Welcome!

Want to understand the financial side of your specialty crop farm? HortCalculator is here to help!

This easy-to-use tool lets farmers like you explore your farm's finances and make informed decisions. Whether you grow fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, or anything in between, HortCalculator can help you estimate costs and compare different farming approaches, like using natural treatments. You can even personalize it with your own farm information. Think of HortCalculator as a flexible guide to help you manage your farm's finances, no matter what you grow!

This first version of HortCalculator is starting with tools specifically for spinach growers like you, helping you understand the economics of using biological controls.

Or if you want to edit the biological control portion of a previous analysis, enter your code here. The biological control questions can be changed while the rest of the previous answers will remain the same.

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Production[Show]


About your farm:

HortCalculator empowers specialty crop farmers, starting with spinach producers focusing on a single growing cycle, to understand their farm's economic performance and make smarter choices, especially when considering biological pest control for spinach in one cycle.

This tool helps you estimate costs and compare the financial impact of different strategies, including biological or eco-friendly practices. Customize HortCalculator with your own farm data to get personalized insights and use it as a flexible template to analyze various crops and farm activities, beginning with a strong foundation in single-cycle spinach production and biological control feasibility.

About Your Farm: Let's start with the basics of your operation of your spinach.

What's the total size of your farmland that's under cultivation? Include the total cultivated area with all crops.		 acre

About Your Farm: Let's start with the basics of your operation of your spinach

How much growing space do you have inside your high tunnels? (in square feet)		 ft2
3. What crop did you plant in your high tunnels?

About Your Spinach Crop: Now, tell us specifically about your spinach production

What is the total high tunnel square footage planted with spinach in single growing cycle?
Think of a single growing cycle of spinach like this: it's from the day you plant your spinach seeds or transplants, all the way until you harvest that crop and it's done. It's one complete 'run' of spinach from start to finish.		 ft2

About Your Spinach Crop: Now, tell us specifically about your spinach production

How many pounds of spinach did you harvest in this single growing cycle?		 lb.

Growing Season: Let's pin down your growing timeline

What was the first date you seeded or transplanted spinach during this growing cycle? If you transplanted and used any high tunnel (HT) area to start your seedlings, please provide the date you began growing seedlings. (MM/DD/YYYY)?

Growing Season: Let's pin down your growing timeline

When was your final harvest? (MM/DD/YYYY) This is the last day you harvested spinach for the growing cycle.

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Farm General Information[Show]


Your Farm Income

What was your total farm gross revenue last year (total sales from all farm products)?
Please enter full numbers with no decimals. This is the only information you need to input from last year.		 $

Your Labor Costs: Now tell us about your workforce expenses.

What's your hourly rate for full-time workers? Include base wage only, before any benefits		 $

Your Labor Costs: Now tell us about your workforce expenses.

What do you pay part-time or seasonal workers per hour? Use your typical or average hourly rate		 $

Your Labor Costs: Now tell us about your workforce expenses.

What's your hourly rate for equipment operators? Include tractor work, tillage, and other machinery operation. Include base wage only, before any benefits		 $

Your Labor Costs: Now tell us about your workforce expenses.

What's your hourly rate for agricultural workers? Use your typical or average hourly rate		 $

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Sales[Show]


Where do you sell your spinach? Please select every type of market or buyer you sell to.

What’s next? For each market you pick here, we will then ask for a bit more detail?

  • About what share (percentage) of your total spinach sales goes to that market? (We'll need this to add up to 100% across all your markets.)
  • Your typical price per pound. (If you sell in bunches or other units, just give your best estimate per pound.)

Which markets did you sell your spinach at:



Farmers Market
Restaurant(s)
Online Sales
Farm Direct Sales
Retail Store
Donations or personal consumption
Community Support Agriculture
Other Market Sales

Farmers Market Sales

What percentage of your winter spinach did you sell at farmers markets? Enter a number from 0-100%: 		%

Farmers Market Sales

What was the typical price that you received per pound at farmers markets? Enter your price: 		$

Restaurant Sales

What percentage of your spinach did you sell to restaurants? Enter a number from 0-100%:		 %

Restaurant Sales

What was the typical price that you received per pound from restaurants? Enter your price:		 $

Online Sales

What percentage of your spinach do you sell online? Enter a number from 0-100%:		 %

Online Sales

What was the typical price that you received per pound for online sales? Enter your price:		 $

Farm Direct Sales

What percentage of your spinach do you sell at your farm? Enter a number from 0-100%:		 %

Farm Direct Sales

What was the typical price that you received per pound at your farm? Enter your price:		 $

Retail Store Sales

What percentage of your spinach do you sell to retail stores? Enter a number from 0-100%:		 %

Retail Store Sales

What was the typical price that you received per pound from retail stores? Enter your price:		 $

Donations or personal consumption

What percentage of your spinach did you donate? Enter a number from 0-100%:		 %

Donations or personal consumption

Just for calculation, what was the typical price that you would receive per pound from donation? Enter your price:		 $

Community Support Agriculture Sales

What percentage of your spinach do you sell through community support agriculture? Enter a number from 0-100%: 		%

Community Support Agriculture Sales

What was the typical price that you received per pound through community support agriculture? Enter your price: 		$

Other Market Sales

What percentage of your spinach do you sell through other outlets? Enter a number from 0-100%: 		%

Other Market Sales

What was the typical price that you received per pound through other outlets? Enter your price: 		$

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Variable Costs[Show]


Variable costs change with production volume. For a farm, these include expenses like seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, etc. Please check which costs you used or click "Add Another Cost" to include more items.

For herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and pesticides you can use the general category listed below or if you wish to specify one fungicide type and quantity at a time you can add them below as custom variable costs.

What types of variable costs did you have:



Seed
Seed Treatment
Manure
Compost
Lime
Other Type(s) of Fertilizer
Herbicide
Insecticide
Fungicide
Pesticide
Paper/Plastic Mulch
Seedlings
Boxes
Bags

Custom Variable Costs

Seed

How much seed did you use? Enter quantity:
What is the unit of seed? Select unit:
What was the price per unit for seed? Enter price: $ per unit

Seed

Did you use any seed treatments? Enter quantity:
What is the unit of measurement for seed treatment? Select unit:
What was the price per unit for seed treatment? Enter price: $ per unit

Seed Amendments

How much manure did you apply? Enter quantity:
What is the unit of measurement for manure? Select unit:
What was the price per unit for manure? Enter price: $

Seed Amendments

How much compost did you apply? Enter quantity:
What is the unit of measurement for compost? Select unit:
What was the price per unit for compost? Enter price: $

Seed Amendments

How much lime did you use? Enter quantity:
What is the unit of measurement for lime? Select unit:
What was the price per unit for lime? Enter price: $ per unit

Seed Amendments

How much of other types of fertilizer did you use? Enter quantity:
What is the unit of measurement of other types of fertilizer? Select unit:
What was the price per unit for other types of fertilizer? Enter price: $ per unit

Crop Protection

How much herbicide did you use? Enter quantity:
What is the unit of measurement for herbicide? Select unit:
What was the price per unit for herbicide? Enter price: $ per unit

Crop Protection

How much insecticide did you use? Enter quantity:
What unit of measurement for insecticide? Select unit:
What was the price per unit for insecticide? Enter price: $

Crop Protection

How much fungicide did you use? Enter quantity:
What unit of measurement for fungicide? Select unit:
What was the price per unit for fungicide? Enter price: $

Crop Protection

Did you use other pesticides? Enter quantity:
What is the unit of measurement for pesticides? Select unit:
What was the price per unit for pesticides? Enter price: $

Growing Materials

How many paper/plastic mulch rolls did you use? Enter quantity:
What is the unit of measurement for paper/plastic mulch? Select unit:
What was the price per unit for paper/plastic mulch? Enter price: $ per unit

Growing Materials

How many seedlings did you purchase? Enter quantity:
What unit of measurement of seedlings? (flats, plants) Select unit:
What was the price per unit for seedlings? Enter price: $

Packaging

How many boxes did you use? Enter quantity:
What unit of measurement of boxes? (count) Select unit
What was the price per box? Enter price: $

Packaging

How many bags did you use? Enter quantity:
What unit of measurement of bags? (count) Select unit
What was the price per bag? Enter price: $

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Labor Usage[Show]


Understanding labor costs is important for knowing your spinach farm's finances. For each task below, please tell us how many hours were spent by different types of workers on your farm.

It's really important to include hours from everyone who worked, even if they weren't paid a wage, like yourself or family members. This helps you see the true cost of growing your spinach.

How many hours did each type of worker spend on each activity for the entire spinach growing cycle?

Use decimals if needed (like 0.5 for 30 minutes). If a certain type of worker didn't do a task, just enter '0'.



What types of workers did you have:

Full-Time
Part-Time/Seasonal
Equipment Operators

What types of labor were done:

Bed Preparation
Seedling preparation
Soil Testing
Seeding
Transplanting
Fertilizing (Pre-Planting)
Fertilizing (Growing Season)
Monitoring insects
Irrigation set up
Lay row covering
Mulching
Harvest
Weeding
Irrigating
Scouting insects
General maintenance
Pest management
Disease management
Thinning
Sorting
Cleaning
Washing
Packing
Distribution

Pre-Planting Activities Let's track the time spent before planting your spinach.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Bed preparation when pre-planting?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Bed preparation when pre-planting?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Bed preparation when pre-planting?

Pre-Planting Activities Let's track the time spent before planting your spinach.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Seedling preparation when pre-planting?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Seedling preparation when pre-planting?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Seedling preparation when pre-planting?

Pre-Planting Activities Let's track the time spent before planting your spinach.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Soil Testing when pre-planting?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Soil Testing when pre-planting?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Soil Testing when pre-planting?

Pre-Planting Activities Let's track the time spent before planting your spinach.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Seeding when pre-planting?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Seeding when pre-planting?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Seeding when pre-planting?

Pre-Planting Activities Let's track the time spent before planting your spinach.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Transplanting when pre-planting?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Transplanting when pre-planting?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Transplanting when pre-planting?

Pre-Planting Activities Let's track the time spent before planting your spinach.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Fertilizing when pre-planting?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Fertilizing when pre-planting?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Fertilizing when pre-planting?

Pre-Planting Activities Let's track the time spent before planting your spinach.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Monitoring insects when pre-planting?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Monitoring insects when pre-planting?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Monitoring insects when pre-planting?

Pre-Planting Activities Let's track the time spent before planting your spinach.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Irrigation set up when pre-planting?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Irrigation set up when pre-planting?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Irrigation set up when pre-planting?

Pre-Planting Activities Let's track the time spent before planting your spinach.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Lay row covering when pre-planting?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Lay row covering when pre-planting?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Lay row covering when pre-planting?

Pre-Planting Activities Let's track the time spent before planting your spinach.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Mulching when pre-planting?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Mulching when pre-planting?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Mulching when pre-planting?

Growing Season: Now let's record time spent during the growing season.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Harvest in the growing season?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Harvest in the growing season?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Harvest in the growing season?

Growing Season: Now let's record time spent during the growing season.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Weeding in the growing season?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Weeding in the growing season?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Weeding in the growing season?

Growing Season: Now let's record time spent during the growing season.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Irrigating in the growing season?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Irrigating in the growing season?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Irrigating in the growing season?

Growing Season: Now let's record time spent during the growing season.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Scouting insects in the growing season?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Scouting insects in the growing season?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Scouting insects in the growing season?

Growing Season: Now let's record time spent during the growing season.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Fertilizing in the growing season?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Fertilizing in the growing season?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Fertilizing in the growing season?

Growing Season: Now let's record time spent during the growing season.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on General maintenance in the growing season?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on General maintenance in the growing season?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on General maintenance in the growing season?

Growing Season: Now let's record time spent during the growing season.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Pest management in the growing season?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Pest management in the growing season?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Pest management in the growing season?

Growing Season: Now let's record time spent during the growing season.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Disease management in the growing season?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Disease management in the growing season?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Disease management in the growing season?

Growing Season: Now let's record time spent during the growing season.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Thinning in the growing season?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Thinning in the growing season?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Thinning in the growing season?

Post-Harvest Activities: Finally, let's track time spent after harvest.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Sorting during post-harvest?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Sorting during post-harvest?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Sorting during post-harvest?

Post-Harvest Activities: Finally, let's track time spent after harvest.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Cleaning during post-harvest?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Cleaning during post-harvest?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Cleaning during post-harvest?

Post-Harvest Activities: Finally, let's track time spent after harvest.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Washing during post-harvest?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Washing during post-harvest?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Washing during post-harvest?

Post-Harvest Activities: Finally, let's track time spent after harvest.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Packing during post-harvest?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Packing during post-harvest?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Packing during post-harvest?

Post-Harvest Activities: Finally, let's track time spent after harvest.

What was the estimated full-time hours spend on Distribution during post-harvest?
What was the estimated part-time hours spend on Distribution during post-harvest?
What was the estimated machinery operator hours spend on Distribution during post-harvest?

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Equipment and Machinery[Show]


Let's go through your equipment investments for spinach production. For each item, we'll record its cost, lifespan, and upkeep. List only the equipment and machinery used exclusively for your spinach production. Under IRS guidelines, equipment depreciates over 10 years, allowing farmers to deduct a portion of the cost annually. Include installation costs in the purchase price, and maintenance covers repairs and upkeep. This helps manage taxes and cash flow. Enter 0 if you don’t own or use an item.

What equipment do you use:



Cart
Computer
Fertilizer sprayer
File
Flail mower
Flame weeder
Harvest knives
Harvest scissors
High tunnels
Hoes
Hoop benders
Hose
Icing & cooling system
Irrigation system
Packing equipment
Plastic mulch
Power harrow
Rake
Row cover
Salad spinner
Scale
Seeder
Shovels
Sprayer
Tiller
Tractor
Transplanter
Two wheels tractor
Washing station
Wheelbarrows

Custom Equipment

Farm Structures: First, tell us about your major structures.

What was the estimated purchase price of your high tunnels? Enter amount: 		$

Farm Structures: First, tell us about your major structures.

How many years do you expect your high tunnels to last in total? Enter years:

Farm Structures: First, tell us about your major structures.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of high tunnels? Enter amount: 		$

Farm Structures: First, tell us about your major structures.

What was the estimated purchase price of your icing & cooling system? Enter amount: 		$

Farm Structures: First, tell us about your major structures.

How many years do you expect your icing & cooling system to last in total? Enter years:

Farm Structures: First, tell us about your major structures.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your icing & cooling system? Enter amount: 		$

Farm Structures: First, tell us about your major structures.

What was the estimated purchase price of your irrigation system?		 $

Farm Structures: First, tell us about your major structures.

How many years do you expect your irrigation system to last in total? Enter years:

Farm Structures: First, tell us about your major structures.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your irrigation system? Enter amount: 		$

Farm Structures: First, tell us about your major structures.

What was the estimated purchase price of your hoop benders?		 $

Farm Structures: First, tell us about your major structures.

How many years do you expect your hoop benders to last in total? Enter years:

Farm Structures: First, tell us about your major structures.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your hoop benders? Enter amount: 		$

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your tiller?		 $

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

How many years do you expect your tiller to last in total? Enter years:

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your tiller? Enter amount: 		$

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your tractor?		 $

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

How many years do you expect your tractor to last in total? Enter years:

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your tractor? Enter amount: 		$

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your seeder?		 $

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

How many years do you expect your seeder to last in total? Enter years:

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your seeder? Enter amount: 		$

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your transplanter?		 $

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

How many years do you expect your transplanter to last in total? Enter years:

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your transplanter? Enter amount: 		$

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your two wheels tractor?		 $

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

How many years do you expect your two wheels tractor to last in total? Enter years:

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your two wheels tractor? Enter amount: 		$

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your power harrow?		 $

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

How many years do you expect your power harrow to last in total? Enter years:

Soil Preparation Equipment: Now let's cover your soil working equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your power harrow? Enter amount: 		$

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What was the estimated purchase price of your cart?		 $

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

How many years do you expect your cart to last in total? Enter years:

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your cart? Enter amount: 		$

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What was the estimated purchase price of your fertilizer sprayer?		 $

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

How many years do you expect your fertilizer sprayer to last in total? Enter years:

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your fertilizer sprayer? Enter amount: 		$

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What was the estimated purchase price of your file?		 $

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

How many years do you expect your file to last in total? Enter years:

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your file? Enter amount: 		$

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What was the estimated purchase price of your hose?		 $

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

How many years do you expect your hose to last in total? Enter years:

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your hose? Enter amount: 		$

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What was the estimated purchase price of your rake?		 $

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

How many years do you expect your rake to last in total? Enter years:

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your rake? Enter amount: 		$

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What was the estimated purchase price of your scale?		 $

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

How many years do you expect your scale to last in total? Enter years:

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your scale? Enter amount: 		$

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What was the estimated purchase price of your shovels?		 $

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

How many years do you expect your shovels to last in total? Enter years:

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your shovels? Enter amount: 		$

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What was the estimated purchase price of your harvest knives?		 $

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

How many years do you expect your harvest knives to last in total? Enter years:

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your harvest knives? Enter amount: 		$

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What was the estimated purchase price of your wheelbarrows?		 $

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

How many years do you expect your wheelbarrows to last in total? Enter years:

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your wheelbarrows? Enter amount: 		$

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What was the estimated purchase price of your harvest scissors?		 $

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

How many years do you expect your harvest scissors to last in total? Enter years:

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your harvest scissors? Enter amount: 		$

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What was the estimated purchase price of your hoes?		 $

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

How many years do you expect your hoes to last in total? Enter years:

Production Tools: Let's record your smaller equipment and tools.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your hoes? Enter amount: 		$

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your flail mower?		 $

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

How many years do you expect your flail mower to last in total? Enter years:

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your flail mower? Enter amount: 		$

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your flame weeder?		 $

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

How many years do you expect your flame weeder to last in total? Enter years:

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your flame weeder? Enter amount: 		$

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your plastic mulch?		 $

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

How many years do you expect your plastic mulch to last in total? Enter years:

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your plastic mulch? Enter amount: 		$

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your sprayer?		 $

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

How many years do you expect your sprayer to last in total? Enter years:

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your sprayer? Enter amount: 		$

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your row cover?		 $

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

How many years do you expect your row cover to last in total? Enter years:

Pest Management Equipment: Now for your pest and weed control equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your row cover? Enter amount: 		$

Other Equipment: Finally, let's cover your processing equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your washing station?		 $

Other Equipment: Finally, let's cover your processing equipment.

How many years do you expect your washing station to last in total? Enter years:

Other Equipment: Finally, let's cover your processing equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your washing station? Enter amount: 		$

Other Equipment: Finally, let's cover your processing equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your packing equipment?		 $

Other Equipment: Finally, let's cover your processing equipment.

How many years do you expect your packing equipment to last in total? Enter years:

Other Equipment: Finally, let's cover your processing equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your packing equipment? Enter amount: 		$

Other Equipment: Finally, let's cover your processing equipment.

What was the estimated purchase price of your computer?		 $

Other Equipment: Finally, let's cover your processing equipment.

How many years do you expect your computer to last in total? Enter years:

Other Equipment: Finally, let's cover your processing equipment.

What do you spend yearly on maintenance of your computer? Enter amount: 		$

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Overhead Expenses


These are the expenses that keep your whole farm running smoothly, things like insurance, utilities, repairs, etc. They aren't directly tied to growing spinach, but they're essential for your farm business.

For each item below, tell us how much you typically spend in a year. If you don't have a particular expense, enter '0'. Using last year's records can be a helpful guide to make sure you don't miss anything. Remember, these are costs for your entire farm operation.

Utilities

What do you spend annually on electricity and water? Enter amount: 		$

Property Costs

Do you rent/lease the land where your farm is located?		 Yes No
Do you own the land where your farm is located? Yes No

Property Costs

What's your annual rent or lease payment? Enter amount: 		$

Property Costs

How much do you pay for property taxes yearly? Enter amount: 		$

Property Costs

What's your annual mortgage payment? Enter amount: 		$

Insurance

What's your total annual insurance cost? Include crop, liability, and equipment insurance. These are the most common types of insurance farmers typically pay for. Enter amount: 		$

Office Expenses

How much do you approximately spend yearly on office supplies? (e.g., phone, software, subscriptions, etc.). Enter amount: 		$

Office Expenses

What's your annual internet cost? Enter amount: 		$

Office Expenses

What's your annual cost for marketing & advertisement? Enter amount: 		$

Labor Related Costs: Now let's cover employee-related expenses.

What's your total annual cost for employee benefits? Enter amount: 		$

Labor Related Costs: Now let's cover employee-related expenses.

How much do you spend on other benefits? Enter amount: 		$

Labor Related Costs: Now let's cover employee-related expenses.

What do you pay in annual payroll taxes? Enter amount: 		$

Maintenance Costs: Let's track your upkeep expenses.

Yearly irrigation supply expenses? Enter amount: 		$

Maintenance Costs: Let's track your upkeep expenses.

General maintenance costs per year? Enter amount: 		$

Maintenance Costs: Let's track your upkeep expenses.

Annual cost of miscellaneous supplies? Enter amount: 		$

Maintenance Costs: Let's track your upkeep expenses.

How much do you spend on water testing? Enter amount: 		$

Maintenance Costs: Let's track your upkeep expenses.

Annual cleaning supply costs? Enter amount: 		$

Maintenance Costs: Let's track your upkeep expenses.

Annual equipment repair costs? Enter amount: 		$

Transportation Expenses: Finally, let's cover your transportation costs.

What are your annual transportation expenses? Enter amount: (Include vehicle maintenance, registration, etc.)		 $

Transportation Expenses: Finally, let's cover your transportation costs.

How much do you spend on fuel yearly? Enter amount: 		$

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Pest Control[Show]


We now have all the information needed for your main profitability, cost structure, sensitivity, and breakeven analyses.

Before we show you these results, this tool can also help you perform an economic comparison between using biological control agents (like beneficial insects) and your current methods for managing aphids.

Would you like to see if adopting biological control agents for aphids could be a worthwhile investment for you?

Yes, let’s compare
No, take me to my spinach results

Let's determine which data to use for your pest control analysis for aphids. This helpful tool lets you compare your current aphid control methods side-by-side with using beneficial insects – nature's pest controllers!

We'll look at using three types of helpful bugs: lacewings, lady beetles, and minute pirate bugs.

  • Lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea) are beautiful, green insects are known for their lace-like wings. It's their larvae, though, that are the real pest control agents, actively feeding on aphids.
  • Lady beetles (Adalia bipunctata) also called the two-spot lady beetle in both the adult and larvae stages are voracious aphid predators.
  • Minute pirate bugs (Orious insidiosus) are small but powerful predators are very effective at finding and feeding on aphids and other small soft-bodied insects in your crops.

Chrysoperla carnea
Lacewings (Photo by Plantsman https://www.plantsmangroup.com/product/chrysoperla-carnea/)
Adalia bipunctata
Lady beetles (Photo by Koppert https://www.koppert.com/crop-protection/biological-pest-control/predatory-insects/adalia-bipunctata/)
Orius insidiosus
Minute pirate bugs (Photo by Cornell University https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/fact-sheets/minute-pirate-bug-and-insidious-flower-bug-biocontrol-agent-factsheet)

Ready to explore the economic feasibility of biological agents? We'll break down the costs and potential profits of each approach and show you key financial indicators. This will empower you to confidently decide whether adopting or integrating these natural predators is the right choice for your farm's bottom line.

How Do You Want to Calculate Your Pest Control Costs for Aphids?
Choose the option that works best for you!

Option 1: Use My Farm's Own Pest Control Numbers
  • Great if you've already used beneficial insects! If you've kept track of your own experiences using lacewings, lady beetles, or minute pirate bugs for aphids on spinach, this is the most accurate way to analyze your costs.
  • What you'll need (if you have it):
    • How much spinach you harvested when using beneficial bugs. This can be estimated.
    • The total cost of buying those beneficial insects (including shipping, just for your spinach crop).
    • How many hours your team spent releasing the bugs.
    • How much you pay your workers per hour for this type of work.
  • If you have this info, this option will give you the most personalized results!


Option 2: Use Example Data from Research
  • Perfect if you're new to beneficial insects or don't have your own records yet. We'll use data from a project conducted by Purdue University researchers in Indiana that tested lacewings, lady beetles, and minute pirate bugs to control aphids in spinach grown in high tunnels.
  • What this option gives you: We'll provide estimates for spinach yield, labor costs, and beneficial insect costs based on this research. This is a helpful starting point to see how biological control could work on your farm and get a sense of the potential costs and benefits.
  • Keep in mind: Every farm is different! Think about how similar your farm and growing methods are to the study in Indiana as you review the results.
Please select the biological control pest from our research-based data
What percentage of yield losses due to aphids did you experience in your spinach production cycle? %
1. Please select the insect you will apply biological control for
What percentage of your spinach crop was typically lost due to aphids before the introduction of beneficial insects? Enter percentage: (Estimate based on previous crop damage from aphid) %
After releasing beneficial insects, what percentage of crop loss did you experience? Enter percentage: (Based on your actual harvest results) %

Let's track your spending on biological control agents

What beneficial insect did you release in your spinach? Enter name:

Let's track your spending on biological control agents

What was the name of the biological control agent:
How many units did you order? Enter quantity:
What unit type? Select unit:
What was the price per unit? Enter price: $

Let's track your spending on biological control agents

What was your shipping cost? Enter shipping cost: 		$

Labor for Biological Control Let’s track time spent managing your beneficial insects.

Use decimal points for partial hours:

  • 15 minutes = 0.25
  • 30 minutes = 0.5
  • 45 minutes = 0.75

Release Activities

How many hours did you spend releasing beneficial insects for your spinach production? Enter hours: Use decimals for partial hours (0.5 = 30 minutes)

Monitoring

How many hours did you spend monitoring beneficial insects only for single cycle of growing spinach? Include time observing establishments and spread. Enter time in hours, using decimal points for partial hours.

Pest Scouting

How many hours did you spend checking or scouting on beneficial insects only for single cycle of growing spinach? Include time observing establishments and spread. Enter time in hours, using decimal points for partial hours (0.5 = 30 minutes).

Additional Activities

Need to add another activity related to releasing of beneficial insects for spinach?


Please fill out your email so you can receive your survey code that will allow you to come back to your results at a late date