Questions to Ask Before Growing a New Crop
When we asked growers about alternative crops in a recent survey, your crop choices were all over the place – ranging from hemp to floral to fodder grains. But when it came to why you would choose those crops, and your concerns, you gave us a rock-solid list of what to consider before jumping in.
Together, your responses offer a solid review list of what you need to ask before adding a new crop to your mix.
How Intense Is the Labor?
A big concern when growing an alternative crop is how much labor is involved. Let’s face it, with a tight labor market, growers can’t afford to take on intensive crops. It’s just too expensive.
For example, one anonymous pollster who wished to grow Zinnias worried about “labor to cut [flowers] daily.”
Do We Have Enough Money for This?
Several respondents are very worried about upfront costs. “When growing anything, there is always an upfront cost we must face before we see the benefits of our harvest.”
When it comes to possibly growing persimmons, blackberries, and other fruits and nuts, the upfront costs and marketing would be difficult to overcome, says David Lee of DHL Farms said.
What is the Risk of Loss in Growing this Crop?
Every crop has a shelflife. Some crops are more susceptible to diseases, lowering yields and profits. So growers must consider the risk of never recovering upfront costs.
An interesting concern brought up by an anonymous grower, who said their alternative crop would be hemp, is theft. Both hemp and marijuana may attract thieves, a type of financial hit vegetable growers rarely face.
For more questions to consider, continue reading at GrowingProduce.com.
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