Extension, Cooperative
Date of this Version
5-2011
Document Type
Article
Citation
EC872 Crop Budgets Nebraska – 2011
Abstract
This publication contains crop production budgets for 13 crops and 50 cropping systems, as well as tables of power, machinery, labor, and input costs used to develop these budgets. Each budget consists of five sections: • Heading • List of representative field operations • List of materials and services used • Operations and interest tabulations • Overhead costs including real estate taxes and opportunitycharges The budgets are presented in a worksheet format with a “Your Estimate’’ column for recording cost modifications. Budget Divisions The heading consists of the crop name, source, amount, and method of water application, operating systemdescription, yield goal, and yield estimate. The list of representative field operations is organized in a table with columns for the operation name, quantity or number of times used with units, labor, fuel and lube, power source, and implement costs for both repairs and ownership. “Times” or “Quantity” is typically in acres with a decimal denoting where an operation is done on a fraction of acres or where it represents the probability of an operation being done. Those operations that are done multiple times, for example swathing several cuttings of hay, show the number of times. Other units used are bushels (bu), hundredweight (cwt), tons, and acre inches (ai). If a unit is other than “acres,” it is specified in the “Unit” column. Labor costs for each operation were calculated from machinery accomplishment rates and adjusted for additional time required for getting machinery ready, adjusting machinery, and handling fertilizer and other supplies. The estimated costs for completing these operations are multiplied by the number in the “Times” or “Quantity” column, the product of which is multiplied by the hourly wage ($12 per hour) and labor factor. Fuel costs also use machinery accomplishment rates as well as estimated fuel consumption rates to determine fuel use. This is multiplied by a lube factor and the price of energy which is $3.00 per gallon for diesel and $0.088 per kwh for electricity. Repairs and depreciation costs were estimated using functions and factors from the AgriculturalEngineer’s Yearbook which is published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. It requires making assumptions about the size and age of the equipment. It was assumed that machinery chosen was fully utilized.
Comments
© 2011, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on behalf of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension