UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SAMPLE COSTS TO PRODUCE WHEAT SILAGE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

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1 1999 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SAMPLE COSTS TO PRODUCE WHEAT SILAGE Prepared by: SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Marsha Campbell Mathews Ron Vargas Steve Wright Carol Collar Michael Canevari Lee Jackson Brian Marsh Michael Smith Karen Klonsky Pete Livingston U.C. Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, Stanislaus County U.C. Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, Madera County U.C. Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, Tulare County U.C. Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, Kings County U.C. Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, San Joaquin County U.C. Cooperative Extension Agronomist, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, U.C. Davis U.C. Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, Kern County U.C. Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, San Luis Obispo County U.C. Cooperative Extension Economist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, U.C. Davis U.C. Cooperative Extension Staff Research Associate, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, U.C. Davis 1999 San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 1

2 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION 1999 SAMPLE COSTS TO PRODUCE WHEAT SILAGE San Joaquin Valley INTRODUCTION The detailed costs to produce wheat silage in the San Joaquin Valley of California are presented in this study. The hypothetical farm used in this report consists of 1,200 acres of which 300 acres are in wheat silage production. This study consists of Assumptions for producing wheat silage and seven tables. It is intended as a guide only. It can be used to make production decisions, determine potential returns, prepare budgets and evaluate production loans. Sample costs given for labor, materials, equipment and contract services are based on current figures. Some costs and practices detailed in this study may not be applicable to every situation. A blank Your Cost column is also provided to enter your actual costs on Table 1. Costs Per Acre To Produce Wheat Silage and Table 2. Costs And Returns Per Acre To Produce Wheat Silage. This study consists of General Assumptions for Producing Wheat Silage and seven tables. Table 1. Table 2. Table 3. Table 4. Table 5. Table 6. Table 7. Costs Per Acre To Produce Wheat Silage Costs And Returns Per Acre To Produce Wheat Silage Monthly Cash Costs Per Acre To Produce Wheat Silage Annual Equipment, Investment And Business Overhead Hourly Equipment Costs Ranging Analysis Cost And Returns/Breakeven Analysis For an explanation of calculations used for the study refer to the attached General Assumptions, call the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Cooperative Extension, University of California, Davis, California, (530) or call the farm advisor in your county. Other small grain, silage, and forage crop cost studies are available for commodities grown in the San Joaquin Valley. For those interested in this and other studies, they can be requested through the Department of Agricultural Economics, U.C. Davis, (530) or (530) , or from selected county Cooperative Extension offices. There is a nominal charge. The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, medical condition (cancer related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. Inquiries regarding the University s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1111 Franklin, 6 th Floor, Oakland, CA (510) San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 2

3 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - COOPERATIVE EXTENSION 1999 SAMPLE COSTS TO PRODUCE WHEAT SILAGE San Joaquin Valley ASSUMPTIONS The following is a description of some general assumptions pertaining to sample costs to produce wheat silage in San Joaquin Valley. Practices described are not recommendations by the University of California, but rather represent production procedures considered typical of a well managed farm for the San Joaquin Valley. Costs and practices detailed in this study may not be applicable to all situations. Cultural practices for the production of wheat silage vary by grower and region; variations can be significant. The practices and inputs used in this cost study serve only as a sample or guide. These costs are represented on an annual, per acre basis. The use of trade names in this report does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the University of California nor is any criticism implied by omission of other similar products. Land and Share Rent. This report is based on a 1,200 acre field and row crop farm of which 300 acres are producing wheat silage and 900 acres are planted to alfalfa hay, cotton, processing tomatoes, corn, sugar beets, beans, and other small grains. Land in this study is leased on a cash-rent basis with the land owner receiving $100 per acre. The land rented includes developed wells and irrigation system. The grower owns a shop and an equipment yard to fix and store equipment. Land Rent appears as a cash overhead cost in Tables 1-4. Irrigation System. An irrigation district supplies water, though growers may supplement this with well water in some areas. The amount of water used to irrigate wheat silage will vary in the San Joaquin Valley. Irrigation districts in the Valley were surveyed for water pricing and the cost of pumping well water was calculated. District and well water costs were combined to obtain an average cost for water. The cost of irrigation water for this cost study is $2.20 per acre-inch or $26.40 per acre-foot. The permanent irrigation system is already in place when the land is rented. The cost of the irrigation system is included in the land rent which is cash overhead cost in Table 1-4. Labor. Basic hourly wages for workers are $8.21 and $5.75 per hour for machine operators and nonmachine (irrigators) workers respectively. Adding 34% for SDI, FICA, insurance and other benefits raises the total labor costs to $11.00 per hour for machine operators and $7.71 per hour for non-machine labor. The labor for operations involving machinery are 20% higher than the operation time to account for the additional time involved in equipment set up, moving, maintenance and repair. Any returns above total costs are considered returns to investment San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 3

4 Cultural Practices and Material Inputs Land Preparation. Primary tillage and planting groundwork operations which includes chiseling, disking, pulling borders, and preplant fertilization are performed in November and December. All operations requiring equipment are performed with either a 200 hp crawler, 130, or 90 hp wheel tractors. Operations that are done on only a percentage of the acreage are noted; all other operations are done on 100% of the acreage. In November, all of the acreage is chiseled once to open the soil structure to a depth of 18 inches. The ground is disced twice to prepare the seedbed and irrigation borders are pulled. Fertilizer is applied preplant at a rate of 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Stand Establishment. In December, wheat is drilled into the fields at 130 pounds of seed per acre. If testing indicate a need, phosphorus is applied at planting usually in the range of 40 to 60 pounds of P 2 O 5. Irrigation. The stand is flood irrigated once in April with seven acre-inches of water. The amount of water applied will vary depending on soil moisture from winter rains. The cost of irrigations shown in Tables 1, 2, and 3 are for the cost of the water and labor to apply it. Fertilization. One hundred pounds per acre of UN-32 is sprayed on to the flat fields and incorporated in with a disc prior to planting. In February the wheat receives 40 pounds of nitrogen per acre in the form of urea. Weed Management. A single treatment of a herbicide (MCPA) is made in February by aircraft. The pesticides and rates, and cultural practices mentioned in this cost study are only a few of those that are listed in the UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines, Wheat and Integrated Pest Management For Small Grains. Written recommendations are required for many pesticides and are made by licensed pest control advisors. For information and pesticide use permits, contact the local county Agricultural Commissioner's office. Equipment Costs. Equipment costs are composed of three parts; capital recovery, cash overhead, and operating costs. Both capital recovery and cash overhead factors are discussed in later sections. The operating costs consist of repairs, fuel, and lubrication. Repair costs are based on purchase price, annual hours of use, total hours of life, and repair coefficients formulated by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE). Fuel and lubrication costs are also determined by ASAE equations based on maximum PTO hp, and type of fuel used. The fuel and repair cost per acre for each operation in Table 1 is determined by multiplying the total hourly operating cost in Table 5 for each piece of equipment used for the cultural practice by the number of hours per acre for that operation. Tractor time is 10% higher than implement time for a given operation to account for setup, travel and down time. Prices for on-farm delivery of diesel and gasoline are $0.62 and $1.02 per gallon, respectively. Harvest. In this study, wheat silage is harvested in May by the dairy the silage is sold to. The grower is not charged for harvest because the cost is figured into the price the grower receives. Because of its bulk and weight, wheat silage is usually grown and sold to nearby dairies to reduce hauling costs San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 4

5 Growers may choose to own harvesting equipment, purchased either new or used, or hire a custom harvester to perform the harvest. Many factors are important in deciding which harvesting option a grower uses. These considerations and appropriate method of analysis are discussed in "Acquiring alfalfa hay harvest equipment: A financial analysis of alternatives". Yields. The crop yield used in this study is 18 ton per acre. Yields have vary in the San Joaquin Valley depending on the variety and growing conditions. Returns. A selling price of a $16 per ton of forage is used to estimate income from the sale of the crop. Selling prices may range from $12 to $20 per ton; the $16 used in the cost study is, at best, an estimate taking into consideration current situations. Table 6 indicates the effects on grower returns based on varying yields and returns. Breakeven points based on estimated costs are calculated for both yields and return prices in Table 7. Risk. Risks associated with wheat production are not assigned a production cost. While this study makes an effort to model a production system based on typical, real world practices, it cannot fully represent financial, agronomic and market risks which affect the profitability and economic viability of wheat production. Overhead and Capital Recovery Costs Cash Overhead. Cash overhead consists of various cash expenses paid out during the year that are assigned to the whole farm and not to a particular operation. These costs include property taxes, interest on operating capital, office expense, liability and property insurance, and investment repairs. Cash overhead costs are found in Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4. Property Taxes. Counties charge a base property tax rate of 1% on the assessed value of the property. In some counties special assessment districts exist and charge additional taxes on property including equipment, buildings, and improvements. For this study, county taxes are calculated as 1% of the average value of the property. Average value equals new cost plus salvage value divided by 2 on a per acre basis. Interest On Operating Capital. Interest on operating capital is based on cash operating costs and is calculated monthly until harvest at a nominal rate of 9.69% per year. A nominal interest rate is the going market cost of borrowed funds. Insurance. Insurance for farm investments vary depending on the assets included and the amount of coverage. Property insurance provides coverage for property loss and is charged at 0.713% of the average value of the assets over their useful life. Liability insurance covers accidents on the farm and costs $1,049 for the entire farm or $0.87 per acre. Office Expense: Office and business expenses are estimated at $25 per acre. These expenses include office supplies, telephones, bookkeeping, accounting, legal fees, road maintenance, etc. Capital Recovery Costs. Capital recovery cost is calculated for equipment and other farm investments. Although farm equipment used on farms in this region might be purchased new or used, this study shows the current purchase price for new equipment. The new purchase price is adjusted to 1999 San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 5

6 60% to indicate a mix of new and used equipment. Annual ownership costs (Equipment and Investments) are shown in Tables 1-4. Capital recovery cost is the annual depreciation and interest costs for a capital investment. It is the amount of money required each year to recover the difference between the purchase price and salvage value (unrecovered capital). Put another way, it is equivalent to the annual payment on a loan for the investment with the downpayment equal to the discounted salvage value. This is a more complex method of calculating ownership costs than straight-line depreciation and opportunity costs, but more accurately represents the annual costs of ownership because it takes the time value of money into account (Boehlje and Eidman). The calculation for the annual capital recovery costs is as follows. The calculation for annual capital recovery costs is as follows. Purchase Salvage Pr ice Value Capital Recovery Factor + Salvage Interest Value Rate Salvage Value. Salvage value is an estimate of the remaining market value of an investment at the end of its useful life. It is calculated differently for different investments. For farm machinery (e.g., tractors and implements) the remaining value is a percentage of the new cost of the investment. Salvage value is calculated as New Price % Remaining Value Salvage value for other investments including irrigation systems, buildings, and miscellaneous equipment is zero. The salvage value for land is equal to the purchase price because land does not depreciate. Salvage value for investments can vary. The purchase price and salvage value for certain equipment and investments are shown in Table 4. Capital Recovery Factor. Capital recovery factor is the amortization factor or annual payment whose present value at compound interest is 1. It is the function of the interest rate and years of life of the equipment. Interest Rate. The interest rate of 7.40% used to calculate capital recovery cost is the United States Department of Agriculture-Economic Reporting Service s (USDA-ERS) ten year average of California s agricultural sector long-run real rate of return to production assets from current income. It is used to reflect the long-term realized rate of return to these specialized resources that can only be used effectively in the agricultural sector, not including inflation. In other words, the next best alternative use for these resources is in another agricultural enterprise. Acknowledgment. Appreciation is expressed to cooperators who provided support and information for this study San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 6

7 REFERENCES American Society of Agricultural Engineers American Society of Agricultural Engineers Standards Yearbook. Russell H. Hahn and Evelyn E. Rosentreter (ed.) St. Joseph, Missouri. 41st edition. Blank, Steve, Karen Klonsky, Kim Norris, and Steve Orloff Acquiring Alfalfa Hay Harvest Equipment: A Financial Analysis Of Alternatives. University of California. Oakland, California. Giannini Information Series No Boelje, Michael D., and Vernon R. Eidman Farm Management. John Wiley and Sons. New York, New York Integrated Pest Management Education and Publications U.C. Pest Management Guidelines, Wheat. In M. L. Flint (ed.) UC IPM pest management guidelines. University of California. Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Oakland, California. Publication Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project Integrated Pest Management For Small Grains. University of California. Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Oakland, California. Publication For information concerning the above mentioned University of California publications contact UC DANR Communications Services ( ) or your local county Cooperative Extension office San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 7

8 U.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Table 1. COSTS PER ACRE TO PRODUCE WHEAT SILAGE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Labor Rate: $11.00/hr. machine labor $7.71/hr. non-machine labor Interest Rate: 9.69% Yield per Acre: 18.0 Ton ==================================================================================================================================== Operation Cash and Labor Costs per Acre Time Labor Fuel,Lube Material Custom/ Total Your Operation (Hrs/A) Cost & Repairs Cost Rent Cost Cost Cultural: Chisel 2X Finish Disc 2X Pull Borders Fertilize - Preplant 100 Lbs N Plant Fertilize - 40 Lbs N/Acre Weed Control - Post-emergent Pull Tail Ditch Irrigate & Fertilize 1X Irrigate 2X Close Ditch Pickup Truck Use TOTAL CULTURAL COSTS Postharvest: Disc Stubble 2X TOTAL POSTHARVEST COSTS Interest on operating 9.69% 6 TOTAL OPERATING COSTS/ACRE CASH OVERHEAD: Liability Insurance 1 Office Expense 25 Rent 50 Property Taxes 2 Property Insurance 1 Investment Repairs 1 TOTAL CASH OVERHEAD COSTS 79 TOTAL CASH COSTS/ACRE 243 CAPITAL RECOVERY COSTS (7.40% Interest Rate): Per producing -- Annual Cost -- Investment Acre Capital Recovery Fuel Tanks Fuel Wagon Shop Building Shop Tools Siphon Tubes Equipment TOTAL CAPITAL RECOVERY COSTS TOTAL COSTS/ACRE San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 8

9 U.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Table 2. COSTS AND RETURNS PER ACRE TO PRODUCE WHEAT SILAGE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Labor Rate: $11.00/hr. machine labor Interest Rate: 9.69% $7.71/hr. non-machine labor =============================================================================== Price or Value or Your Quantity/Acre Unit Cost/Unit Cost/Acre Cost GROSS RETURNS Wheat Silage Ton TOTAL GROSS RETURNS FOR WHEAT SILAGE OPERATING COSTS Fertilizer: UN Lb N Lb N Seed: Wheat Seed Lb Herbicide: MCPA 2.00 Pint Custom: Air Application 1.00 Acre Harvest - No Charge Ton Irrigation: Water AcIn Labor (machine) 2.08 hrs Labor (non-machine) 0.25 hrs Fuel - Gas 0.60 gal Fuel - Diesel gal Lube 2 Machinery repair 11 Interest on operating 9.69% TOTAL OPERATING COSTS/ACRE NET RETURNS ABOVE OPERATING COSTS San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 9

10 U.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Table 2. Continued =============================================================================== Price or Value or Your Quantity/Acre Unit Cost/Unit Cost/Acre Cost CASH OVERHEAD COSTS: Liability Insurance 1 Office Expense 25 Rent 50 Property Taxes 2 Property Insurance 1 Investment Repairs TOTAL CASH OVERHEAD COSTS/ACRE TOTAL CASH COSTS/ACRE CAPITAL RECOVERY COSTS (7.40% Interest Rate): Fuel Tanks 1 Fuel Wagon 0 Shop Building 6 Shop Tools 1 Siphon Tubes 0 Equipment TOTAL CAPITAL RECOVERY COSTS/ACRE TOTAL COSTS/ACRE NET RETURNS ABOVE TOTAL COSTS 14 =============================================================================== 1999 San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 10

11 Table 3. U.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION MONTHLY CASH COSTS PER ACRE TO PRODUCE WHEAT SILAGE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY =================================================================================================================================== Beginning NOV 98 NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT TOTAL Ending OCT Cultural: Chisel 2X Finish Disc 2X 7 7 Pull Borders 1 1 Fertilize - Preplant Plant Fertilize - 40 Lbs N/Acre 5 5 Weed Control - Post-emergent Pull Tail Ditch 1 1 Irrigate & Fertilize 1X Irrigate 2X Close Ditch 1 1 Pickup Truck Use TOTAL CULTURAL COSTS Postharvest: Disc Stubble 2X TOTAL POSTHARVEST COSTS Interest on oper. capital TOTAL OPERATING COSTS/ACRE OVERHEAD: Liability Insurance 1 1 Office Expense Rent Property Taxes Property Insurance 1 1 Investment Repairs TOTAL CASH OVERHEAD COSTS TOTAL CASH COSTS/ACRE =================================================================================================================================== 1999 San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 11

12 Table 4. U.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WHOLE FARM ANNUAL EQUIPMENT, INVESTMENT, AND BUSINESS OVERHEAD COSTS SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY ANNUAL EQUIPMENT COSTS ========================================================================================= - Cash Overhead - Yrs Salvage Capital Insur- Yr Description Price Life Value Recovery ance Taxes Total HP 2WD Tractor HP Crawler HP 2WD Tractor Chisel - Heavy 11' Disc - Border Disc - Finish 18' Disc - Stubble 14' Ditcher - V Grain Drill - 20' Pickup - 1/2 Ton Rear Blade - 8' Saddle Tank Gal TOTAL ========================================================================================= 60% of New Cost * * Used to reflect a mix of new and used equipment. ANNUAL INVESTMENT COSTS =================================================================================================== Cash Overhead Yrs Salvage Capital Insur- Description Price Life Value Recovery ance Taxes Repairs Total INVESTMENT Fuel Tanks Fuel Wagon Shop Building Shop Tools Siphon Tubes TOTAL INVESTMENT =================================================================================================== 1999 San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 12

13 Table 4. Continued U.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ANNUAL BUSINESS OVERHEAD COSTS =============================================================== Units/ Price/ Total Description Farm Unit Unit Cost Liability Insurance Acre Office Expense Acre Rent Acre =============================================================== Table 5. U.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION HOURLY EQUIPMENT COSTS SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY ================================================================================================================== COSTS PER HOUR Actual - Cash Overhead Operating Hours Capital Insur- Fuel & Total Total Yr Description Used Recovery ance Taxes Repairs Lube Oper. Costs/Hr HP 2WD Tractor HP Crawler HP 2WD Tractor Chisel - Heavy 11' Disc - Border Disc - Finish 18' Disc - Stubble 14' Ditcher - V Grain Drill - 20' Pickup - 1/2 Ton Rear Blade - 8' Saddle Tank Gal ================================================================================================================== 1999 San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 13

14 Table 6. U.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION RANGING ANALYSIS SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY COSTS PER ACRE AT VARYING YIELDS TO PRODUCE WHEAT SILAGE YIELD (TON/ACRE) OPERATING COSTS/ACRE: Cultural Cost Harvest Cost Postharvest Cost Interest on operating capital TOTAL OPERATING COSTS/ACRE TOTAL OPERATING COSTS/TON CASH OVERHEAD COSTS/ACRE TOTAL CASH COSTS/ACRE TOTAL CASH COSTS/TON NON-CASH OVERHEAD COSTS/ACRE TOTAL COSTS/ACRE TOTAL COSTS/TON NET RETURNS PER ACRE ABOVE OPERATING COSTS FOR WHEAT SILAGE PRICE YIELD (DOLLARS/TON) (TON/ACRE) Wheat Silage San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 14

15 Table 6. Continued U.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION NET RETURNS PER ACRE ABOVE CASH COSTS FOR WHEAT SILAGE PRICE YIELD (DOLLARS/TON) (TON/ACRE) Wheat Silage NET RETURNS PER ACRE ABOVE TOTAL COSTS FOR WHEAT SILAGE PRICE YIELD (DOLLARS/TON) (TON/ACRE) Wheat Silage San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 15

16 Table 7. U.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION COSTS AND RETURNS / BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY COSTS AND RETURNS - PER ACRE BASIS ========================================================================================================================== 1. Gross 2. Operating 3. Net Returns 4. Cash 5. Net Returns 6. Total 7. Net Returns Returns Costs Above Oper. Costs Above Cash Costs Above Total Crop Costs (1-2) Costs (1-4) Costs (1-6) Wheat Silage ========================================================================================================================== COSTS AND RETURNS - TOTAL ACREAGE ========================================================================================================================== 1. Gross 2. Operating 3. Net Returns 4. Cash 5. Net Returns 6. Total 7. Net Returns Returns Costs Above Oper. Costs Above Cash Costs Above Total Crop Costs (1-2) Costs (1-4) Costs (1-6) Wheat Silage ========================================================================================================================== BREAKEVEN PRICES PER YIELD UNIT ========================================================================================== Breakeven Price To Cover Base Yield Yield Operating Cash Total CROP (Units/Acre) Units Costs Costs Costs $ per Yield Unit Wheat Silage 18.0 Ton ========================================================================================== BREAKEVEN YIELDS PER ACRE ========================================================================================== Breakeven Yield To Cover Yield Base Price Operating Cash Total CROP Units ($/Unit) Costs Costs Costs Yield Units / Acre Wheat Silage Ton ========================================================================================== 1999 San Joaquin Valley Wheat Silage Cos tand Return Study UC Cooperative Extension 16