|
101
F6G c
G65
March 1987
Floppy disc included with this
item has been shelved separately.
Consult LUIS or ask circulation
staff for assistance.
A Microcomputer Program
Fertilization Cost Comparisons for Wholesale
Container Woody Ornamental Nurseries
COMPUTER SERIES
T.H. Yeager and D.L. Ingram
Central Science
Library
JAN 30 1990
University of Florida |
7-
mm
101
01 ive Extension Swvice / Institute of Food and AgriculturuM Suienas / Univerdty of Florida / John T. Woes, Dean
F636c
765
codebk
Circular 765
A Microcomputer Program Fertilization Cost Comparisons
for Wholesale Container Woody Ornamental Nurseries
Thomas H. Yeager and Dewayne L. Ingram
Extension Ornamental Horticulturists
Ornamental Horticulture Department
IFAS, University of Florida
Copyright, 1986, IFAS, UF
The authors gratefully acknowledge Justine Wetherington for writing
FERTCOST in Pascal computer language.
UtflKIKSITY OF FLORIRDA
Computations for cost of fertilization of container-grown woody
ornamentals are lengthy, cumbersome, and require several conversion
factors. Consequently these computations are often not performed.
FERTCOST, as outlined in Figure 1, was developed to calculate yearly
fertilization cost for a specific size of container plant receiving
fertilizer by one or combinations of the following methods of
application: broadcasting dry fertilizer, top-dressing dry
fertilizer, incorporating dry fertilizer into the growth medium,
and/or injecting water soluble fertilizer in the irrigation water.
The calculated costs are based on the same plant of a specific
container size. Therefore, another plant of the same container
size, but in a different location of the nursery, may have different
fertilization costs because that plant receives fertilizer by a
different methods) of application. The program is written in
Pascal.
CONFIGURATIVE REQUIREMENTS
1. IBM or compatible microcomputer
2. MS-DOS Operating System
3. 128 K Memory
4. Monochrome or color display
5. Single Disk Drive
6. Printer (optional)
HOW TO BEGIN
1. Turn computer on. Use your regular boot (DOS) disk.
2. Place FERTCOST disk into drive unit.
3. Type FERTCOST (press the return key).
If you wish to view the credits and a brief
description of this program, simply type in the
letter C and press . If you want to start the
program, just press .
After credits and abstract have been viewed or skipped, the
following information will be needed for data input.
A. BROADCAST dry fertilizer
1. Brand of fertilizer you are applying.
2. Analysis or grade (example 8-8-8) of the fertilizer. This
is the percent of nitrogen (N), phosphorus pentoxide
(P205), and potassium oxide (K20) in the fertilizer.
3. Size rating (in gallons) of container you are fertilizing
and container diameter and height.
4. Number of containers per acre.
5. Fertilizer application rate as pounds of nitrogen,
phosphorus pentoxide (P205), potassium oxide (K20), or
fertilizer per acre.
6. Number of times per year the fertilizer in 1 and 2 above
is applied.
7. Time required for 1 worker to fertilize 1 acre of
containers as specified in 3 and 4 above, with 1
application.
8. Wages paid per hour per worker for fertilization.
9. Cost per ton or pound of fertilizer specified in 1 and 2
above.
B. INCORPORATED The following must be obtained whether
fertilizer is incorporated by a dealer or at the nursery.
1. Brand of fertilizer you are applying.
2. Analysis or grade (example 8-8-8) of the fertilizer. This
is the percent of nitrogen (N), phosphorus pentoxide
(P205), and potassium oxide (K20) in the fertilizer.
3. Size rating (in gallons) of container you are fertilizing
and container diameter and height. Calculations are based
on total container volume. Volume occupied by an original
container is not taken into account if plant was moved up to
a larger container size.
4. Amount of fertilizer specified in 1 and 2 above that is
incorporated in 1 cubic yard of growth medium.
5. Time required for 1 worker to incorporate fertilizer in 1
cubic yard of growth medium.
6. Wages paid per hour per worker for fertilizer
incorporation.
7. Cost per ton or pound of fertilizer specified in 1 and 2
above.
C. INJECTION
1. Brand of fertilizer you are applying.
2. Analysis or grade (example 8-8-8) of the fertilizer. This
is the percent of nitrogen (N), phosphorus pentoxide
(P205), and potassium oxide (K20) in the fertilizer.
3. Size rating (in gallons) of container you are fertilizing
and container diameter and height.
4. Number of containers per acre.
5. Fertilizer application rate as either pounds of fertilizer
per acre; pounds of fertilizer per gallon of water; pounds
of nitrogen, phosphorus pentoxide (P205), or potassium
oxide (K20) per acre; gallons of fertilizer per acre; or
parts per million (ppm) nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), or
potassium (K). If application rate is given in pounds per
gallon of irrigation water or ppm, then you must know how
much water is applied per irrigation (inches or gallons
per container or acre).
6. Number of times per year the fertilizer in 1 and 2 above
is applied.
7. Drip or trickle irrigation use.
8. Time required for 1 worker to fertilize 1 acre of
containers as specified in 3 and 4 above, with 1
application.
9. Wages paid per hour per worker for fertilization.
10. Cost per ton or pound of fertilizer specified in 1 and 2
above.
D. TOP-DRESS dry fertilizer
1. Brand of fertilizer you are applying.
2. Analysis or grade (example 8-8-8) of the fertilizer. This
is the percent of nitrogen (N), phosphorus pentoxide
(P205) and potassium oxide (K20) in the fertilizer.
3. Size rating (in gallons) of container you are fertilizing
and container diameter and height.
4. Fertilizer application rate as teaspoons, tablespoons,
grams, or pounds of fertilizer per container.
5. Number of times per year the fertilizer in 1 and 2 above
is applied.
6. Number of containers specified in 3 above that are
fertilized in 1 hour by 1 worker, with 1 application.
7. Wages paid per hour per worker for fertilization.
8. Cost per ton or pound of fertilizer specified in 1 and 2
above.
After making the appropriate inputs, a summary of fertilizer
and labor costs is provided for a single plant of a specified
container size and receiving fertilizer(s) by one or more methods
of application.
SAMPLE RUN
Letters or numbers in quotes are entered by the user. Quotes
are not entered. Phrases in boxes are viewed on screen.
These are the methods of fertilization available:
1. BROADCAST DRY
2. INCORPORATED
3. INJECTION
4. TOP-DRESS
Choose one of the four methods listed above. "1"
Listed above are the methods of fertilizer application that are
used in this program.
1. Broadcast dry is selected when dry fertilizers are broadcast
over plants or containers.
2. Incorporated is selected when dry fertilizers are mixed into
the growth medium.
3. Injection is selected when dry or solution fertilizers are
applied in irrigation water.
4. Top-dress is selected when a specified amount of dry fertilizer
is delivered to the growth medium surface of each container.
1. BROADCAST DRY The following inputs as outlined above will
be used for the sample run.
1. GROWMORE 6. 2 11. 4
2. 8-8-8 7. 50 12. A
3. 1 8. 2 13. 100
4. Y 9. A 14. Y
5. 35000 10. 30 15. N
1. What brand of fertilizer are you broadcasting?
"GROWMORE"
2. What is the analysis or grade of the fertilizer you are
broadcasting?
Enter the analysis (press return after each number).
"8"-
8 -"8"-
8 8 -"8"
The first number is percent nitrogen (N), the second percent
phosphorus pentoxide (P205), and the third potassium oxide (K20).
3. What size (in gallons) container are you fertilizing?
"1" gallon
4. The container top diameter used for calculations will be 6
inches and the container height will be 6.5 inches.
Enter Y if these are acceptable or N to choose other
dimensions.
"Y" (Y/N)
If N had been entered, the following would be displayed.
Enter the top diameter of your 1 gallon container.
"6.5" inches
A container top diameter of 6.5 inches would be used in the
calculations.
Enter the height of your 1 gallon container.
"7" Inches
A container height of 7 inches would be used in the
calculations.
6. Select units for application rate
1. pounds of nitrogen per acre
2. pounds of phosphorus pentoxide per acre
3. pounds of potassium oxide per acre
4. pounds of fertilizer per acre
"2" (1-4)
7. Enter the application rate for GROWMORE.
"50" pounds phosphorus pentoxide/acre
Units for application rate were selected in question 6.
This is the unit of time required to perform a fertilization.
10. How many minutes of labor does it take to fertilize one
acre of your 1 gallon containers when broadcasting?
"30" minutes/acre
Units for labor were selected in question 9. You should
include loading, mixing, or other time associated with the
broadcasting operation; however, be consistent when making
comparisons. Minutes of labor to fertilize 1 acre are based on 1
worker or figured on a per worker basis for 1 application.
11. What is your hourly labor wage when broadcasting GRONMORE?
Enter dollars paid per hour.
"4" $/hour
8. How many times in one year is GRONHORE applied to the 1
gallon container when broadcasting?
"2" applications/year
You should include costs associated with labor other than just
the hourly wage (example: FICA); however, be consistent when
making comparisons. Hourly labor wage is based on 1 worker or
figured on a per worker basis.
12. Select units for purchasing the GRONMORE.
A. tons B. pounds
"A" (A.B)
13. What is the cost of GRONMORE you are broadcasting?
"100" $/ton
Units were selected in question 12.
CONTAINER NURSERY
Method used for a
1 gallon container
Broadcasting GROWMORE 8-8-8
FERTILIZATION COST
Fertilizer
cost/cont/year
$ 0.001786
Labor
cost/cont/year
$ 0.000114
Totals of the I method 0U.0u1780 $ U.UUUJ14
Total cost of fertilization/cont/year $0.001900
Press return to continue.
From the table above, total annual fertilizer cost is
$0.001786 and total labor cost is $ 0.000114 for the 1 gallon
container when broadcasting GROWMORE.
14. Will you fertilize this plant during the year with another
fertilizer or method of fertilization? Enter Y to add
another fertilizer or method; N to end the program.
"Y"
Suppose you also broadcast during the year a fertilizer brand
EXTRAGROW to the 1 gallon container just as you apply GROWMORE.
With all inputs the same, except for the brand and analysis, the
following fertilization cost table is displayed.
Methods used fo
1 gallon contain
Broadcasting GR
Broadcasting EX
CONTAINER NURSERY FERTILIZATION COST
r a Fertilizer
ner cost/cont/year
tOWMORE 8-8-8 $ 0.001786
(TRAGROW 12-12-12 $ 0.001190
Totals of the 2 methods $ 0.002976U
Total cost of fertilization/cont/year -
Press return to continue.
Labor
cost/cont/year
$ 0.000114
$ 0.000114
$ O.UUUZZ
$0.003204
From the table above, total annual fertilizer cost is
$0.002976 and total labor cost is $0.000228 for the 1 gallon
container when broadcasting GROWMORE and EXTRAGROW. Fertilizer
-cost per container per year is less for EXTRAGROW than GROWMORE
because EXTRAGROW contains 12% phosphorus pentoxide and GROWMORE
contains 8% phosphorus pentoxide. Thus, more GROWMORE than
EXTRAGROW fertilizer is required to supply 50 pounds of phosphorus
pentoxide per acre. Labor costs are the same for both fertilizers
since labor inputs were the same.
11
I I I I I
15. W111l you fertilize this plant during the year with another
fertilizer or method of fertilization? Enter Y to add
another fertilizer or method; N to end the program.
"N"
If you wish to select another container size, you must enter N.
A summary of the inputs and outputs is displayed.
Summary of inputs and outputs.
Broadcasting
1 gallon containers
Applied 50.0 pounds phosphorus
Fertilizer costs: $100.00/ton
Labor costs: $4.00 per hour
30 minutes/acre
Broadcasting E
1 gallon containers
Applied 50.0 pounds phosphorus
Fertilizer costs: $100.00/ton
Labor costs: $4.00 per hour
30 minutes/acre
2. INCORPORATED The following
used for the sample run.
1. DELUXE 5.
2. 14-14-14 6.
3. 1
4. 1
GROMHORE 8-8-8
35000 containers per acre
pentoxide/acre 2 times per year
$0.001786 per container per year
$0.000114 per container per year
XTRAGROW 12-12-12
35000 containers per acre
pentoxide/acre 2 times per year
$0.001190 per container per year
$0.000114 per container per year
inputs as outlined above will be
Y
10
7. A
8. 36
9. 4
10. A
11. 2000
12. N
1. What brand of fertilizer are you incorporating?
"DELUXE"
2. What is the analysis or grade of the fertilizer you are
incorporating?
Enter the analysis (press return after each number).
14"
14 "14"
14 14 "14"
3. Select one:
1. Fertilizer incorporated in media before media
purchased.
2. Fertilizer incorporated in media at nursery.
Note: If fertilizer incorporated before purchase and at
nursery, select 1 then 2.
"1" (1,2)
The program would be run again to select the other option.
4. What size (in gallons) container are you fertilizing?
"1" gallons
5. The container top diameter used for calculations will
be 6 inches, and the container height will be 6.5 Inches.
Enter Y if these are acceptable'or N to choose other
dimensions.
"Y" (Y/N)
If N had been entered, the following would be displayed.
Enter the top diameter of your 1 gallon container.
'T' inches
A container top diameter of 7 inches would be used in the
calculations.
Enter the height of your 1 gallon container.
"8" inches
A container height of 8 inches would be used in the
calculations.
6. What is the application rate of fertilizer in pounds per
cubic yard of medium? Enter application rate for DELUXE.
"10" pounds/cubic yard
I I
7. Select units for labor when incorporating, A for minutes,
B for hours.
A. minutes B. hours
"A" (A,B)
This is the unit of time required to perform the
incorporation.
8. How many minutes of labor would it take to incorporate
10 pounds/cubic yard of DELUXE if the fertilizer had
been incorporated at the nursery?
"36" minutes/cubic yard
Units of labor were selected in question 7. You should
include loading, mixing, or other time associated with the
incorporating operation; however, be consistent when making
comparisons. Minutes of labor per cubic yard are based on 1
worker or figured on a per worker basis. If the fertilizer is
incorporated at the nursery, the above display would read as
follows.
How many minutes of labor does it take to incorporate 10
pounds/cubic yard of DELUXE?
"36" minutes/cubic yard
9. What would be your hourly labor wage if the DELUXE had
been Incorporated at the nursery?
"4" $/hour
You should include costs associated with labor other than just
hourly wage (example: FICA); however, be consistent when making,
comparisons. Hourly labor wage is based on 1 worker or figured on
a per worker basis. If the fertilizer is incorporated at the
nursery, the above display would read as follows.
What is your hourly labor wage when incorporating DELUXE?
Enter dollars paid per hour.
"4" $/hour
10. Select units for purchasing the DELUXE.
A. tons B. pounds
"A" (A,B)
11. What would be the fertilizer cost if the DELUXE had been
incorporated at the nursery?
"2000" $/ton
Units were selected in question 10. If the fertilizer is
incorporated at the nursery, the following would be displayed.
What is the cost of DELUXE you are incorporating?
"2000" $/ton
CONTAINER NURSERY
Method used for a
1 gallon container
Incorporating DELUXE 14-14-14
FERTILIZATION COST
Fertilizer
cost/cont/year
$ 0.039390
Labor
cost/cont/year
$ 0.009454
Totals of the 1 method $ 0.039390 $ 0.009454
Total cost of fertilization/cont/year = $0.048844
Press return to continue.
From the table above, total annual fertilizer cost is
$0.039390 and total labor cost is $0.009454 for the 1 gallon
container when DELUXE is incorporated in the growth medium.
12. Will you fertilize this plant during the year with another
fertilizer or method of fertilization? Enter Y to add
another fertilizer or method; N to end the program.
"N"
Summary of inputs and outputs.
Incorporating DELUXE 14-14-14
1 gallon containers 253.9 containers per cubic yard
Applied 10.0 pounds/cubic yard
Fertilizer costs: $2000.00/ton $0.039390 per container per year
Labor costs: $4.00 paid per hour $0.009454 per container per year
36.0 minutes/cubic yard
3. INJECTION The following inputs as outlined above will be used
for the sample run.
1. GATORFERT 6. 4 11. 4
2. 8-8-8 7. 25 12. A
3. 5 8. 1 13. 100
4. Y 9. A 14. N
5. 6926 10. 30
1. What brand of fertilizer are you injecting?
"GATORFERT"
2. What Is the analysis or grade of the fertilizer you are
injecting? Enter the analysis (press return after each
number).
"8"
8 "8"
8 8 "8"
The first number is percent nitrogen (N), the second percent
phosphorus pentoxide (P205), and the third potassium oxide (K20).
3. What size (in gallons) container are you fertilizing?
"5" gallons
4. The container top diameter used for calculations will be
12 inches, and the container height will be 12 Inches.
Enter Y if these are acceptable or N to choose other
dimensions.
"Y" (Y/N)
The container top diameter is used in calculating the amount
of fertilizer that gets into the container when injecting. This
calculation does not take into account deflection of the
fertilizer by different size plant canopies. If "N" had been
entered, the following would be displayed.
Enter the top diameter of your 5 gallon container.
"13" inches
A container top diameter of 13 inches would be used for the
calculations.
Enter the height of your 5 gallon container.
"13" inches
A container height of 13 inches would be used in the
calculations.
5. How many 5 gallon containers are there per acre?
"6926" containers/acre
6. These are the units available when injecting GATORFERT.
1. pounds of fertilizer/acre
2. pounds of fertilizer/gallon of water applied
3. pounds of nitrogen/acre
4. pounds of phosphorus pentoxide /acre
5. pounds of potassium oxide /acre
6. gallons of fertilizer/acre
7. ppm nitrogen
8. ppm phosphorus
9. ppm potassium
"4" (1-9)
7. Enter the application rate for GATORFERT.
"25" pounds of phophorus pentoxide/acre
Units were selected in question 6.
8. How many times in one year is GATORFERT applied to the 5
gallon container when injecting?
"1" application /year
9. Select units for labor when injecting, A for minutes, B
for hours.
A. minutes B. hours
"A" (A.B)
This is the unit of time required to perform a fertilization.
10. How many minutes of labor are required per acre when
applying GATORFERT by injection?
"30" minutes/acre
Units were selected in question 9. You should include
loading, mixing, or other time associated with the injection
operation; however, be consistent when making.comparisons.
Minutes of labor to fertilize 1 acre are based on 1 worker or
figured on a per worker basis for 1 application.
11. What is your hourly labor wage when injecting GATORFERT?
Enter dollars paid per hour.
"4" $/hour
You should include costs associated with labor other than just
the hourly wage (example: FICA); however, be consistent when
making comparisons. Hourly labor wage is based on 1 worker or
figured on a per worker basis.
12. Select units for purchasing the GATORFERT.
A. tons B. pounds
"A" (A,B)
Units were selected in question 12.
Method used for
5 gallon contain
Injecting GATOi
CONTAINER NURSERY FERTILIZATION COST
a Fertilizer
iner cost/cont/year
RFERT 8-8-8 $ 0.002256
TOtalS Of the I metod U.uuzzbb
Total cost of fertilization/cont/year $
Press return to continue.
Labor
cost/cont/year
$ 0.000289
$ U.UUUZUy
0.002545
From the table above, total annual fertilizer cost is
$0.002256 and total labor cost is $0.000289 for the 5 gallon
container when injecting GATORFERT.
14. Will you fertilize this plant during the year with another
fertilizer or method of fertilization? Enter Y to add
another fertilizer or method; N to end the program.
"N"
Summary of inputs and outputs.
Injecting GATORFERT 8-8-8
5 gallon containers 6926 containers per acre
Applied 25.0 pounds of phosphorus pentoxide/acre 1 time per year
Fertilizer costs: $100.00/ton $0.002256 per container per year
Labor costs: $4.00 per hour $0.000289 per container per year
30.0 minutes/acre
13. What is the cost of GATORFERT you are injecting?
"100" $/ton
If 8 was selected for question 6 of the previous example and
DRIPGATOR fertilizer was applied by drip irrigation, the following
would be displayed.
Enter the application rate for DRIPGATOR.
"95" ppm phosphorus
If 95 ppm phosphorus from DRIPGATOR fertilizer and 0.244
gallons of water are applied per container by drip irrigation,
this would be equivalent to 3.1 pounds of phosphorus pentoxide per
acre; however, an equivalent amount of P205 (.00045 lb) is applied
per container with either method of irrigation.
Select units for application of water to the 5 gallon
container.
1. inches water per container
2. gallons water per acre
3. gallons water per container
"31 (1-3)
Enter the amount of water applied at each fertilization.
"0.244" gallons/container
Units were selected above.
Method used for
5 gallon contain
Injecting DRIP(
CONTAINER NURSERY FERTILIZATION COST
r a Fertilizer
iner cost/cont/year c
GATOR 8-8-8 $ 0.000281
Labor
:ost/cont/year
$ 0.000289
Totals of the 1 method $ 0.000281 $ 0.000289
-Total cost of fertilization/cont/year = $ 0.000570
Press return to continue.
Since 3.1 and 25 pounds of phosphorus pentoxide are applied
per acre by DRIPGATOR and GATORFERT, respectively, fertilizer cost
for DRIPGATOR ($0.000281) is one-eighth that of GATORFERT
($0.002256).
Summary of inputs and outputs.
Injecting DRIPGATOR 8-8-8
5 gallon containers 6926 containers per acre
Applied 95.0 ppm phosphorus 1 time per year
Applied in 0.244 gallons/container or 1689.94 gallons/acre
Fertilizer costs: $100.00/ton $0.000281 per container per year
Labor costs: $4.00 per hour $0.000289 per container per year
30.0 minutes/acre
4. TOP-DRESS The following inputs as outlined
for the sample run.
1. SUPERFERT 5. 3 9.
2. 7-7-7 6. 6 10.
3. 1
4. Y
7. 2
8. 2000
11.
12.
above will be used
4
A
2000
N
1. What brand of fertilizer are you top-dressing?
"SUPERFERT"
2. What is the analysis or grade of the fertilizer you are
top-dressing? Enter the analysis (press return after each
number).
"7"
7 "7"
7 7 117"
3. What size (in gallons) container are you fertilizing?
"1" gallon
4. The container top diameter used for calculations will
be 6 inches, and the container height will be 6.5 inches.
Enter Y if these are acceptable or N to choose other
dimensions.
"Y" (Y/N)
If N had been entered, the following would be displayed.
Enter the top diameter of your 1 gallon container.
"7" inches
A container top diameter of 7 inches would be used in the
calculations.
Enter the height of your 1 gallon container.
"8" inches
A container height of 8 inches would be used in the
calculations.
5. Select units for application rate.
1. teaspoons
2. tablespoons
3. grams
4. pounds
"3" (1-4)
The quantity of fertilizer applied per 1 gallon container is 6
grams. Thus, grams were selected in question 5 and 6 entered for
question 6. If 1 was entered in question 5, the following would
be displayed.
How many teaspoons are applied per application to the 1
gallon container?
"1" teaspoon/container
The computer would search internal files to locate brand
entered in question 1 and the weight of fertilizer applied per
application to the 1 gallon container would be displayed as follows.
The weight of SUPERFERT applied per application to each
container is 7.5 grams (0.01651 pounds). If this is
acceptable, enter Y. Enter N to specify the weight.
"N" (Y/N)
If you did not agree with this weight, enter N. The following
would be displayed.
Select units for the weight of SUPERFERT applied to the 1
gallon container.
A. grams per container
B. pounds per container
"A" (A,B)
Enter the weight of SUPERFERT applied per application to
the 1 gallon container.
"7" grams/container
Units were selected in previous question. A weight of 7 grams
of SUPERFERT per application to the I gallon container would now
be used for fertilizer cost calculations.
In question 5, grams were chosen so the preceding questions
were not displayed. The number of grams applied is entered in
question 6.
6. How many grams are applied per application to the 1 gallon
container?
"6" grams/container
7. How many times in one year is SUPERFERT applied to the 1
gallon container when top-dressing?
"2" applications/year
8. How many containers are top-dressed in one hour?
"2000" containers/hour
You should include loading, mixing, or other time associated
with top-dressing when determining number of containers
top-dressed per hour; however, be consistent when making
comparisons. Number of containers top-dressed in 1 hour is based
on 1 worker or figured on a per worker basis per application.
9. What is your hourly labor wage when top-dressing
SUPERFERT? Enter dollars paid per hour.
"4" $/hour
You should include costs associated with labor other than just
the hourly wage (example: FICA); however, be consistent when
making comparisons. Hourly labor wage is based on 1 worker or
figured on a per worker basis.
10. Select units for purchasing the SUPERFERT.
A. tons B. pounds
"A" (A,B)
11. What is the cost of SUPERFERT you are top-dressing?
"2000" $/ton
Units were selected in question 10.
CONTAINER NURSERY FERTILIZATION COST
Method used for a Fertilizer' Labor
1 gallon container cost/cont/year cost/cont/year
Top-dressing SUPERFERT 7-7-7 $ 0.026456 $ 0.004000
Totals of the I method $ 0.026456 $ 0.004000
Total cost of fertilization/cont/year $0.030456
Press return to continue.
From the table above, total annual fertilizer cost is
$0.026456 and total labor cost is $0.00400 for the 1 gallon.
container when top-dressing SUPERFERT.
Summary of inputs and outputs.
Top-dressing SUPERFERT 7-7-7
1 gallon containers
Applied 6.0 grams per container 2 times per year
Fertilizer costs: $2000.00/ton $0.026456 per container per year
Labor costs: $4.00 per hour $0.004000 per container per year
2000 containers per hour
If the growth medium in this container received the DELUXE
incorporation in addition to the top-dress application of
SUPERFERT, the fertilization costs would be displayed as below
after making appropriate inputs for both methods of application.
I ; [I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l U I I I I I J I I I
CONTAINER NURSERY
Methods used for
a 1 gallon container
Incorporating DELUXE 14-14-14
Top-dressing SUPERFERT 7-7-7
FERTILIZATION COST
Fertilizer
cost/cont/year
$ 0.039390
$ 0.026456
Totals of the Z methods ~ U.UObU4O
Totals of the Z methods $ u.ub5M
Total cost of fertilization/cont/year $
Press return to continue.
Labor
cost/cont/year
$ 0.009454
$ 0.004000
SUU40.07930
0.07930
Since fertilizer was applied by the two methods to the same
container, the costs for each method are added.
30
12. Will you fertilize this plant during the year with another
fertilizer or method of fertilization? Enter Y to add
another fertilizer or method; N to end the program.
"N"
. .. .. . . I I I II II I
Will you fertilize this plant during the year with another
fertilizer or method of fertilization? Enter Y to add
another fertilizer or method; N to end the program.
"N"
Summary of inputs and outputs.
Incorporating DELUXE 14-14-14
1 gallon containers 253.9 containers per cubic yard
Applied 10.0 pounds/cubic yard
Fertilizer costs: $2000.00/ton $0.039390 per container per year
Labor costs: $4.00 paid per hour $0.009454 per container per year
36.0 minutes/cubic yard
Top-dressing SUPERFERT 7-7-7
1 gallon containers
Applied 6.0 grams per container 2 times per year
Fertilizer costs: $2000.00/ton $0.026456 per container per year
Labor costs: $4.00/hour $0.004000 per container per year
2000 containers per hour
The function "print screen" may be used for a hard copy of
fertilization cost tables and summary screens.
COMPUTATIONAL FORMULAS
A. Broadcast Dry
Rate units
Applied
Applied
Applied
Applied
Applied
pounds
pounds
pounds
pounds
nitrogen per acre
phosphorus pentoxide per acre
potassium oxide per acre
fertilizer per acre
pounds of fertilizer applied per acre =
Rate A/(nit/100)
Rate B/(phos/100)
Rate C/(potas/100)
Rate D
Nit = percentage nitrogen in fertilizer
Phos = percentage phosphorus pentoxide in fertilizer
Potas = percentage potassium oxide in fertilizer
Apprate = applied timesapp fertcost
Timesapp = number of applications
Fertcost = cost of one pound of fertilizer
The cost of fertilizer per container =
Fertpercont = apprate/contperacre
Contperacre = containers per acre
The cost of labor per container =
Laborcost = laborrate timesapp hours *
(1/contperacre)
Laborrate = dollars paid per hour
Hours = hours to fertilize one acre
B. Incorporated
The cost of fertilizer per container =
Fertpercont = apprate control fertcost
Apprate = pounds of fertilizer per cubic yard
Contvol = container volume (Table 1)
Fertcost = cost of one pound of fertilizer
The cost of labor per container =
Laborcost = (laborrate minutes control)
Laborrate dollars paid per minute
Minutes = minutes to incorporate fertilizer in one cubic yard
of media
C. Injection
Rate units
= pounds of fertilizer per acre
= pounds of fertilizer per gallon of water applied
= pounds of nitrogen per acre
= pounds of phosphorus pentoxide per acre
= pounds of potassium oxide per acre
= gallons of fertilizer per acre
ppm nitrogen
ppm phosphorus
ppm potassium
Applied = pounds of fertilizer applied per acre
Applied = Rate A
Applied = Rate B water (gallons per acre)
If drip irrigation is used:
Water unit a = inches water per container
Water = (3.14) ((topdia/2)2) a contperacre (1/231)
Water = water unit b = gallons water per acre
Water unit c = gallons water per container
Water = c contperacre
If drip irrigation is not used:
Water unit d = inches water per acre
Water = d 27150 (gallons/per acre-inch)
Water = unit e = gallons water per acre
Applied = Rate C /(nit/100)
Applied = Rate D/(phos/100)
Applied = Rate E/(potas/100)
Nit = percentage nitrogen in fertilizer
Phos = percentage phosphorus pentoxide in fertilizer
Potas = percentage potassium oxide in fertilizer
Applied = Rate F galpounds
Galpounds = 10 pounds per gallon of concentrated
fertilizer. The default is 10 unless
specified.
Applied = ((Rate G/(nit/100))/119947) water
119947 ppm = 1 pound per gallon
Applied = ((Rate H/((phos/100) x (0.436)))/119947) water
Applied = ((Rate I/((potas/100) x (0.83)))/119947) water
Apprate = applied timesapp fertcost
Timesapp = number of applications
Fertcost = cost of one pound of fertilizer
The cost of fertilizer per container =
Fertpercont = apprate/contperacre
Contperacre = containers per acre
The cost of labor per container =
Laborcost = laborrate timesapp hours (1/contperacre)
Laborrate = dollars paid per hour
Hours = hours to fertilize one acre
D. Top-dress
Rate units A = teaspoons
B = tablespoons
C = grams
D = pounds
If units are A or B, and brand of fertilizer is listed in
Table 2, then the gram weight for a teaspoon or tablespoon is
given. This weight may be used, a different weight entered,
or a default of 7.49 grams for a teaspoon and 14.54 grams for
a tablespoon may be used. Grams are converted to pounds
(grams/453.59 pounds).
Apprate = rate amt
rate = number of teaspoons or tablespoons per container
amt weight of teaspoon or tablespoon of fertilizer
If unit is C, then grams are converted to pounds.
The cost of fertilizer per container =
Fertpercont = apprate timesapp fertcost
Apprate = pounds of fertilizer per container per application
Timesapp = number of applications
Fertcost = cost of one pound of fertilizer
The cost of labor per container =
Laborcost = laborrate (1/contperhour) timesapp
Laborrate = dollars paid per hour
Contperhour = containers fertilized per hour
Table 1. Container dimensions used for computations.
Container
size
(gallons)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Container
area
(square inches)
28.27
50.26
78.54
95.03
113.10
122.66
132.73
Top
diameter
(inches)
6
8
10
11
12
12.5
13
Container volume
(cubic inches)
183.78
402.12
667.59
1045.36
1357.20
1471.88
1592.71
control (cubic yards) = control (cubic inches)/(363)
Table 2. Granular fertilizer weights used for computations.
Brand Teaspoon Tablespoon
weight (g) weight (g)
Progrow or Scotts default 16.21
Shore 8.20 default
Osmocote or Sierra 6.00 12.65
Lesco 8.65 default
Millers 8.60 default
Peoples default 13.66
default (18% N) 18.95
IMC default 21.20
FEC default 13.45
Sunniland default 14.20
Atlantic default 12.30
Deful = 7. i i 49g 14. i iuii 5
Height
(inches)
6.5
8
8.5
11
12
12
12
14.54g
Default =
7.49g
Figure 1. Fertilization cost calculation flow chart.
Trade names and companies are mentioned with the understanding that
no discrimination is intended nor endorsement implied by the
University of Florida.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, K.R. Tefertiller,
director, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture, publishes this information to further the purpose of the May 8 and
June 30, 1914 Acts of Congress; and Is authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institu. l U
tions that.function without regard to race, color, sex or national origin. Single copies of Extension publications (excluding 4-H and Youth publica-
tions) are available free to Florida residents from County Extension Offices. Information on bulk rates or copies for out-of-state purchasers is ""="='
available from C.M. Hinton, Publications Distribution Center, IFAS Building 664, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611. Before publicizing this publication,
editors should contact this address to determine availability.
|
