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Starting an orchard
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Posted by kalefarmer (My Page) on Mon, Aug 24, 09 at 10:15
| I am thinking of starting an orchard. I have a 30 acre field in eastern Kentucky that would be well suited for fruit trees. My husband and I have recently planted a 40 tree mixed fruit orchard in our backyard, so I am not a complete novice about laying out an orchard, planting, pruning, spraying schedules and tree care.
I also would like to get organic certification. I currently grow everything organically, just have not owned my land long enough to get certification.
Ideally we would like to take care of the trees ourselves and maybe hire help for harvesting. Our land is paid for, and I know that it takes time for the trees to mature to bear fruit. I am looking for advice from people who have experience growing fruit professionally. Like are you happy with your choice, what would you do differently, etc.
I am attracted to fruit trees for their relative permanence. I love trees! My husband and I both like working outside, and want to be food producers, but are not really interested in expensive farm machinery. Do you think our dream is possible? Could we make enough money from a 30 acre orchard to support a family of three (keep in mind our land is paid for)?
Thanks. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Starting an orchard
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- Posted by bboy USDA 8 Sunset 5 WA (My Page) on
Mon, Aug 24, 09 at 15:42
"Economic Considerations
The cost of establishing a high density orchard
is greater than that of a lower density orchard.
Establishing an orchard of 300 supported trees
per acre can range from $7,500 to $10,000 per
acre. Initial investments include land preparation,
purchase of trees, tree establishment, installation
of an irrigation system and construction of a tree
support system. A good sprayer for insect and
disease control will also be needed. In addition,
field monitoring instruments can range in price
from $100 to $6,000, depending on the level of
sophistication.
Annual pre-harvest production costs for each
production system can range from $1,400 to
$1,500 per acre. Harvest costs will vary depending
on the wage rate paid to labor and the availability
of harvest equipment, but can generally be
estimated at around $1.60 per bushel. At a retail
price of $10 to $30 per bushel, the central leader
(medium density) and high density systems can
return about $1,750 to $8,300 per acre to land,
labor, and management in a full production year" |
Here is a link that might be useful: apples.pdf
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