Crop Yield & Revenue Calculator

Crop yields in New Zealand vary by crop type, region, season, and management. Indicative yields for common NZ crops are: wheat 7 to 10 tonnes per hectare (t/ha) under irrigation in Canterbury; barley 5 to 8 t/ha; ryegrass seed 1.0 to 1.5 t/ha; potatoes 40 to 60 t/ha; maize grain 12 to 16 t/ha under irrigation; and oilseed rape (canola) 2.5 to 4.0 t/ha. Canterbury is New Zealand's main arable cropping region, producing the majority of the country's grain and seed crops. Waikato and Northland are key maize-growing regions. Yields are highly variable depending on the variety selected, soil type, rainfall or irrigation, and crop protection. The Plant and Food Research institute and Cereals NZ publish variety trial data to help farmers select the best varieties for their conditions. Source: Cereals NZ (cereals-nz.co.nz); Federated Farmers (federatedfarmers.org.nz).

To calculate gross revenue from a crop, use the formula: yield (t/ha) multiplied by paddock area (ha) multiplied by farm-gate price ($/t). For example, a wheat crop yielding 8 t/ha on a 20 ha paddock sold at $350 per tonne generates gross revenue of 8 x 20 x $350 = $56,000. To calculate your gross margin, deduct all variable costs including seed, fertiliser, agrichemicals, crop insurance, contract harvesting, cartage, drying, and storage. Fixed costs such as land rates and machinery depreciation are not included in gross margin but should be considered in whole-farm budgeting. A gross margin of $400 to $800/ha is typical for wheat, while irrigated maize can achieve $800 to $1,500/ha gross margin. Comparing crop gross margins helps farmers decide which crop to grow in each paddock. Source: Cereals NZ (cereals-nz.co.nz); Federated Farmers (federatedfarmers.org.nz).

New Zealand grain prices are influenced by international commodity markets, NZX Agri futures contracts, local supply and demand, and freight costs. As a general guide for 2024 to 2025 prices: milling wheat approximately $300 to $420 per tonne; feed barley approximately $270 to $360 per tonne; maize grain approximately $320 to $400 per tonne. Prices fluctuate seasonally and in response to global events such as weather disruptions in major producing regions. NZX Agri publishes grain price indices and futures data for NZ wheat and barley. Contract pricing through grain merchants such as PGG Wrightson or CropMark is common practice, with many farmers contracting a portion of their expected crop before harvest to manage price risk. On-farm storage allows farmers to hold grain and sell when prices are more favourable. Source: NZX Agri; Cereals NZ (cereals-nz.co.nz).

A gross margin in cropping is the revenue from a crop minus the variable costs directly associated with producing that crop, but before deducting fixed costs such as land rates, machinery depreciation, and interest. It is expressed as a dollar amount per hectare ($/ha) and allows farmers to compare the relative profitability of different crops on the same land. For example, a wheat gross margin might be $400 to $800/ha, while an irrigated maize gross margin might be $800 to $1,500/ha. Higher gross margins do not always mean growing that crop is the best decision, as some crops require more capital, machinery, or carry higher risk. Gross margin analysis is a standard farm planning tool used by agronomists and farm consultants throughout NZ to help farmers allocate their cropping area to the most profitable combination of crops and pasture rotations. Source: Cereals NZ (cereals-nz.co.nz); Federated Farmers (federatedfarmers.org.nz).