Each analysis is based upon a hypothetical farm operation using practices common to the region. Input and reviews were provided by growers, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors and other agricultural associates. The authors describe the assumptions used to identify current costs for individual crops, material inputs and cash and non-cash overhead. A ranging analysis table shows profits over a range of prices and yields. Other tables show the monthly cash costs, the costs and returns per acre, hourly equipment costs, and the whole farm annual equipment, investment and business overhead costs.
The studies for establishing orchards to produce lemons and oranges estimate costs for growing in Kern and Tulare counties. Revenue for the citrus is based on estimated sales to the fresh packaging market.
The study for organic strawberries takes into consideration growing conditions on the Central Coast of California and complying with the National Organic Program. In particular, it focuses on growing organic strawberries in Santa Cruz and San Benito counties for the fresh packaging market.
The study for producing paddy rice in the Sacramento Valley focuses on the costs of growing medium-grain rice, under a rice-only rotation in Butte, Colusa, Glenn and Yolo counties.
The field corn study focuses on the production costs of a full-season corn crop in the Sacramento Valley and the northern San Joaquin Valley. This region would include Colusa, Glenn, Sacramento, Sutter and Yolo counties. The study based costs on a farm using furrow irrigation and Roundup Ready-GMO seed.
The study on silage corn, double cropped under conservation tillage methods, focuses on production costs of corn silage using minimum tillage operations in the northern San Joaquin Valley. The corn is planted in the spring after a winter forage crop is harvested. The study is based its costs on a farm using border/flood irrigation and Roundup Ready-GMO seed.
- “Sample Costs to Establish an Orchard and Produce Lemons in the San Joaquin Valley-South-2015”
- “Sample Costs to Establish an Orchard and Produce Oranges in the San Joaquin Valley-South-2015”
- “Sample Costs to Produce Organic Strawberries in the Central Coast Region-2014”
- “Sample Costs to Produce Rice in the Sacramento Valley-2015”
- “Sample Costs to Produce Field Corn in the Sacramento Valley and Northern San Joaquin Valley-2015”
- “Sample Costs to Produce Silage Corn-Conservation Tillage Practices in the Northern San Joaquin Valley-2015”
These cost-of-production studies can be downloaded for free from the UC Davis Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics website http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu. Sample costs are also available for many other commodities. Many earlier production cost studies for agricultural commodities are also available at http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu/archived.php.
For additional information or an explanation of the calculations used in the studies, contact Don Stewart, staff research associate in the Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics at UC Davis at (530) 752-4651, destewart@ucdavis.edu.
- Author: Don Stewart
The newly available studies are as follows:
- There are two new cost and return studies for establishing or reestablishing and producing irrigated pasture in the Sacramento Valley. The studies focus primarily on establishment and production costs in the counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Shasta, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity and Yuba. The two separate studies list estimated production costs for establishing and producing irrigated pasture for hay and grazing. The major differences between the two companion studies are establishment and reestablishment of the pasture under two separate scenarios. One covers tilled and no-till planting methods and the other is for pasture production for high intensity grazing and for harvesting hay.
- The third new study outlines cost and returns for producing alfalfa under flood irrigation in the Sacramento and northern San Joaquin valleys. This study focuses on the counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sutter and Yolo. This study can be compared to the 2014 cost and return study, “Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Alfalfa Hay in The Sacramento Valley and Northern Delta Using Sub-Surface Drip Irrigation (SDI)-2014.”
- A study is available for establishing and producing winegrapes in the Central Region of the Sierra Nevada foothills. This study focuses on the establishment and the first five years production costs of red wine varieties on bilateral cordon vineyards in the Central Sierra Nevada Foothill Region counties of Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado and Tuolumne. The majority of the production operations are performed by a vineyard management company.
- A cost study is complete for producing field corn for grain in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The study focuses on the production costs in the southern San Joaquin Valley counties of Kern, Kings and Tulare. The study is based on furrow irrigation and uses Roundup Ready-GMO seed.
Each analysis is based upon a hypothetical farm operation using practices common to the region. Input and reviews were provided by growers, farm advisors and other agricultural associates. Assumptions used to identify current costs for individual crops, material inputs, cash and non-cash overhead are described. A ranging analysis table shows profits over a range of prices and yields. Other tables show the monthly cash costs, the costs and returns per acre, hourly equipment costs, and the whole farm annual equipment, investment and business overhead costs.
These new study titles are:
- “Sample Costs to Establish or Reestablish and Produce Pasture in the Sacramento Valley-2015”,
- “Sample Costs to Produce Pasture in the Sacramento Valley-2015”,
- “Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Alfalfa Hay Using Flood Irrigation in the Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley, North-2015”,
- “Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Wine Grapes in the Sierra Nevada foothills-2015”,
- “Sample Costs to Produce Field Corn in the San Joaquin Valley, South-2015”
These and other sample cost of production studies for many commodities are available and can be downloaded from the UC Davis Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics website, http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu. Many earlier, archived studies are also available on the website, http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu/archived.php
For additional information or an explanation of the calculations used in the studies call UC ANR Cooperative Extension specialist Karen Klonsky, who is based at the Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics at UC Davis, (530) 752-3589, klonsky@primal.ucdavis.edu or call Don Stewart, (530) 752-4651, destewart@ucdavis.edu, Kabir Tumber, (530) 752-5489, kptumber@primal.ucdavis.edu.
An initiative to enhance competitive and sustainable food systems is part of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Strategic Vision 2025.
- Author: Don Stewart
The studies focus primarily on production costs in the counties of Yolo, Solano, Sacramento and San Joaquin. The two separate studies list estimated production costs for growing transplanted processing tomatoes under furrow irrigation and under sub-surface drip irrigation on 60-inch beds.
The major differences between the two companion studies are inputs related to irrigation and tillage and from yield outcome.
Each analysis is based upon a hypothetical farm operation using practices common to the region. Input and reviews were provided by growers, pest control advisers and other agricultural associates. Assumptions used to identify current costs for individual crops, material inputs, cash and non-cash overhead are described. A ranging analysis table shows profits over a range of prices and yields. Other tables show the monthly cash costs, the costs and returns per acre, hourly equipment costs, and the whole farm annual equipment, investment and business overhead costs.
These two studies –“Sample Costs to Produce Processing Tomatoes, Sub-Surface Drip Irrigated (SDI) in the Sacramento Valley & Northern Delta - 2014” and “Sample Costs to Produce Processing Tomatoes, Furrow Irrigated in the Sacramento Valley & Northern Delta - 2014” – and other sample cost of production studies for many commodities are available and can be downloaded from the Agriculture and Resource Economics Department website, http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu. Some archived studies are also available on the website at http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu/archived.php
For additional information or an explanation of the calculations used in the study contact Karen Klonsky, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Davis, at (530) 752-3589, klonsky@primal.ucdavis.edu; or Don Stewart, staff research associate, (530) 752-4651, destewart@ucdavis.edu.
The studies were prepared by Gene Miyao, UCCE advisor, Yolo and Solano Counties; Brenna Aegerter, UCCE advisor, San Joaquin County; Karen Klonsky and Don Stewart.
- Author: Richard DeMoura
Each analysis is based upon hypothetical farm operations using practices common in the region. Input and reviews were provided by farm advisors, researchers, growers, farm accountants, pest control advisers, consultants and other agricultural associates.
Assumptions used to identify current costs for the individual crops, material inputs, cash and non-cash overhead are described. A ranging analysis table shows profits over a range of prices and yields. Other tables show the monthly cash costs, the costs and returns per acre, hourly equipment costs, and the whole farm annual equipment, investment, and business overhead costs.
The new studies are:
Sample Costs for Finishing Beef Cattle on Grass, 2012, Sacramento Valley, by Larry C. Forero, Roger S. Ingram, Glenn A. Nader, Karen M. Klonsky, and Richard L. De Moura.
Sample Costs to Produce Corn Silage, 2012, San Joaquin Valley by Carol A. Frate, Brian H. Marsh, Karen M. Klonsky, and Richard L. De Moura.
Sample Costs to Produce Rice, 2012, Sacramento Valley by Christopher A. Greer, Randall G. Mutters, Luis A. Espino, Paul Buttner, Karen M. Klonsky, Richard L. De Moura and Kabir P. Tumber.
Sample Costs to Establish a Prune Orchard and Produce Prunes, 2012, Sacramento Valley by Richard P. Buchner, Joseph H. Connell, Franz J. Niederholzer, Carolyn J. DeBuse, Karen M. Klonsky, and Richard L. De Moura.
Sample Costs to Produce Fresh Market Raspberries, 2012, Central Coast by Mark Bolda, Laura Tourte, Karen M. Klonsky, and Richard L. De Moura.
Avocado Sample Establishment and Production Costs and Profitability Analysis for Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, 2011, Conventional Production Practices and Avocado Sample Establishment and Production Costs and Profitability Analysis for San Diego and Riverside Counties, 2011. Conventional Production Practices by Etaferahu Takele, Gary Bender and Mao Vue.
Avocado Sample Establishment and Production Costs and Profitability Analysis for Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, 2011, Organic Production Practices and Avocado Sample Establishment and Production Costs and Profitability Analysis for San Diego and Riverside Counties, 2011, Organic Production Practices by Etaferahu Takele, Gary Bender and Mao Vue.
All cost of production studies are available online at http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu, at UC Cooperative Extension offices or by calling (530) 752-3589. For additional information on the studies, contact Richard De Moura at rdemoura@ucdavis.edu in the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
- Author: Mao Vue
Four new studies showing establishment and production costs for conventional and organic avocados are now available from the University of California Cooperative Extension.
Analysis for the crop is based upon hypothetical farm operations using practices common in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego and Riverside counties. Data regarding establishment and production practices, inputs and prices were collected from growers, the University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisors, agricultural institutions, and supply and equipment dealers.
The studies describe the assumptions used to identify current costs for the crop, material inputs, cash and non-cash overhead, profitability analysis, and comparison between conventional and organic productions. Ranging analysis table shows profits over a range of prices and yields. Other tables show the monthly cash costs, the costs and returns per acre, hourly equipment costs and the whole farm annual equipment, investment and business overhead costs.
The four new cost studies are:
- Avocado Sample Establishment and Production Costs and Profitability Analysis for San Diego and Riverside Counties, 2011, Conventional Production Practices, By E. Takele, G. Bender, and M.Vue
- Avocado Sample Establishment and Production Costs and Profitability Analysis for San Diego and Riverside Counties, 2011, Organic Production Practices, By E. Takele, G. Bender, and M.Vue
- Avocado Sample Establishment and Production Costs and Profitability Analysis for Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties, 2011, Conventional Production Practice, By E. Takele, B. Faber, and M.Vue
- Avocado Sample Establishment and Production Costs and Profitability Analysis for Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties, 2011, Organic Production Practice, By E. Takele, B. Faber, and M.Vue
For more information about the avocado studies, contact Etaferahu Takele, UC Cooperative Extension area advisor, at ettakele@ucanr.edu or by calling (951) 683-6491 in the UC Cooperative Extension, Riverside County office.
These cost studies and cost of production studies for other crops are available online at on the UC Davis Cost Study website, at UC Cooperative Extension offices and by calling (530) 752-3589.