Step-by-Step Instructions for Estimating Avocado Crop:
-
Collect all previous crop estimate records, and compare them to the actual volume you harvested annually, as provided by your handler. Previous avocado harvest records will assist you in fine-tuning your estimating skills. Keep a notepad handy, and record all information as you go; this will eliminate the possibility of having to start over.
-
Do a preliminary walk through your grove(s) to get a sense of crop distribution within each block. Then choose a minimum of 10 avocado trees (the more trees, the better) in your lightest, medium and heaviest producing areas, per block. Estimate the production (total number of fruit), per tree. Some avocado growers prefer using hand counters, which are available from most agricultural supply stores.
-
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 five lugs, per tree (300 ÷ 60 = 5).
-
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.
-
Multiply the average lugs, per tree, by the number of trees in the block, and you will generate an estimate of the total number of fruit lugs, per block.
-
If you don't know how many trees are in your grove, you can calculate such by multiplying the spacing (for example, 16 feet × 20 feet = 320) and dividing 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.
-
A standard lug of fruit weighs 25 pounds; therefore, 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 produce 12,500 lbs of fruit.
-
Add up the totals for all blocks sampled, to determine your total-estimated avocado production in pounds.