How to Profit from Sod Farming

How to Profit from Sod Farming

Ever heard of a grass that gives money?

Sod is an economic grass and can be used for so many things. In 2011, New South Wales recorded $81 million with over 328 full-time employees. Sod farming requires effort, but the good thing is that the profit is worth the effort.

Sod Farming

You already know that the business setting is an agricultural business when farming is involved. Botanically, Sod belongs to the grass family called Poaceae, one of the largest plant families. In most countries, Sod is commonly used as turf. Turf is a surface layer of land consisting of grass and the earth in which its roots grow. Just like in the case of Sod, after it is harvested into rolls, they cluster around a thin soil layer.

Uses of Sod

Sod is embodied with health, industrial, and even economic importance. Some uses of Sod include:

1. Sod is commonly known for its aesthetic appearance to nature. This makes it useful in some homes and recreation centers.
2. It helps curb pollution because of its ability to absorb carbon dioxide and dust in the environment.
3. It helps prevent erosion by redirecting water to the soil and converting it into groundwater.
4. Sod serves as a traditional building material in some countries since most people use it as a roofing material.
5. It helps the environment by exchanging the carbon dioxide we exhale to give us oxygen.
6. Sod reduces heat.

Sod Farming in Nigeria 

In Nigeria, Sod could serve as food for animals like Goat, cows, sheep, and other herbivores. 

Construction companies that make use of this grass would also patronize sod producers.

The practice of sod farming is minimal or not practiced at all. This is a profitable sector that has been overlooked by Nigerians, and it is advised that Nigerians should give this business idea a try since the need for this product is high, and the competition is low.

How Much is Needed for Sod Farming Business?

Stegelin suggested that the cost of planting and growing 100 acres of Sod is about $1,888 per acre.

Starting a sod farm requires a lot of money with equipment like 

• A mower that cost 110 dollars on a low-end cost
• Fertilizer spreader- $50-100$
• Plow-$3000-$4500
• Sod cutter- $1,680-$1,750
• Tractor- $25,000-50,000 for mid-size tractor
• skid steer loader to help load the Sod into the truck-$25,000-$65,000 depending on size
• truck for sod delivery to customers to clients – price is dependent on size and brand

For beginners who cannot afford all this equipment, they can start with renting equipment to attain financial balance before buying a new one.

Practical Guide to Sod Farming

Before Sod is planted, there are preliminary steps that should be considered. These include:

• Tilling the soil to remove rocks and other barriers that might affect growth.
• Dispersion of manure or fertilizers to inspire bountiful sod growth.
• Re-tilling the soil to enhance blending of the soil and manure or fertilizer. 

Sod Planting and Harvest.

It is recommended to commence sod planting during the winter or rainy season. This is because the water helps transport plant nutrients, e.g., nitrogen, to the roots. This transportation of nutrients combined with fertilization helps to keep the grass greener. 

Seeds plant sods, and it takes 10 months to 24 months. Sod is skilfully harvested. It is harvested along with its roots that cluster on the soil, giving it a carpet form after the process of harvesting. Sods are harvested with machines.

Steps on How to Profit From Sod Business.

Sort for Viable Sod seeds

The Garbage in, Garbage out rule also applies for sod farming. When you sow good seeds, you reap good seeds and grass in the Sod farming business, making a good profit. Some examples of good sod seed species are;

Kentucky bluegrass

Bermudagrass 

Zoysiagrass

Tall fescue

Tall fescue

• Choose Quality Soils

Soils play a great role in determining your profit in this business. Black loam is recommended because of its percentage of black loam and peat moss. Adopting methods like compost or fertilizer infusions is an added advantage. This gives the grass an attractive look that invites buyers. Hence, profit is made.

• Make Irrigation plans.

Planting sod is more favorable to people living in riverine areas  

Grass needs water to survive. When securing a planting location for Sod, provisions should also be made on for water supply if not, the grasses will wither and die off, if this happens the business owner will run into a very big loss, so to prevent this, there should be plans for consistent irrigation practices. 

• Know Your Audience

Knowing the people and places, where your product is valued makes the business easy. For sod farming business, places where this product is used including football fields, schools, sports stadiums, golf courses, and even our homes. Construction companies also use Sod on construction sites to prevent erosion interference from work in progress. So now you know who needs your product and where it is needed, and you know the right people who need our product. What else?

• Connect and Engage your Audience

One of the easiest ways to connect and engage with your audience is by leveraging gadgets and social media to brand your business. A good social media presence or website where you display pictures of quality products, prices, and reviews from the client will profit the business.

Salary Ranges of Sod Farmers

In the US, of farmers earn $33,110 to $113,140 annually. 

In Canada, the average salary of sod farmers per hour is $13.43

In New York, the average salary of sod farmers per hour is $59,455 annually.

In Baltimore, the average salary of sod farmers per hour is $57,522 annually.

In Cambridge, MA, the average salary of sod farmers per hour is $61,304 annually.

CONCLUSION

Sod farming is a profitable business, yet risky, but these risks could be avoided when precautions are rightly taken with patience as a necessary virtue for the business. With the information given in this article, you have what is needed to kick off the business.