Richard Wiswall gave a presentation on farm budgeting at the ACORN Conference in Moncton, New Brunswick. He emphasized that profit equals income minus expenses, and provided lessons on scrutinizing big expenses like labor, efficiencies of scale, and having a cushion for overhead costs and bad years. Wiswall also discussed keeping budgets simple by focusing on key parameters and targets. He provided examples of budgeting for egg production from 50 layers and meat production from 50 birds to demonstrate the process.

1. Farm Budgets Made Simple
ACORN Conference
Moncton, New Brunswick
November 21, 2013
Richard Wiswall
Cate Farm, Plainfield, Vermont
www.catefarm.com
www.richardwiswall.com

2. Thanks to our Sponsors

4. PROFIT
= INCOME
- EXPENSE

5. Profit = Income – Expense
Profit = Income – Expenses
Profit
= Income – Expenses
- Profit = Income –
Profit
= Income –
Profit = Income – Expenses
Profit
Expenses
Expenses
= Income - Expenses

7. Farm Budgets Made Simple

8. First, Set Parameters
-Size of area or production
-Assign a labor rate in $/hour

9. Narrow Your Focus
• Keep Target in Sight
• Keep your eye on the correct
moving object
• Don’t overtake info, no need
to account for everything
that happens on the farm

10. Eggs from 50 layers
• Purchase 18 wk old
pullets
• Kept for 52 weeks
• 90 lb feed/layer/yr
• 22 dozen eggs/yr/bird
• $15/hour for labor
• 0% mortality (for
simplicity)
• Shelter already in
place
• Sold from front porch
50 Meat Birds
• Purchase day old
chicks
• Raised for 8 weeks
• 25lb feed/meat bird
• $15/hour for labor
• Average sale weight:
4.5 lb
• 10% mortality (45 birds
sold)
• Shelter already in
place

11. Lessons Learned
• Scrutinize big numbers first
• Labor is often a big budget item
• We all only have 24 hours in a day, use
wisely
• If your leg breaks, you will need to pay for
labor
• Budgets can look profitable without labor
expense
• Efficiencies of scale may help profitability
• Need extra cushion for overhead expenses,
bad years….

12. I am not a
Capitalist-Pig-Dog-ShysterBut:
If all remains the same, a 10% increase in sales
price translates to a 10% increase in Net
Profit
Price inelasticity is obvious barrier

13. Chapter Two
Farm Budgets Made Complicated

14. How much does it cost to :
•
•
•
•
•
•
Run a tractor?
Produce 500 transplants?
Vend at a Farmers’ Market?
Deliver to wholesale accounts?
Irrigate a field?
Pay for all the overhead costs ? (like
mortgage, taxes, phone, advertising,
office supplies, and labor for upkeep
and managing your business).

16. Worksheet 1
Copyright Richard Wiswall 2009
Labor, Delivery, Farmers Market, Overhead Costs
to use in calculating Crop Budgets
Labor Costs:
Manager
Average Hourly rate:
employee taxes: 7.51%
Worker Comp: 8%
Non assigned time: 10%
SEP IRA 25%
10.00
0.75
0.80
1.00
Crew
10.00
0.75
0.80
1.00
Labor Costs/hour:
12.55
12.55
Delivery Costs
Composite crew 1:3
10.00
0.75
0.80
1.00
0.00
12.55
Labor Costs are critical to calculating crop budgets. The farm's labor
cost per hour is more than the employee's wage when employer
taxes, workers comp insurance and non-production time (meetings,
cleanup, maintenance) is added in. The SEP IRA is an optional
retirement plan, an added cost for certain qualifying employees. See
Chapter 6. If a farm manager is at a different payrate, a composite
rate per hour can be used. This worksheet assumes a ratio of 3 crew
workers to 1 manager. For simplicity, all labor is paid the same rate in
these crop budgets.
Produce
Labor: Load truck & travel
Vehicle cost .40/mile
25.10
8.00
@12.55/hr
20 miles round trip
Cost for one delivery
% of crop to total load
x number of trips
Delivery cost for crop per season
33.10
10%
12
39.72
Delivery Costs can be determined for: each trip, total trips per season,
or the percentage cost of each product delivered. If a delivery
contains equal amounts of carrots and beets, 50% of the delivery cost
would be allotted to each crop.
for example
for example
Farmers Market Costs:
Labor: load truck(s)
Labor: travel to mkt, set up
Labor: market vending
Labor: pack up, travel home,
unpack, tally sales
Vehicle(s) cost at .40/mile
Rental fees
Amortized FM equipment
Subtotal: cost for one Market
Calculate for ONE Market
1 hr (2 people)
4 hrs "
8 hrs "
12.55
50.20
100.40
The base cost for attending one market is constant irrespective of the
amount of product sold (unless labor needs change). Gross sales at
market must be higher than the cost. Otherwise, you are losing
money or personally subsidizing the market cost by not paying
yourself the going labor rate. Sales need to be high enough to justify
the cost of vending at market. If they are not, strive for higher sales,
or pursue alternative selling venues, such as CSA programs or
wholesale accounts.
246.47
37.65
8.00
30.00
7.67
3 hr
"
20 miles round trip
per market
scales 1500, umbrellas400, tables200, signs200=
$2300/15yr useful life/20mkts per season=$7.67 per mkt
# Markets crop is sold
Total costs for # Markets
Crop sales / Total FM sales
Crop sales % x Total Mkt costs
6
varies by crop
1478.82
5%
varies by crop
73.94
The total expense for equipment needed at market is amortized over
the useful life of the equipment and prorated for each market. As with
Delivery Costs above, a percentage of farmers market expense can
be assigned to different crops. The important message, though,
regarding farmers market costs is that each market costs a certain
amount to attend, and that farmers market sales must justify that
expense.
Enter in Crop Enterprise Budget under
Marketing Costs: Farmers' Mkt expense
Overhead Costs (annual)
Overhead costs are ones not accounted for under Delivery Costs, Farmers Market Costs, Greenhouses, Tractors, Implements or Irrigation costs. Overhead costs are spread out
over the entire farm operation and prorated to each crop or enterprise. In these worksheets, 50% of overhead expenses are apportioned to the 5 acres in cultivation, 25% to the
bedding plant greenhouse, and 25% to the in-ground tomato greenhouse. Allotment of overhead costs is somewhat subjective, but all overhead costs must be assigned. Overhead
expenses allotted to the cultivated 5 acres is further broken down to overhead expense per two 350' long beds, the equivalent of 1/10 acre.
Mortgage annual payment
Depreciation
Property Taxes
Insurance
Office
Website
Travel/conferences
Professional services
Electric
Landfill
Telephone
Advertising
Shop supplies, misc. repairs
Labor: management
Labor: office
Labor: maintenance
Total Overhead Costs:
Overhead per Two 350' beds:
Overhead per Greenhouse
600.00
2000.00
800.00
4000.00
1100.00
400.00
300.00
700.00
600.00
250.00
550.00
200.00
500.00
3263.00
3263.00
653.00
Farm % of total bill. Does not include house and housesite portion.
To account for replacement costs, excluding machinery in Worksheet 4
farm %
3000 health, 1000 fire; not vehicle or Workers Comp.
Supplies, postage, subscriptions
$20/month plus fees and maintenance
CPA, organic certification, snowplowing
farm %, w/o greenhouse electrical use
farm %
Tractor, implement, irrigation repairs already accounted for in Worksheet 4
Average 5hrs/week: 260 hrs/year. Annual labor for overseeing farm operation
Average 5hrs/week: 260 hrs/year. Annual labor for office duties.
Average 1hr/week: 52 hrs/year. Annual labor for non assigned maintence work.
19179.00 Allocation: GH Seedlings $2397, GH Tomatoes $2397, 5A (100 beds) $14,385= $144 per bed
288.00
2397.00
Per two 350' beds, for 5A (100 beds)planted to row crops. Enter on line 67 on crop budget.
Per 21' x 96' hoophouse: one for bedding plants ,one for greenhouse tomatoes

17. Worksheet 2
Copyright Richard Wiswall 2009
Greenhouse Flat Costs for Calculating Worksheet 3 Bedding Plant Cost
Costs of Soil, Plastic containers and Labor filling
In order to calculate what a farm-raised seedling costs, we first need to know the cost of the plastic container, the cost of the soil in the
container and the cost of labor to fill the container. Below is a table that lists common pack sizes used in greenhouse production and the
associated costs with that size. A 1020 is a 10" x 20" open plastic tray. One 1020 will hold 18 3.5" square pots. 606 stands for six 6 packs per
1020 tray. An 804 is a 4 pack sized to fit eight packs per 1020. 128 and 98 stand for the number of molded individual cells in a 1020 sized tray.
Reuse of plastic containers will lower costs.
Container size
3.5" square pot
606
804
806
1020
128
98
6" pot: Each Pot
A
B
C
D: C/B
E
F
G: F/G
H: A+D+G
single use # containers price per soil cost in # flats filled labor cost cost of labor Total cost of plastic, soil
cost/flat
per yard soil yard soil
container per hour
per hour to fill flat and labor (w/o 1020)
1.62
125
105
0.84
40
12.55
0.31
2.77
0.39
144
105
0.73
60
12.55
0.21
1.32
0.39
144
105
0.73
60
12.55
0.21
1.32
0.39
171
105
0.61
60
12.55
0.21
1.21
0.72
100
105
1.05
60
12.55
0.21
1.98
0.95
216
105
0.49
60
12.55
0.21
1.64
0.95
216
105
0.49
60
12.55
0.21
1.64
0.28
350
105
0.30
240
12.55
0.05
0.63

18. Worksheet 3
Greenhouse Costs
Copyright Richard Wiswall 2009
Two types of greenhouse operations are portrayed: one for growing bedding plants and one for growing in-ground tomatoes. Both greenhouses are 21' x 96' hoop houses with 2
layers of plastic that are inflated. Each has a furnace, exhaust fan, intake shutters and automatic controls. The longer-lived structure and equipment costs are totaled and divded
by their useful life (20 years). Annual costs of heating fuel, electricity, and 5 year plastic covers are listed separately. Overhead expenses from Worksheet 1 (25% of total
overhead) are added in after the Annual expense subtotal. The bedding plant greenhouse is more involved and listed first. The bedding plant greenhouse benches hold 1000 flats
(1020 size), and two flats can occupy the same bench space during the course of the bedding plant season (one cycling of inventory). Worksheet 2 lists costs for plastic
containers, soil, and the labor to fill the containers, as shown under Production costs per flat . Other production costs per flat are listed, with optional categories like thinning and
fertilizing left blank for simplicity. The total cost per flat is a very useful number, and will be used in the Crop Budgets when crops are raised from transplants.
Bedding Plants, March 1st start up
Structure cost: 21' x 96', 2 layer poly covered hoop house
Frame cost 2400, install 1004, (80 hr), wood 300
3704.00
Furnace 2000,fans 800, installation 377 (30hr)
3177.00
Benches 500, plumbing 400, irrig 400
1300.00
GH 1020 capacity: 1000 x 2
Total Annual exp/total flats=
2000 one cycling of bench space
2.59 per flat
GH annual cost/flat
2.59
Production costs per flat
Total Structure cost
8181.00
Cost of plastic flat, soil, labor filling
Cost of seed in flat
divide by # years of useful life
Annual structure cost
20
409.05
Labor to seed flat:12flats/hr=1.05/flat
If needed:subtotal/#finished trays
2.59
2.59
804s
3.5" sq. pots
1.32
2.77
1.00
1.00
1.05
1.05
128s
1.64
1.00
1.05
Labor: TP to one flat: 10flat/hr=1.26
2nd plastic flat, soil, labor filling
Subtotal for TP flat
Other Annual expenses:
Labor moving: 60/hr=.21/flat each move
Poly cost 600, installation 100 (8 hr), /5 years
Electricity
5 x $15/month
Fuel for heat
300g @3/g
Watering labor 2hr x 50 times=100hrs
140.00
75.00
900.00
1255.00
Subtotal Annual expenses
Farm Overhead Allocation from Worksheet 1
Total Annual expenses with overhead allotment
2370.00
2397.00
5176.05
0.21
0.21
0.21
6.17
7.62
6.49
Labor to thin: 100/hr=.13/flat
Fertilizer cost: .02/flat
Fertilizer labor: .05/flat
Total Cost per Flat
Greenhouse Tomatoes, transplanted in ground April 1 in northern U.S.
The annual structure cost and other annual expenses are similar to the bedding plant greenhouse shown above. Overhead costs from Worksheet 1 (25% of total overhead) are
added in after Total Annual expenses. This greenhouse is used to grow tomatoes in the ground for an early and extended harvest of top quality fruit. Tomato plants are
transplanted from 3.5" pots into the greenhouse soil around April 1st. Plants are irrigated with drip lines on a battery operated water timer. The ground is mulched to reduce
weeding labor. Heating and venting are on thermostatic controls. Roll up sidewalls promote air flow when outside temperatures permit. Tomato plants are trellised from strings
hanging from the greenhouse frame. A separate crop budget is calculated for greenhouse tomatoes, shown in the Crop Budget section. The total annual expense seen below will
be used as an expense in the Crop Budget.
Structure cost: 21' x 96' 2 layer poly covered hoop house
Frame cost 2400, installation 1004, wood 300
3704.00
Furnace 2000, fans 800, install 377 (30 hrs)
3177.00
Total structure cost
6881.00
Annual structure cost :divide by 20 years
344.05
Other Annual expenses:
Poly cost 600, install 100 (8 hr), /5 years
Electricity
6 x $15/month
Fuel for heat
200g at $3/g
Subtotal annual expenses
140.00
90.00
600.00
830.00
Farm Overhead Allocation from Worksheet 1
Total Annual Expenses
2397.00
3227.00

19. Worksheet 4
Tractor, Implement, Irrigation Costs
Copyright Richard Wiswall 2009
Tractor Costs
The hourly cost of a tractor is calculated by first dividing the purchase price of the tractor by the tractor's years of useful life. Next, annual
expenses of repairs and fuel are added in, giving you the total cost to own and operate the tractor per year. Divide this total annual cost by
the number of hours the tractor runs in a year, and the result is an average cost per tractor hour. I was surprised at first at how inexpensive
running a tractor can be, but remember, a tractor used 50 hours a year has a much higher hourly rate than a tractor used 300 hours per year.
The three tractors shown below are ones that I have owned. The numbers are based on personal experience. Annual repairs are listed as an
average: some years are expensive, some are not.
Tractor model
JD 2240
Ford 4000
Cub
Original Cost/useful life=
Annual Cost, w/o interest
Average Annual Repairs
Annual Fuel Cost: @3/gallon
7000/25
280.00
500.00
480.00
4400/25
176.00
300.00
480.00
1000/25
40.00
200.00 some years $0, some lots
80.00
1260.00
956.00
320.00
Annual Hours used
200
300
60
Tractor cost/hour
6.30
3.19
5.33
Tractor driver hourly rate
12.55
12.55
12.55
Tractor with driver: $/hour
18.85
15.74
17.88
Total Annual cost
Implement Costs
Tracking various implements' costs is similar to tractors but without the fuel expense. Some implements have lots of moving parts
(combines, manure spreaders) and cost more to operate than implements like a bedlifter that has no moving parts. I list three of the more
common and costly implements to run. Because a farm may have numerous implements, I make a note below these three implement costs
for easy calculations to use as a short cut for budget work.
PTO Tiller
Original cost/Useful life=
Annual cost, w/o interest
Implement annual repairs, ave.
Annual hours used
Implement Cost/hour
Manure Spreader
Bush hog
800/25
32.00
20.00
40
1.30
1100/20
55.00
20.00
20
3.75
600/20
30.00
20.00
50
1.00
A $500 simpler implement with a useful life of 25 years costs about $20/year to own. Figure $.50/hour for quick calculating.
A $1000 simpler implement with a useful life of 25 years costs about $40/year to own. Figure $1/hour for quick calculating.
Irrigation Costs
Irrigation cost takes into account the annual equipment cost and any repair expense (similar to tractors and implements) and also time for
setup, running, and taking down (or moving) the system, calculated for the area that is watered each time. The example below shows an
irrigation system that waters an acre in area, and is used four times per season. The irrigation cost per acre is then calculated for 1/10 of an
acre, or two 350' long beds.
Cost of pipe, pump,sprinklers
Useful life in years
Annual equipment cost
Average Annual repairs
Total Annual Cost
Total annual cost/uses per season=
Setup, takedown labor per irrig. area
4 hours tractor use
Irrigation costs/irrigated area, each use
Irrigation costs for two 350' beds, each use
4600.00
25
184.00
50.00
234.00
58.50
75.30
25.20
159.00
15.90
Used PTO pump, 4" and 2" alum. pipe for 1 acre
say $250 every 5 years
4 uses per season
1A coverage, 6hrs total @ 12.55/hr
at $6.30/hr tractor only
per acre, each use
per two 350' beds, each use; $7.53 Labor, $8.37 Machinery

20. Crop Enterprise Budget
Crop year:
Copyright Richard Wiswall 2009
Crop:
Unit area: Two 350' beds
Bed feet or acre: 700' or 1/10A
Rows/bed&plant spacing: 2 rows/bed, 12" transplant spacing
Broccoli
Note: 20 350' beds= 1 acre
and specify: early, mid, late
Today's Date:
Costs in $:
Remember to Prorate to unit area
$
$
$
Field:
Prepare Soil:
Labor cost
NOTES: Labor at $12.55/hr. See Worksheet 1
Disk 1x
Chisel 1x
Rototill 1x,2x
Bedform 2x
Fertilizer
Manure, Compost
Other
Plastic mulch
1.26
2.51
Machinery cost Product cost
0.73
0.74
Figures below are for Two 350' beds
1A at a time: 1 hr total for 20 beds = 6 min/2 beds; $.1.26L, $..63+.10=.73M
w/ JD, See Worksheet 4
.5A at a time:1hr total for 10 beds = 12 min/2 beds; $2.51L, $..64+.10=.74M
w/ Ford 4000
.5A at a time: 2 hr total for 10 beds = 24 min/2beds; $5.02L, $1.28 tractor + .52 tiller = $1.80M
5.02
1.26
2.52
w/ Ford 4000
.5A at a time: 1 hr total for 10 beds = 12 min/2beds; $2.51L, $.64+.10=.74M for ONE pass
1.48
0.68
1.02
w/ Ford 4000
10.00 4-3-3 500#/A at a time: I hour total for 20 beds = 6 min per 2 beds; $.1.26L, $.63+.05=.68M, $10Pr, w/ JD
25.00 1A at a time:Compost at $25/yd, 10yds/A: 2 hr total for 20 beds = 12 min per 2 beds: $2.51L, 1.26+ .75 = $2.01M, $25Pr, w/ JD
.5A at a time: 1.5hr/A laying= 10 min per 2 beds; $2.09L, $.53+.17=.70M, $20Pr, w/ Ford 4000
Seed/TPlant:
Seeding in field
Cost of transplants
Transplanting labor
2 beds at a time: 30 min/2beds total= $6.28L
84.00 $6.49/128= .06/plant
25.23
1400 plants at $.06
3 row by hand: 3hr/2beds total; $37.65L
only rows/bed
2 row w/ transplanter: 6 beds at a time; 1 hr prep plants, 1.5hrx3 people TP, 2hr machinery; for 2 beds $22.78L, 2.11+.66=$2.77M
Cultivation:
Reemay on/off
Hoeing 1x,2x, 3x
Handweeding 1
Handweeding 2
Handweeding 3
Straw mulch
Irrigating 1x
Tractor cult. 6x
Sidedressing
Spraying
Flame weeding
Other
Subtotals
Harvest:
For 2 beds: $105/3 uses=35$Pr, .75 hr laying: $9.41L
12.55
25.10
at 12.55/hr: average 1hr/2beds
$12.55/2 beds
at 12.55/hr: average 8hr/2beds
$100.40/2beds
at 12.55/hr: average 4hr/2beds
$50.20/2beds
at 12.55/hr: average 2hr/2beds
$25.10/2beds
40 bales at $3, 1hr/2beds; $12.55L, $120.00Pr
7.53
7.56
8.37
3.48
2.51
0.74
93.05
17.24
$7.53L, $8.37M per 2 beds, each use, w/ JD
1A at a time: 1 hour/A = 6 min/2beds; $1.26L, $.53+.05=.58M per pass, w/ Cub mostly
Spin 500# 4-3-3/A, 1 hr total/20 beds= 6min/2beds; $.1.26L,$.32+.05=.37M, $10Pr, w/ Ford 4000
6.00 1 hr/.5A total time= 12 min/2beds; $2.51L, $.64+.10=$.74M, $6Pr, w/ Ford 4000
10 beds/hr = 12 min/2beds; $2.51L, $.64+.10=.74M, $6Pr, w/ Ford 4000
125.00
Total yield for two 350' beds =
Total hours to harvest two 350' beds
=
235.29 Pre-harvest costs for two beds
36 cs
6 hr
season ave: 500 bunches, 14 count case
at 12.55/hr
6 hr
at 12.55/hr
12 case/hour packing
6 case/hour
NOTES:
Field to packhouse
Packhouse to cooler
Bags, boxes, labels
75.30
37.65
Delivery
30.12
9.60
See Worksheet 1
2.09
0.70
6 beds at a time: 10 min/2beds; $2.09L, .53+.17 = $.70M, w/ Ford 4000
1.26
1.26
0.73
0.68
8.00 1A at a time: 1 hr/20 beds = 6min/2beds; $1.26L, $.63+.05=.68M, $8Pr, w/ JD
19.44 .25/bag, 1.00/box, .07/label
1.07 per box/ 2 uses
Post Harvest:
Mow crop
Remove mulch
Disking
Sow cover crop: spinner
Sow cover crop: Brillion
Other
Subtotals:
1 hour /2beds: $12.55L
$1.26L, $.63+.10=.73M w/ JD, see disking above.
1A at a time: 2 hr/20 beds = 12 min/2beds; $2.51L, 1.26+.20=$1.46M, 8Pr, w/ JD
240.73
28.95
152.44
=
422.12 Harvested cost for 2 beds
Marketing costs:
Labor: sales calls for
season(for this crop only)
Commissions
Farmers Mkt expense
ave. 10 min/week for 3 weeks: .5 hr
60.24
4.70
Total Crop costs:
307.25
33.65
Overhead costs:
288.00
Apportionment for two 350' beds. See Worksheet 1
790.34
Total costs per two 350' beds
6.28
Commissions, if any, to growers' coop, broker or salesperson
9.00 See Worksheet 1
161.44
=
502.34 Total Crop costs
Total Costs
Total costs & Overhead:
Sales:
Retail:
Wholesale:
Other:
Total units
Total sales:
# of units
price per unit Total $
12.00
31.50
378.00
24.00
22.00
528.00
0.00
36.00
906.00 For two 350' beds
Net Profit:
Total sales- total costs=
Net Profit/Acre:
Cost/unit:
Net profit/unit:
115.66
1156.60
Net profit for two 350' beds (1/10 acre)
Standardize to one acre
21.95
Total cost/total units
3.21
Net profit/total units

21. Crop Enterprise Budget
Crop year:
Copyright Richard Wiswall 2009
Crop:
Kale: bunches Unit area:
Two 350' beds
Note: 20 350' beds= 1 acre
Bed feet or acre: 700' or 1/10A
and specify: early, mid, late
Today's Date:
Rows/bed&plant spacing:
2 rows/bed, 24" spacing, Tplanted
Costs in $:
Remember to Prorate to unit area
$
$
$
Field:
Prepare Soil:
Labor cost
NOTES: Labor at $12.55/hr. See Worksheet 1
Disk 1x
Chisel 1x
Rototill 1x,2x
Bedform 2x
Fertilizer
Manure, Compost
Other
Plastic mulch
1.26
2.51
Machinery cost Product cost
0.73
0.74
Figures below are for Two 350' beds
1A at a time: 1 hr total for 20 beds = 6 min/2 beds; $.1.26L, $..63+.10=.73M
w/ JD, See Worksheet 4
.5A at a time:1hr total for 10 beds = 12 min/2 beds; $2.51L, $..64+.10=.74M
w/ Ford 4000
.5A at a time: 2 hr total for 10 beds = 24 min/2beds; $5.02L, $1.28 tractor + .52 tiller = $1.80M
5.02
1.26
2.52
w/ Ford 4000
.5A at a time: 1 hr total for 10 beds = 12 min/2beds; $2.51L, $.64+.10=.74M for ONE pass
1.48
0.68
1.02
w/ Ford 4000
10.00 4-3-3 500#/A at a time: I hour total for 20 beds = 6 min per 2 beds; $.1.26L, $.63+.05=.68M, $10Pr, w/ JD
25.00 1A at a time:Compost at $25/yd, 10yds/A: 2 hr total for 20 beds = 12 min per 2 beds: $2.51L, 1.26+ .75 = $2.01M, $25Pr, w/ JD
.5A at a time: 1.5hr/A laying= 10 min per 2 beds; $2.09L, $.53+.17=.70M, $20Pr, w/ Ford 4000
Seed/TPlant:
Seeding in field
Cost of transplants
Transplanting labor
2 beds at a time: 30 min/2beds total= $6.28L
42.00 $6.49/128= .06/plant
25.23
700 plants
3 row by hand: 3hr/2beds total; $37.65L
2/3 of 3 row time
2 row w/ transplanter: 6 beds at a time; 1 hr prep plants, 1.5hrx3 people TP, 2hr machinery; for 2 beds $22.78L, 2.11+.66=$2.77M
Cultivation:
Reemay on/off
Hoeing 1x,2x, 3x
Handweeding 1
Handweeding 2
Handweeding 3
Straw mulch
Irrigating 1x
Tractor cult. 6x
Sidedressing
Spraying
Flame weeding
Other
Subtotals
Harvest:
For 2 beds: $105/3 uses=35$Pr, .75 hr laying: $9.41L
25.10
50.20
25.10
at 12.55/hr: average 1hr/2beds
$12.55/2 beds
at 12.55/hr: average 8hr/2beds
$100.40/2beds
at 12.55/hr: average 4hr/2beds
$50.20/2beds
at 12.55/hr: average 2hr/2beds
$25.10/2beds
40 bales at $3, 1hr/2beds; $12.55L, $120.00Pr
7.53
7.56
8.37
3.48
5.02
1.48
158.31
17.98
$7.53L, $8.37M per 2 beds, each use, w/ JD
1A at a time: 1 hour/A = 6 min/2beds; $1.26L, $.53+.05=.58M per pass, w/ Cub mostly
Spin 500# 4-3-3/A, 1 hr total/20 beds= 6min/2beds; $.1.26L,$.32+.05=.37M, $10Pr, w/ Ford 4000
12.00 1 hr/.5A total time= 12 min/2beds; $2.51L, $.64+.10=$.74M, $6Pr, w/ Ford 4000
10 beds/hr = 12 min/2beds; $2.51L, $.64+.10=.74M, $6Pr, w/ Ford 4000
89.00
Total yield for two 350' beds =
Total hours to harvest two 350' beds
=
265.29 Pre-harvest costs for two beds
2800 bunches
18.7 hr
150 bunch/hr
at 12.55/hr
18.7 hr
at 12.55/hr
120 bunches/hr: 23.3 hr
NOTES:
Field to packhouse
Packhouse to cooler
Bags, boxes, labels
Delivery
234.69
292.42
166.92 .25/bag, 1.00/box, .07/label
156 18ct boxes at 1.07
30.12
9.60
See Worksheet 1
2.09
0.70
6 beds at a time: 10 min/2beds; $2.09L, .53+.17 = $.70M, w/ Ford 4000
1.26
1.26
0.73
0.68
8.00 1A at a time: 1 hr/20 beds = 6min/2beds; $1.26L, $.63+.05=.68M, $8Pr, w/ JD
Post Harvest:
Mow crop
Remove mulch
Disking
Sow cover crop: spinner
Sow cover crop: Brillion
Other
Subtotals:
1 hour /2beds: $12.55L
$1.26L, $.63+.10=.73M w/ JD, see disking above.
1A at a time: 2 hr/20 beds = 12 min/2beds; $2.51L, 1.26+.20=$1.46M, 8Pr, w/ JD
720.15
29.69
263.92
=
1013.76 Harvested cost for 2 beds
Marketing costs:
Labor: sales calls for
season(for this crop only)
Commissions
Farmers Mkt expense
ave. 10 min/week for 3 weeks: .5 hr
6.28
60.24
4.70
Total Crop costs:
786.67
34.39
Overhead costs:
288.00
Commissions, if any, to growers' coop, broker or salesperson
9.00 See Worksheet 1
272.92
=
1093.98 Total Crop costs
Apportionment for two 350' beds. See Worksheet 1
Total Costs
Total costs & Overhead:
Sales:
Retail:
Wholesale:
Other:
Total units
Total sales:
1381.98
Total costs per two 350' beds
# of units
price per unit Total $
460.00
2.00
920.00
2340.00
1.25
2925.00
0.00
2800.00
3845.00 For two 350' beds
Net Profit:
Total sales- total costs=
Net Profit/Acre:
2463.02
24630.20
Net profit for two 350' beds (1/10 acre)
Standardize to one acre
Cost/unit:
0.49
Total cost/total units
Net profit/unit:
0.88
Net profit/total units

22. Standards Page
Rates of commonly performed tasks
Copyright Richard Wiswall 2009
Based on experience in northeast USA, rates may vary.
Task
Rate
Other
Disk
.5 hr/A
Plus .5hr attaching, travel, detaching
Chisel beds
1.5 hr/A
Plus .5hr attaching, travel, detaching
Rototill beds
3.5hr/A
Plus .5hr attaching, travel, detaching
Bedform beds
1.5hr/A
Plus .5hr attaching, travel, detaching
Spinner spread fertilizer
1.5hr/A
Plus .5hr attaching, travel, detaching
Manure Spreading
1.5hr/A
Plus .5hr attaching, travel, detaching
Lay plastic mulch
1hr/A
Plus .5hr attaching, travel, detaching
Soil Preparation
Seed/Transplant
15 min/3 row 700'bed
Plus .25hr getting seed, travel, calibrating seeder
2-3 units bolted together
Planet Jr. push seeder
5 min/700'bed
Plus .5hr getting seed, travel, selecting plates
Hand Transplant 3 row
3hr/700' bed
Earthway push seeder:
Cultivation
Row cover on/off
45 min/700' bed
Hoeing
1 hr/700' bed
Handweeding
10-20hr/700' bed
Apply straw mulch
2-5 hr/700' bed
Irrigate 1A: set up, take down
3-6 hr/A
depends on: if pump is already set, how far a move
Cultivate with tractor
1hr/A
depends some: on speed, travel, adjustment
Topdress fertilizer
20 min/A
Plus 40 min. set up, load fertilizer, travel, rinse, take off
Spray with tractor
45 min/A
Plus I.25 hr set up, mix tank, travel, rinse, take off
Flame weed with tractor
1hr/A
Plus 1hr set up, travel, take off
Vegetables & Fruits:
per hour picking
yield per 700' bed
wash/pack per hour
Beans: bush
9-15 lb/hr
500 lb
300 lb/hr
Beets: bunches
60 bunch/hr
1100 bunches
120 bunch/hr
Beets: roots
140 lb./hr
60 25 lb bags
10 25 lb bags/hr
Broccoli
6 case/hr
36 14ct cases
12 case/hr
Cabbage
8 50lb case/hr
40 50lb cases
10 50lb case/hr
Carrots: bunches
50 bunch/hr
1100 bunches
120 bunch/hr
Carrots: roots
100 lb/hr
80 25 lb bags
7 25 lb bags/hr
Celeriac: roots
12 15lb box/hr
120 15lb boxes
10 15lb box/hr
110 dozen
field packed
WIDE variation
Harvest
Corn: sweet
Cucumbers: slicing
bedlifter dug
25 50lb boxes
Kale
150 bunches/hr
2800 bunches
120 bunches/hr
Leeks
40 bunches of 3 /hr
1200 bunches of 3
30 bunches/hr
Lettuce: heads
5 24ct case/hr
ave: 45-58 cs
5 24ct case/hr
Onions: full size
20 50lb bags/hr
40 50lb bags
10 50lb bags/hr
Parsnips
125 lb/hr
60 25 lb bags
8 25 bags/hr
Peas: snap
bedlifter dug
320 lbs.
Peppers: green bell
6-10 bushel/hr
40 bushels
15 bushel/hr
Potatoes
5 50 lb case/hr
25 50 lb cases
5 50 lb case/hr
Spinach
ave: 30-40 lb/hr
700 lb
120 lb/hr
Squash: summer
8 20 lb case/hr
60 20 lb boxes
15 20 lb case/hr
Squash: winter
4 45 lb cases/hr
30 45lb cases
6 45 lb case/hr
Swiss chard: bunches
60 bunches/hr
2000 bunches
90 bunch/hr
Tomatoes; field
100 20lb boxes
Tomatoes: 21' x 96' greenhouse
4500 lbs A+ grade
Herbs:
Basil: bunches
ave: 60 bunch/hr
4000 bunches
600 bunch/hr
Cilantro: bunches
100-200 bunches/hr
2000 bunches
400-800 bunch/hr
Dandelion: greens
90 bunches/hr
2000 bunches
200 bunch/hr
Dandelion: roots
27 lb./ hour
445 lb.
125 lb./ hour washing
Dill: bunches
100-150 bunches/hr
2000 bunches
400-800 bunch/hr
Echinacea: 3rd year roots
18 lb./ hr
525 lb.
15 lb./hr
Parsley: bunches
60 bunches/hr
12,600 bunches
200-400 bunch/hr
Valerian: roots
25 lb/hr
250 lb
25 lb/hr
chain dug
chain dug
chain dug

23. Questions?
Start with Budgets for your
top sellers
First one takes the longest

25. Balance Sheet
on December 31, 2012
Assets
Liabilities
Current assets
Current Liabilities (due in less
than 12 months)
Farm checking
Savings account
Accounts receivable
Crop and feed inventory
Farm supplies on hand
Other:
Total Current Assets
Operating loan balance
Line of Credit balance
Credit card balance
Other:
Total Current Liabilities
Intermediate Assets
Farm machinery
Farm vehicles
Livestock
Retirement accounts
Other:
Total Intermediate Assets
Intermediate Liabilities
Tractor loan balance
Truck loan balance
Other:
Long term Assets
Farmland
Farm buildings
Farmhouse
Other:
Total Long term Assets
Long term Liabilities
Long term loan 1 balance
Long term loan 2 balance
Other:
Total Assets
Total Intermediate Liabilities
Total Long term Liabilities
$
Total Liabilities
$
Net Worth $
NOTES: Use back of sheet for inventory and other notes, if needed.

26. Profit and Loss Statement
Income
Sales: Wholesale
CSA
Farmers Market
Total Sales
Expenses
Advertising
Donations
Fertilizer
Fuel and Oil
Greenhouse Supplies
Insurance: farm share
Interest expense: farm share
Internet, web site
Livestock expenses
Miscellaneous
Office
Payroll
Professional services
Rent paid
Repairs and maintenance
Seed, Plants purchased
Supplies
Taxes: farm share
Trucking, freight
Utilities: farm share
Total Expenses
Net Profit
January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012

27. Cash Flow Projection
2012 to 2016
2012
Income
Sales: Wholesale
CSA
Farmers Market
Total Sales
Expenses
Advertising
Donations
Fertilizer
Fuel and Oil
Greenhouse Supplies
Insurance: farm share
Interest expense: farm share
Internet, web site
Livestock expenses
Miscellaneous
Office
Payroll
Professional services
Rent paid
Repairs and maintenance
Seed, Plants purchased
Supplies
Taxes: farm share
Trucking, freight
Utilities: farm share
Capital Purchases
Total Expenses
Net Profit
2013
2014
2015
2016

28. Marketing Chart
Marketing Chart
Accounts to sell to across top
Items
2014
Totals
Totals
Grand Total