How much does it cost to grow asparagus?
The costs of production of asparagus production varies, however, harvest labor is the highest expense. Based on most recent production and price averages, the estimated gross value per acre is approximately $4,200 to $6,000 per acre for wholesale and retail markets, respectively.
What is the nutritional value of asparagus?
It is a low calorie, nutritious vegetable that is high in iron, fiber, and vitamins C and A; one cup of asparagus contains 3 grams of protein. Most of the asparagus harvested in the United States is sold as fresh.
What is included in the budget for asparagus?
The other budgets summarize the receipts, costs, and net returns of an asparagus enterprise for the first year after planting, the second year after planting, and a mature crop. These sample budgets should help ensure that all costs and receipts are included in your calculations.
How much is an acre of land worth?
In the continental United States (48 states), there are around 1.9 billion acres of land. The average value of that land is around $12,000 per acre. There are also huge ranges in that average, however.
Is Growing asparagus profitable?
Planting new asparagus fields is expensive, and it can take experienced growers several years just to break even. Still, many mixed-crop farmers report that asparagus is their most profitable crop, so enterprising small growers can certainly find plenty of opportunity in the industry.
How much money does asparagus make?
Asparagus growers' spending snapshot – by the dollar California's asparagus growers spend nearly $55.6 million annually in the state. This spending creates a ripple effect of overall business activity projected to total nearly $91.4 million annually or about $250,350 each day of the year.
How many years will asparagus produce?
15 to 30 yearsPlant asparagus in spring or fall in a sunny spot with nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Asparagus takes a few seasons to mature but will reap a harvest for 15 to 30 years, so choose a planting location that will go undisturbed for a long time.
What state grows the most asparagus?
(WXYZ) — Here's something you probably didn't know: Michigan produces the most asparagus in the country. According to Agriculture Facts and Figures from the state government, Michigan produces up to 23 million pounds of the vegetable annually. Michigan growers harvest approximately 9,500 acres annually.
Which country produces the most asparagus?
ChinaIn that year, China was the biggest producer of asparagus worldwide, producing approximately 7.3 million metric tons of asparagus....Global leading asparagus producing countries in 2020 (in metric tons)CharacteristicProduction in metric tonsChina, mainland7,311,235Peru370,532Mexico300,5757 more rows
How do you grow commercial asparagus?
Whether planting crowns or transplants, the asparagus is planted in an 8-inch deep furrow with a W-shaped configuration at the bottom of the furrow. The crown and transplant are planted in the W-shaped furrow beneath the soil surface, and the furrow is gradually filled with soil during the growing season.
What happens if you don't harvest asparagus?
You should harvest all of the spears that come up until the end of the harvest period, even the small diameter ones. If you don't, asparagus beetles will lay their eggs in those ferns.
Does asparagus regrow after cutting?
Yes, it does. Asparagus regrow after cutting. This is because perennial plants make a return year after year. The fact that a plant lasts 20 years is evidence that it does regrow after cutting.
Should you let asparagus go to seed?
Comments for Asparagus Plants Have Gone to Seed Don't cut them back until autumn if you miss the cutting season, just let them grow.
What vegetable produces the most?
Potatoes are the most produced vegetable in the United States followed by tomatoes, onions, sweet corn and lettuce. The United States produced more than 42 billion pounds of potatoes in 2020. The United States produces more than 1 billion pounds of 18 different vegetables and melon crops.
How much asparagus do you get from one plant?
A mature stand of asparagus plants produces spears over several weeks, up to eight weeks. During this time, a healthy plant should yield around 20 spears.
How deep do asparagus roots grow?
10 to 15 feet deepSince asparagus is a long-lived perennial, do not plant where trees or tall shrubs might eventually shade the plants or compete for nutrients and water. Soil - The crown and root system can grow to an enormous size: 5 to 6 feet in diameter and 10 to 15 feet deep.
How much is a bunch of asparagus?
When we see asparagus in the supermarket, they are usually sold in a bunch. A bunch usually weighs from ¾ to 2+ pounds depending on its quantity. If you are looking for a pound, you need about 30 to 40 small, 20 to 30 standard, or 12 to 18 large untrimmed spears.
How much asparagus do you get from one plant?
A mature stand of asparagus plants produces spears over several weeks, up to eight weeks. During this time, a healthy plant should yield around 20 spears.
How much asparagus will one crown produce?
approximately ½ pound(One crown will ultimately yield approximately ½ pound of asparagus spears per season). By planting more than one variety, you will extend your harvest period.
Where does the US import asparagus from?
Americans consume over 500 million pounds of asparagus each year, with the vast majority, or 80%-90% of the vegetable being imported, primarily from Mexico and Peru, according to the USDA. In 2021, Peru accounted for about 40% of the value of all U.S. asparagus imports, second only to Mexico's 59% share of imports.
Introduction.
assumptions.
- • To standardize machinery operating costs, we used published custom rates (Stein, 2015) and local custom rates reported by agriculture suppliers and growers. • Crop inputs were based on: – The predominant practice used by cooperators. – Cost/unit for inputs based on Oceana County and Mason County growers and agriculture suppliers. – The average or predominant rate per ac…
Methods.
- We met individually with nine commercial growers representing approximately 1,200 acres of asparagus to estimate costs and revenues. We gathered additional information via phone and email from local agriculture suppliers. We consulted a local building contractor to estimate construction costs for new migrant labor housing. Annual budgets are in the appendix on page 10.
Stand Longevity, Yields & Markets.
- Grower interviews suggest asparagus stands are maintaining higher peak yields for a longer period than in 2009. Stands were expected to last 12 to 16 years in 2015, with an average lifespan of 13 years, identical to the 2009 study. Growers expected stands to maintain peak yields of 3,000 to 5,000 pounds per acre, with an average of 4,000 pounds per acre for 6 years. In contrast, 200…
Production Costs & Revenue.
- Overall, some input costs increased while others decreased in 2015 compared to the 2009 study (Table 1). In general, fertilizer and pesticide prices have decreased on a per unit basis. The largest decreases were in the cost of potash and the fungicide tebuconazole. The largest cost increase was for turkey litter, with the cost of asparagus seed and fumigation also increasing.
Enterprise Costs & Returns and Net Cash Flow Over time.
- Net revenue during peak production increased in comparison to 2009 for these reasons: • A higher peak yield (4,000 pounds per acre vs. 3,500). • Higher sales prices in the spear and fresh markets compared to cuts and tips (Table 4). • Six years of peak yields in 2015 in comparison to 4 years in 2009. The development of the spear and fresh markets has been customer driven. Consumers n…
Break Even Price and Rates of return.
- Table 7 summarizes expected yield and key economic measures, by year, over the 13-year life of the stand including present value analysis. Present value is the current worth of a future sum of money or stream of cash flows at a specified rate of return, or discount. For example, receiving $1,000 now is worth more than $1,000 5 years from now, because if you got the money now, yo…
Conclusions.
- Asparagus is a long-term investment that can payoff. The key to long-term profitability is to do everything with a long-term view. Doing things right in the early years should result in a long-lived, profitable stand. Improvements in technology and management have translated to higher peak yields and a longer number of peak yield years in comparison to earlier studies. Management pr…
Acknowledgments.
- The authors would like to thank the commercial asparagus growers that participated in this project; John Bakker, director of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board; and the commercial agricultural input suppliers for their assistance. Thanks also to the editorial and design staff of ANR Creative, MSUExtension.
References.
- Bakker, J., & Ball, T. (2014). Third international cultivar trial (2003). In Michigan Asparagus Research 2014 (pp. 5–9). Dewitt, MI: Michigan Asparagus Research Committee. Dartt, B. (2009). 2009 draft asparagus cost of production. Portage, MI: Lookout Ridge Consulting. Hausbeck, M. K., & Cortright, B. (2008, December). New management techniques for Fusarium and Phytophthora …