Turf Rolling
Consult an accountant or another professional who can assist you in developing a strong financial model for your business before commencing turf production.
The following lists show some of the variable expenses involved in producing warm-season turf grass for sale as sod. Factors such as the species/cultivar choice and time of planting will influence production practices and therefore the costs involved.
The lists exclude marketing costs, which are normally undertaken by individual enterprises. Add-on services can include turf installation and maintenance.
1. Land preparation
- herbicide pre-treatments (multiple)
- fumigation
- rotary hoeing - fuel/oil
- disc harrowing - fuel/oil
Roller Mower
- levelling
- fertilisers
- labour
2. Planting
- foundation sod
- equipment - fuel/oil
- labour
3. Fertilising
- fertilisers
- organic amendment, e.g. poultry litter, vermicastings
- labour
4. Weed control
Spraydome Turf Sprayer
- herbicides
- mowing - fuel/oil
- mower blades
- labour
5. Pest and disease control
- insecticides
- fungicides
- miticides
- labour - spraying and monitoring
6. Irrigation
- water charges
- electricity - pumping
- irrigation and pump repairs and maintenance
- labour
Sod Production
7. Rolling (optional)
- labour
- equipment - fuel/oil
8. Harvesting
- turf cutter - fuel/oil
- turf cutter blades
- labour - cutting and stacking
- transport - fuel, oil, labour
- pallet collection - labour
9. Other
- royalty payments per metre cut (licensed cultivars)
- industry levy (per metre cut)
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