Market Farming

["Beth Spaugh" <lists AT rhomestead.com>]

There are some good, detailed spreadsheets out there on layer economics.
Mine from 2008, attached, is much simpler, with some WAGS, but I don't think
they are too far off.  For instance, if you don't know how much it cost to
raise your pullets (were feeding several groups and didn't keep feed cost
separate), find out what started pullets would cost and use that figure.  If
you have equipment but aren't sure of the cost,  use the replacement cost
(which is a good idea to do anyway, because if you stay in business long
enough, it will eventually need to be replaced). For replacement cost, I
would use the retail that I would buy if I bought, because my labor in
building if I home built instead should be accounted for, not just
materials.  Oops, I'm getting it complicated, and attached the file so you
could see how elementary it can be.


Beth Spaugh
Rehoboth Homestead, Peru, NY
Farm Fresh Food Club CSA - http://rhomestead.com 
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Garden fresh vegetables, organically grown, and pastured chicken, duck, and
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-----Original Message-----
From: market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Thamnophis
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 7:04 PM
To: farmersue AT myfairpoint.net; Market Farming
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Egg prices

I'm curious, how do you (or anyone) go about calculating cost of production?

I noticed that at one of our markets some vendors bid the price down
and others decided to follow suit. But I was told that everyone was
selling at a loss rather than go home with unsold eggs.

The price at the beginning of the summer was $3.50 (I think one vendor
had them for $4.00), but they ended up at $2.50 per dozen. At that
price I decided to get out of the egg business :-)

The problem (I gather) is that some at the market are selling just to
offset costs, or the eggs are their kids projects. Either way,
actually making a living is the primary concern.

You know, there are international laws against "dumping", maybe we
should get the WTO involved? :-)

Joe
Boone County, IA

On 1/12/11, Sue Wells <farmersue AT myfairpoint.net> wrote:
> Eggs Organic, not certified, free ranged, and area shoveled of snow,  $4
for
> medium, and $5 large. I may be changing to $5 for all sizes and just
mixing
> them up soon.
>
> Sue
>
> Vermont
>
>
>
>
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Attachment: layers 2008.xls
Description: MS-Excel spreadsheet