News Stories

New studies showing production costs for olive oil, peaches, onions, almonds, sunflowers, and lettuce are now available from the University of California Cooperative Extension.

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 as follows:

• Sample Costs to Establish a Medium Density Olive Orchard and Produce Bottled Olive Oil, 2011, North and Central Coasts by Paul M. Vossen, Rachel B. Elkins, Mary L. Bianchi, Karen M. Klonsky, Pete Livingston, and Richard L. De Moura.
• Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Processing Peaches (Cling & Freestone), 2011, Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley, by Maxwell Norton, Janine Hasey, Roger Duncan, Karen M. Klonsky, and Richard L. De Moura.
• Sample Costs to Establish an Orchard and Produce Almonds, 2011, Northern San Joaquin Valley by Roger A. Duncan, Paul S. Verdegaal, Brent A. Holtz, David A. Doll,  Karen M. Klonsky and Richard L. De Moura.
• Sample Costs to Produce Onions, 2011, Intermountain Region (Tulelake and Klamath Basins) by Rob Wilson, Willie Riggs, Karen M. Klonsky, and Richard L. De Moura.
• Sample Costs to Produce Sunflowers for Seed, 2011, Sacramento Valley by Rachael F. Long, Jerry L. Schmierer, Douglas J. Munier, Karen M. Klonsky, and Pete Livingston.
• Sample Production Costs for Wrapped Iceberg Lettuce, 2010, Central Coast by Laura Tourte and Richard Smith.

All cost of production studies are available online at http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu, at UC Cooperative Extension offices or by calling (530) 752-6887. For additional information on the studies, contact Richard De Moura at rdemoura@ucdavis.edu in the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.