-15- 



Summary 



The average 1983 growing cost was $1,231.61 per bearing acre. This was up 12% 

 from $1,100.97 in 1982. Most of this increase can be attributed to the weather 

 experienced throughout the 1983 growing season. The major increase occurred in the 

 labor and materials categories. The mild winter we experienced allowed growers to 

 prune more trees which increased the amount of labor cost associated with pruning 

 and brush removal. The cold, wet spring made it necessary for a number of growers 

 to apply more fungicides. The very hot and dry period of July, August, and early 

 September caused a number of growers to increase their use of insecticides and 

 miticides. This same weather pattern also meant that many growers had to irrigate 

 more than in past years. 



The average per bushel growing cost was $2.67 in 1983 as compared to $2.10 in 1982. 

 This increase of 27% was due in part to the increase in the per acre costs but more 

 importantly to a decrease of 64 bushels in the average yield per acre. This yield 

 decrease can also be attributed at least in part to the weather. 



The harvesting cost for 1983 was $1.50, approximately the same as the $1.48 in 1982. 

 The combined growing and harvesting cost for 1983 was $4.17 as compared to $3.58 

 in 1982 and $4.25 in 1981. The major reason for the changes in the per bushel costs 

 over the past three years has been the fluctuation in the average yield. 



Fruit Quality 



It should be remembered that these figures are an attempt to measure the cost 

 of growing and harvesting apples. One major factor, which impacts the profitability 

 of an operation, which has not been discussed, is fruit quality. This is a factor which 

 growers cannot afford to overlook when they are evaluating their yields and costs. 

 It is very possible for a grower with higher production per acre and lower costs to 

 be less profitable than his neighbor. This is because the increase in production and 

 reduction in costs may come at the expense of quality. 



In using the figures contained in this article to analyze his business, a grower must 

 keep the concern for fruit quality foremost in mind. A growers ability to produce 

 high quality fruit at a reasonable cost will determine his success. 



