Faced with a $$17$ per hour minimum wage rate, the farming industry is currently exploring the possible use of robotics to replace some farm workers. The Farmhand is one such robot; its job is to thin out a field of lettuce, removing the least promising buds of lettuce. By removing these weaker plants, the stronger lettuce plants have more room to grow. Assume the following facts:

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While the Farmhand itself may be in workable condition for up to five years, assume that the farm would view its implementation as a one$-$year experiment.

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Cost$-$Benefit Analysis

Expected Benefits $($Cost Savings$)$: $$

Total expected benefits

Expected Costs: $$

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Total expected costs

Net expected benefit $($cost$)$