Economics of Alternative Rotations

North Central Research Association

March 11, 2004

Rotation Considerations

Impact on yields Impact on costs, especially nitrogen and

pesticides Relative market prices Government program considerations

Rotation Considerations- Seven alternative rotations

- Continuous corn, Spring and Fall N- CCCO- CSb- CSbCO- CCOM- COMM

- Four N levels- 0, 80, 160, 240

Assumptions

N at $.25 per pound Corn after corn $164 variable cost First year corn $152 variable cost Oats $36 plus P and K removed variable

cost; $1.25 per bu., 44, 50 lb. small square bales at $1.75 per bale

Hay $84 plus P and K removed variable cost; $80 per ton

Conclusions

Soil types have significant impact on results Corn soybean rotation and CSbCO relatively

equal in returns Price does have an impact Very pronounced yield impacts which are

partially offset by N level

Corn on Corn vs. Corn on Soybeans; Long Term Field Studies

Rotation fertility studies from 1979 Rotations: CC, CSb, CCSb, CCCSb, Sb 4 N levels: 0, 80, 160, 240 Data from Ken Peckinovsky and Antonio

Mallarino

Conclusions Evaluate the whole rotation, not a single crop Soil types have significant influence on results Corn yields increase for corn following any other

crop Corn/Soybean is the most profitable rotation with

CCSb second under normal conditions Significant pest pressure with more severe impact

on soybean yields will influence the results Market prices influence most profitable rotation but

C/Sb still is most profitable