Organic Apple Production Using Interactive Budgets

Germán Rodríguez, Ph.D. Jennie Popp, Ph.D. Rena Ruffin, M.S. Heather Friedrich, M.S. Curt Rom, Ph.D.

Horticulture Industry ShowJanuary 14-15, 2011

Forth Smith, Arkansas

University of Arkansas

OBJECTIVE Develop• Interactive

Budget

Compare• Total Costs• Revenues• Net Returns

Generate• Twelve

Production Alternatives

DESIGN

Interactive Budget

Treatments• Ground Cover• Fertilizer

GROUND COVERS

Four ground cover treatments:

1. Grass (Mowing)2. Wood Chip Mulch3. Compost Mulch4. Paper Mulch

FERTILIZER TREATMENTS

Three fertilizer treatments:

1. Poultry Litter2. Organic Fertilizer3. No fertilizer

BUDGET – COMPONENTS

Summary

Graphs

Tables

Detailed Budget

Sensitivity Analysis

Break-Even Points

SUMMARYRates

• Interest• Inflation

Planting Distance

• In row• Between rows

Yields• Production Year• Ground cover

Market Price

• Direct • Processed

Labor Price

• Management• Labor

Twelve Budgets

SUMMARY

GRAPHS

TABLES

DETAILED BUDGET

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

BREAK-EVEN POINTS

EXCEL INTERACTIVE ORGANIC

APPLE BUDGET

BUDGET USEFULNESS

• Total Costs (Variable and Fixed)• Revenues• Net Returns

Estimate

• Ground Cover• FertilizerCompare

• “What If” QuestionsAnswer

LIMITATIONS

Certain level of general computer knowledge is required

Producers must have access to a computer with Microsoft Excel 2007 installed (Macros need to be enabled)

Activities are not broken down on a month-to-month basis

OUTGOING WORK This budget is a “work in progress”

Data collection is ongoing

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

http://www.uark.edu/ua/cars/index.html