Economic Information

Report 67

Costs and

Returns from

Vegetable

Crops

in Florida,

Season 1975-76

with

Comparisons

3 and Resource Economics Department March 1977
?cultural Experiment Stations
titute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
University of Florida, Gainesville 32611

D. L. Brooke

9~)~)

ABSTRACT

Costs and returns were obtained for 14 different vegetable
crops in one or more of eight major producing areas for the 1975-76
season. Some levelling of costs noted for 1975-76 as compared to
the previous two years. Fertilizer and spray and dust costs were
stable to slightly lower in many cases. Labor and seed costs were
up only moderately. Fuel and repair costs showed continued in-
creasing tendencies. Shipping container costs were relatively
stable as compared to a year earlier.

Key words: Economics, vegetables, annual costs, simple averages,
purposive sample.

FOREWORD

This is the sixteenth in this series of summaries of costs and
returns from the principal vegetable crops by major producing areas in
Florida. There is a need among growers, commodity groups, credit
agencies, research workers and teachers for current factual information
of this type.
Data in this summary were gathered by personal interview with
growers of the various vegetable crops. Growers' records of actual
production costs were used when available, and estimates taken when
records were not kept. As complete a breakdown of costs as possible
was obtained from each grower. Insofar as possible, growing and har-
vesting costs have been separated and labor items excluded from costs
of materials. In a few cases, where crop sales were not available from
growers, they were computed on the basis of average prices received for
the crop as reported by the Florida Crop and Livestock Reporting
Service, Orlando, Florida.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The writer wishes to express his appreciation to the vegetable
growers for their excellent cooperation and also to the Florida Fruit
and Vegetable Association, the Florida Crop and Livestock Reporting
Service, Orlando, Florida, and to various county agents for much
worthwhile assistance.

FOREWORD

This is the sixteenth in this series of summaries of costs and
returns from the principal vegetable crops by major producing areas in
Florida. There is a need among growers, commodity groups, credit
agencies, research workers and teachers for current factual information
of this type.
Data in this summary were gathered by personal interview with
growers of the various vegetable crops. Growers' records of actual
production costs were used when available, and estimates taken when
records were not kept. As complete a breakdown of costs as possible
was obtained from each grower. Insofar as possible, growing and har-
vesting costs have been separated and labor items excluded from costs
of materials. In a few cases, where crop sales were not available from
growers, they were computed on the basis of average prices received for
the crop as reported by the Florida Crop and Livestock Reporting
Service, Orlando, Florida.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The writer wishes to express his appreciation to the vegetable
growers for their excellent cooperation and also to the Florida Fruit
and Vegetable Association, the Florida Crop and Livestock Reporting
Service, Orlando, Florida, and to various county agents for much
worthwhile assistance.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . . . . .

MAP OF FLORIDA VEGETABLE PRODUCING AREAS . . .

DEFINITIONS . . . . . . .

COSTS AND RETURNS DATA . . . . .

LIST OF TABLES

Page
i

iv

1

Page

Table

1 SNAP BEANS: Costs and returns in the Palm Beach-
Broward area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76

2 POLE BEANS: Costs and returns in the Dade County
area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 .

3 CABBAGE: Costs and returns in the Central Florida
area 5-season average . . . . 3

4 CABBAGE: Costs and returns in the Hastings area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . . 4

5 CELERY: Costs and returns in the Central Florida
area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . . 5

6 CELERY: Costs and returns in the Everglades area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . . 6

7 SWEET CORN: Costs and returns in the Central Florida
area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . . 7

8 SWEET CORN: Costs and returns in the Everglades area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . . .. 8

9 SWEET CORN: Costs and returns in the Lower East Coast
area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . . 9

D. L. Brooke is a professor in the Food and Resource Economics
Department.

. .

LIST OF TABLES--Continued

Table Page
10 CUCUMBERS: Costs and returns in the Immokalee-Lee
area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 .. . 10

11 -CUCUMBERS: Costs and returns in the Palm Beach-
Broward area season 1975-76 . . . .. 11

12 EGGPLANT: Costs and returns in the Palm Beach-
Broward area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 12

,13 LEAF CROPS: Costs and returns in the Central
Florida area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 13

14 LEAF CROPS: Costs and returns in the Everglades
area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . .. 14

15 PEPPERS: Costs and returns in the Immokalee-Lee
area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . .. 15

16 PEPPERS: Costs and returns in the Palm Beach-
Broward area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 16

.17 IRISH POTATOES: Costs and returns in the Dade County
area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . ... 17

18 IRISH POTATOES: Costs and returns in the Hastings
area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . ... 18

19 RADISHES: -Costs and returns in the Everglades area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . . .. 19

20 SQUASH: Costs and returns in the Dade County area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . . 20

21 SQUASH: Costs and returns in the Immokalee-Lee
area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . .. 21

22 SQUASH: Costs and returns in the Palm Beach-Broward
area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . ... 22

23' TOMATOES: Costs and returns in the Dade County area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . . .. 23

24 TOMATOES: Costs and returns in the Ft. Pierce area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . . .. 24

25 STAKED TOMATOES: Costs and returns in the Immokalee-
Lee area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . .. 25

26 STAKED TOMATOES: Costs and returns in the Manatee-
Ruskin area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76 . 26

27 WATERMELONS: Costs and returns in the Immokalee-Lee
area 5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76. . .. 27

iii

'" I I 1 I-
i 19
.- 1 i ;- ~- 1, r-- "- i \_ -_~/ "
\ I- -- ,' ,' I ^ \

St. ,-. -" .,-- .-15
-I
"\ -T-1^ ",
FLORID A
VEGETABLE PRODUCING AREAS ()
With Principal Vegetables Produced

1 Dade--tomatoes, snap and pole beans, Irish 1
potatoes, squash, cucumbers, strawberries
2 Palm Beach-Broward--snap beans, peppers, L- --
eggplant, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes "
3Immokalee-Lee--tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers,
squash, Irish potatoes, watermelons' 9
4 Everglades--snap beans, sweet corn, cabbage, "
_scarole, celery, Irish potatoes, radishes I "
5 Fort Pierce--tomatoes, watermelons
6 Wauchula--cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons
7 Sarasota--celery, radishes, lettuce, cabbage 7
8 Manatee-Ruskin--tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, \ ---' '
watermelons
9 Plant City--strawberries, peppers, squash, --
pole beans, southern peas, okra ..
10 Sumter--cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, '
watermelons ---
11 Zellwood--sweet corn, celery, escarole, lettuce, 2 i
snap beans, radishes -
12 Sanford-Oviedo--cabbage, celery, snap beans, lettuce,
escarole, sweet corn, peppers
13 Oxford-Belleview-Lowell--tomatoes, watermelons
14 McIntosh-Island Grove--squash, snap beans, celery, ,-''.I-
cabbage, lettuce, watermelons
15 Alachua--snap beans, cucumbers, pepper, Irish
potatoes, watermelons
16 Hastings--Irish potatoes, cabbage
17 Starke-Brooker-Lake Butler--snap and lima beans, oG
cucumbers, peppers, squash, strawberries
18 Quincy-Havana--pole.beans, cucumbers, squash
19 Escambia--Irish potatoes

DEFINITIONS

Number of growers: Number of individual records or estimates of crop
costs and returns included in each crop summary.

Number of acres: The total acreage planted by growers whose records or
estimates were used. When a part of the planted acreage was lost soon
after planting and replaced by another crop, the reduced acreage was
used.

Average acres per grower: The number of acres of the particular crop
divided by the number of growers.

Average yield per acre: The number of units per planted acre harvested.

Land rent: In the interests of uniformity, land rent was charged for
all acreages and crops at the prevailing rate reported by growers in the
area. This was done to avoid difficulties in the determination of a
normal valuation, interest charge for use of land and capitalization of
land values in a period of fluctuating values and prices. Taxes on farm
real estate are excluded since rent is being charged.

Seed and seedbed includes the cost of seed or plants for planting the
crop. If a seedbed was used, the figures, unless otherwise noted, in-
clude costs of labor and materials for growing plants as well as seed
costs.

Fertilizer represents the actual cost of nutrient materials applied to
produce the crop. Labor or machine costs of application are not
included.

Spray and dust included only the cost of materials unless application
labor is specified, in which case some machine costs may also be present.
If weed control chemicals or soil fumigants were used, their cost also
is included here.

Cultural labor contains the value of man labor, whether hired or family,
to produce the crop from ground preparation until ready for harvest. It
does not include supervision by the operator, since his compensation is
to a great extent dependent upon returns from the sale of the crop.

Machine hire is the cost of machine work hired, including use of air-
planes when applicable, in producing the crop. This item includes labor
charges for the machine operator and charges for the use of equipment.

Gas, oil and grease include the cost of gas, oil and grease required to
operate tractors, trucks, sprayers, pumps and other machinery in produc-
ing the crop. It may also include electrical power expenses for irriga-
tion when utilized.

I

Repair and maintenance represent the cost of repairs to equipment used
in producing the crop. It also includes the small tools such as hoes,
rakes and shovels purchased and charged off as a current expenditure.

Depreciation includes the annual charge for depreciation and obsoles-
cence of equipment and labor housing. When actual depreciation charges
could not be obtained from records, they were computed by assuming a
10-year average life-use on all equipment on the basis of replacement
value as indicated by the operator.

Licenses and insurance represent the cost of licenses and insurance
items when chargeable to the farm business. Licenses include those for
trucks and autos used on the farm. Insurance includes labor and crop
insurance and fire or windstorm insurance on buildings and equipment.
It excludes health or accident insurance for the operator or his family.

Interest on production capital was charged at the rate of 9 percent on
all cash costs for the number of months required to grow and market the
crop regardless of whether or not much production capital was actually
borrowed. This percentage was used because it is a currently available
borrowing rate.

Interest on capital invested (other than land) was charged at 9 percent
of the actual or estimated annual depreciated value of the capital in-
vested in machinery and equipment. It was assumed that all equipment
was presently worth one half its replacement value.

Miscellaneous includes such items as wire, stakes, twine, plastic,
office supplies, administrative expense other than value of the opera-
tor's management, legal and audit fees, telephone and telegraph and
incidental expenses.

Harvesting and marketing expense, where possible, has been divided into
two items: (1) picking and (2) grading and packing. Picking, cutting,
or digging expense includes actual cost of harvesting the crop and pre-
paring it for movement to packinghouse or wash house. Washing or
grading and packing expense includes preparation of the product for
- shipment either in the field or at an adjacent packinghouse. It in-
cludes machinery and overhead costs in addition to labor. The same is
true for all crops in all areas where grading and packing is done off
the farm in packinghouses.

Containers include the cost of hampers, crates, bags or baskets in
which the product is moved to market.

Hauling is the cost of movement of the product from field to packing-
house or loading point. It is often computed on a contract basis and
includes labor and equipment items. In cases where hauling was pre-
formed by the operator's trucks, the costs have been separated from
production labor and machine expense items as nearly as possible.

Other includes the cost of precooling the commodity prior to shipment
and, for celery and sweet corn, the contribution to the Marketing
Agreement Program. Inspection fees, when incurred, are included in
packinghouse charges and are not reported as a separate item.
vi

Selling is the packinghouse, market, sales organization or dealer's
charge for performing the sales service for the crop when deducted from
the .producer's price. The cost does not include charges for unloading,
grading, packing, etc.

Crop sales are the gross returns to the grower before deduction of
growing, harvesting and marketing costs.

:Net return is the return to the producer after deduction of all expenses,
Sin producing, harvesting and marketing the crop.

Proration of costs between crops: For such items as seed, fertilizer,
spray and dust, airplane application and harvesting and marketing costs,
growers' records or estimates for each crop were used to make the
appropriate charges.

In the case of the cultural labor, however, no breakdown for the differ-
ent crops produced on the individual farm could be obtained from the
grower except in a very few cases when such records had been kept. The
total cultural labor for all crops produced on each farm was, in most
cases, prorated to the various crops on the basis of available data de-
veloped at the Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations with regard to
'man hours required in various parts of the state to produce different
crops from land preparation to harvest. Except in a very few cases, a
similar situation also applies to such items as machine hire, tractor
fuel, oil and grease, repairs, depreciation and other production costs
where records had not been kept showing the respective charges to dif-
ferent crops. Prorations were also made to these items on the basis of
available data (D. L. Brooke, Fla. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 660, June 1963).

In many cases individual growers did not incur every cost item. This
applies especially to airplane application, machine hire, grading and
packing, containers, hauling and precooling. Thus, these data are based
only on the overall average for all growers contacted in each area.
Footnotes have been used to set forth the number of growers and average
costs for items not incurred by all growers in the sample.

Per-unit costs and returns were computed by dividing the average yield
*per acre in the sample into the various items of cost shown in the in-
dividual tables. They are merely averages of the data recorded and, in
some cases, do not reflect the full cost of performing the service be-
cause all growers may not have incurred every item of cost.

Ranges per acre showing the lowest and the highest of the sampled obser-
vations for yields, costs and returns are included for each crop and
area. This is intended to show growers and other interested parties
the extremes that may be encounted in vegetable production.

Table l.--SNAP BEANS: Costs of returns in the Palm Beach-Broward area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76

:5-season:
Item :5-season: 1975-76
:average :

Number of growers . .
Number of acres . . .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (bushels)

7 :
8393
1199 :
77

6
5478
913
80

Growing costs:

Land rent . .
Seed . . .
Fertilizer . .
Spray and dust . .
Cultural labor . .
Machine hire . .
Gas, oil and grease .
Repair and maintenance .
Depreciation . .
Licenses and insurance .
SInterest on production c

Interest on capital inve
Miscellaneous expense

Acre
. . :$ 32.83
. . : 26.42
. . 56.42
. . : 25.98
. . : 36.96
. . 14.32
. : 11.73
. : 14.76
. .. : 11.18
. . : 9.54
capital (9% 4 months) : 7.09
sted (other than land) : 1.68
. . . : 7.27

Average per
Acre Bushel
$ 49.58
38.64
65.67
33.22
52.91
18.07
17.32
20.70
: 13 91 :
: 11 10
9 37:
: 2n9 :
: A494 :

Total growing cost . . . .

: 256.18 : 337-5? $4.21!

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking and packing expense .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . .
Selling . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

Total crop cost . . ..
.Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . .

75.66
42.85
10.44
12.24

. . : 141.19 :

: 397.37
: 405.76
:$ 8.39

89,08 :
56,80 :
11,57 :
14.05 :

1.17J

.145
.176

171.50 : 2.144

509.02':
517.26 :
$ 8.24 :

6.363
6.466
$ .103

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (bushels) . . . . : 50 : 104
Total growing cost . .... . . .. :$ 264.89:$ 422.92
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . .. : 137.50: 203.88
Total crop cost . . . . ... .. : 402.39: 541.70
Crop sales . . . . . : 300.00: 704.22
Net return . . . . ... . :$-102.39:$ 162.52

Table 2.--POLE BEANS: Costs and returns in the Dade County area 5-season
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

Item

:5-season:
: average:

Number of growers . .
Number of acres . .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (bushels)

8
2488
311
288

1975-76

6
2094
349
354

Growing costs:

Land rent ... . . :
Seed . . . . .
Fertilizer .. .
Spray and dust .......... .. :
Cultural labor ............. :
Machine hire . . ... :
Gas, oil and grease . . . :
Repair and maintenance . ...... :
Depreciation . . . :
Licenses and insurance . :
Interest on production capital (9% 4 months):
Interest on capital invested (other than land):
Miscellaneous expense . . :

Acre
$ 38.8
34.75
86.2(
60.2
214.7k
11.9(
24.4(
35.9
22.7
29.55
18.45
3.4:
79.6!

Total growing cost . . . : 661.05 :

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking and packing expense ...
,Containers . . .
Hauling . ... .. ... .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost .

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . .. . ,

234.89
166.46
39.14
52.29

Average per
Acre
7 : $ 49.42 :
9 : 66.50 :
0 : 108.48 :
2 : 81.08 :
3 : 393.40 :
S: 14.48 :
S: 40.16 :
9 : 62.84 :
3 : 32.66
9 : 52.61
S: 28.40
1 4." 77
3 : 77.89

Bushel

1012.82 :$ 2.861

290.52 :
255.05 :
53.14
76.91 :

. : 492.78 : 675.62 : 1.909

:1153.83
:1426.16
:$272.33

1688.44 :
1599.96 :
$ -88.48 :$

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (bushels). . . . . .. : 304 405
Total growing cost . . . .. .. : $ 833.62:$ 1244.46
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 574.52: 765.45
Total crop cost . . ... . : 1539.22: 1820.60
Crop sales . . . .. . : 1368.00: 1814.40
Net returns . . . .... : $ -315.08:$ 145.15

.821
.721
.150
.217

4.770
4.520
-.250

: average:-

3

Table 3.--CABBAGE: Costs and returns in the Central Florida area 5-season
average 1971-75

: 5-season
Item
: average

Number of growers . . . : 5
Number of acres . . . . ... 1705
SAverage acres per grower . . . ... : 341
Average yield per acre (50 lbs.) . . ... : 553

Growing costs: Average per
Acre

Land rent . . . .... .: $ 30.44
Seed . . . . ... . . : 43.60
Fertilizer . . . . ... .: 77.06
Spray and dust . . . . . : 81.36
Cultural labor . . . . ... .: 160.65
Machine hire . . . .. .. : 1.65
Gas, oil and grease . . . ... : 12.73
Repair and maintenance . . . ... : 55.92
Depreciation . . . . . : 43.32
Licenses and insurance ................ : 29.08
Interest on production capital (9% 4 months) .... : 15.43
Interest on capital invested (other than land) .. 6.50
-Miscellaneous.expense . . . 2. .21.78

Total growing cost . . . . ... : 579.52

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking and packing expense . . ..... : 231.49
Containers . . . . ... .... : 313.61
Hauling . . . . .. . : 37.15
Selling . . . . ... . : 93.60

Total harvesting and marketing costs . . : 675.85

Total crop cost . . . ... .. : 1255.37
Crop sales . . . . ... . : 1243.16
Net return . . . . ... .: $ -12.21

Table 4.--CABBAOGE Costs and returns in the Hastings area 5-season average
1971-75 and 1975-76

:5-season:
: average:

1975-76

Number of growers . . .
Number of acres . . .
Average acres per grower . .
Average yield per acre (50 lbs.) .

Growing costs:
Land rent . . . .
Seed . . . ..
Fertilizer . . . .
Spray and dust . . .
Cultural labor . . .
Machine hire . . ..
Gas, oil and grease . . .
Repair and maintenance . .
Depreciation . . . .
Licenses and insurance . .
Interest on production capital (9% 4
Interest on capital invested (other th
Miscellaneous expense . .

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs;

Picking and packing expense . .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost .

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . .
Net return . . . .

.. : 1651
S. 127
.. 479

Acre

.. :$ 33.93
.. : 60.15
: 79.82
: 39.41
.. : 105.07
: 2.58
.. : 16.56
.. : 26.41
.. : 21.61
.. : 14.56
months) : 11.55
an land) : 3.24
: 6.55

. : 421.44 :

150.74
262.81
.09
88.14

. : 501.78 :

; 923.22
:1074.24
:$151.02

8
:1200
: 150
562
Average per
Acre 50 Ibs.
:$ 34.65
75.78
109.59
52.34
123.81
3.05a,
18.98
26.71
26.77
19.27
14.12
S 4.02
6.41

515.50 : $ 0.917

212. '
384.02
1.23b:
136.50

733.84

1249.34
1405.00
$155.66

.378
.683
002
.243

1.306

2.223
2.500
$ .277

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (50 lbs.) ... .. . . .... : 400 :687
Total growing cost .-. . . . :$ 453.31:$ 676.87
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 565.45: 889.33
Total crop cost . . . .... .. : 1040.05: 1566.20
Crop sales . . . . ... . : 1000.00: 1763.31
Net return .. .. . . . :$ -83.99:$ 358.64
a --

aReported by four growers averaging $6.10 per acre.

bReported by one grower averaging $9.89 per acre.
Reported by one grower averaging $9.89 per acre.

Item

Tab. --- 'LERY: Costs and returns in the Central Florida area 5-season
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

Item

:5-season:
: average:

Number of growers . .
Number oF acres . .
Average acres per grower .
*Average yield per acre (crates)

4 :
1695 :
424 :
548

1975-76

3
1403
467
605

Growing costs:
Acre
Land rent . . . .. :$ 38.29
Seed . . ... . . : 80.46
Fertilizer . . . . : 113.20
Spray and dust . . . : 126.06
Cultural labor . . . : 226.40
Machine hire . . . . : 9.14
Gas, oil and grease . . . : 16.85
Repair and maintenance . . : 58.98
Depreciation. ........ .. .. .... : 18.28
Licenses and insurance .. . .. 20.15
Interest on production capital (9% 5 months): 27.02
Interest on capital invested (other than land): 2.74
Miscellaneous expense . . . : 30.96

Average per
Acre
:$ 35.00
99,02
135.33
170G,74
: 303.40
6.91a
: 30.82 :
87.28 :
:23 .61:

36 52 :
.: 54
6 6 21

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Cutting and packing expense .
Containers . . .
Hauling . . .
Other . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

'Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

10l !1 $ $1Q?1.

: 498.99
: 346.52
:51.91
: 198.25
: 96,59

. . :1192.26 :

:1960.79
:1983.19
:$ 22.40

622 68
466 81
60 50
221,76
8H.79

1460.54 :

: 2498.05 :
:3125.81 :
: $ 627.76 :

1975-76 range per acre

Yield (crates) . . .
Total growing cost . . .
Total harvesting and marketing cost
Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

aReported by one grower averaging $20.71 per acre.

Crate

1.029
.772
.100
.366
,147

2.41.4

4.129
5.167
$ 1.038

From
. . : 403
. : $ 877.66
. : 843.69
. : 1883.17
. : 1938.92
. : $ 55.75

To
806
$1195.40
2073.04
2950,70
4111.37
$1160.67

-- ------- -I

~-1~_110--

Table 6,--CELERY:

Costs and returns in the Everglades area 5-season average
1971-75 and 1975-76

Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers
Number of acres .
Average acres per
Average yield per

9 :
9108 :
1012 :
589 :

grower .
acre (crates)

Growing costs:

Land rent . .
Seed . . .
Fertilizer . .
.Spray and dust . .
Cultural labor . .
Machine hire . .
Gas, oil and grease .
Repair and maintenance .
Depreciation .. ..
Licenses and insurance .
Interest on production capi

Interest on capital invested
Miscellaneous expense .

S. :$
. . . :
. . . :
. . . :
. . . :

tal (9% 5 months) :
d (other than land) :
. . . :

Average par
Acre Acre
42.37: $ 61.63 :
80.43: 106.51 :
114.53: 161.19 :
179.75: 304.42 :
252.33: 387.91 :
15.83: 21.98a:
23.08: 43.80 :
61.71: 108.76 :
28.17: 51.68 :
27.53: 48.40 :
31.14: 48.16 :
4.22: 7.75 :
32.75: 39.61 :

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Cutting and packing expense . .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . . .
Other . . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost .

Total crop cost . . .
Crop- sales . . . .
Net return . . .

: 893.84: 1391.'. : $ 2...

527. ::
369.22:
67.69:
199.11:
85.85:

. : 1249.15:

: 2142.99:
: 2152.02:
:$ 9.03:

597.17
530.32
94.25
257.65
101.78

1581.17 :

2972.97 :
3932.44 :
$ 959.47 :

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (crates) . . . ... .. .: 576 788
Total growing cost . . . . :$ 1088.07: $ 1569.50
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 1359.52: 1808.18
Total crop cost . . . . ... .. .: 2528.67: 3328.34
Crop sales . . . ... . : 3519.97: 4406.79
Net return . . . . ... . :$ 446-37: $ 1536.82

aReported by six growers averaging $32.96 per acre.

9
7281
809
666

Crate

.897
.796
.141
.387
.153

2.374

4.464
5.905
$ 1.441

Table 7.--SWEET CORN: Costs and returns in the Central Florida area 5-season
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

Item

:5-season:
; average:

Number of growers . .
Number of acres . .. .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (crates)

4
3096
774
256

1975-76

4
4028
1007
266

Growing costs:

Land rent . . .

Seed . . .
Fertilizer . .
Spray and dust .
Cultural labor .
Machine hire . .
Gas, oil and grease
Repair and maintenance
Depreciation . .
Licenses and insurance
Interest on production

" 9 .

* 9

. .
* .
capital (9%

r

r
9

t
,
.
.
*

Interest on capital invested (other
Miscellaneous expense . ,

Total growing cost . ..

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking and packing expense .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . .
Other . . .
Selling . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost ,

Total crop cost . .. ..
Crop sales . . .
Net return . .. .

S 9 9
* 9 9

* 9 .
9 9 9 9
9 9 9
4 months)
than land)
9 9 9 9 9

Acre
30.86
11.38
42.07
62.75
43.65
11.94
9.09
44.87
16.11
18.19
8.62
2.42
12.54

. : 314.49

135.24
129.69
20.25
81.20
39.84

. : 406.22 ;

: 720.71
; 804.01
:$ 83.30

Average per
Acre Crate
:$ 37.24:
17.31
51.38
96.14
67.17
11.64
16.05
58.24
17.48
22.70
S12.13
2.62
26.56

436,66 : $ 1.642

139.45
162.33
26.24
91.69
36.85

456.56 :

:893.22
:770.80
;$-122.42

.524

.099
.345
o138

1.716

3.358
2.898
$ -.460

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (crates) . . . : .241 289
Total growing cost . .. .. ... : $ 329.67 :$ 551.59
Total harvesting and marketing cost ... ..: 345.12 : 518.96
Total crop cost ........ ,, .. : 848.63 : 923.94
Crop sales .. . . . : 705.98 : 839.69
Net return .. .. . .,.... : $-217.96 :$ -57.02

Y "~

Table 8.--SWEET CORN: Costs and returns in the
average 1971-75 and

Everglades area 5-season
1975-76

Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers . ..
Number of acres . . .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (crates)

Growing costs:

Land rent . . .
Seed . . . .
*Fertilizer .. . .
Spray and dust . . .
Cultural labor . . .
Machine hire . .. .
Gas, oil and grease . .
Repair and maintenance . .
Depreciation . . .
Licenses and insurance . .
Interest on production capital (9
Interest on capital invested (oth
Miscellaneous expense . .

: 14
S18928
: 1352
200

Acre
. . $ 31.46
. .. : 8.16
. . : 25.86
. . : 67.84
. . : 36.58
. : 18.73
. . : 7.98
. . : 18.99
. . : 13.71
. . : 7.47
% 4 months) : 6.91
er than land) : 2.06
. . : 7.26

10
15960
1596
204

Average per
Acre
$ 36.21 :
16.20 :
34.36 :
87.44 :
53.07 :
14.45 :
: 13.32 :
30.89 :
17.52 :
16.39 :
9.46 :
2.63 :
12.79 :

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking and packing expense .
Containers . . .
Hauling . . . .
Other . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost .

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

. ... ; 253.01 : 344.73 : $ 1.690

112.70.
110.02
22.25
64.14
29.28

. : 338.39 :

: 591.40 :
: 614.91 :
:$ 23.51 :

117.89 :
137.53 :
24.63 :
80.21:
37.64 :

397.90 :

742.63 :
675.90 :
$-66.73 :

.578
.674
.121
.393
.184

1.950

3.640
3.313
$ -.327

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (crates) . . . .... ... : 140 : 252
Total growing cost . . .. . : $ 221.00: $ 471.02
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . .. : 276.58: 479.94
Total crop cost . . . .... ... : 567.44: 939.24
Crop sales . . . ... . : 480.20: 898.95
Net return . . . . ... .. : $-189.46: $ 163.94

Crate

Table 9.--SWEET CORN: Costs and returns in the Lower East Coast area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76

:5-season m
Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers . . .
Number of acres . . .
Average acres per grower . .
Average yield per acre (crates) .

Growing costs:

'Land rent . . . .
Seed . . . .
Fertilizer . . . .
Spray and dust . . .
Cultural labor . . .
Machine hire . . .
Gas, oil and grease . . .
Repair and maintenance . .
Depreciation . . .
Licenses and insurance . .
,Interest on production capital (9% -
Interest on capital invested (other t
Miscellaneous expense . .

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking and packing expense . .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . .. .
Other . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

4
5312
1328
173

A
Acre
. :$ 38.29 :
. 12.13 :
. 83.46 :
. 56.24
. 46.91
. 22.04
. 12.79
. 24.07
. : 16.41
. 14.06
4 months). : 9.56
han land). : 2.46
. : 8.53

. : 346.95 :

88.13
89.59
23.66
50.84
23.56

. : 275.78 :

: 622.73
: 621.20
:$ -1.53

5
6300
1260
214

average per
Acre
$ 52.84
21.48
109.40
63.05
60.99 :
23.23
19.60
31.54
21.95
13.91
12.30
3.29
8.99

44'.57 :$ 2.091

120.48
136.58
30.80
82.84
30.30

401.00 : 1.874

848.57
1021.04
$172.47

:3.965
: 4.771
:$ .806

1975-76 range er acre
From To

Yield (crates) . . . . ... . : 182 : 265
Total growing cost . . . .... .:$ 409.70:$ 482.72
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . .. : 353.76: 505.92
Total crop cost . . . . ... : 773.20: 965.41
Crop sales . . . . .. . : 836.45: 1318.68
Net return . . . . ... . :$ 63.25:$ 353.27

Crate

S563

.144
.387
- 142

a -irn in the. *i. ..-e-Lee area 5-seaeo-
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

I I Tp

Number of grower .
Number of acres ...
Average acres per grower
Average yield per acre (busei'l r

:5-season:
: average:

: 9 :
: 1053 :
117 :
S 242 :

Growing costs:

Land rent . . .
Seed . .. .. .
Fertilizer ..... ..
Spray and dust . . . .
Cultural labor .. ..... . ..
Machine hire . .. . .
Gas, oil and grease . . .
Repair and maintenance . .
Depreciation .. ......
Licenses and insurance .
Interest on production capital (9% 4 months)
Interest on capital invested (other than land)
Miscellaneous expense . . .

Total growing cost

Harvesting and marketing coLstq;

Picking expense .. ....
Grading and packi, expne ..
Containers ......
Hauling . .
Selling . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

Average per
Acre Acre Bushel
21.56:$ 27.29
12.77: 16.79 :
122.32: 178.94
61.80: 81.08
138.38: 206.58
34.79: 44.98
31.40: 52.45
47.32: 64.90
33.18: 47.60
15.50: 22.61 :
15.43: 26.93
4.98: 7.14
28.58: 22.57

568.01: 799.86 :$ 3.238

213.98:
170.30:
153.18:
50.00:
42.60:

233.00
187.04
190.87
43.61
42.82

.943
.757
.773
.177
.173

.. : 630.06: 697.34 : 2.823

. : 1198.07: 1497.20 : 6.061
... : 1203.72: 1392.79 : 5.638
.... :$ 5.65:$-104.41 :$ -.423

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (bushels) . . .
Total growing cost . . .
Total harvesting and mark.t:ing cost
Total crop cost . . ..
Crop sales .....
Net return . ...

. . . : 81 : 369
. . .. $ 623.54:$ 1320.80
. . 217.89: 1018.81
. . 1008.61: 2095.17
. . . 394.84: 2030.14
. . :$-1022.18:$ 1560.75

1975-76

10
1230
123
247

u III~---*C--~-~L--

IPI-l ~---

1-11

--C---------------- -

Tgble l0,--CUr:. ..... .

11

Table I1.--CUCUMBERS; Costs and returns in the Palm Beach-Broward area
season 1975-70

Item 1975-76

Number of growers ,
Number of acres ,
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (bushels)

5
526
105
193

Growing costs:

Land rent .. . ,
Seed . . . .
Fertilizer . ,
Spray and dust , .
Cultural labor .. ,
Machine hire ., .
Gas, oil and grease ,
Repair and maintenance ,
Depreciation ... ,
Licenses and insurance ,f
Interest on production capital (9% 4
interest on capital invested (other ti
Miscellaneous expense ,

Total growing cost , .

4 .
f 9 .0

.* 9

9 9 .

r
months)
an land)
9 q 4 ,

9 I ;

Average per
Acre
$ 62.66 :
17.71 :
99.98
90.08
118.97
31.09
31.25 ;
41.49
28.00
25.96
16.30
4.20
24.24

591.93 ; $ 3.067

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking or cutting expense . .
Grading and packing expense , :
Containers .. . .
Hauling . , 7 "
Hauling ..... . .

STot.al harvesting and marketing cost ,, .

Total crop cost ,
Crop sales ... .. ,. ., ,
Net return . .. ., ,, ,

177.43
129-87
119.48
29.78
33.40

.919
.673
619
.175
.173

489.96 : 2,538

1081.89
1055.56
$ -26.33

5.605
5.469
$ -.136

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (bushels) .. ... , 127 259
Total growing cost ; $ 418.47 :$ 754.61
Total harvesting and marketing cost . : 326.64 : 644.58
Total crop cost ., : 1019.64 1209.54
Crop sales .. . 896.50 :1501.95
Net return . , : $ -424.04 :$ 424.60

Bushels

12

Table 12.--EGGPLANT: Costs and returns in the Palm Beach-Broward area 5-season
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers . ..
Number of acres . ..
Average acres per grower ...
Average yield per acre (bushels)

5
. : 5 :
S: 1430
57 :
: 698

Growing cost:

Land rent . . . .
Seed . . . .
Fertilizer . . . .
Spray and dust . .
Cultural labor . .. .. ..
Machine hire . :. .
Gas, oil and grease . .
Repair and maintenance : .
Depreciation .. . ....
Licenses and insurance .. ..
Interest on production capital,(9 .-
Interest on capital invested (other
Miscellaneous expense . .

A
Acre
. :$ 48.38:
S. : 16.43:
: 232.64:
. : 127.07:
: 286.54:
: 40.38:
. : 41.05:
,: 59.98:
.. ,, ; 54.27:
; 38.55:
,5 months ) ; 34.73:
than land): 8.14:
. : 35.13:

Total growing cost . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking and packing expense .
Containers . ... ....
Hauling .. . .
Selling . . ... .

. . : 1023.29:

382.55:
402.73:
85.34:
107.74;

Total harvesting and marketing cost. ... .: .978.36:

average per
Acre Bushel
$ 62.71:
13.88 :
259.20 :
170.00 :
398.79 :
57.82 :
59.99 :
70.06 :
46.45 :
49.92 :
45.00 :
6.97 :
57.66 :

1298.45 : $ 2.254

329.74 :
320.29 :
86,26 :
80.38 :

.572
.556
.150
.140

816.67 : 1.418

Total crop cost . . ...
Crop sales . . . .
Net return .... ... ....,.

... : 2001.65:
: 2070.59:

.... :$. 68.94: $-576.25 : $-1.000

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (bushels) . . . . .. : 158 1132
Total growing cost . . . . :$ 892.14:$ 1577.87
Total harvesting and marketing cost... ........ : 237.00: 1554.56
Total crop cost ..... ... .. ........ ... : 1129.14: 3132.43
Crop sales . ...... .. . . : 426.60: 2947.28
Net return ..... .. .. .. .. . .. :$-1238.91:$ -185.15

2115.12 :
1538.87 :

3.672
2.672

..
,...

Table 13.-- LEAF CROPS: Costs and returns in the Central Florida area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76

Item :5-season: 1975-76
_:__ average:

Number of growers . .
Number of acres . .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (crates)

7 :
1211 :
173 :
438 :

4
736
184
572

Growing costs:

Land rent . .
Seed . . .
Fertilizer . .
Spray and dust .
Cultural labor .
Machine hire . .
Gas, oil and grease .
Repair and maintenance
Depreciation .
Licenses and insurance
Interest on production c
Interest on capital inve
Miscellaneous expense .

Acre
. :$ 27.17
. . : 16.09
. . . : 47.56
. : 47.11
.. : 145.37
. 1.20
. : .10.01
. . 58.85
. : 35.72
. 30.39
capitall (9% 4 months) : 12.34
listed (other than land) : 5.35
. . . : 27.55

Average Per
Acre
:$ 31.56 :
: 9.17 :
: 57.86 :
: 65.69 :
: 151.10 :

23,24
89~65
28.83
48,98
15.76
4.32
48.14

Total growing costs. . ... .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking and packing expense ....
Containers . . .
Hauling . . . .
Other . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost .

Total crop cost . . . .
Crop sales ............ ,
Net return . . .

: 464.71 : 57-.30 :$ 1.004

134.80
212.48
27.30
93.86
56.75

229.41
367.77
55.81
153.32
80.21

-401

.098
.268
.140

. : 525.19 : 886.52 : 1.550

: 989.90
:1242.23
:$252.33

:1460.82
:1981.00
:$520.18

2.554
3.463
.909

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (crates) . . . ....... : 440 : 785
Total growing cost . . . :$ 529.83: $ 612,23
Total harvesting and marketing cost . ... : 731.48: 1004.71
Total crop cost . .. . ... .. .: 1343.71: 1575.41
Crop sales . . . .. .. .. .. : 1486.61: 2493.77
Net return . . . . . :$ 20.05: $ 918.36

Crate

Table 14.--LEAF CROPS: Costs and returns in the Everglades area 5-season
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

:5-season:
Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers .. .
Number of acres . .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (crates)

9
5571
619
366

9
7025
781
486

Growing costs:

Land rent . .
Seed . . .
Fertilizer .. .
Spray and dust .
Cultural labor .

Machine hire . . .
Gas, oil and grease . .. .
Repair and maintenance . .
Depreciation . . .
Licenses and insurance . .
Interest on production capital (9% -
Interest on capital invested (other
Miscellaneous expense . .

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing cost:

Picking and packing expense .
Containers . . .
Hauling . . . .
Other . . . .
Selling . . . .

4 month
than la
. .a

Acre
:$ 35.08
. 7.54
. 38.18
38.85
110.97
9.56
. 10.26
31.91
20.65
10.94
hs) : 9.22
nd) : 3.10
. : 14.22

. . 340.48 :

153.13
188.20
40. 14
101.59
55.61

Average per
Acre
$ 44.54 :
10.11:
S 75.87
62.37
190.05
20.52a
22.59
58.41
31.44
S 27.34 :
16.14
4.72
26.28

590.38 $ 1.215

239.25
351.06
68.32
191.49
81.42

Total harvesting and marketing cost .

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

S. : 538.67 :

: 879.15 :
S. : 881.38 :
..:$ 2.23 :

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (crates) . . . .... .: 313 : 791
Total growing cost . . . . :$ 300.80 :$ 1037.95
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 554.02 : 1852.14
Total crop cost . . . ... : 1023.02 : 2771.60
Crop sales . . .. .. . . : 890.84 : 3784.02
Net return . . . . ... . :$-166.70 :$ 1012.42

aReported by seven growers averaging $26.38 per acre.

Crate

.492
.722
.141
.394
.168

931.54 :

1521.92 :
1783.27 :
$261.35 :

1.917

3.132
3.669
$ .537

I 1 I 1 I

Table 15.--PEPPERS: Costs and returns in the Immokalee-Lee area 5-seaso-
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

:5-season: n
Item :5-seasn: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers .. . .
Number of acres . . .
Average acres per grower . .
* Average yield per acre (bushels) .

Growing costs:

Land rent . . . .
Seed . . . .
Fertilizer . . . .
Spray and dust . . .
Cultural labor . . .
Machine hire . . .
Gas, oil and grease . .
Repair and maintenance . .
Depreciation . . .
Licenses and insurance . .
SInterest on production capital (9% -
Interest on capital invested (other
Miscellaneous expense . .

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking expense . . .
Grading and packing expense .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

11 :
2112 :
192 :
522 :

Acre
. :$ 23.39
... 61.11
: 207.58
: 167.77
. : 313.24
. 61.50
. : 57.19
... 101.56
. 51.42
: 33.75
5 months) : 40.97
than land),: 6.30
. : 65.44

12
2636
220
550

Average per
Acre
:$ 27.29
:81.99
: 275.67
S204.28
:405.57
47.52a
78.81
:142 17]
S70.51
43.62
50.82
10 5 58
48.17

. . :1191.22 :1487.00 :$ 2 03

: 278.44
: 335.67
: 257.56
:89.05
:93.65

349.16
407.27
284.30
92.06
98.61

. . :1054.37 :1231.40 : 2,.2

:2245.59
:2460.64
:$215.05

:2718.40
:2960.17
:$241.77

:4.942
:5.382
:$ .440

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (bushels) . . .
Total growing cost . . .
Total harvesting and marketing cost .
Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

*. 255
$ 953.56
646.13
1710.24
S. 1439.15
$ -662.34

: 1100
:$ 2280.40
2585.00
4269.03
5533.00
:$ 1263.97

aReported by 10 growers averaging $57.02 per acre.

,517
167
ITS

--

16

Table 16.--PEPPERS: Costs and returns in the Palm Beach-Broward area 5-seaso'r
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

:5-season: 197--76
Item 1a97-6ve
________: average: ____

Number of growers . . .
Number of acres . . .
Average acres per grower . .
Average yield per acre (bushels) .

Growing costs:

Land rent . . .
Seed . . . .
Fertilizer .. . . .
Spray and dust . . .
Cultural labor . . .
Machine hire . . .
Gas, oil and grease . .
Repair and maintenance . .
Depreciation . . .
Licenses and insurance . .
Interest on production capital (9% -

8 :
1088
136
525

Average per
Acre Acre
50.47:$ 57.86 :

. .
* .

* .

* .

. .

5 mo

Interest on capital invested (other than
Miscellaneous expense . . .

:$

nths)
land) :
. :

Total growing cost . . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking and packing expense . .
Containers . . . . .
Hauling . . . . .
Selling . . . . .

48.70:
187.44:
131.06:
400.28:
60.03;
46.51:
65.64:
52.20:
56.01:
42.38:
7.83:
83.97:

328.49:
245.02:
71.03:
90.76:

66.57
234.99
191,38
511.03
67.30
81.93
99.98
58.34
G0.21
56o 3
8.75
148.95

332..55
280.96
98. 778
98.77

Total harvesting and marketing cost . : 735.30: 810 36 :

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . .

: 1967.82: 2444.28
: 2442.91: 2995.11

:$ 475.09:$ 550.83 : $ .998

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (bushels) . . . . : 241 : 49
Total growing cost .... . . .. : $ 954.18: $ 2989.97
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 392.83: 1444.32
Total crop cost . . . .... .. : 1349.18: 4434.29
Crop sales . . . .... ... : 1250.00: 4803.57
Net return . . . . ... ... : $ -884.70: $ 1879.58

Bushel

5.426
5.426

17

Table 17.--IRISH POTATOES: Costs and returns in the Dade County area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76

:5-season:
Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers . .
Number of acres . .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (cwt.)

: 8 :
: 5152 :
: 644 :
: 181 :

8
5128
641
191

Growing costs:

Land rent . . .
Seed . . . .
Fertilizer . . .
Spray and dust . .
Cultural labor . .
Machine hire . .
Gas, oil and grease ..
Repair and maintenance .
Depreciation . . .
Licenses and insurance .
Interest on production capital

- 4

Interest on capital invested (other tha
Miscellaneous expense . .

Acre
:$ 59.43:
. 167.20:
. 74.52:
. 77.08:
. 75.56:
. 1.01:
. 11.74:
. 25.77:
. 22,74:
. 23.13:
months) : 15.85:
in land) : 3.41:
. . 12.77:

Total growing cost . . ... :

570.21:

average per
Acre Cwt.
$ 63.42:
235.79:
94.76:
99.82:
100,31:
5.95:
18.93-
42.55:
32.18:
39.23:
21.76:
4.83:
24.1?:

784.15:S 4,10.3

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Digging expense . . .
Grading and packing expense .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

32.88:
127.96:
36.73.
29.22:
41.15:

267.94:

: 838.15:
: 1108.20:
:$ 270.05:

37.74:
170,25.
65.23:
34.13:
49.15:

356.50 1. 8677

1140.65:
1593.43:
$ 452.78:$

1975-76 rangeper acre
From To

Yield (cwt.) . . . .... .: 161 222
Total growing cost . . . . :$ 679.06 :$ 862.64
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 246.59 : 455.51
Total crop cost . . . . : 937.98 : 1318.15
Crop sales . . . . ... : 1236.83 : 1964.01
Net return . . . . . :$ 244.94 :$ 827.43

R' r, -
.S91
,342
.179
--' ^

5.972
8,343
2.371

Table 18,--IRISH POTATOES: Costs and returns in the IH-Ttings pres 5-season

average 1971-75 and

1975-76

Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers . .
Number of acres . .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (cwt.)

1.9
4370 :
230 :
156 :

Growing costs:

Land rent . .
Seed . . .
Fertilizer . .
Spray and dust . .
Cultural labor . .
Machine hire . .
Gas, oil and grease .
Repair and maintenance .
Depreciation . .
Licenses and insurance
Interest on production ca

Interest on capital inves
Miscellaneous expense

Acre
. . . :$ 35.79
. . . : 109.04
. . . 86.18.
. . . 35.58
. . . 52.94
. . . : 4.88
. . . : 16.0
. . . : 33.68
. . . 24.47
. . . : 13.82
pital (9% 4 months) : 11.87
ted (other than land) : 3.67
. . . : 7.70

Aver. ge per
Acre
:$ 39.33 :
: 176.53
l121.55
50.04
67.86 :
8.17a
22.4'7
S 47 .93
S 36.33 :
20.06 :
: 6.92
S 5.59
S 9.90 :

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing cost:

Digging expense . .
Grading and packing expense .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

. : 435.66 :

30.88
45.44
10.67
23.93
37.80

. : 148.72 :

: 584.38
: 710.09
:$125.71

622.54 : $ 3.037

42 25 :
69.10 :
15.70
38.00
48.87 :

213.92

836.46
995.10 :
$158.64

.206
.337
.077
.185
.238

1.043

4.080
4.854
$ .774

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (cwt.) .. . . . . : 109 : 263
Total growing cost . . . . : $ 501.64 : $796.35
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 112.95 : 284.96
Total crop cost . . . . . : 699.38 : 1079.13
Crop sales . . . . . : 578.51 : 1294.89
Net return . . . . . : $-184.07 : $472.59

aReported by 10 growers averaging $13.08 per acre.

bReported by eight growers averaging $31.41 per acre.

16
4944
309
205

Cwt.

Table 19,--RADTSHES: Costs and returns in the Everglades area 5-season
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers . . . .
Number of acres . . . .
Average acres per grower . . .
Average yield per acre (30-6 oz. packages)

Growing costs:

Land rent . .
Seed . . .
Fertilizer . .
Spray and dust .
Cultural labor .
Machine hire . .
Gas, oil and grease
Repair and maintenance
Depreciation . .
Licenses and insurance
Interest on production

capital (9%

Interest on capital invested (other
Miscellaneous expense . .

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Harvesting expense . . .
Grading and packing expense .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

Total.crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

2 mo
than
. .

:$

nths)
land. :
. .e :
. :
. :

nths) :
land) :

4
9932
2483
247

Acre
7.27
8.39
7.83
11.23
15.45
3.86
3.93
10.18
6.89
4.65
1.14
1.03
3.10

3
10629
3543
228

Average per 30-6oz.
Acre pkls
:$ 10.35
10.48
14.97
14.61
31.35
3.89
S 7.72
18.85
8.94
S 6.01
1.82
S 1.34
3.00

84.95 : 133.33 :$

24.60
84.89
54.51
9.65
25.06

. : 198.71 :

: 283.66 :
: 343.52 :
:$ 59.86 :$

24.04
113.89
68.61
12.81
53.48

272.83 : 1.196

406.16
409.12
2.96

1.781
1.794
.013

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (30-6 oz. packages) . . . ... : 153 : 270
Total growing cost . . . . :$ 96.41 :$ 200.81
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 169.02 : 362.56
Total crop cost . . . . . : 265.43 : 487.72
Crop sales . . . . .. . : 290.93 : 508.95
Net return . . . . ... . :$ -37.86 :$ 25.50

.499
.301
.056
.235

nd returns in the Dade C- r area 5-season average
1971-75 and 1975-76

Item

:5-season:
: average:

Number o, i, .I
Number of acres . ..
Average acres per grower ..
Average yield per acre (bushels)

S 6
: 1200
: 200
142

C*. 0

Land ront I .. . .
Seed . . .
Fertilizer . . . .
Spray and dust . . ..
Cultural labor . . .
Machine hire . . .
Gas, oil and grease . .
Repair and maintenance . .
Depreciation . . .
Licenses and insurance . ..
Interest on production capital (9% -
Interest on capital invested (other
Miscellaneous expense . .

4
tha

. :$
. :
. :
. :

. :

. :

months) :
n land) :
. :

Acre
33.70
10.37
61.30
56.55
48.32
11.72
20.89
29.23
20.89
23.73
9.14
3.13
8.92

Average per
Acre
:$ 41.54 :
24.20 :
80.49 :
73.60
91.94
14.27
34.66
S46.71
24.49
33.50
13.48
3.68
8.55

Total growing co't .. .. ..

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking and packing expense .
Containers . . .
Hauling . . .
Selling . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

Total crop cost. . ...
Crop-sales . . ..
Net return . . .

. : 337.89 : 491.11 : $ 3.836

183.19
102.78
19.46
29.03

. : 334.46

: 672.35
: 792.32
:$119.97

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yieli (bushels) . . .
Total going cost . . .
Total harvesting and marketing cost .
Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

1975-76

5
990
198
128

Bushel

184.75
93.65
17.39
33.37

: 329.16 :

: 820.27 :
: 811.64 :
:$ -8.63 :

1.443
.732
.136
.261

2.572

6.408
6.341
$ -.067

. 96
.$ 370.93
256.20
632.93
600.00
$ -131.41

165
$ 640.91
448.29
960.91
1158.90
$ 296.69

-~-------

- --

F" j

Table 21.--SQUASH: Costs and returns in the Immokalee-Lee area 5-season
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

Item:5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers . .
Number of acres . . .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (bushels)

4 :
804
201
180 :

Growing costs:

Land rent . . . . .
Seed . . . . . .
Fertilizer . . . . .
Spray and dust . . . .
Cultural labor . . . .
Machine hire. . . . ..
Gas, oil and grease . . . .
Repair and maintenance . .. .
Depreciation . . . . .
Licenses and insurance . . .
.Interest on production capital (9% 4 months)
Interest on capital invested (other than land)
Miscellaneous expense . . .

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

SPicking expense . . .
Grading and packing expense. .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . .
Selling . . . .

Average per
Acre Acre
21.42:$ 26.46:

16.07:
94.78:
42.65:
63.59:
11.30:
23.96:
25.73:
24.26,
13.68.

3.641
9.11:

. : 359.86:

97.53:
112.86:
113.40:
44.45:
35.88:

Bushel

26.83:
139.58:
51.00:
86.90:
14.79:
31.01:
25.39

17.92-

3.95:
7,55:

469.57:$ 2.258

154.14:
114.69:
147.29:
66.66:
56.66:

.741
.551
.708
.321
.272

Total harvesting and marketing cost . .

Total .crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . .
Net return . . .

:404.12:

:763.98:
:852.70:
:$ 88.72:$

539.44: 2.593

1009.01: 4.851
1313.87: 6.317
304.86:$ 1.466

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (bushels) . . . . . : 138 : 267
Total growing cost . . . . :$ 345.90 :$ 543.89
Total harvesting and marketing cost . ..... : 356.55 : 762.51
Total crop cost . . . . .. .... .: 702.45 : 1258.05
Crop sales . . . . ... .. .. : 990.00 : 1750.00
Net return . . . . ... . :$ 197.64 :$ 491.95

Table 22.--SQUASH: Costs and returns in the Palm Beach-Broward area 5-season
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers . ..
Number of acres . . .
Average acres per grower ..
Average yield per acre (bushels)

5
210
42
123

Growing costs:

Land rent . .
Seed . . .
Fertilizer . .
Spray and dust .
Cultural labor .
Machine hire . .
Gas, oil and grease
Repair and maintenance
Depreciation . .
Licenses and insurance
Interest on production

Interest on capital inv
Miscellaneous expense

. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . .

capital (9% 4 months)
ested (other than land)
. . . .

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking and packing expense .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

Total crop cost . . .
Crop'sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

Acre
36.86
10.50
61.84
43.51
69.45
26.06
22.10
26.56
21.12
20.35
10.10
3.17
19.58

Average per
Acre
:$ 50.66
:23.70
: 102.32
59.00
71.64
23.23
28.18
:33.23
238 :S

12.41
7.52
7.96

. : 371.20 : 453.11

141.65
89.30
19.22
24.65

193.65
134.97
26.41
29.14

. .. : 274.82 : 384.17

: 646.02
: 685.96
:$ 39.94

: 837.28
: 877.51
:$ 40.23

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (bushels) ........ . . . : 75 :235
Total growing cost . . . . :$ 317.26 :$ 602.50
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 236.25 : 787.25
Total crop cost . . .... .. .. : 553.51 : 1243.81
Crop sales . . . ... .. . : 374.06 : 1551.00
Net return . . .. .. . .. :$-486.38 :$ 307.19

Bushel

: $ 3486

1.490
1.038
.203
.224

2.955

6.441
6.750
$ .309

Table 23.--TOMATOES: Costs and returns in the Dade County area 5-season
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers . .
Number of acres . .
Average acres per grower .
-Average yield per acre (30 lb.)

6 :
5622
937
478

8
5232
654
543

Growing costs:

Land rent . .
Seed . . .
Fertilizer . .
Spray and dust .
Cultural labor .
Machine hire .....
Gas, oil and grease
Repair and maintenance
Depreciation . .
Licenses and insurance
-Interest on production

'Interest on capital inv
Miscellaneous expense

. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
capital (9% 5 months) .
ested (other than land) .
. . . .

Average per
Acre Acre
35.59:$ 38.49

18.75:
185.76:
195.83:
153.28:
20.99:
27.61:
48.11:
40.07:
23.55:
28.69:
6.01:
55.55:

25.62
301.76
283.06
296.20
30.65
42.09
84.92
55.35
35.12
45.64
8.30
79.13

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

,Picking expense . . .
Grading and packing expense . .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost .

Total crop cost . . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

. .. : 839.79: 1326.33

269.45:
359.99:
203.97:
50.80:
62.38:

312.94
527.68
297.88
56.97
81.51

: 946.59: 1276.98

: 1786.38: 2603.31
: 2067.39: 2772.91
:$ 281.01:$ 169.60

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (30 lbs.) . . . . .. : 438 : 778
Total growing cost . . . . :$ 879.02 :$2527.36
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 1038.06 : 1828.30
Total crop cost . . . ... : 1936.52 : 3742.36
Crop sales . . . .. . : 1585.51 : 3920.00
Net return . . . . ... . :$-781.10 :$ 845.86

30 lbs.

:$ 2.443

.576
.972
.549
.105
.150

: 2.352

: 4.795
: 5.107
:$ .312

24

Table 24.--TOMATOES: Costs and returns in the Ft. Pierce area 5-season
average 1971-75 and 1975-76

Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers . .
Number of acres . . .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (30 lbs.)

15
3525
235
345

8
1968
246
318

Growing costs:

Land rent . . .
Seed . . . .
Fertilizer . . .
Spray and dust . .
Cultural labor . .
Machine hire . . .
Gas, oil and grease . .
Repair and maintenance .
Depreciation . . .
Licenses and insurance .
Interest on production capital
Iriterest on capital invested (o
Miscellaneous expense .

Average per
Acre Acre

. . :$ 19.23
. . : 16.91
. . : 131.16
. . 111.49
. . 164.76
. . : 97.09
. . : 40.71
. . : 59.84
. . : 31.75
. . : 14.02
(9% 5 months) : 25.50
their than land) : 4.76
. . : 24.98

Total growing cost . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking expense . . . .
trading and packing expense . .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . . .
Selling . . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . .
Net return . . .

30 lb.

22.35
24.74
216.50
114.32
227.00
130.44
74.43
78.95
52.19
30.96
35.02
7.83
31.05

. : 742.20 : 1045.78 : $ 3.289

244.04
245.27
133.97
54.71
50.72

. : 728.71 :

:1470.91
:1448.76
:$-22.15

254.14
293.23
171.56
63.58
44.68

827.19 :

: 1872.97
: 1595.75
:$-277.22

.799
.922
.539
.200
.141

2.601

5.890
5.018
$ -.872

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (30 lb.) . . ... .. .. : 132 554
Total growing cost .. .. . . .. : $ 689.33 : $1362.83
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 341.43 :1415.12
Total crop cost . . .... . : 1080.33 :2557.07
Crop sales . .... . . .. : 428.98 2691.56
Net return . . ... .. . .. : $-885.09 : $ 392.26

Table 25.--STAKED TOMATOES: Costs and returns in the Immokalee-Lee area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76

Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers .
Number of acres . .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (30

12
2508
209
882

lb.)

13
4128
318
883

Growing costs:

Land rent . .
Seed . .
Fertilizer . .
Spray and dust .
Cultural labor .
Machine hire . .
Gas, oil and grease .
Repair and maintenance
Depreciation . .
Licenses and insurance
Interest on production c
Interest on capital inve
Miscellaneous expense

Total growing cost .

Acre
. . :$ 34.71
. . : 69.43
. . : 225.68
. . : 302.69
. . : 604.49
. . : 78.89
. . : 71.29
. . : 106.17
. .. . : 79.24
. . : 53.77
capital (9% 5 months): 64.92
sted (other than land): 11.89
. . . : 183.99

Average per
Acre
:$ 35.89 :
94.68 :
: 295.96 :
: 331.58 :
: 692.26 :
: 91.68a:
91.00 :
142.11 :
85.63 :
: 52.14 :
75.39 :
12.84 :
:182.95 :

S. :1887.16 :2184.11

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking expense . . .
Grading and packing expense . .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

: 639.30
: 733.80
: 348.25
: 115.71
: 118.51

461.43
769.55
475.91
113.71
130.18

. :1955.57 :1950.78 :

:3842.73
:4421.07
:$578.34

:4134.89
:4519.52
:$384.63

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (30 lb.) . . . .... ... : 327 : 1700
Total growing cost . . ... .. :$1247.27 :$3163.24
Total harvesting and marketing cost . ... : 810.70 : 3951.38
Total crop cost . . . . : 2109.34 : 6679.92
Crop sales . . . . ... . : 1810.30 : 8195.24
Net return . . . ... . :-1058.43 :$1517.79

aReported by growers averaging $10835 per acre
Reported by 11 growers averaging $108.35 per acre.

30 lb.

: $ 2.474

.522
.872
.539
.129
.147

2.209

4.683
5.118
$ .435

Table 26.--STAKED TOMATOES: Costs and returns in the Mlanatee-Ruskin area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76

:5-season:
Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers . .
Number of acres . .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (30 lb.)

12
2232
186
648

12
2298
192
824

Acre
Land rent . . . . :$ 38.02
Seed . .. . . . : 49.56
-Fertilizer . . . . .. : 194.77
Spray and dust . . . ... : 165.43
Cultural labor . . . ... : 380.94
Machine hire . . . ... : 20.53
Gas, oil and grease . . ... : 62.46
Repair and maintenance . . ... : 73.85
Depreciation . . . .. : 61.08
Licenses and insurance ......... .. : 56.83
Interest on production capital (9% 5 months) : 43.03
Interest on capital invested (other than land) : 9.16
Miscellaneous expense . . : 105.12

Total growing cost . . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Picking expense . . .
Grading and packing expense .
Containers . . .
Hauling . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost

Total crop cost . . .
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

Average per
Acre
:$ 53.90
84.22
:248.52 :
:279.94
S508.83
24.29a
71.51:
: 6.44
78.72
66.J6 :
59.58
11.81
:154.99

:1260.78 :1738.91 : $ 2.110

: 301.48
: 607.62
: 270.60
: 77.51
S82.55

369.35
852.05 :
447.45 :
110.78 :
101.39

. . :1339.76 :1881.02 :

:2600.54
:3267.19
:$666.65

:3619.93 :
:3682.22 :
:$ 62.29 :

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (30 lb.) . . . .... ... : 423 : 1160
Total growing cost . . . . :$1344.05 :$2342.89
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 1058.38 : 2592.60
Total crop cost . . . .... ... : 2188.19 : 4830.63
Crop sales . . . . . : 2624.35 : 5452.00
Net return . . . . . :$-452.62 :$1187.52

aReported by eight growers averaging $36.44 per acre.

30 lb.

.448
1.034
.543
.135
.123

2.283

4.393
4.469
$ .076

27

Table 27.--WATERMELONS: Costs and returns in the Immokalee-Lee area
5-season average 1971-75 and 1975-76

Item :5-season: 1975-76
: average:

Number of growers . .
Number of acres . .
Average acres per grower .
Average yield per acre (cwt.)

5
615
123 :
222

6
768
128
221

Growing costs:

SLand rent . . . . .
Seed . . . . . .
Fertilizer . . . . .
Spray and dust . . . .
Cultural labor . . . .
Machine hire . . . .
Gas, oil and grease . . . .
Repair and maintenance . . .
Depreciation . . . . .
Licenses and insurance . . .
-Interest on production capital (9% 5 months)
Interest on capital invested (other than land)
Miscellaneous expense . . .

Total growing cost . . . .

Harvesting and marketing costs:

Cutting expense . . . .
*Packing expense . . . .
Containers . . . .
Hauling . . . . .
Selling . . . .

Total harvesting and marketing cost .

Total crop cost . . ...
Crop sales . . . .
Net return . . . .

Acre
:$ 19.15
8.65
: 140.38
:85.23
: 122.76
: 37.59
: 19.37
38.74
27.16
:13.22
:18.89
4.07
18.58

Average per
Acre
:$ 22.20 :
9.75 :
: 193.57 :
: 104.83 :
: 154.89 :
84.64 :
37.47
46.08
32.79
16.35
25.66 :
4.92 :
14.58 :

. : 553.79 : 747.73 :$3.383

63.99
54.56
24.83
91.92
55.49

70.59
63.05
12.16
81.41
55.13

. : 290.79 : 282.34 : 1.278

: 844.58
: 985.93
:$141.35

: 1030.07
: 906.10
:$-123.97

: 4.661
: 4.100
:$-.561

1975-76 range per acre
From To

Yield (cwt.) .... .. . . . .. : 86 297
Total growing cost . . .. . :$ 541.45:$1022.62
Total harvesting and marketing cost . . : 120.40: 400.65
Total crop cost . .. . . .. : 714.22: 1178.12
Crop sales . . .... .. . .. : 279.50: 1485.00
Net return . . . .. . .. :$-447.62:$ 542.90

Food & Resource Economics--1500
DLB:sh

Cwt.

.320
.285
.055
.368
.250

. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .

	Front Cover
	Abstract
	Foreword
	Acknowledgements
	Table of Contents
	Map
	Definitions
	Main