The selling price of crops has not drastically risen over the past decades, but the cost of everything else has increased at a much faster pace. Growers have been very good at optimizing their production in order to maintain decent margins in spite of the increasing expenses for transportation, labour, equipment, chemicals and much more, including growing media. When you are looking at ways to cut down on your production costs, producing your own growing mix may seem like an attractive way to save some money, especially for large-scale growers. It certainly appears to have fewer implications than molding your own containers or manufacturing your own water-soluble fertilizers.
Although some initial investment is required (building, hoppers, conveyors, mixer), the potential return on investment can be very appealing. However, many intangible elements of making your own mix can be overlooked leading to unforeseen additional costs that can have significant repercussions on your bottom-line. Before ordering and installing a mix line, it is important to carefully evaluate all the implications and validate that this is indeed a viable investment. Let’s explore some key costs that are often overlooked.