WESTERN GROWERS CASE STUDY
Table 5. Triangle Farms Pre-LaserWeeder Costs for Hand Weeding by Organic Crop
2022 USING ONLY CONTRACTED H-2A HAND LABOR
CONTRACTED H-2A HAND WEEDING COST ($/ACRE)
TOTAL CONTRACTED H-2A HAND WEEDING COSTS
CROP
ACRES PLANTED
78
$1,000.00
$78,000.00
Organic Spinach
350
$1,800.00
$630,000.00
Organic Salanova Oakleaf Lettuce
80
$700.00
$56,000.00
Organic Arugula
600
$500.00
$300,000.00
Organic Romaine (Direct seed)
TOTALS =
1,108
$1,064,000
High Density Leafy Greens
Medium Density Vegetables
Trailer developed by Carbon Robotics allows for transportation with a ¾- or 1-ton pickup. Maneuvering the 20-foot-wide implement may also be a challenge for small farms or those with fences.
Table 6. Triangle Farms Costs for Running One LaserWeeder (Assumes a 5-year depreciation schedule)
$/ACRE
HARD COSTS
$1,200,000 (Dep Over 5 Yrs on 1,108 Acres/Year)
$216.61
3-Bed Laser Weeding Implement
JD 6-175 $2,500/month Lease on 1,108 Acres
$27.07
Tractor
$74.91
$83,000 per Year
Hardware + Over the Air (OTA) Service Plans
$28.57
4.5 gal/hr @ $5/gal
Fuel
$48.57
Qty: 2 Operators @ $24.29 ea
Operators (Loaded) (2x)
$33.00
Supervisor (Loaded) (1x)
$20.00
Transport Trucks, Fuel etc
Logistical Operations (moving)
COST PER ACRE TO RUN LASERWEEDER =
$448.73
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