Timothy G.

Taylor

Economic Information

Report

Costs and

Returns from

Vegetable
Season 1980-!

Crops
81 with

in Florida,
Comparisons

Food and Resource Economics Department
Agricultural Experiment Stations
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
University of Florida, Gainesville 32611

159

June

1982

ABSTRACT

Costs and returns were estimated for 13 vegetable crops in one or more of

eight major production areas for the 1980-81 season. Of the 23 crop-area

combinations, 9 crops were estimated to have incurred losses on average.

Total per acre costs ranged from a low $505.82 per acre for Everglades

radishes to $5,751.62 per acre for Manatee-Ruskin tomatoes. Estimated net

returns ranged from $-509.56 per acre for Immokalee-Lee tomatoes to $1227.87

per acre for Dade county potatoes.

Keywords:

return.

vegetables, operating cost, harvesting and marketing cost, net

This public document was promulgated at an annual cost of $1569.00 or
$1.21 per copy to furnish the vegetable industry and allied suppliers
with current information on costs and returns of vegetable crops in Florida.

FOREWORD

This is the twenty-first annual summary of costs and returns for Florida

vegetable crops. Although the cost items included in this summary are similar

to previous summaries, the reporting format has been changed. Several items

including sample sizes, total acreage surveyed, average acres per grower and

statistical ranges have been omitted primarily for reasons of confidentiality.

As in past years cost and returns estimates for each crop were obtained

on the basis of data obtained from individual growers and statistical estima-

tion. To increase accuracy in estimating yields and prices, considerable use

was made of Florida Crop and Livestock Reporting Service data. The computa-

tion for 5 year averages for all crops was acheived by estimating costs and

returns for the 1979-80 season on those crops not included in the 1979-80

summary. These data are available on request from the author.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author wishes to express appreciation to the many vegetable growers

for their cooperation. In addition various county agents, the Florida Fruit

and Vegetable Association, the Florida Tomato Committee and the Florida Crop

and Livestock Reporting Service provided invaluable assistance.

FOREWORD

This is the twenty-first annual summary of costs and returns for Florida

vegetable crops. Although the cost items included in this summary are similar

to previous summaries, the reporting format has been changed. Several items

including sample sizes, total acreage surveyed, average acres per grower and

statistical ranges have been omitted primarily for reasons of confidentiality.

As in past years cost and returns estimates for each crop were obtained

on the basis of data obtained from individual growers and statistical estima-

tion. To increase accuracy in estimating yields and prices, considerable use

was made of Florida Crop and Livestock Reporting Service data. The computa-

tion for 5 year averages for all crops was acheived by estimating costs and

returns for the 1979-80 season on those crops not included in the 1979-80

summary. These data are available on request from the author.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author wishes to express appreciation to the many vegetable growers

for their cooperation. In addition various county agents, the Florida Fruit

and Vegetable Association, the Florida Tomato Committee and the Florida Crop

and Livestock Reporting Service provided invaluable assistance.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

FORWARD AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.........................................i

MAP OF FLORIDA VEGETABLE PRODUCING AREAS.............................v

DEFINITIONS.........................................................vi

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1 Summary of estimated per acre costs and returns
for selected Florida vegetables, 1980-81....................1

2 SNAP BEANS: Costs and returns per acre in the Palm
Beach-Broward area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81.....2

3 CABBAGE: Costs and returns per acre in the Hastings
area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81...................3

4 CELERY: Costs and returns per acre in the Central
Florida area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81............4

5 CELERY: Costs and returns per acre in the Everglades
area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81...................5

6 SWEET CORN: Costs and returns per acre in the Central
Florida area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81...........6

7 SWEET CORN: Costs and returns per acre in the Everglades
area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81...................7

8 SWEET CORN: Costs and returns per acre in the lower
East Coast area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81........8

9 CUCUMBERS: Costs and returns per acre in the
Immokalee-Lee area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81.....9

10 EGGPLANT: Costs and returns per acre in the Palm Beach-
Broward area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81..........10

11 LEAF CROPS: Costs and returns per acre in the Central
Florida area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81...........11

12 LEAF CROPS: Costs and returns per acre in the Everglades
area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81..................12

iii

LIST OF TABLES--Continued

Table Page

13 PEPPERS: Costs and returns per acre in the Immokalee-
Lee area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81..............13

14 PEPPERS: Costs and returns per acre in the Palm Beach-
Broward area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81..........14

15 IRISH POTATOES: Costs and returns per acre in the Dade
County area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81........... 15

16 IRISH POTATOES: Costs and returns per acre in the
Hastings area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81.........16

17 RADISHES: Costs and Returns per acre in the Everglades
area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81..................17

18 SQUASH: Costs and returns per acre in the Dade County
area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81..................18

19 SQUASH: Costs and returns per acre in the Immokalee-
Lee area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81...............19

20 SQUASH: Costs and returns per acre in the Palm Beach-
Broward area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81..........20

21 TOMATOES: Costs and returns per acre in the Dade County
area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81..................21

22 STAKED TOMATOES: Costs and returns per acre in the
Immokalee-Lee area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81....22

23 STAKED TOMATOE: Costs and returns per acre in the
Manatee-Ruskin area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81...23

24 WATERMELONS: Costs and returns per acre in the Immokalee-
Lee area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81..............24

.,pa .H'! 5OS CMALOOSA WAITN 5OL.E JACKSN
* 19 NASSAU
GAOSS EON JEFVERSON M54W1" SAMILTO" SAlER

F L RI LDNAftY 18 SIWISO C1 KE \

.... 14
LEW

With Principal Vegetables Produced 12
u11

1 Dade--tomatoes, snap and pole beans, Irish v-
potatoes, squash, cucumbers, strawberries EW. D
2 Palm Beach-Broward--snap beans, peppers, 10
eggplant, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes r E" O
3 Immokalee-Lee--tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, _*0U
squash, Irish potatoes, watermelons
4 Everglades--snap beans, sweet corn, cabbage, 9 .
escarole, celery, Irish potatoes, radishes HAR O'
5 Fort Pierce--tomatoes, watermelons 8 .... i
6 Wauchula--cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons
7 Sarasota--celery, radishes, lettuce, cabbage : ...
8 Manatee-Ruskin--tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower,
CHARLOTTE
watermelons.
9 Plant City--strawberries, peppers, squash, pole 3L-E
beans, southern peas, okra
10 Sumter--cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, \
watermelons .. OWA
11 Zellwood--sweet corn, celery, escarole, lettuce, 2
snap beans, radishes "
12 Sanford-Oviedo--cabbage, celery, snap beans, lettuce, ..Mo 1
escarole, sweet corn, peppers
13 Oxford-Belleview-Lowell--tomatoes, watermelons
14 McIntoch-Island Grove--squash, snap beans, celery,
cabbage, lettuce, watermelons
15 Alachua--snap beans, cucumbers, peppers, Irish potatoes,
watermelons
16 Hastings--Irish potatoes, cabbage ... C-N
17 Starke-Brooker-Lake Butler--snap and lima beans, ./ ,s d
cucumbers, peppers', squash, strawberries
18 Quincy-Havana--pole beans, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes
19 Escambia--Irish potatoes

DEFINITIONS

Average Yield per acre: The number of saleable units per acre harvested.

Land rent: In the interest 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, include 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 includes 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 costs also are included
here.

Cultural labor contains the value of farm labor, whether hired or family, to
produce the crop from ground preparation until ready for harvest. It does not
include supervision by the operator.

Machine hire is the cost of machine work hired, including use of airplanes
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
operator tractors, trucks, sprayers, pumps and other machinery in producing
the crop. It may also include electrical power expense for irrigation when
utilized.

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 obsolescence of
equipment and labor housing.

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 capital invested (other than land) was charged at 14 percent of
the actual or estimated annual depreciated value of the capital invested in
machinery and equipment. It was assumed that all equipment was presently
worth one half its replacement value.

Interest on production capital was charged at the rate of 14 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.

Miscellaneous includes such items as wire, stakes, twine, plastic, office
supplies, administrative expense other than value of the operator's
management, legal and audit fees, telephone 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 preparing 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 includes machinery and overhead costs in
addition to labor. The same is true for all crops in all area 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 packinghouse or
loading point. It is often computed on a contract basis and includes labor
and equipment items. In cases where hauling was preformed 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.

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.

Total receipts are the gross returns before deduction of growing, harvesting
and marketing costs.

Net return is the return to the producer after deduction of all expenses, in
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 different
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 developed 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 different crops. Prorations were also made to these items on the
basis of available data (D.L. Brooke, Fla. Agri. Exp. Sta. Bul. 660, June
1973).

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.

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 individual
tables. They are merely averages of the data recorded and, in some cases, do
not reflect the full cost of performing the service because all growers may
not have incurred every item of cost.

viii

Table 1. Summary of estimated per acre costs and returns for selected Florida
Vegetables, 1980-81

Harvest and
Preharvest arvestand Total Total Net
Crop Area Cot Marketing Costs Receipts Return
Costs

Snap Beans 2 $445.14 $228.07 $673.21 $803.85 $130.64

Cabbage 16 930.96 916.93 1847.89 1681.64 -166.25

Celery 11 1562.59 1697.52 3260.11 4010.92 750.81

Celery 4 1828.42 1971.30 3799.72 3531.25 -268.47

Sweet Corn 11 610.03 669.73 1279.75 1277.21 -2.54

Sweet Corn 4 518.58 661.29 1179.87 1014.08 -165.79

Sweet Corn 2 667.43 486.59 1154.02 973.75 -180.27

Cucumbers 3 759.52 940.34 1969.64 2604.61 634.75

Eggplant 2 2189.51 1414.81 3604.32 3713.85 109.53

Leaf 11 849.99 1191.88 2041.87 2483.36 441.49

Leaf 4 814.15 1190.88 2005.03 1881.60 -123.43

Peppers 3 2287.62 1128.18 3415.80 3175.20 -240.60

Peppers 2 2521.95 1091.71 3613.66 4163.40 549.74

Potatoes 1 1154.43 363.60 1518.03 2745.90 1227.27

Potatoes 16 946.40 331.63 1278.03 2057.83 779.80

Radishes 4 220.29 285.53 505.82 570.57 64.75

Squash 1 746.65 535.75 1282.40 1700.93 418.53

Squash 3 683.63 689.41 1373.04 1809.58 436.54

Squash 2 538.55 467.70 1006.25 1663.20 656.95

Tomatoes 1 2214.74 2076.75 4291.49 4290.53 -1.06

Tomatoes 3 2974.39 2310.93 5285.32 4775.76 -509.56

Tomatoes 8 2045.22 3706.36 5751.32 6850.20 1098.58

Watermelons 3 1060.45 372.42 1432.75 1907.62 474.75

Table 2. SNAP BEANS:Costs and returns per acre in the Palm Beach-Broward
area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre bushels

Yield (bushels) 72 85

Total receipts ...........................
Operating costs
Seed....................................
Fertilizer.............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor.........................
Machine hire...........................
Gas, oil, grease.......................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)...,.........
Miscellaneous expense.................

Total operating costs.....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent..............................
Depreciation...........................
Licenses and insurance.................
Interest on investment.................
Total fixed costs........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking and packing....................
Containers..............................
Hauling.................................
Selling.................................
Total harvesting and marketing costs.....
Total costs..............................
Net return...............................

$499.65 $803.85

35.99
55.10
43.21
67.92
11.25
17.56
24.16

9.85
10.72
275.76

47.54
13.73
14.62
2.04
77.93 ,

82.14
55.03
11.51
15.03
163.71
517.25
-17.61

35.58
67.91
60.07
86.60
9.86
25.56
29.98

19.20
16.31
351.07

59.90
13.00
19.27
1.90
94.07

103.79
82.45
18.96
22.87
228.07
573.21
130.64

$9.457

4.130

1.110

1.221
.970
.223
.269
2.683
7.923
1.534

3

Table 3 CABBAGE: Costs and returns per acre in the Hastings area 5-season
average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre 50 lbs

Yield (50 lbs) 442 516

Total receipts............................
Operating costs
Seed....................................
Fertilizer .............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor.........................
Machine hire...........................
Gas, oil, grease........................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)...........
Miscellaneous expense....................
Total operating costs....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent..............................
Depreciation............................
Licenses and insurance.................
Interest on investment.................
Total fixed costs.....'....................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Cutting and packing....................
Containers .............................
Hauling................................
Other..................................
Selling.................................
Total harvesting and marketing costs.....
Total costs ..............................
Net return ...............................

$1687.39 $1681.64

76.29
106.85
70.96
150.52
6.54
36.74
53.15

17.39
8.28
526.72

40.23
42.66
30.00
6.40
119.29

207.78
369.02

113.52
690.32
1336.29
351.10

64.85
142.89
100.81
199.41

83.88
85.22

37.91
6.39
721.36

49.06
69.45
79.22
11.87
209.60

297.73
465.95

153.25
916.93
1847.89
-166.25

$3.259

1.400

.390

.577
.903

.297
1.777
3.585
-.326

Table 4. CELERY:

Costs and returns per acre in the Central Florida area
5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre Crates

Yield (Crates) 440 509

Total receipts ...........................
Operating costs
Seed ....................................
Fertilizer.............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor.........................
Machine hire..........................
Gas, oil, grease .......................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months).............
Miscellaneous expense..................
Total operating costs....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent..............................
Depreciation...........................
Licenses and insurance.................
Interest on investment.................
Total fixed costs.................. ......
Harvesting and marketing costs
Cutting and packing....................
Containers.............................
Hauling................................
Other............................ .....
Selling..........................* .....

Total harvesting and marketing costs....
Total costs..............................
Net return...............................

$3352.79 $4010.92

104.96
146.05
167.11
343.89
18.30
35.30
89.89

41.16
74.22
1020.88

44.64
37.10
73.18
5.56
160.48

794.11
429.34
72.30
185.56
98.22
1579.56
2760.93
591.86

147.99
210.95
184.30
395.40
24.62
62.75
127.09

83.10
138.65
1374.85

58.46
43.84
75.22
10.22
187.74

860.72
439.27
89.58
173.06
134.89
1697.52
3260.11
750.81

$7.880

2.701

.369

1.691
.863
.176
.340
.265
3.335
6.404
1.475

Table 5. CELERY: Costs and returns per acre in the Everglades area 5-season
average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre Crates

Yield (Crates) 617 565

Total receipts........................... $3874.24 $3531.25 $6.250
Operating costs
Seed ................................... 104.80 110.70
Fertilizer ............................. 154.30 190.79
Spray and dust ......................... 386.22 354.69
Cultural labor......................... 445.71 482.65
Machine hire........................... 27.46 29.46
Gas, oil, grease ............. .......... .. 57.09 71.08
Repair and maintenance................. 138.02 146.07
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months).............. 57.15 96.05
Miscellaneous expense................... 60.14 90.23
Total operating costs.................... 1430.88 1571.72 2.780
Fixed Costs:
Land rent.............................. 79.58 86.61
Depreciation............................ 65.67 67.95
Licenses and insurance................. 70.72 85.18
Interest on investment.................. 9.85 16.96
Total fixed costs........................ 225.82 256.70 .470
Harvesting and marketing costs
Cutting and packing.................... 682.17 807.95 1.430
Containers............................. 526.26 598.34 1.059
Hauling................................. 99.23 114.70 .203
Other .................................. 279.19 326.01 .577
Selling ................................ 107.05 123.30 .220
Total harvesting and marketing costs..... 1693.89 1971.30 3.489
Total costs................... .............. 3395.59 3799.72 6.741
Net return............................... 451.65 -268.47 -0.491

Table 6. SWEET CORN: Costs and returns per acre in the Central Florida area
5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre Crates

Yield (Crates) 302 292

Total receipts............................
Operating costs
Seed ...................................
Fertilizer..............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor..........................
Machine hire...........................
Gas, oil, grease .......................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)..............
Miscellaneous expense..................
Total operating costs.....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent...............................
Depreciation............................
Licenses and insurance..................
Interest on investment.................
Total fixed costs.........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking and packing....................
Containers ............................
Hauling.................................
Other ..................................
Selling .................................
Total harvesting and marketing cost......
Total costs............................ ..
Net return................................

$1075.83 $1277.21

20.30
56.22
100.53
55.33
12.93
18.58
58.98

13.58
33.37
369.82

43.91
21.70
27.70
3.25
96.56

193.58
232.56
36.17
106.91
54.09
623.27
1089.67
-13.84

25.38
73.11
111.62
63.67
16.35
34.34
76.20

25.90
62.42
488.99

52.03
23.52
39.46
6.02
121.03

222.22
256.98
29.01
97.28
64.24
669.73
1279.75
-2.54

$4.374

1.675

.414

.761
.880
.099
.333
.220
2.293
4.382
-.008

Table 7. SWEET CORN: Costs and returns per acre in the Everglades area 5-
season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre Crates

Yield (Crates) 186 225

Total receipts..........................
Operating costs
Seed ...................................
Fertilizer .............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor..........................
Machine hire...........................
Gas, oil, grease .......................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months).............
Miscellaneous expense..................
Total operating costs..................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent..............................
Depreciation............................
Licenses and insurance.................
Interest on investment.................
Total fixed costs........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking and packing .....................
Containers.............................
Hauling.................................
Other..................................
Selling.................................
Total harvesting and marketing costs.....
Total costs............................. ..
Net return...............................

$716.64 $1014.08

19.82
41.11
90.28
57.45
19.25
17.47
36.80

11.07
14.70
307.95

49.52
23.45
22.47
3.52
98.96

143.16
152.36
29.39
85.67
33.71
443.89
850.79

22.01
54.82
110.71
63.44
24.51
27.42
44.68

21.66
23.56
392.81

62.43
26.21
30.26
6.87
125.77

227.70
220.28
47.93
117.23
48.15
661.29
1179.87

-134.15 -165.79

$4.507

1.746

.560

1.012
.979
.213
.521
.214
2.939
5.245
-.738

Table 8. SWEET CORN Costs and returns per acre in the Lower East
5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

Coast area

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre Crates

Yield (Crates) 180 190

Total receipts............................
Operating costs
Seed...................................
Fertilizer.............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor.........................
Machine hire ...........................
Gas, oil, grease........................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)..............
Miscellaneous expense..................
Total operating costs....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent..............................
Depreciation............................
Licenses and insurance.................
Interest on investment.................
Total fixed costs........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking and packing.....................
Containers .............................
Hauling.................................
Other...................................
Selling................................
Total harvesting and marketing costs....
Total costs..............................
Net return ...............................

$914.95 $973.75

28.09
106.69
88.18
68.03
18.15
22.16
35.60

13.94
15.12
395.96

59.65
23.26
22.85
3.49
109.25

21.39
132.09
133.50
76.01
18.08
38.78
48.89

28.41
23.43
520.58

87.92
23.43
28.21
7.29
146.85

110.85 131.86
129.93 156.56
30.98 41.80
90.29 120.27
28.85 36.10
390.90 486.59
896.31 1154.02
18.64 -180.27

$5.125

2.740

.773

.694
.824
.220
.633
.190
2.561
6.074
-.949

Table 9. CUCUMBERS: Costs and returns per acre in the Immokalee-Lee area 5-
season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre bushels

Yield (bushels) 285 276

Total receipts........................... $1793.25 $2604.61 $9.437
Operating costs
Seed ................................... 18.35 21.33
Fertilizer ............................. 167.40 216.82
Spray and dust......................... 85.29 106.88
Cultural labor......................... 225.11 253.04
Machine hire........................... 35.16 42.27
Gas, oil, grease ....................... 53.33 80.97
Repair and maintenance................. 58.36 65.52
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months).............. 26.65 43.43
Miscellaneous expense.................. 21.30 26.63
Total operating costs.................... 690.95 856.89 3.105
Fixed Costs:
Land rent.............................. 29.78 56.48
Depreciation............................ 42.50 42.55
Licenses and insurance................. 41.23 62.46
Interest on investment.................. 6.37 11.14
Total fixed costs........................ 119.88 172.63 .625
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking ...................... ......... 325.91 371.50 1.346
Grading and packing.................... 233.04 228.80 .829
Containers ............................. 198.00 211.42 .766
Hauling................................ 50.66 53.82 .195
Selling ................................ 58.20 74.80 .271
Total harvesting and marketing costs..... 869.41 940.34 3.407
Total costs.............................. 1690.24 1969.86 7.137
Net return............................... 103.01 634.75 2.300

Table 10. EGGPLANT Costs and returns per acre in the Palm Beach-Broward area
5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre bushels

Yield (bushels) 726 655

Total receipts........................... $2839.28 $3713.85 $5.670
Operating costs
Seed ................................... 40.27 82.70
Fertilizer ............................. 265.00 321.00
Spray and dust......................... 232.18 262.84
Cultural labor......................... 499.01 580.06
Machine hire........................... 49.26 35.03
Gas, oil, grease....................... 81.82 124.73
Repair and maintenance ................. 104.33 107.84
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months).............. 59.31 117.06
Miscellaneous expense.................. 151.55 283.93
Total operating costs..................... 1482.73 1915.19 2.924
Fixed Costs:
Land rent............................... 70.90 105.00
Depreciation............................ 58.37 51.17
Licenses and insurance................. 86.91 104.75
Interest on investment................. 8.76 13.40
Total fixed costs........................ 224.94 274.32 .419
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking and packing.................... 561.77 651.73 .995
Containers.............................. 461.19 450.64 .688
Hauling................................ 118.60 129.04 .197
Selling ................................ 156.96 183.40 .280
Total harvesting and marketing costs..... 1301.52 1414.81 2.160
Total costs.............................. 3009.18 3604.32 5.503
Net return............................... -169.90 109.53 .167

11

Table 11. LEAF CROPS: Costs and returns per acre in the Central Florida area
5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre Crates

Yield (Crates) 646 664

Total receipts........................... $2510.93 $2483.36 $3.740
Operating costs
Seed ................................... 98.06 88.93
Fertilizer............................ 56.84 71.25
Spray and dust ......................... 69.91 66.16
Cultural labor......................... 189.35 229.96
Machine hire........................... -- --
Gas, oil, grease....................... 25.70 36.32
Repair and maintenance................. 83.78 89.22
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)............. 20.56 35.73
Miscellaneous expense.................. 54.56 67.34
Total operating costs.................... 598.76 684.91 1.031
Fixed Costs:
Land rent.............................. 43.36 58.20
Depreciation........................... 35.54 39.44
Licenses and insurance................. 61.85 57.67
Interest on investment................. 5.32 9.77
Total fixed costs........................ 146.77 165.08 .249
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking and packing.................... 254.25 330.01 .497
Containers............................. 475.62 510.62 .769
Hauling................................ 52.36 44.49 .067
Other .................................. 181.32 219.78 .331
Selling ................................ 80.38 86.98 .131
Total harvesting and marketing costs..... 1043.94 1191.88 1.795
Total costs.............................. 1791.04 2041.87 3.075
Net return............................... 719.89 441.49 .665

12

Table 12. LEAF CROPS: Costs and returns per acre in the Everglades area 5-
season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre Crates

Yield (Crates) 457 480

Total receipts ...........................
Operating costs
Seed...................................
Fertilizer..............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor .........................
Machine hire...........................
Gas, oil, grease.......................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)..............
Miscellaneous expense..................
Total operating costs....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent..............................
Depreciation...........................
Licenses and insurance..................
Interest on investment................
Total fixed costs........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking and packing....................
Containers.............................
Hauling................................
Other..................................
Selling.................................
Total harvesting and marketing costs.....
Total costs..............................
Net return ...............................

$1977.81 $1881.60

15.96
94.07
87.98
217.03
30.36
26.69
54.96

19.27
26.21
572.53

58.62
31.93
30.37
4.79
125.71

272.17
34.16
71.94
199.86
83.75
968.91
1667.13
310.68

22.13
135.58
111.31
212.17
38.32
31.12
55.09

34.92
34.82
675.46

73.84
25.61
33.27
5.97
138.69

362.40
381.12
94.56
250.08
102.72
1190.88
2005.03
-123.43

$3.920

1.407

0.289

.755
.794
.197
.521
.214
2.481
4.177
-.257

Table 13. PEPPERS: Costs and returns per acre in the Immokalee-Lee area 5-
season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre bushels

Yield (bushels) 629 392

Total receipts........................... $3775.05 $3175.20 $8.100
Operating costs
Seed................................... 54.98 96.08
Fertilizer ............... .. .... ....... 272.15 304.47
Spray and dust.......................... 284.23 304.46
Cultural labor.......................... 457.84 490.90
Machine hire........................... 46.87 50.20
Gas, oil, grease....................... 101.95 160.98
Repair and maintenance................. 181.26 193.77
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)............. 68.68 119.75
Miscellaneous expense.................. 242.55 265.88
Total operating costs.................... 1710.51 1986.49 5.067
Fixed Costs:
Land rent.............................. 54.98 76.51
Depreciation............................ 77.42 92.26
Licenses and insurance................. 83.10 110.84
Interest on investment................. 11.61 21.52
Total fixed costs........................ 227.11 301.13 .768
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking ............................... 453.78 333.20 .850
Grading and packing.................... 560.34 377.50 .963
Containers.................. ............ 335.67 224.22 .572
Hauling.................. .............. 135.77 91.34 .233
Selling................................. 125.58 101.92 .260
Total harvesting and marketing costs..... 1612.64 1128.18 2.881
Total costs.............................. 3601.89 3415.80 8.716
Net return................................ 173.16 -240.60 -.616

Table 14. PEPPERS:

Costs and returns per acre in the Palm Beach-Broward
area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre bushes

Yield (bushels) 770 514

Total receipts...........................
Operating costs
Seed....................... ............
Fertilizer.............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor........................
Machine hire...........................
Gas, oil, grease .......................
Repair and maintenance..................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months).............
Miscellaneous expense...................
Total operating costs.....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent............................ ...
Depreciation...........................
Licenses and insurance..................
Interest on investment..................
Total fixed costs........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking and packing...................
Containers.............................
Hauling................................
Selling................................
Total harvesting and marketing costs.....
Total costs.............................
Net return ...............................

$4281.66 $4163.40

82.44
234.15
326.02
653.28
93.33
121.23
136.62

78.77
237.97
1963.81

74.42
72.97
145.14
10.94
303.47

652.63
391.56
140.97
169.42
1354.58
3617.87
663.79

104.03
262.68
410.81
687.26
71.24
143.81
134.84

135.12
267.61
2217.40

106.62
56.09
128.74
13.10
304.55

572.08
268.82
111.54
139.29
1091.71
3613.66
549.74

$8.100

4.314

.593

1.113
.523
.217
.271
2.124
7.031
1.069

Table 15. IRISH POTATOES: Costs and returns per acre in the Dade County
area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre CWT.

Yield (CWT.) 161 150

Total receipts........................... $1204.39 $2745.90 $18.306
Operating costs
Seed ................................... 230.83 306.72
Fertilizer ............................. 104.61 131.93
Spray and dust......................... 104.94 151.59
Cultural labor........ .................. 101.20 140.77
Machine hire........................... 10.39 15.14
Gas, oil, grease....................... 28.87 58.49
Repair and maintenance................. 50.75 71.72
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months).............. 23.47 49.26
Miscellaneous expense.................. 22.78 23.57
Total operating costs.................... 677.84 949.19 6.327
Fixed Costs:
Land rent.............................. 74.63 89.89
Depreciation........................... 37.87 40.67
Licenses and insurance................. 53.32 65.18
Interest on investment.................. 5.68 9.50
Total fixed costs........................ 171.50 205.24 1.368
Harvesting and marketing costs
Digging................................. 34.42 36.75 .245
Grading and packing.................... 171.54 182.55 1.217
Containers............................... 54.93 60.90 .406
Hauling................................. 31.97 35.40 .236
Selling ................................ 45.55 48.00 .320
Total harvesting and marketing costs..... 334.43 363.60 2.424
Total costs.... ........................... 1183.78 1518.03 10.119
Net return............................... 20.61 1227.87 8.187

Table 16. IRISH POTATOES:

Costs and returns per acre in the Hastings area
5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre CWT.

Yield (CWT.) 213 252

Total receipts............................
Operating costs
Seed...................................
Fertilizer .............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor.........................
Machine hire...........................
Gas, oil, grease .......................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)..............
Miscellaneous expense..................
Total operating costs.....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent..............................
Depreciation............................
Licenses and insurance.................
Interest on investment..................
Total fixed costs........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Digging.................................
Grading and packing .....................
Containers..............................
Hauling .............................. ..
Selling........................... .....
Total harvesting and marketing costs.....
Total costs ...............................
Net return................................

$996.50 $2057.83

173.63
119.56
62.07
71.53
8.87
28.50
54.41

18.12
14.62
551.31

45.77
43.55
25.86
6.54
121.72

44.39
70.67
20.50
40.93
57.46
233.95
905.98
90.52

232.05
123.40
80.63
83.22
9.61
59.66
77.01

38.06
40.18
743.82

51.22
83.16
58.07
10.13
202.58

59.47
95.51
56.70
54.68
65.27
331.63
1278.03
779.80

$8.166

2.952

0.804

.236
.379
.225
.217
.259
1.316
5.072
3.094

Table 17. RADISHES:

Costs and returns per acre in the Everglades area 5
season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre 30-6 oz.

Yield (30-6 oz.) 237 247

Total receipts...........................
Operating costs
Seed....................................
Fertilizer.............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor.........................
Machine hire...........................
Gas, oil, grease.......................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)..............
Miscellaneous expense..................
Total operating costs....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent..............................
Depreciation...........................
Licenses and insurance.................
Interest on investment.................
Total fixed costs........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Digging.................................
Grading and packing....................
Containers.............................
Hauling.................................
Other...................................
Selling.................................
Total harvesting and marketing costs.....
Total costs..............................
Net return ...............................

$541.02 $570.57

17.06
21.41
20.78
36.68
3.65
11.16
25.80

2.59
6.29
145.42

18.58
10.50
11.01
1.57
41.66

19.82
118.42
91.44
13.45

31.50
274.63
461.72
79.03

21.98
21.86
12.57
39.72
3.44
17.82
30.73

5.30
10.85
164.27

26.14
11.12
16.17
2.59
56.02

32.36
85.46
86.45
20.99
25.94
34.33
285.53
505.82
64.75

$2.310

.665

.226

.131
.346
.350
.085
.105
.139
1.156
2.047
.263

18

Table 18. SQUASH: Costs and returns per acre in the Dade County area 5-
season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre bushels

Yield (bushels) 149 154

Total receipts ........................... $1078.82 $1700.93 $11.045
Operating costs
Seed ................................... 62.57 101.74
Fertilizer .................... ......... 84.34 109.57
Spray and dust.......................... 76.22 82.32
Cultural labor ......................... 78.04 82.31
Machine hire........................... 18.94 15.42
Gas, oil, grease....................... 35.75 55.04
Repair and maintenance................. 53.52 64.15
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months).............. 15.70 31.55
Miscellaneous expense.................. 15.19 28.49
Total operating costs.................... 440.27 570.59 3.705
Fixed Costs:
Land rent.............................. 54.93 81.57
Depreciation............................ 29.67 36.89
Licenses and insurance................. 42.98 54.99
Interest on investment................. 4.45 2.61
Total fixed costs....................... 132.03 176.06 1.143
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking and packing..................... 259.13 306.61 1.991
Containers.............................. 124.61 145.68 .946
Hauling................................. 26.42 33.26 .216
Selling ................................ 43.01 50.20 .326

Total harvesting and marketing costs..... 453.17 535.75 3.479

Total costs.............................. 1026.29 1282.40 8.327

Net return............................... 52.53 418.53 2.718

19

Table 19. SQUASH: Costs and returns per acre in the Immokalee-Lee area 5-
season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre bushels

Yield (bushels) 205 173

Total receipts ...........................
Operating costs
Seed...................................
Fertilizer..............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor.........................
Machine hire...........................
Gas, oil, grease.......................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)..............
Miscellaneous expense..................
Total operating costs.....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent..............................
Depreciation............................
Licenses and insurance.................
Interest on investment.................
Total fixed costs........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking................................
Grading and packing....................
Containers ............................
Hauling.................................
Selling.................................
Total harvesting and marketing costs.....
Total costs..............................
Net return ...............................

$1497.29 $1809.58 $10.460

29.25
136.84
62.33
101.18
18.76
38.58
32.87

15.00
14.22
449.03

34.58
28.75
31.29
4.31
98.93

188.16
142.59
165.39
50.90
64.85
611.87
1159.84
337.45

31.58
161.83
72.88
116.30
23.13
61.34
37.34

28.98
24.02
557.40

48.52
27.58
43.69
6.44
126.23

235.28
138.23
186.67
40.83
88.40
689.41
1373.04
436.54

.222

.730

1.360
.799
1.079
.236
.511
3.985
7.937
2.523

Table 20. SQUASH: Costs and returns per acre in the Palm Beach-Broward area
5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre bushels

Yield (bushels) 117 150

Total receipts............................
Operating costs
Seed....................................
Fertilizer .............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor.........................
Machine hire...........................
Gas, oil, grease .......................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)..............
Miscellaneous expense..................

Total operating costs....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent............................ ...
Depreciation...........................
Licenses and insurance.................
Interest on investment.................
Total fixed costs........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking and packing....................
Containers.............................
Hauling.................................
Selling................................
Total harvesting and marketing costs.....
Total costs...............................
Net return...............................

$971.09 $1663.20 $11.088

19.68
66.87
68.11
92.18
15.22
26.62
35.94

12.47
7.56
344.65

57.82
24.54
19.56
3.61
105.53

193.33
115.51
24.13
33.29
366.26
816.49
154.65

16.38
82.95
90.10
106.90
8.69
35.12
40.72

22.88
8.20
411.94

84.49
20.86
16.39
4.87
126.61

239.25
148.65
35.40
44.40
467.70
1006.25
656.95

2.746

.844

1.595
.991
.236
.296
3.118
6.708
4.380

Costs and returns per acre in the Dade County area 5-

season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre 30 Ibs.

Yield (30 lbs.) 544 710

Total receipts...........................
Operating costs
Seed....................................
Fertilizer.............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor.........................
Machine hire...........................
Gas, oil, grease .......................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)..............
Miscellaneous expense..................
Total operating costs....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent..............................
Depreciation...........................
Licenses and insurance.................
Interest on investment.................
Total fixed costs........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking................................
Grading and packing .....................
Containers.............................
Hauling................................
Selling................................
Total harvesting and marketing costs.....
Total costs..............................
Net return ...............................

$3057.14 $4290.53

34.59
230.84
361.37
370.21
25.33
59.29
101.34

56.32
193.97
1433.26

62.51
68.16
62.28
10.22
203.17

321.22
586.56
307.68
99.56
105.68
1420.71
3134.66
77.52

47.53
244.79
456.45
499.94
28.83
98.72
120.56

116.81
339.54
1953.17

85.25
76.52
81.95
17.85
261.57

457.24
828.57
416.06
187.44
187.44
2076.75
4291.49
-1.06

$6.043

2.751

.368

.644
1.167
.586
.264
.264
2.925
6.044
-.002

Table 21.

TOMATOES:

Table 22. STAKED TOMATOES:

Costs and returns per acre in the Immokalee-
Lee area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre 30 LBS.

Yield (30 LBS.) 810 810

Total receipts...........................
Operating costs
Seed....................................
Fertilizer .............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor .........................
Machine hire..........................
Gas, oil, grease .......................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months)..............
Miscellaneous expense ..................
Total operating costs.....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent ......................... .....
Depreciation........... ............ ....
Licenses and insurance.................
Interest on investment................
Total fixed costs........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking................................
Grading and packing.....................
Containers........................ .....
Hauling................................
Selling ................................
Total harvesting and marketing costs.....
Total costs..............................
Net return................................

$4447.88 $4775.76

101.88
270.82
782.75
752.57
61.67
100.61
163.21

85.40
296.36
2615.27

63.06
93.60
83.78
14.04
254.48

485.40
789.30
424.30
144.42
134.10
1977.52
4780.07
332.19

130.02
319.01
464.73
824.58
56.90
155.82
200.93

155.06
306.15
2613.20

87.15
129.39
114.48
30.17
361.19

568.62
899.10
502.20
174.15
166.86
2310.93
5285.32
-509.56

$5.896

3.226

.446

.702
1.110
.620
.215
.206
2.853
6.525
-0.629

Table 23. STAKED TOMATOES: Costs and returns per acre in the Mantee-Ruskin
area 5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre 30 lbs.

Yield (30 Ibs. 813 980

Total receipts...........................
Operating costs
Seed ...................................
Fertilizer .............................
Spray and dust.........................
Cultural labor.........................
Machine hire...........................
Gas, oil, grease .......................
Repair and maintenance.................
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months).............
Miscellaneous expense..................

Total operating costs....................
Fixed Costs:
Land rent ...............................
Depreciation...........................
Licenses and insurance.................
Interest on investment.................
Total fixed costs........................
Harvesting and marketing costs
Picking................................
Grading and packing....................
Containers.............................
Hauling................................
Selling ................................
Total harvesting and marketing costs.....
Total costs ........................... ...
Net return.............................

$4554.25 $6850.20

91.36
211.74
249.29
531.88
29.09
94.40
111.06

61.49
174.12
1554.43

51.27
98.51
95.42
15.28
260.48

507.76
913.72
451.14
146.29
115.66
2134.57
3949.48
604.77

85.74
233.15
221.42
524.31
15.15
168.15
130.99

104.93
196.30
1680.14

59.63
129.53
153.04
22.88
365.08

947.66
1732.64
607.60
196.00
222.46
3706.36
5751.62
1098.58

$6.990

1.714

.373

.967
1.768
.620
.200
.227
3.782
5.869
1.121

Table 24. WATERMELONS: Costs and returns per acre in the Imokalee-Lee area
5-season average 1976-80 and 1980-81

1976-80 1980-81 Season
Average per

Category Acre Acre CWT.

Yield (CWT.) 300 253

Total receipts........................... $1643.38 $1907.62 $7.540
Operating costs
Seed ................................... 9.45 12.72
Fertilizer............................. 198.56 258.93
Spray and dust......................... 111.46 134.60
Cultural labor.......................... 143.84 141.87
Machine hire........................... 90.80 141.81
Gas, oil, grease....................... 40.21 67.23
Repair and maintenance................. 46.68 62.81
Interest on production
Capital (14% 4 months).............. 27.15 55.92
Miscellaneous expense.................. 15.43 22.32
Total operating costs.................... 683.58 898.21 3.550
Fixed Costs:
Land rent.............................. 35.98 62.69
Depreciation........................... 36.06 42.06
Licenses and insurance................. 31.34 47.62
Interest on investment.................. 5.41 9.87
Total fixed costs........................ 108.79 162.24 .641
Harvesting and marketing costs
Cutting................................ 93.54 85.51 .338
Grading and packing.................... 75.42 72.61 .287
Containers............................ 15.55 13.41 .053
Hauling................................ 123.12 121.95 .482
Selling................................ 72.47 78.94 .312
Total harvesting and marketing costs..... 380.09 372.42 1.472
Total costs.............................. 1172.64 1432.87 5.663
Net return............................... 470.74 474.75 1.877

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