 199.00

Table 9. Cucumbers: Estimated production costs for a following crop in a double-crop system for the
southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Average per
Category Acre Bushel
Yield (55 lb. bushels) 600
OPERATING COSTS -------Dollars-------
Seed 73.00
Fertilizer and lime 256.00
Fungicide 130.95
Herbicide 18.23
Insecticide 151.68
Labor 138.79
Machinery 154.07
Interest 38.44
Miscellaneous
Clean ditches 17.00
Plastic disposal 156.82
Bees 30.00
Farm vehicles 12.89
Total operating cost 1,207.66
FIXED COST
Machinery 48.33
Management 243.51
Overhead 304.39
Total fixed cost 596.23
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 1,803.89 3.01
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Pick and haul 1,080.00 1.80
Pack 1,110.00 1.85
Containers 456.00 0.76
Selling 150.00 0.25
Total harvest and marketing cost 2,796.00 4.66
TOTAL COST 4,599.89 7.67
a Cost attributed to second crop as a result of double-crop production practices following Tomatoes.
b Costs exclude field and bed preparation, plastic mulch and fumigant.

Table 10. Cucumbers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for a following crop
in a double-crop system for the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per bushel
Yield (bushels) 6.00 7.75 9.50 11.25 13.00
400 -1,268.00 -568.00 132.00 832.00 1,532.00
500 -1,134.00 -259.00 616.00 1,491.00 2,366.00
600 -1,000.00 50.00 1,100.00 2,150.00 3,200.00
700 -866.00 359.00 1,584.00 2,809.00 4,034.00
800 -732.00 668.00 2,068.00 3,468.00 4,868.00

Table 11. Eggplant: Estima

I

ted production costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Average per
Acres Bushel
1,400

-------Dollars-------
250.00
434.98
464.00
126.27
27.35
509.08
496.13
264.78
114.08

Farm vehicles
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Pick, pack and haul
Containers
Selling
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST

Category
Yield (33 lb. bushels)
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants
Fertilizer and lime
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Replacement stakes
Place and drive stakes
String
Tie plants
Plastic mulch
Ditch maintenance
Scouting
Laser level
Remove string and stakes
Plastic disposal

112.50
110.35
35.20
162.62
378.33
75.00
20.00
50.00
126.32
80.59
40.28
3,877.84

400.00
138.67
860.49
1,075.61
2,474.77
6,352.61

1,638.00
1,190.00
700.00
3,528.00
9,880.61

a 7,260 linear bed feet

Table 12. Eggplant: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the Palm Beach
County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per bushel
Yield (bushels) 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 10.00
1,000 -2,873.00 -1,873.00 -873.00 127.00 1,127.00
1,200 -2,177.00 -977.00 223.00 1,423.00 2,623.00
1,400 -1,481.00 -81.00 1,319.00 2,719.00 4,119.00
1,600 -785.00 815.00 2,415.00 4,015.00 5,615.00
1,800 -89.00 1,711.00 3,511.00 5,311.00 7,111.00

4.54

1.17
0.85
0.50
2.52
7.06

Table 13. Eggplant: Estimated production costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system in the Palm
Beach County area, 1997-98.

Acrea
1,400

Average per
Bushel

-------Dollars-------
250.00
434.98
464.00
126.27
27.35
509.08
496.13
264.78
111.87

Category
Yield (33 lb. bushels)
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants
Fertilizer and lime
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Replacement stakes
Place and drive stakes
String
Tie plants
Plastic mulch
Ditch maintenance
Scouting
Laser level
Remove string and stakes
Farm vehicles
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Pick, pack and haul
Containers
Selling
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST
a 7,260 linear bed feet

Table 14. Eggplant: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for the initial crop of a
double-crop system in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per bushel
Yield (bushels) 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 10.00
1,000 -2,754.00 -1,754.00 -754.00 246.00 1,246.00
1,200 -2,058.00 -858.00 342.00 1,542.00 2,742.00
1,400 -1,362.00 38.00 1,438.00 2,838.00 4,238.00
1,600 -666.00 934.00 2,534.00 4,134.00 5,734.00
1,800 30.00 1,830.00 3,630.00 5,430.00 7,230.00

4.45

1.17
0.85
0.50
2.52
6.97

112.50
110.35
35.20
162.62
378.33
75.00
20.00
50.00
126.32
40.28
3,795.04

400.00
138.67
844.37
1,055.46
2,438.51
6,233.55

1,638.00
1.190.00
700.00
3,528.00
9,761.55

Table 15. Green Peppers: Estimated produ

Category
Yield (28 lb. bushels)
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants
Fertilizer and lime
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Ditch maintenance
Level land
Plastic mulch
Place and drive stakes
Plastic string
Replacement stakes
Tie plants
Hand weed
Remove string and stakes
Plastic disposal
Scouting
Farm vehicles
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest, pack and haul
Containers
Selling
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST
S 7,260 linear bed feet
b cost reflects in-field packing.

action costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Average per
Acres Bushel
1,100

400.00
119.12
878.20
1,097.75
2,495.06
6,483.98

1,760.00
1,045.00
550.00
3,355.00
9,838.98

5.89

1.60
0.95
0.50
3.05
8.94

Table 16. Green Peppers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the Palm Beach
County area, 1997-98.

Dollars per bushel
Yield (bushels) 8.00 9.50 11.00 12.50 14.00
600 -3,514.00 -2,614.00 -1,714.00 -814.00 86.00
800 -2,524.00 -1,324.00 -124.00 1,076.00 2,276.00
1,000 -1,534.00 -34.00 1,466.00 2,966.00 4,466.00
1,200 -544.00 1,256.00 3,056.00 4,856.00 6,656.00
1,400 446.00 2,546.00 4,646.00 6,746.00 8,846.00

-------Dollars-------
800.00
275.00
464.00
193.27
50.87
424.51
389.23
278.58
117.04

100.00
50.00
378.33
61.71
27.50
72.00
26.14
24.68
126.32
80.59
25.00
24.16
3,988.92

Table 17. Green Peppers: Estimated production costs in the initial crop of a double-crop system in the Palm
Beach County area, 1997-98.
Average per
Category Acre' Bushel
Yield (28 lb. bushels) 1,100
OPERATING COSTS -------Dollars-------
Transplants 800.00
Fertilizer and lime 275.00
Fumigant 464.00
Fungicide 193.27
Herbicide 50.87
Insecticide 412.59
Labor 389.23
Machinery 278.58
Interest 114.50
Miscellaneous
Ditch maintenance 100.00
Level land 50.00
Plastic mulch 378.33
Place and drive stakes 61.71
Plastic string 27.50
Replacement stakes 72.00
Tie plants 26.14
Hand weed 24.68
Remove string and stakes 126.32
Scouting 25.00
Farm vehicles 24.17
Total operating cost 3,893.88
FIXED COST
Land rent 400.00
Machinery 119.12
Management 859.70
Overhead 1,074.62
Total fixed cost 2,453.44
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 6,347.33 5.77
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest, pack and haul 1,760.00 1.60b
Containers 1,045.00 0.95
Selling 550.00 0.50
Total harvest and marketing cost 3,355.00 3.05
TOTAL COST 9,702.33 8.82
7,260 linear bed feet
b cost reflects in-field packing.

Table 18. Green Peppers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for the initial crop
of a double-crop system in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per bushel
Yield (bushels) 8.00 9.50 11.00 12.50 14.00
600 -3,377.00 -2,477.00 -1,577.00 -677.00 223.00
800 -2,387.00 -1,187.00 13.00 1,213.00 2,413.00
1,000 -1,397.00 103.00 1,603.00 3,103.00 4,603.00
1,200 -407.00 1,393.00 3,193.00 4,993.00 6,793.00
1,400 583.00 2,683.00 4,783.00 6,883.00 8,983.00

Table 19. Green Peppers: Estimated production costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.

Average per
Acre' Bushel
1,000

Category
Yield (28 lb. bushels)
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants
Fertilizer and lime
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide

-------Dollars-------
880.00
403.50
464.00
199.85
22.97
460.41
415.48
591.66
211.17

Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Level land
Plastic mulch
Remove and dispose of plastic
Scouting
Farm vehicles
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest, pack and haul
Containers
Selling
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST
a 7,260 linear bed feet

145.00
234.00
156.82
35.00
22.56
4,242.41

450.00
252.23
946.69
1,183.37
2,832.29
7,074.70

1,900.00
950.00
500.00
4,430.00
11,504.70

7.07

1.90
0.95
0.50
4.43
11.50

Table 20. Green Peppers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the southwest
Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per bushel
Yield (bushels) 8.00 9.50 11.00 12.50 14.00
600 -4,933.00 -4,033.00 -3,133.00 -2,233.00 -1,333.00
800 -4,219.00 -3,019.00 -1,819.00 -619.00 581.00
1,000 -3,505.00 -2,005.00 -505.00 995.00 2,495.00
1,200 -2,791.00 -991.00 809.00 2,609.00 4,409.00
1,400 -2,077.00 23.00 2,123.00 4,223.00 6,323.00

Table 21. Green Peppers: Estimated production costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system in the
southwest Florida area, 1997-98.

Acre'

Average per
Bushel

Category
Yield (28 lb. bushels)
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants
Fertilizer and lime
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Level land
Plastic mulch
Scouting
Farm vehicles
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest. pack and haul
Containers
Selling
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST
' 7,260 linear bed feet

450.00
252.23
915.33
1,144.16
2,761.72
6,839.93

1,900.00
950.00
500.00
4,430.00
11,269.93

Table 22. Green Peppers: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for the initial crop
of a double-crop system in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per bushel
Yield (bushels) 8.00 9.50 11.00 12.50 14.00
600 -4,698.00 -3,798.00 -2,898.00 -1,998.00 -1,098.00
800 -3,984.00 -2,784.00 -1,584.00 -384.00 816.00
1,000 -3,270.00 -1,770.00 -270.00 1,230.00 2,730.00
1,200 -2,556.00 -755.00 1,044.00 2,844.00 4,644.00
1,400 -1,842.00 258.00 2,358.00 4,458.00 6,558.00

6.84

1.90
0.95
0.50
4.43
11.27

1,000
-------Dollars-------
880.00
403.50
464.00
199.85
22.97
460.41
415.48
591.66
203.78

145.00
234.00
35.00
22.56
4,078.20

Table 23. Chip Potatoes: Estimated production costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98.
Average per
Category Acre Cwt.
Yield (cwts.) 225
OPERATING COSTS -------Dollars-------
Seed 308.62
Fertilizer 173.22
Fungicide 116.69
Herbicide 21.32
Insecticide 26.99
Nematicide 64.40
Labor 250.11
Machinery 156.52
Interest 75.70
Miscellaneous
Aerial spraying 8.25
Cover crop seed 6.40
Crop insurance 21.00
Farm vehicles 25.71
Total operating cost 1,254.94
FIXED COST
Land rent 100.00
Machinery 84.52
Overhead 340.94
Total fixed cost 525.45
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 1,780.39 7.91
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Dig and haul 157.50 0.70
Grading 67.50 0.30
Total harvest and marketing cost 225.00 1.00
TOTAL COST 2,005.39 8.91

Table 24. Chip Potatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the Hastings
area.
Dollars per cwt
Yield (cwts.) 6.00 8.00 10.00 12.00 14.00
175 -905.00 -555.00 -205.00 145.00 495.00
200 -780.00 -380.00 20.00 420.00 820.00
225 -655.00 -205.00 245.00 695.00 1,145.00
250 -530.00 -30.00 470.00 970.00 1,470.00
275 -405.00 145.00 695.00 1,245.00 1,795.00

Table 25. Table Potatoes: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.

Acre

Category
Yield (cwts.)
OPERATING COSTS
Seed
Fertilizer and lime
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery

Average per
Cwts.

200

-------Dollars-------
528.00
210.60
175.63
29.38
124.25
82.93
107.19
72.98

Interest
Miscellaneous
Well maintenance
Cover crop seed
Contract seed hauling
Farm vehicles
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Dig and haul
Grade
Selling
Sacks
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST

15.00
12.50
24.15
40.28
1,422.89

450.00
71.61
374.30
467.88
1,363.79
2,786.68

140.00
310.00
140.00
152.00
742.00
3,528.68

Table 26. Table Potatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the Dade
County area. 1997-98.
Dollars per sack
Yield (cwts.) 8.00 10.50 13.00 15.50 18.00
150 -2,143.00 -1,768.00 -1,393.00 -1,018.00 -643.00
175 -2,036.00 -1,598.00 -1,161.00 -723.00 -286.00
200 -1,929.00 -1,429.00 -929.00 -429.00 71.00
225 -1,821.00 -1,259.00 -696.00 -134.00 429.00
250 -1,714.00 -1,089.00 -464.00 161.00 786.00

13.93

0.70
1.55
0.70
0.76
3.71
17.64

--

Table 27. Table Potatoes: Estimated production costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98.
Average per
Category Acre Cwts.
Yield (cwts.) 200
OPERATING COSTS ----- Dollars-------

Seed
Fertilizer
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Aerial spraying
Cover crop seed
Crop insurance
Farm vehicles
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Dig and haul
Grading
Sacks
Selling
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST

346.50
173.22
60.42
108.89
42.72
26.99
250.11
156.53
86.38

8.25
6.40
21.00
25.71
1,446.09

100.00
85.26
386.24
571.51
2,017.59

140.00
310.00
152.00
140.00
742.00
2,759.59

10.09

0.70
1.55
0.76
0.70
3.71
13.80

Table 28. Table Potatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the Hastings
area, 1997-98.
Dollars per cwt.
Yield (cwts.) 6.00 9.00 12.00 15.00 18.00
150 -1,674.00 -1,224.00 -774.00 -324.00 126.00
175 -1,617.00 -1,092.00 -567.00 -42.00 483.00
200 -1,560.00 -960.00 -360.00 240.00 840.00
225 -1,502.00 -827.00 -152.00 523.00 1,198.00
250 -1,445.00 -695.00 55.00 805.00 1,555.00

Table 29. Summer Squash: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.
Average per
Category Acre Bushel
Yield (42 lb. bushels) 300
OPERATING COSTS -------Dollars-------
Seed 155.50
Fertilizer and lime 92.00
Fungicide 174.83
Insecticide 131.42
Labor 221.47
Machinery 193.29
Interest 45.26
Miscellaneous
Well maintenance 15.00
Farm vehicles 24.17
Total operating cost 1,052.93
FIXED COST
Land rent 200.00
Machinery 69.67
Management 255.47
Overhead 319.33
Total fixed cost 844.47
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 1,897.40 6.32
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Pick and haul 615.00 2.05
Grade and Pack 570.00 1.90
Load squash 210.00 0.70
Containers 405.00 1.35
Selling 150.00 0.50
Total harvest and marketing cost 1,950.00 6.50
TOTAL COST 3,847.40 12.82

Table 30. Summer Squash: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the Dade
County area. 1997-98.
Dollars per bushel
Yield (bushels) 9.50 10.75 12.00 13.25 14.50
250 -1,147.00 -835.00 -522.00 -210.00 103.00
275 -1,072.00 -729.00 -385.00 -41.00 303.00
300 -997.00 -622.00 -247.00 128.00 503.00
325 -922.00 -516.00 -110.00 296.00 703.00
350 -847.00 -410.00 28.00 465.00 903.00

Table 31. Strawberries: Estimated production costs in the Plant City area, 1997-98.

Average per
Acre Flat
2,200

Category
Yield (12 lb. flats)
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants
Fertilizer
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor

Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Plastic mulch
Remove and dispose plastic mulch
Cut runners Hoe and Weed
Preditory mites
Scouting
Set transplants
Cover crop seed
Irrigation tube
Farm vehicles
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS

875.00
166.40
1,634.29
2,675.69
7,887.33

3.59

Harvest 3,344.00 1.52
Pack, load and haul 968.00 0.44
Supervision 330.00 0.15
Boxes and cups 3,718.00 1.69
Sell 1,650.00 0.75
Total harvest and marketing cost 10,010.00 4.55
TOTAL COST 17,897.33 8.14
a 10,000 linear bed feet
b Producer bears cost of selling berries. Generally 10 percent of FOB price. An average of $7.00 FOB is
used in the budget.

Table 32. Strawberries: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the Plant City
area, 1997-98.
Dollars per flat
Yield (flats) 5.00 7.00 9.00 11.00 13.00
1,600 -7,167.00 -3,967.00 -767.00 2,433.00 5,633.00
1,800 -7,077.00 -3,477.00 123.00 3,723.00 7,323.00
2,000 -6,987.00 -2,987.00 1,013.00 5,013.00 9,013.00
2,200 -6,897.00 -2,497.00 1,903.00 6,303.00 10,703.00
2,400 -6,807.00 -2,007.00 2,793.00 7,593.00 12,393.00

-------Dollars-------
1,560.00
165.50
580.00
528.06
73.07
355.26
255.13
279.89
310.19

265.50
55.78
120.00
93.75
52.25
220.00
35.00
180.00
82.27
5,211.65

Table 33. Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.

Acrea

Average per
Carton

Category
Yield (25 lb. cartons)
OPERATING COSTS
Seed
Fertilizer
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Frost protection
Plastic mulch
Plastic string
Stake depreciation and maintenance
Plastic disposal
Tie plants
Well maintenance
Scouting
Farm vehicles
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and haul
Packing
Containers
Selling
Organization fees
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST

450.00
129.57
814.73
1,018.41
2,412.71
6,066.71

1,190.00
2,240.00
1,120.00
210.00
70.00
4,830.00
10,896.71

" 7,260 linear bed feet

Table 34. Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the Dade County
area, 1997-98.
Dollars per carton
Yield (cartons) 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 10.00
1,200 -3,007.00 -1,807.00 -607.00 593.00 1,793.00
1,300 -2,752.00 -1,452.00 -152.00 1,148.00 2,448.00
1,400 -2,497.00 -1,097.00 303.00 1,703.00 3,103.00
1,500 -2,242.00 -742.00 758.00 2,258.00 3,758.00
1,600 -1,987.00 -387.00 1,213.00 2,813.00 4,413.00

4.33

0.85
1.60
0.80
0.15
0.05
3.45
7.78

--

1,400
-------Dollars-------
201.70
347.00
522.00
249.45
94.39
382.39
362.88
318.40
159.92

100.00
294.00
82.50
128.00
75.00
145.00
15.00
35.00
24.17
3,654.00

Table 35. Fall Tomatoes: Estimated produ

action costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Average per
Acrea Carton
1,250
-------Dollars-------
224.00
326.22
501.75
311.80
38.56
519.86
181.61
422.08
157.16

Category
Yield (25 lb. cartons)
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants
Fertilizer and lime
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Plastic mulch
Plastic string
Replacement stakes
Scouting
Farm vehicles
Tie plants
Remove string and stakes
Remove and dispose of plastic
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and haul
Packing
Containers
Selling
Organization fees
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST

5.06

0.77
1.85
0.75
0.15
0.05
3.57
8.63

' 7,260 linear bed feet

Table 36. Fall Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Dollars per carton
Yield (cartons) 6.50 7.38 8.25 9.13 10.00
900 -3,683.00 -2,895.00 -2,108.00 -1,320.00 -533.00
1,075 -3,170.00 -2,229.00 -1,289.00 -348.00 592.00
1,250 -2,657.00 -1,564.00 -470.00 624.00 1,718.00
1,425 -2,145.00 -898.00 349.00 1,596.00 2,843.00
1,600 -1,632.00 -232.00 1,168.00 2,568.00 3,968.00

294.00
110.00
48.00
35.00
19.33
116.16
123.42
15.00
3,840.62

300.00
266.68
850.03
1,062.54
2,479.24
6,319.86

962.50
2,312.50
937.50
187.50
62.50
4,462.50
10,782.36

Table 37. Fall Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the proceeding crop in a double-crop system for the
Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.

Category
Yield (25 lb. cartons)
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants
Fertilizer and lime
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Plastic mulch
Plastic string
Replacement stakes
Scouting
Farm vehicles
Tie plants
Remove string and stakes
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and haul
Packing
Containers
Selling
Organization fees
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST

300.00
266.68
835.03
1,043.79
2,445.49
6,208.15

962.50
2,312.50
937.50
187.50
62.50
4,462.50
10,670.65

4.97

0.77
1.85
0.75
0.15
0.05
3.57
8.54

' 7,260 linear bed feet

Table 38. Fall Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for the proceeding
crop in a double-crop system for the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Dollars per carton
Yield (cartons) 6.50 7.38 8.25 9.13 10.00
900 -3,571.00 -2,784.00 -1,996.00 -1,209.00 -421.00
1,075 -3,058.00 -2,118.00 -1,177.00 -237.00 704.00
1,250 -2,546.00 -1,452.00 -358.00 736.00 1,829.00
1,425 -2,033.00 -786.00 461.00 1,708.00 2,955.00
1,600 -1,520.00 -120.00 1,280.00 2,680.00 4,080.00

Average per
Acrea Carton
1,250
-------Dollars-------
224.00
326.22
501.75
311.80
38.56
519.86
181.61
422.08
154.20

294.00
110.00
48.00
35.00
19.33
116.16
123.42
3,762.66

Table 39. Spring Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.

Average per
Acre" Carton
1,400

Category
Yield (25 lb. cartons)
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants
Fertilizer and lime
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Plastic mulch
Plastic string
Replacement stakes
Tie plants
Remove string and stakes
Remove and dispose of plastic
Scouting
Farm vehicles

Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and haul
Packing
Containers
Selling
Organization fees
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST

-------Dollars-------
224.00
326.22
501.75
207.35
38.56
395.52
462.64
368.17
127.47

195.00
110.00
48.00
116.16
123.42
15.00
35.00
19.33
3,373.59

300.00
224.01
754.03
942.54
2,220.58
5,594.17

980.00
2,590.00
1,050.00
210.00
70.00
4,900.00
10,494.17

4.00

" 7,260 linear bed feet

Table 40. Spring Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Dollars per carton
Yield (cartons) 6.50 7.38 8.25 9.13 10.00
900 -2,894.00 -2,107.00 -1,319.00 -532.00 256.00
1,075 -2,369.00 -1,429.00 -488.00 453.00 1,393.00
1,250 -1,844.00 -750.00 343.00 1,437.00 2,531.00
1,425 -1,319.00 -72.00 1,175.00 2,421.00 3,668.00
1,600 -794.00 606.00 2,006.00 3,406.00 4,806.00

Table 41. Spring Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the north Florida area, 1997-98.
Average per
Category Acre' Carton

Yield (25 lb. cartons)
OPERATING COSTS
Transplants
Fertilizer and lime
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide

1,600

-------Dollars-------
315.00
335.00
545.20
385.22
43.52
388.89
482.14
355.64
191.77

Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Plastic mulch
Plastic string
Replacement stakes
Remove string and stakes
Remove and dispose of plastic
Trickle tube
Miscellaneous irrigation materials
Trickle tube cleaning/maintenance
Scouting
Tie plants
Prune plants
Set and drive stakes
General farm labor
Crop insurance
Farm vehicles
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and haul
Packing
Containers
Selling
Assessments
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST
' 7,260 linear bed feet

296.94
27.50
112.50
123.42
100.00
290.40
100.00
7.00
44.00
130.68
32.67
98.01
75.00
230.00
19.33
4,729.83

350.00
149.90
1.007.59
1.259.49
2,766.98
7,496.81

1.232.00
2,960.00
1.200.00
240.00
80.00
5,712.00
13,208.81

4.69

0.77
1.85
0.75
0.15
0.05
3.57
8.26

Table 42. Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the north Florida
area, 1997-98.
Dollars per carton
Yield (cartons) 4.50 6.25 8.00 9.75 11.50
1,400 -6,195.00 -3,745.00 -1,295.00 1,155.00 3,605.00
1,500 -6,102.00 -3,477.00 -852.00 1,773.00 4,398.00
1,600 -6,009.00 -3,209.00 -409.00 2,391.00 5,191.00
1,700 -5,916.00 -2,941.00 34.00 3,009.00 5,984.00
1,800 -5,823.00 -2.673.00 477.00 3,627.00 6,777.00

Table 43. Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Average per
Category Acrea Carton
Yield (25 lb. cartons) 1,400
OPERATING COSTS -------Dollars-------

Transplants
Fertilizer and lime
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Level land
Plastic mulch
Cross ditch
Trickle tube
Plastic string
Replacement stakes
Remove string and stakes
Remove and dispose of plastic
Tie plants
Prune plants
Set and drive stakes
Scouting
Farm vehicles
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and haul
Packing
Containers
Selling
Assessments
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST

336.00
334.75
464.00
327.09
66.68
454.57
323.81
533.93
193.86

145.00
234.00
27.20
290.40
37.50
123.42
156.82
145.20
78.41
81.31
39.00
19.33
4,524.77

450.00
197.67
995.72
1.244.65
2,888.03
7,412.81

1.078.00
2.590.00
1,050.00
210.00
70.00
4,998.00
12,410.81

5.29

0.77
1.85
0.75
0.15
0.05
3.57
8.86

a 7,260 linear bed feet

Table 44. Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the southwest
Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per carton
Yield (cartons) 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 10.00
1,000 -4,983.00 -3,983.00 -2,983.00 -1,983.00 -983.00
1,200 -4,497.00 -3,297.00 -2,097.00 -897.00 303.00
1,400 -4,011.00 -2,611.00 -1,211.00 189.00 1,589.00
1,600 -3,525.00 -1,925.00 -325.00 1,275.00 2,875.00
1,800 -3,039.00 -1,239.00 561.00 2,361.00 4,161.00

Table 45. Tomatoes: Estimated production costs in the initial crop of a double-crop system in the southwest
Florida area, 1997-98.
Average per
Category Acre' Carton
Yield (25 lb. cartons) 1,400

OPERATING COSTS

Transplants
Fertilizer and lime
Fumigant
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Labor
Machinery
Interest
Miscellaneous
Level land
Plastic mulch
Cross ditch
Trickle tube
Plastic string
Replacement stakes
Remove string and stakes
Tie plants
Prune plants
Set and drive stakes
Scouting
Farm vehicles
Total operating cost
FIXED COST
Land rent
Machinery
Management
Overhead
Total fixed cost
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and haul
Packing
Containers
Selling
Assessments
Total harvest and marketing cost
TOTAL COST

-------Dollars-------
336.00
334.75
464.00
327.09
66.68
454.57
140.63
533.93
187.50

145.00
234.00
27.20
290.40
37.50
123.42
145.20
78.41
81.31
39.00
19.33
4,361.60

450.00
197.67
964.35
1,205.44
2,817.47
7,179.06

1.078.00
2,590.00
1,050.00
210.00
70.00
4,998.00
12,177.06

0.77
1.85
0.75
0.15
0.05
3.57
8.70

a 7,260 linear bed feet

Table 46. Tomatoes: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the initial crop of a
double-crop system in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per carton
Yield (cartons) 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 10.00
1,000 -4,749.00 -3,749.00 -2,749.00 -1,749.00 -749.00
1,200 -4,263.00 -3,063.00 -1,863.00 -663.00 537.00
1,400 -3,777.00 -2,377.00 -977.00 423.00 1,823.00
1,600 -3,291.00 -1,691.00 -91.00 1,509.00 3,109.00
1,800 -2,805.00 -1,005.00 795.00 2,595.00 4,395.00

Table 47. Watermelons: Estimated production costs in the Alachua/Levy County area, 1997-98.
Average per
Category Acre Cwt.
Yield (cwts.) 300
OPERATING COSTS -------Dollars------
Seed 25.18
Fertilizer and lime 157.00
Fungicide 127.64
Labor 76.07
Machinery 132.97
Interest 24.19
Miscellaneous
Aerial spraying 21.00
Bee rental 4.00
Farm vehicles 19.33
Total operating cost 587.40
FIXED COST
Land rent 50.00
Machinery 61.88
Overhead 81.01
Total fixed cost 192.89
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 780.29 2.60
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and pack 375.00 1.25
Packing material 9.00 0.03
Selling 300.00 1.00
Marketing and Promotion Assessment 6.00 0.02
Total harvest and marketing cost 690.00 2.30
TOTAL COST 1,470.29 4.90

Table 48. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the
Alachual/Levy County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per cwt.
Yield (cwts.) 4.00 4.75 5.50 6.25 7.00
250 -355.00 -168.00 20.00 207.00 395.00
275 -313.00 -107.00 100.00 306.00 512.00
300 -270.00 -45.00 180.00 405.00 630.00
325 -228.00 16.00 260.00 503.00 747.00
350 -185.00 77.00 340.00 602.00 865.00

Table 49. Watermelons: Estimated production costs for the following crop of a double-crop system in the
Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Average per
Category Acre Cwt.
Yield (cwts.) 320
OPERATING COSTS -------Dollars-------
Seed 24.44
Fertilizer and lime 105.00
Fungicide 54.17
Herbicide 33.87
Insecticide 53.39
Labor 338.11
Machinery 206.46
Interest 37.02
Miscellaneous
Scouting 25.00
Bee rental 3.60
Farm vehicles 19.33
Plastic removal and disposal 75.00
Total operating cost 975.39
FIXED COST
Machinery 63.14
Management 200.30
Overhead 250.38
Total fixed cost 513.82
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 1,489.21 4.65
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and pack 480.00 1.50
Packing material 9.60 0.03
Selling 320.00 1.00
Marketing and Promotion Assessment 6.40 0.02
Total harvest and marketing cost 816.00 2.55
TOTAL COST 2,305.21 7.20
Cost attributed to second crop as a result of double-crop production practices following Tomatoes.
b Costs exclude field and bed preparation, plastic mulch and fumigant.

Table 50. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for the following
crop of a double-crop system in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Dollars per cwt.
Yield (cwts.) 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00
280 -803.00 -523.00 -243.00 37.00 317.00
300 -754.00 -454.00 -154.00 146.00 446.00
320 -705.00 -385.00 -65.00 255.00 575.00
340 -656.00 -316.00 24.00 364.00 704.00
360 -607.00 -247.00 113.00 473.00 833.00

Table 51. Watermelons: Estimated production costs in the north Florida area, 1997-98.a
Average per
Category Acre Cwt.
Yield (cwts.) 325
OPERATING COSTS -------Dollars-------
Seed 65.06
Fertilizer and lime 105.00
Fumigant 464.00
Fungicide 95.67
Insecticide 9.33
Labor 164.81
Machinery 209.66
Interest 57.64
Miscellaneous
Plastic mulch 127.16
Frost protection 101.10
Wells 50.00
Farm vehicles 19.33
Total operating cost 1,468.77
FIXED COST
Land rent 50.00
Machinery 105.93
Overhead 235.06
Total fixed cost 390.99
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 1,859.76 5.72
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and pack 406.25 1.25
Packing material 9.75 0.03
Selling 325.00 1.00
Marketing and Promotion Assessment 6.50 0.02
Total harvest and marketing cost 747.50 2.30
TOTAL COST 2,607.26 8.02
Production using plastic mulch and overhead irrigation.

Table 52. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the north Florida
area, 1997-98.

Yield (cwts.)

4.00
-1,392.00
-1,350.00
-1,307.00
-1,265.00
-1,222.00

4.75
-1,186.00
-1,125.00
-1,064.00
-1,002.00
-941.00

Dollars per cwt.
5.50
-980.00
-900.00
-820.00
-740.00
-650.00

6.25
-774.00
-675.00
-576.00
-477.00
-379.00

7.00
-567.00
-450.00
-332.00
-215.00
-97.00

Table 53. Watermelons: Estimated production costs for the following crop in a double-crop system for the
southwest Florida area, 1997-98.a
Average per
Category Acre Cwt.
Yield (cwts.) 340
OPERATING COSTS -------Dollars-------
Transplants 120.00
Fertilizer and lime 162.00
Fungicide 200.72
Herbicide 18.23
Insecticide 147.73
Labor 439.15
Machinery 245.75
Interest 40.86
Miscellaneous
Ditch maintenance 17.00
Plastic removal and disposal 156.82
Bees 30.00
Farm vehicles 16.12
Total operating cost 1,594.36
FIXED COST
Machinery 108.28
Management 332.36
Overhead 415.45
Total fixed cost 856.08
TOTAL PREHARVEST COST 2,450.45 7.21
HARVEST AND MARKETING COSTS
Harvest and pack 656.20 1.93
Marketing and Promotion Assessment 6.80 0.02
Selling 340.00 1.00
Total harvest and marketing cost 1,003.00 2.95

TOTAL COST 3,453.45 10.16
SCost attributed to second crop as a result of double-crop production practices following Tomatoes.
b Costs exclude field and bed preparation, plastic mulch and fumigant.

Table 54. Watermelons: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations for a following crop
in a double-crop system for the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.

Dollars per cwt.
Yield (cwts.) 8.00 9.00 10.00 11.00 12.00
300 -935.00 -635.00 -335.00 -35.00 265.00
320 -834.00 -514.00 -194.00 126.00 446.00
340 -733.00 -393.00 -53.00 287.00 627.00
360 -632.00 -272.00 88.00 448.00 808.00
380 -531.00 -151.00 229.00 609.00 989.00

28

Appendix

Cultural Labor Costs by Activity and Machinery Costs by Operation

30

Table A-I. Bush Beans: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Seed and fertilize 0.50 3.00
Water control 25.60 153.60
Total cultural labor 26.10 156.60
Total tractor labor 4.15
TOTAL LABOR COST 193.95

Table A-2. Bush Beans: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
70 hp 0.75 2.69 4.88 7.57
100 hp 1.00 5.28 9.35 14.63
160 hp 1.58 12.35 23.10 35.45
IMPLEMENTS
13 ft. heavy disc 1.33 3.72 2.44 6.16
14 ft. bottom plow 0.25 0.84 1.39 2.23
4 row fertilizer appl. 0.67 9.67 7.17 16.85
4 row planter 0.33 1.69 3.35 5.04
Boom sprayer 0.75 5.27 4.07 9.34
4 row cultivator 0.67 0.79 0.76 1.55
MISCELLANEOUS
117 hp truck mounted pump 12.80 19.10 104.28 123.39
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 61.40 160.80 222.20

Table A-3. Cabbage: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Part Time Labor 2.08 16.22
Full Time Labor 6.64 75.70
Total cultural labor 8.72 91.92
Total tractor labor 7.83 89.21
TOTAL LABOR COST 181.13

Table A-4. Cabbage: Summary of machine use and costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
70 hp 0.63 2.21 3.78 5.99
125 hp 4.61 27.40 48.30 75.70
140 hp 1.02 6.57 11.82 18.38
IMPLEMENTS
13 ft. heavy disc 0.60 1.51 0.46 1.97
V-ditcher 1.60 1.48 1.14 2.62
8 row chopper 0.42 1.85 0.62 2.47
Lister 0.10 0.57 0.28 0.85
8 row bedder 0.47 1.54 0.47 2.01
8 row cross ditcher 0.17 1.09 0.18 1.27
Boom Sprayer 0.63 4.60 3.40 8.00
Side mower 1.33 2.23 1.75 3.98
Bulk spreader 0.41 0.71 0.63 1.34
4 row transplanter 0.50 0.94 1.73 2.67
MISCELLANEOUS
10 hp electric pump 24.10 3.03 25.94 28.97
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 55.75 100.49 156.24

Table A-5. Sweet Corn: Summary ofpreharvest labor costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Plant 0.60 3.60
Water control 25.60 153.60
Total cultural labor 26.20 157.20
Total tractor labor 4.61 41.51
TOTAL LABOR COST 198.71

Table A-6. Sweet Corn: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
85 hp 2.36 9.76 18.30 28.06
125 hp 0.67 4.06 7.63 11.69
180 hp 0.66 5.64 10.75 16.39
IMPLEMENTS
13 ft. heavy disc 0.50 1.40 0.92 2.32
25 ft. disc 0.16 1.18 0.77 1.95
14 ft. bottom plow 0.50 1.68 2.78 4.46
4 row bedder w/hoppers 0.17 0.65 0.42 1.07
Boom sprayer 1.52 10.68 8.25 18.93
4 row cultivator 0.55 1.14 1.23 2.37
4 row corn planter/fert. 0.29 1.48 2.95 4.43
MISCELLANEOUS
117 hp mounted pump 12.80 19.10 104.28 123.39
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 56.77 158.29 215.06

Table A-7. Sweet Corn: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Cultivate and fertilize 1.88 11.28
Cross ditch 1.23 7.38
Miscellaneous general labor 14.39 86.34
Total cultural labor 17.50 105.00
Total tractor labor 7.73 61.80
TOTAL LABOR COST 166.80

Table A-8. Sweet Corn: Summary of machine use and costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
70 hp 0.33 1.22 2.21 3.43
80 hp 0.40 1.65 3.10 4.76
100 hp 3.88 20.70 36.65 57.35
180 hp 1.25 10.68 20.35 31.04
IMPLEMENTS
Rolling cultivator 0.33 0.79 0.36 1.15
12 ft. disc 0.75 2.01 0.56 2.58
20 ft. disc 0.50 1.79 0.50 2.29
Pneumatic corn planter 0.31 8.48 14.03 22.51
Band fert. distributor 0.40 3.76 4.55 8.30
Boom sprayer 3.57 27.40 19.09 46.48
MISCELLANEOUS
30 hp electric pump 35.00 13.64 113.05 126.69
100 hp diesel pump 8.00 9.18 54.79 63.97
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 101.31 269.24 370.55

Table A-9. Cucumbers: Summary of preharvest labor costs for a following crop in a double-crop system for
the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Plant 3.33 19.98
Water control 2.33 13.98
Fertilize 2.00 12.00
Water in plants 2.73 16.38
Total cultural labor 10.39 62.34
Total tractor labor 3.28 34.39
TOTAL LABOR COST 96.73

Table A-10. Cucumbers: Summary of machine use and costs for a following crop in a double-crop system
for the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
40 hp 0.33 0.78 1.30 2.09
70 hp 2.29 8.20 14.90 23.10
IMPLEMENTS
I row mower 0.33 0.59 0.42 1.01
3 row herbicide sprayer 0.67 2.76 1.92 4.69
Boom sprayer 1.63 12.51 8.71 21.22
MISCELLANEOUS
21 hp diesel pump 30.00 6.89 41.09 47.98
60 hp diesel pump 7.50 5.17 30.82 35.99
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 36.90 99.18 136.08

Table A-I 1. Eggplant: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Fertilize 3.20 19.20
Bed, fumigate and press bed 1.60 9.60
Lay plastic 1.60 9.60
Make cross ditches 10.00 60.00
Set plants 20.00 120.00
Water control 6.00 36.00
Total cultural labor 42.40 254.40
Total tractor labor 16.69 133.50
TOTAL LABOR COST 387.90

Table A-12. Eggplant: Summary of machine use and costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
40 hp 0.90 2.14 3.55 5.69
70 hp 9.00 32.24 58.57 90.80
100 hp 3.45 18.41 32.58 50.99
IMPLEMENTS
1 row mower 0.40 0.72 0.51 1.23
12 ft. disc 1.65 4.43 1.24 5.67
1 row bedder 0.80 1.61 0.45 2.06
1 row bed presser 0.80 0.54 0.11 0.65
I row fertilizer distributor 0.80 5.94 7.19 13.13
1 row plastic machine 0.80 2.72 1.89 4.60
1 row fumigator 0.80 1.67 1.60 3.27
1 row hole puncher 0.40 0.24 0.17 0.41
2 row herbicide sprayer 2.40 5.02 3.50 8.52
Boom Sprayer 5.40 41.44 28.87 70.31
1 row burner 0.50 1.79 1.25 3.04
Broadcast spreader 0.20 0.36 0.30 0.66
MISCELLANEOUS
30 hp electric pump 13.97 5.45 45.12 50.57
100 hp diesel pump 8.51 9.77 58.28 68.05
117 hp truck mounted pump 1.00 1.49 8.15 9.64
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 135.97 253.32 389.29

Table A-13. Eggplant: Summary of preharvest labor costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system in the
Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Fertilize 3.20 19.20
Bed, fumigate and press bed 1.60 9.60
Lay plastic 1.60 9.60
Make cross ditches 10.00 60.00
Set plants 20.00 120.00
Water control 6.00 36.00
Total cultural labor 42.40 254.40
Total tractor labor 16.69 133.50
TOTAL LABOR COST 387.90

Table A-14. Eggplant: Summary of machine use and costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system in
the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
40 hp 0.90 2.14 3.55 5.69
70 hp 9.00 32.24 58.57 90.80
100 hp 3.45 18.41 32.58 50.99
IMPLEMENTS
1 row mower 0.40 0.72 0.51 1.23
12 ft. disc 1.65 4.43 1.24 5.67
I row bedder 0.80 1.61 0.45 2.06
1 row bed presser 0.80 0.54 0.11 0.65
1 row fertilizer distributor 0.80 5.94 7.19 13.13
1 row plastic machine 0.80 2.72 1.89 4.60
1 row fumigator 0.80 1.67 1.60 3.27
1 row hole puncher 0.40 0.24 0.17 0.41
2 row herbicide sprayer 2.40 5.02 3.50 8.52
Boom Sprayer 5.40 41.44 28.87 70.31
1 row burner 0.50 1.79 1.25 3.04
Broadcast spreader 0.20 0.36 0.30 0.66
MISCELLANEOUS
30 hp electric pump 13.97 5.45 45.12 50.57
100 hp diesel pump 8.51 9.77 58.28 68.05
117 hp truck mounted pump 1.00 1.49 8.15 9.64
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 135.97 253.32 389.29

Table A-15. Green Peppers: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Fertilize 3.20 19.20
Bed and fumigate 1.60 9.60
Lay plastic 1.60 9.60
Cross ditch 10.00 60.00
Plant 11.50 69.00
Water control 3.50 21.00
Total cultural labor 31.40 188.40
Total tractor labor 14.71 115.49
TOTAL LABOR COST 303.89

Table A-16. Green Peppers: Summary of machine use and costs in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
40 hp 0.80 1.90 3.16 5.06
70 hp 3.77 13.50 24.53 38.04
100 hp 7.20 38.41 68.00 106.42
IMPLEMENTS
1 row mower 0.40 0.67 0.52 1.19
12 ft. disc 1.65 4.16 1.27 5.43
1 row bedder 0.80 1.51 0.46 1.97
1 row bed presser 0.80 0.50 0.11 0.61
1 row plastic machine 0.80 2.60 1.92 4.52
1 row cross ditcher 0.50 1.43 0.23 1.66
2 row transplanter 2.00 2.02 3.71 5.73
1 row fumigator 0.80 1.59 1.61 3.20
Boom Sprayer 2.75 20.09 14.83 34.92
2 row herbicide sprayer 0.60 1.20 0.88 2.08
Stake wagon 0.80 0.85 0.22 1.07
Broadcast spreader 0.67 1.13 1.01 2.14
2 row fertilizer distributor 0.80 5.58 7.28 12.86
MISCELLANEOUS
30 hp electric pump 21.13 8.24 68.25 76.49
100 hp diesel pump 9.10 10.45 62.32 72.77
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 115.83 260.33 376.16

Table A-17. Green Peppers:

Summary of preharvest labor costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system
in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.

Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Fertilize 3.20 19.20
Bed and fumigate 1.60 9.60
Lay plastic 1.60 9.60
Cross ditch 10.00 60.00
Plant 11.50 69.00
Water control 3.50 21.00
Total cultural labor 31.40 188.40
Total tractor labor 14.71 115.49
TOTAL LABOR COST 303.89

Table A-18. Green Peppers: Summary of machine use and costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system
in the Palm Beach County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
40 hp 0.80 1.90 3.16 5.06
70 hp 3.77 13.50 24.53 38.04
100 hp 7.20 38.41 68.00 106.42
IMPLEMENTS
1 row mower 0.40 0.67 0.52 1.19
12 ft. disc 1.65 4.16 1.27 5.43
1 row bedder 0.80 1.51 0.46 1.97
I row bed presser 0.80 0.50 0.11 0.61
1 row plastic machine 0.80 2.60 1.92 4.52
1 row cross ditcher 0.50 1.43 0.23 1.66
2 row transplanter 2.00 2.02 3.71 5.73
1 row fumigator 0.80 1.59 1.61 3.20
Boom Sprayer 2.75 20.09 14.83 34.92
2 row herbicide sprayer 0.60 1.20 0.88 2.08
Stake wagon 0.80 0.85 0.22 1.07
Broadcast spreader 0.67 1.13 1.01 2.14
2 row fertilizer distributor 0.80 5.58 7.28 12.86
MISCELLANEOUS
30 hp electric pump 21.13 8.24 68.25 76.49
100 hp diesel pump 9.10 10.45 62.32 72.77
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 115.83 260.33 376.16

Table A-19. Green Peppers: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Prepare beds and cross ditch 0.92 5.52
Lay plastic 1.18 7.08
Transplant 9.50 57.00
Replant 2.00 12.00
Water control 4.50 27.00
Total cultural labor 18.10 108.60
Total tractor labor 19.84 208.29
TOTAL LABOR COST 316.89

Table A-20. Green Peppers: Summary of machine use and costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
40 hp 0.35 0.83 1.38 2.21
85 hp 11.21 46.35 86.95 133.30
125 hp 2.13 12.91 24.26 37.17
150 hp 0.81 5.66 11.00 16.66
210 hp 1.36 14.70 26.25 40.42
IMPLEMENTS
18 ft disc 0.81 3.03 0.85 3.88
Row marker 0.10 0.15 0.03 0.18
Field cultivator 0.31 0.70 0.31 1.01
V-ditcher 0.60 2.15 1.51 3.66
Ditch plow 0.36 0.35 0.25 0.60
3 row superbedder 0.40 6.08 1.70 7.78
3 row fumigator 0.31 1.46 1.39 2.85
3 row plastic machine 0.31 2.63 1.83 4.46
3 row transplanter 1.52 1.63 2.72 4.35
3 row herbicide sprayer 0.25 1.05 0.73 1.78
Boom sprayer 10.90 83.65 58.28 141.92
MISCELLANEOUS
20 hp diesel pump 120.00 27.55 164.37 191.40
60 hp diesel pump 30.00 20.66 123.28 143.94
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 231.01 507.10 738.11

Table A-21. Green Peppers: Summary of preharvest labor costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system
in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Prepare beds and cross ditch 0.92 5.52
Lay plastic 1.18 7.08
Transplant 9.50 57.00
Replant 2.00 12.00
Water control 4.50 27.00
Total cultural labor 18.10 108.60
Total tractor labor 19.84 208.29
TOTAL LABOR COST 316.89

Table A-22. Green Peppers: Summary of machine use and costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system
in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
40 hp 0.35 0.83 1.38 2.21
85 hp 11.21 46.35 86.95 133.30
125 hp 2.13 12.91 24.26 37.17
150 hp 0.81 5.66 11.00 16.66
210 hp 1.36 14.17 26.25 40.42
IMPLEMENTS
18 ft disc 0.81 3.03 0.85 3.88
Row marker 0.10 0.15 0.03 0.18
Field cultivator 0.31 0.70 0.31 1.01
V-ditcher 0.60 2.15 1.51 3.66
Ditch plow 0.36 0.35 0.25 0.60
3 row superbedder 0.40 6.08 1.70 7.78
3 row fumigator 0.31 1.46 1.39 2.85
3 row plastic machine 0.31 2.63 1.83 4.46
3 row transplanter 1.52 1.63 2.72 4.35
3 row herbicide sprayer 0.25 1.05 0.73 1.78
Boom sprayer 10.90 83.65 58.28 141.92
MISCELLANEOUS
20 hp diesel pump 120.00 27.55 164.37 191.92
60 hp diesel pump 30.00 20.66 123.28 143.94
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 231.01 507.10 738.11

Table A-23. Chip Potatoes: Summary ofpreharvest labor costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Full time labor 6.64 75.70
Part time labor 2.08 16.22
Total cultural labor 8.72 91.92
Total tractor labor 8.98 113.72
TOTAL LABOR COST 205.64

Table A-24. Chip Potatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Hastings area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
125 hp 7.19 42.74 75.34
140 hp 0.79 5.09 9.15
IMPLEMENTS
13 ft. harrow 0.37 0.78 0.24 1.02
V-ditcher 2.40 2.22 1.71 3.93
8 row chopper 0.47 2.07 0.69 2.76
Lister 0.10 0.57 0.28 0.86
8 row bedder 0.55 4.37 1.33 5.70
8 row cross ditcher 0.21 2.26 0.37 2.63
4 row potato planter 0.14 1.69 3.12 4.81
Boom sprayer 0.40 2.92 2.16 5.08
Potato cutter 0.23 3.68 0.47 4.15
Side mower 2.67 4.49 3.50 7.99
Bulk spreader 0.50 0.84 0.75 1.59
3 row fumigator 0.17 0.76 0.77 1.53
MISCELLANEOUS
10 hp diesel pump 24.10 3.03 25.94 28.97
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 77.89 125.84 203.73

Table A-25. Table Potatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Seed cutting labor 1.50 9.00
Water control 2.00 12.00
Hoe 0.15 0.90
Planting labor 2.00 12.00
Total cultural labor 5.65 33.90
Total tractor labor 3.83 34.43
TOTAL LABOR COST 68.33

Table A-26. Table Potatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
85 hp 0.53 2.19 4.11 6.30
125 hp 0.67 4.06 7.63 11.69
160 hp 1.86 14.54 27.20 41.73
IMPLEMENTS
10 ft. weed chopper 0.17 0.54 0.38 0.92
16 ft. disc 0.88 2.64 1.73 4.37
14 ft. bottom plow 0.31 1.04 1.73 2.77
4 row bedder w/hoppers 0.17 0.65 0.42 1.07
4 row herbicide sprayer 0.18 0.94 0.56 1.50
Boom Sprayer 0.90 6.32 4.88 11.21
4 row cultivator 0.67 1.39 1.50 2.89
4 row potato planter 0.50 5.76 11.43 17.19
Potato cutter 1.50 22.24 4.39 26.63
Elevator 0.33 1.83 0.47 2.31
MISCELLANEOUS
117 hp mounted pump 3.00 4.48 24.44 28.92
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 68.62 90.88 159.50

Table A-27. Table Potatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Hasting area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Full time labor 6.64 75.70
Part time labor 2.08 16.22
Total cultural labor 8.72 91.92
Total tractor labor 9.98 113.72
TOTAL LABOR COST 205.64

Table A-28. Table Potatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Hasting area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
125 hp 7.19 42.74 75.34 118.07
140 hp 0.79 5.09 9.15 14.24
IMPLEMENTS
13 ft, harrow 0.37 0.78 0.24 1.02
V-ditcher 2.40 2.22 1.71 3.93
8 row chopper 0.47 2.07 0.69 2.76
Lister 0.10 0.57 0.28 0.86
8 row bedder 0.55 4.37 1.33 5.70
8 row cross ditcher 0.21 2.26 0.37 2.63
4 row potato planter 0.14 1.69 3.12 4.81
Boom sprayer 0.40 2.92 2.16 5.08
Potato cutter 0.23 3.68 0.47 4.15
Span piler 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.03
Side mower 2.67 4.49 3.50 7.99
Bulk spreader 0.50 0.84 0.75 1.59
3 row fumigator 0.17 0.76 0.77 1.53
MISCELLANEOUS
10 hp electric pump 24.10 3.03 25.94 28.97
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 77.89 125.84 203.73

Table A-29. Summer Squash: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Seed and fertilize 0.33 1.98
Water control 19.20 115.20
Total cultural labor 19.53 117.18
Total tractor labor 4.15 37.35
TOTAL LABOR COST 154.53

Table A-30. Summer Squash: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
70 hp 0.75 2.69 4.88 7.57
100 hp 1.00 5.28 9.35 14.63
160 hp 1.58 12.35 23.10 35.45
IMPLEMENTS
13 ft. heavy disc 1.33 3.72 2.44 6.16
14 ft. bottom plow 0.25 0.84 1.39 2.23
4 row fertilizer appl. 0.67 9.67 7.17 16.85
4 row planter 0.33 1.69 3.35 5.04
Boom sprayer 0.75 5.27 4.07 9.34
4 row cultivator 0.67 0.79 0.76 1.55
MISCELLANEOUS
117 hp truck mounted pump 9.60 14.33 78.21 92.54
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 56.63 134.73 191.36

Table A-31, Strawberries: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Plant City area. 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Lay plastic 7.20 39.60

Total cultural labor 7.20 39.60
Total tractor labor 22.69 215.13
TOTAL LABOR COST 255.13

Table A-32. Strawberries: Summary of machine use and costs in the Plant City area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
35 hp 10.37 16.98 31.74 48.72
75 hp 4.78 17.49 31.84 49.34
110 hp 3.00 16.30 29.44 45.74
IMPLEMENTS
12 ft. disc 2.00 5.04 1.54 6.58
Roterra 0.66 7.76 2.58 10.34
Broadcast spreader 0.31 0.52 0.47 0.99
Row marker 0.14 0.19 0.05 0.24
Boom sprayer 9.40 68.67 50.69 119.36
2 row bed presser 1.00 0.79 0.19 0.97
2 row herb sprayer 1.32 2.63 1.94 4.57
I row fumigator 1.00 1.89 2.03 3.92
1 row hole puncher 0.66 0.40 0.28 0.68
Band fertilizer distributor 0.66 3.99 5.21 9.20
1 row plastic layer 1.00 3.10 2.44 5.54
MISCELLANEOUS
10 hp electric pump 9.38 1.22 10.09 11.31
100 hp diesel pump 8.55 9.82 56.39 66.21
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 166.40 279.89 446.29

Table A-33. Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Lay plastic/fumigate 0.50 3.00
Prepare plug mix 0.13 0.78
Plant 0.30 1.80
Thin plants 3.00 18.00
Prune plants 3.00 18.00
Fertilize 0.90 5.40
Water control 28.80 172.80
Drive stakes 8.25 49.50
Pull stakes 1.20 7.20
Total cultural labor 46.08 276.48
Total tractor labor 10.40 93.60
TOTAL LABOR COST 370.08

Table A-34. Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Dade County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
40 hp 0.73 1.74 2.88 4.62
70 hp 3.79 13.54 24.60 38.14
100 hp 1.60 8.54 15.11 23.65
160 hp 2.21 17.27 32.31 49.58
IMPLEMENTS
13 ft. heavy disc 0.83 2.32 1.52 3.84
14 ft. bottom plow 0.25 0.84 1.39 2.23
3 row middle buster 0.33 0.92 0.60 1.52
3 row bedder/presser 0.40 1.52 0.99 2.51
3 row fumigator 0.40 1.72 1.82 3.54
3 row fert. distributor 1.00 8.31 11.51 19.82
3 row plastic machine 0.40 3.14 2.43 5.57
3 row Tomato planter 0.29 2.60 5.16 7.76
6 row herbicide sprayer 0.50 3.01 1.79 4.80
Boom sprayer 2.00 14.05 410.85 24.90
6 row stake driver 0.80 7.16 3.69 10.85
3 row stake puller 0.40 2.74 13.13 15.87
Stake wagon 0.40 0.40 0.11 0.51
Fertilizer tender 0.33 1.90 0.54 2.44
MISCELLANEOUS
Mixer 0.13 0.48 0.20 0.68
117 hp mounted pump 13.30 19.85 108.36 128.21
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 112.05 239.02 351.07

Table A-35. Fall Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Set plants 4.00 24.00
Drive stakes 12.80 76.80
Prune plants 4.50 27.00
Water control 2.50 15.00
Total cultural labor 23.80 142.80
Total tractor labor 29.29 244.45
TOTAL LABOR COST 387.25

Table A-36. Fall Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
70 hp 3.78 13.54 23.93 37.47
100 hp 14.53 77.52 133.56 211.08
125 hp 2.93 17.75 32.45 50.20
180 hp 2.18 18.63 34.50 53.14
IMPLEMENTS
13 ft. disc 1.82 5.70 1.59 7.29
14 ft. leveler 1.00 4.09 0.79 4.88
Row marker 0.29 0.36 0.10 0.46
Ditch plow 0.36 0.32 0.26 0.58
V-ditcher 1.33 4.76 3.35 8.11
3 row bedder 0.33 0.99 0.32 1.31
1 row bed presser 0.36 0.22 0.05 0.27
1 row fumigator 0.80 1.53 1.62 3.15
1 row fert. distributor 0.80 5.22 7.38 12.59
Fertilizer tender 1.60 8.99 2.66 11.65
1 row plastic machine 0.80 2.48 1.95 4.43
1 row plant setter 1.52 2.92 5.79 8.71
Herbicide sprayer 2.00 7.97 5.88 13.85
6 row stake driver 1.52 13.38 7.06 20.44
3 row burner 0.14 0.49 0.39 0.88
Stake wagon 1.52 1.78 0.41 2.19
Stake puller 0.50 3.39 5.49 8.88
Boom spayer 7.40 54.06 39.90 93.96
Broadcast spreader 0.13 0.20 0.20 0.40
MISCELLANEOUS
100 hp diesel pump 10.18 11.69 67.15 78.83
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 258.59 376.68 635.27

Table A-37. Fall Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs for the proceeding crop in a double-crop
system for the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Set plants 4.00 24.00
Drive stakes 12.80 76.80
Prune plants 4.50 27.00
Water control 2.50 15.00
Total cultural labor 23.80 142.80
Total tractor labor 29.28 244.45
TOTAL LABOR COST 387.25

Table A-38. Fall Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs for the proceeding crop in a double-crop
system for the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
70 hp 3.78 13.54 23.93 37.47
100 hp 14.53 77.52 133.56 211.08
125 hp 2.93 17.75 32.45 50.20
180 hp 2.18 18.63 34.50 53.14
IMPLEMENTS
13 ft. disc 1.82 5.70 1.59 7.29
14 ft. leveler 1.00 4.09 0.79 4.88
Row marker 0.29 0.36 0.10 0.46
Ditch plow 0.36 0.32 0.26 0.58
V-ditcher 1.33 4.76 3.35 8.11
3 row bedder 0.33 0.99 0.32 1.31
1 row bed presser 0.36 0.22 0.05 0.27
1 row fumigator 0.80 1.53 1.62 3.15
1 row fert. distributor 0.80 5.22 7.38 12.59
Fertilizer tender 1.60 8.99 2.66 11.65
1 row plastic machine 0.80 2.48 1.95 4.43
1 row plant setter 1.52 2.92 5.79 8.71
Herbicide sprayer 2.00 7.97 5.88 13.85
6 row stake driver 1.52 13.38 7.06 20.44
3 row burner 0.14 0.49 0.39 0.88
Stake wagon 1.52 1.78 0.41 2.19
Stake puller 0.50 3.39 5.49 8.88
Boom spayer 7.40 54.06 39.90 93.96
Broadcast spreader 0.13 0.20 0.20 0.40
MISCELLANEOUS
100 hp diesel pump 10.18 11.69 67.15 78.83
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 258.59 376.68 635.27

Table A-39. Spring Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Set plants 4.00 24.00
Drive stakes 12.80 76.80
Prune plants 4.50 27.00
Water control 2.50 15.00
Total cultural labor 23.80 142.80
Total tractor labor 24.44 204.05
TOTAL LABOR COST 346.85

Table A-40. Spring Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
70 hp 3.78 13.54 23.93 37.47
100 hp 10.66 56.88 97.99 154.86
125 hp 2.93 17.75 32.45 50.20
180 hp 2.18 18.63 34.50 53.14
IMPLEMENTS
13 ft. disc 1.82 5.70 1.59 7.29
14 ft. leveler 1.00 4.09 0.79 4.88
Row marker 0.29 0.42 0.09 0.52
Ditch plow 0.36 0.35 0.25 0.60
V-ditcher 1.33 4.76 3.35 8.11
3 row bedder/fert. distrib. 0.33 1.11 0.31 1.42
1 row bed presser 0.36 0.24 0.05 0.29
1 row fumigator 0.80 1.67 1.60 3.27
1 row fert. distributor 0.80 5.94 7.19 13.13
Fertilizer tender 1.60 8.99 2.66 11.65
1 row plastic machine 0.80 2.72 1.89 4.60
1 row plant setter 1.52 3.26 5.44 8.70
Herbicide sprayer 1.33 5.57 3.88 9.45
6 row stake driver 1.52 13.38 7.06 20.44
3 row burner 0.14 0.49 0.39 0.88
Stake wagon 1.52 1.78 0.41 2.19
Stake puller 0.50 3.39 5.49 8.88
Boom spayer 4.20 32.23 22.46 54.69
Broadcast spreader 0.13 0.23 0.19 0.43
MISCELLANEOUS
100 hp diesel pump 10.18 11.69 67.15 78.83
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 215.31 321.02 536.33

Table A-41. Spring Tomatoes: Summary ofpreharvest labor costs in the north Florida area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Soil prep/bedding 4.50 27.00
Lay plastic 3.20 19.20
Transplant and reset 5.50 33.00
Water control 25.00 150.00
Total cultural labor 38.20 229.20
Total tractor labor 15.49 116.16
TOTAL LABOR COST 345.36

Table A-41. Spring Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the north Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
40 hp 6.35 14.82 23.20 38.02
70 hp 2.13 7.48 12.77 20.26
125 hp 3.91 23.24 40.97 64.21
IMPLEMENTS
16 ft. disc 1.34 4.49 1.26 5.75
14 ft. leveler 0.27 1.10 0.21 1.31
1 row bedder/presser 1.00 2.68 0.75 3.43
1 row plastic machine 0.80 2.72 1.89 4.61
1 row fumigator 0.50 0.95 1.01 1.96
1 row plant setter 1.33 2.86 4.76 7.62
3 row herbicide sprayer 0.52 2.18 1.52 3.70
Boom sprayer 5.50 42.21 29.41 71.62
6 row stake driver 0.33 3.31 1.46 4.77
stake wagon 0.33 0.39 0.09 0.48
Moldboard plow 0.80 3.08 2.17 5.25
MISCELLANEOUS
40 hp diesel pump 33.30 15.00 81.23 96.23
30 hp diesel pump 11.10 4.20 35.85 40.05
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 130.70 238.55 369.25

Table A-43. Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Lay plastic 2.40 14.40
Transplant and reset 9.60 57.60
Water control 4.50 27.00
Total cultural labor 16.50 99.00
Total tractor labor 13.83 145.16
TOTAL LABOR COST 244.16

Table A-44. Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
70 hp 4.58 16.40 29.80 46.21
100 hp 0.41 2.19 3.87 6.06
125 hp 3.11 18.78 35.31 54.10
180 hp 1.28 10.94 20.84 31.78
210 hp 1.69 17.61 32.62 50.23
IMPLEMENTS
18 ft. disc 1.28 4.29 1.20 5.49
Row marker 0.10 0.15 0.03 0.18
V-ditcher 0.92 3.33 2.34 5.67
Ditch plow 0.36 0.35 0.25 0.60
3 row bedder 0.40 6.08 1.70 7.78
3 row fumigator 0.31 1.46 1.39 2.85
3 row plastic machine 0.44 3.73 2.59 6.33
3 row transplanter 1.33 1.43 2.38 3.81
6 row herbicide sprayer 0.67 2.76 1.92 4.69
Boom sprayer 3.25 24.94 17.38 42.32
6 row stake driver 1.33 12.73 5.64 18.36
Stake wagon 0.67 0.78 0.18 0.96
MISCELLANEOUS
20 hp diesel pump 120.00 27.55 164.37 191.92
60 hp diesel pump 30.00 20.66 123.28 143.94
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 176.19 447.11 623.30

Table A-45. Tomatoes: Summary of preharvest labor costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system in
the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Lay plastic 2.40 14.40
Transplant and reset 9.60 57.60
Water control 4.50 27.00
Total cultural labor 16.50 99.00
Total tractor labor 13.83 145.16
TOTAL LABOR COST 244.16

Table A-46. Tomatoes: Summary of machine use and costs for the initial crop of a double-crop system in
the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
70 hp 4.58 16.40 29.80 46.21
100 hp 0.41 2.19 3.87 6.06
125 hp 3.11 18.78 35.31 54.10
180 hp 1.28 10.94 20.84 31.78
210 hp 1.69 17.61 32.62 50.23
IMPLEMENTS
18 ft. disc 1.28 4.29 1.20 5.49
Row marker 0.10 0.15 0.03 0.18
V-ditcher 0.92 3.33 2.34 5.67
Ditch plow 0.36 0.35 0.25 0.60
3 row bedder 0.40 6.08 1.70 7.78
3 row fumigator 0.31 1.46 1.39 2.85
3 row plastic machine 0.44 3.73 2.59 6.33
3 row transplanter 1.33 1.43 2.38 3.81
6 row herbicide sprayer 0.67 2.76 1.92 4.69
Boom sprayer 3.25 24.94 17.38 42.32
6 row stake driver 1.33 12.73 5.64 18.36
Stake wagon 0.67 0.78 0.18 0.96
MISCELLANEOUS
20 hp diesel pump 120.00 27.55 164.37 191.92
60 hp diesel pump 30.00 20.66 123.28 143.94
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 176.19 447.11 623.30

Table A-47. Watermelons: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the Alachua/Levy County area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
General labor 10.34 52.73

Total cultural labor 10.34 52.73
Total tractor labor 3.11 18.68
TOTAL LABOR COST 71.41

Table A-48. Watermelons: Summary of machine use and costs in the Alachua/Levy County area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
60 hp 0.89 3.09 4.64 7.74
125 hp 1.60 10.25 16.54 26.79
IMPLEMENTS
12 ft. disc 0.60 1.51 0.46 1.97
Sub-soil shank 0.40 0.67 0.37 1.04
I row middle buster 0.20 0.59 0.18 0.77
1 row bedder 0.20 0.38 0.12 0.50
1 row fert. distributor 0.20 1.39 1.82 3.21
Broadcast spreader 0.20 0.34 0.30 0.64
Bottom plow 0.40 1.34 1.04 2.38
I row planter 0.29 1.56 2.87 4.43
MISCELLANEOUS
100 hp diesel pump 3.00 3.64 18.19 21.83
Hose reel/gun/trailer 3.00 19.04 33.45 52.50
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 43.81 79.99 123.79

Table A-49. Watermelons: Summary ofpreharvest labor costs for the following crop in a double-crop
system in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Planting labor 8.00 48.00
Turn vines 30.00 180.00
Water control 2.33 13.00
13.98
Total cultural labor 40.33 241.98
Total tractor labor 3.24 23.80
TOTAL LABOR COST 265.78

Table A-50. Watermelons: Summary of machine use and costs for the following crop in a double-crop
system in the Manatee/Ruskin area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
85 hp 2.59 10.71 19.53 30.24
IMPLEMENTS
Liquid fertilizer rig 0.33 3.10 1.60 4.70
Boom sprayer 2.26 17.34 12.08 29.42
MISCELLANEOUS
100 hp diesel pump 14.29 16.41 94.25 110.66
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 47.62 127.46 175.08

Table A-51. Watermelons: Summary of preharvest labor costs in the north Florida area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
General farm labor 8.60 51.60

Total cultural labor 8.60 51.60
Total tractor labor 9.73 58.35
TOTAL LABOR COST 109.95

Table A-52. Watermelons: Summary of machine use and costs in the north Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
85 hp 5.83 22.80 37.02 59.82
125 hp 1.95 12.49 20.16 32.65
IMPLEMENTS
16 ft. disc 0.95 3.19 0.89 4.08
Sub-soil shank 0.40 0.72 0.36 1.08
1 row bedder 0.20 0.40 0.11 0.52
1 row press/fumigator 0.90 1.25 1.07 2.31
1 row fert. distributor 0.17 1.09 1.33 2.42
1 row plastic machine 0.40 1.36 0.94 2.30
Boom sprayer 0.50 3.84 2.67 6.51
Bottom plow 0.40 1.43 1.01 2.44
Chisel plow 0.57 2.04 1.04 3.07
1 row planter 0.29 1.66 2.77 4.43
Hose reel/gun/trailer 3.00 19.04 33.45 52.50
MISCELLANEOUS
150 hp diesel pump 3.00 5.46 27.29 32.75
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 76.76 130.11 206.87

Table A-53. Watermelons: Summary of preharvest labor costs for the following crop in a double-crop
system in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Operation Hours per acre Dollars per acre
CULTURAL LABOR
Plant 3.33 19.98
Water-in plants 2.73 16.38
Fertilize 2.74 16.44
Turn vines 30.00 180.00
Water control 2.33 13.98
Total cultural labor 41.13 246.78
Total tractor labor 9.20 96.60
TOTAL LABOR COST 343.38

Table A-54. Watermelons: Summary of machine use and costs for the following crop of a double-crop
system in the southwest Florida area, 1997-98.
Dollars per acre
Description Hours per acre Fixed Variable Total
TRACTORS
40 hp 2.70 6.42 10.65 17.07
70 hp 4.66 16.69 30.32 47.02
IMPLEMENTS
Boom sprayer 6.70 51.42 38.82 87.24
3 row herbicide sprayer 0.66 2.76 1.92 4.69
MISCELLANEOUS
20 hp diesel pump 46.52 10.68 63.72 74.40
100 hp diesel pump 15.50 10.68 63.69 74.37
TOTAL MACHINERY COST 98.65 206.14 304.78

	Front Cover
	Title Page
	Abstract
	Acknowledgement
	Table of Contents
	Introduction
	Map: principal vegetable producing...
	Key to terms used in tables
	Tables
	Tables

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
42	html_echo_mainwriter.add_text_to_page	Finished reading and writing the file