Crop Estimating Help

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Step by Step Instructions for Estimating Avocado Crop


  1. Collect all your previous crop estimates records and compare them to the actual volume you harvested each year as provided by your handler. The more practice you get estimating your crop the more accurate you will become, and previous records will help you fine-tune your estimating skills. Also, throughout the process keep a note pad with you and record all information as you go - this will save you having to go back and start over.

  2. Do a preliminary walk of your grove(s) to get a sense of how the crop is distributed within each block. Then choose a few trees (at least 10; the more the better) in your lightest, medium and most heavy producing areas of each block. Estimate the production (total number of fruit) per tree. Some like to use a hand counter to do this - available from most agricultural supply stores.

  3. Calculate the average number of equivalent lugs per tree expected in each area by dividing the total number of fruit per tree by the average fruit size. For example a tree with 300 size 60 fruit will be carrying 5 lugs per tree (300 ÷ 60 = 5).

    Note: Estimate your average fruit size based on past records and your current crop; for example a light crop may average around size 40 at harvest; a heavier crop around 60.

  4. Multiply the average lugs per tree by the number of trees in the block and you will get an estimate of the total number of lugs of fruit in the block.

    Note: If you don't know how many trees are in your grove, you can calculate this by multiplying the spacing (for example 16 feet × 20 feet = 320) and then divide this number into 43,560 (the number of square feet in an acre). In this example the calculation is 43,560 × 320 = 136.1250 - or about 136 trees per acre. Take into consideration roads, ditches or other obstacles. Tree count is important for an accurate estimate. If all else fails, manually count each tree in your grove. Remember to keep your tree count filed and updated.

  5. A standard lug of fruit weighs 25 pounds - so you can calculate the number of pounds of fruit per block by multiplying the number of lugs by 25. For example a block with 500 lugs of fruit on the trees will have 12,500 lbs of fruit.

  6. Finally, add up the totals for each of your blocks sampled to come up with your total estimated production in pounds.

You may refer to the crop estimating calculator at www.avocado.org/growers/cropestcalc.php as another tool in your crop estimating effort.