Topping Calculator
The following file may be downloaded and used to make decisions about the economic benefits of topping citrus trees. The file is in Microsoft Excel. There may differences in how this file reacts depending on browser settings.
Economic returns from topping
A Topping Calculator
Variables affecting the returns from topping include yield loss due to topping, higher picking costs if not topped, cost of topping, yield per acre, and the price of fruit. None of these variables are known at the time a decision about topping is made, but experienced managers may provide reasonable estimates that will provide a basis for improved decisions about topping.
The return from topping may be either positive or negative. The example below assumes a 15% yield reduction due to topping, a cost of $25 per acre for topping, and a 10 cent increase in harvest cost (pick and haul) if trees are not topped. In this example, net returns are reduced $250/acre by topping. Fruit price is an important factor in returns from topping. At delivered in fruit prices of $5.00 per box or more, a small yield loss from topping provides a negative return from topping even if picking costs are significantly increased by not topping. However, as fruit prices decline and approach the cost of pick and haul, any increase in picking cost becomes more significant. An Excel spread sheet may be downloaded that performs these calculation. This provides the opportunity to conduct a number of "what if" situations. Please send comments, suggestions, and corrections to taw@crec.ifas.ufl.edu .
Table 1. Economic returns from topping - an example.
Topped |
Not Topped |
|
Yield ( boxes/acre) |
425 |
500 |
Solids/box (lbs) |
5.5 |
5.5 |
Solids price ($/lb) |
1.00 |
1.00 |
Production costs ($/acre) |
825 |
800 |
Harvesting costs/box ($) |
1.80 |
1.90 |
Net returns/ acre ($/solids) |
747 |
1000 |
Returns from topping ($/acre) (250)
File provided by T.A. Wheaton 10/26/98
