Summarij of Proceedings of the Seventeenth Annual Normal Institute 



for New York State Workers 



THE COST OF CROP PRODUCTION 

 A. L. Thompson 



In the production of a crop there are many factors of cost, all 

 of which must be considered before one can arrive at a true result. 

 Most of these cost factors are obvious, but quite often some of 

 them, and too often some of the important ones, are disregarded. 



In the first place, one should consider the cost of the seed. It 

 makes no difference whether the seed is purchased or grown on the 

 farm, it should be included at its value on the farm. Among 

 other costs are manure, fertilizer and lime used by the crop. If 

 a heavy application of lime or manure is made, part of the cost 

 of this should be charged to the following crops. The proportion 

 charg-ed will depend upon the length of the rotation, the type of 

 soil, frequency of the applications, and other factors. Since in 

 some cases it is necessary to apportion the lime and manure charge 

 over several years, some crops will have to pay for materials that 

 have not been directly applied. 



In addition to the above, the crop should pay for all man and 

 horse labor performed on it, as well as its proportion of the 

 machinery costs. The use of the land occupied by the crop is 

 worth something, and a charge shovild be made for this. On most 

 farms this rental, including taxes, amounts to about 6 per cent 

 of the actual value of the land. 



Usually the crops are stored in the barns. Whenever this is 

 done the crop should pay for the use of that portion of the barn 

 occupied by it. The charge for this should be enough to pay 

 interest, taxes, insurance, repairs, depreciation, and any other 

 expenses on the buildings. This usually amounts to about 8 per 

 cent of the value of the buildings or space occupied. 



In the production of most crops there will be numerous other 

 costs, such as spray materials, twine, coal, threshing, hay pressing, 

 and similar items. All these should be included. In some cases 

 there is considerable money invested in a crop enterprise. Wlien 

 this investment extends over several months, as it does with some 



