Apple costs of production

Editor’s note: This article is from the archives of the MSU Crop Advisory Team Alerts. Check the label of any pesticide referenced to ensure your use is included.   

The Apple Costs of Production is now available for download at www.apples.msu.edu website. This 2008 study is an update of the last study done in 1998. It was completed with support from the Michigan Apple Committee and MACMA. The study includes a comparison of three systems (tree densities), Central Leader, Vertical Axe and Tall Spindle. It is in a excel spreadsheet file and is downloadable as .xls file. This study was completed with a survey of a study group of west Michigan growers at a review meeting. Practices and material costs were reviewed with the growers and an average of these practices and materials were placed in the costs study. There are a few costs listed on the first page that are not included. The accompanying table is the Profit of Systems chart of the 20-year running income for the various systems. It basically indicates higher densities are more profitable but also more expensive to establish. Also, the breakeven years occur from nine to 12 years after planting.

Profit of systems

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