Economic Analysis of Soybean‐Wheat Cropping Systems

Abstract

Economic returns for cropping systems represent important management decisions for growers to consider in addition to agronomic practices. This study was conducted to determine the economic consequences of six soybean [Glycine max. (L.) Merr.] - wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.)] cropping patterns. These patterns included monocrop soybean in 15- and 30-inch rows, double-crop soybean-wheat in 15- and 30-inch rows, and a modified double-crop system with soybean in 15- and 30-inch rows. An economic analysis of the six systems was conducted to compare net returns to land, labor, and management. The study was conducted at Bixby and Haskell, OK. The study was separated into three periods: Period 1 = 1992 and 1993; Period 2 = 1994 and 1995; and Period 3 = 1996 and 1997. Separation was necessary since the modified double-crop system required a two-year period to complete one cycle. The modified double-crop system using a 15-inch row spacing produced the greatest net return in each period at Bixby ($308, $306, and $244 per acre per year in Periods 1, 2, and 3, respectively) and the greatest net return at Haskell in Period 1 ($425/acre). Over the three periods and for both locations, the modified double-crop system using a 15-inch row spacing produced the greatest average net return per period of $310/acre. The modified double-crop system using a 30-inch row spacing produced the second highest average net return of $277/acre. This system produced $235/acre per period net return at Bixby and $320/acre per period net return at Haskell. The monocrop system produced an average overall net return of $299/acre with a 30-inch row spacing. The double-cropping system using a 15-inch row spacing produced an average of $228/acre and the double-cropping system using a 30-inch row spacing produced an average of $226/acre in net return. The lowest overall average net return was produced by the monocrop soybean system using the 15-inch row spacing with an average net return of $214/acre. Knowledge of economic returns from alternative cropping systems provide growers another tool in managing crop production.