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2003 ROUNDUP READY SOYBEAN PRODUCTION BUDGET
No-Tillage Practices
  ITEM   EXPLANATION PRICE PER YIELD (bu/A)   YOUR 
UNIT BUDGET
                  30 40 50    
RECEIPTS
Soybeans 1 $5.15 bu $155 $206 $258  
VARIABLE  COSTS
Seed 2 80 lbs 0.40 /lb 32 32 32  
Fertilizer 3  
P2O5(lbs) 25 30 40 0.24 lb 6 7 10  
K2O(lbs) 60 75 90 0.13 lb 8 10 12  
Lime(ton) 0.5 12 ton 6 6 6  
Chemicals 4 24 24 24  
Trucking - Fuel Only 0.03 bu 1 1 2  
Fuel, Oil, Grease 5 5 5 5  
Repairs 6 12 12 12  
Miscellaneous 7 12 13 14  
Int. on Oper. Cap. 8 5 mo. 9.0% 4 4 4  
Hired Labor 9 0 0 0  
         
TOTAL VARIABLE COSTS 109 114 119  
3.63 2.84 2.39  
FIXED COSTS
Labor Charge 9 2 hours 9.00 /hr 18 18 18  
Mach. and Equip. Charge 10 43 43 43  
Land Charge 11 50 70 90  
Management Charge 8 10 13    
TOTAL FIXED COSTS 118 141 164  
TOTAL COSTS -Per Acre 227 255 283  
-Per Bushel 7.58 6.37 5.66  
RETURN ABOVE VARIABLE COSTS 45 92 138  
RETURN ABOVE TOTAL COSTS (73) (49) (26)  
RETURN TO LABOR AND MANAGEMENT 12 (47) (20) 5  
                           
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1 Price based on average government loan rate for Ohio and not on market price.  Roundup Ready soybeans are a 
genetically modified organism and may receive a slightly lower price in some instances.
2 Seed costs are $24.25 per 50 pound bag, untreated.
3 Assumes only maintenance application of fertilizer needed, soil test values of 25 ppm P/A and 150 ppm K/A.
Prices were quoted in October, 2002.  Fertilizer prices vary over time and by area.  Check with local sources
 for current prices.
4 Based on use of Roundup Ultra for burndown and post applications, application rate will vary 
with weed pressure and previous crop.  Roundup Ready soybeans are often used in part as a tool for perennial 
weed control.  While this intrinsic value is not included in the budget, it should be considered when exploring 
opportunities with Roundup Ready soybeans.
5 See table below for specific calculations.  Lubrication costs are assumed to be 15% of fuel costs.
6 See table below for specific calculations.
7 Includes supplies, utilities, soil tests, small tools, crop insurance, etc…
8 Interest on all variable costs, except trucking, for 5 months at 9% interest rate.
9 Part or all of labor may be a variable cost if paid labor varies with acres farmed. 
It’s a fixed cost if labor costs do not change with acres farmed.
10 Reflects 1000 acres, no-till practices. See table below for specific calculations.
11 Average based on 1999 data.  Land charges vary throughout the state, check your local rates.
12 Return to labor and management is the revenue less total expenses except operator labor and management.
It is a measure of the returns to the operator's labor and management.
Machinery Inventory
Number times used Cost  Acres/  Hr Fuel*        ($/A) Repairs ($/A)
50 ft. Boom Sprayer 1 $5,500 25.6 0.11 0.10
15 Ft Grain Drill 1 $26,800 12.0 0.81 1.43
Combine w/ 20' head 1 $146,400 5.4 2.02 5.24
Gravity Grain Wagons 2 $7,000 1.20 0.84
Fertilizer Spreader 1 $10,400 23.80 0.11 0.23
130 HP Tractor $76,200 3.84
Pickup Truck (1/2) $12,500   0.10 0.05
Total per Acre     284,800 4.35 11.73
Fixed Costs Rate 15%
Mach. And Equip Charge =   $43 Price of Diesel Fuel $1.00 /gal
Machinery and Equipment charge = Total Machine Inventory Cost x Fixed Costs Rate  / 1000 acres
=$284,800 x 15% / 1000 acres = $43/acre
Machines are all assumed to be new and in the first year of use.  Older/used machines will likely have lower 
machinery costs.  Size of operation will also effect cost of machinery per acre.  For an analysis on machine 
costs for different sized operations, see economies of scale budgets in this publication
Fixed costs rate includes depreciation, interest, housing, and insurance.
*Fuel calculations are based on the implement plus tractor.