Economics of Purchasing a Yield Monitor for Split‐Planter Corn Hybrid Testing

Abstract

Economic studies have not been conducted on yield monitors because it is difficult to separate out costs and benefits of yield mapping. We conducted split‐planter studies in 1999 on two farms to test a new (‘37M81’) and proven (‘3752’) corn (Zea mays L.) hybrid ($10 bag−1 seed cost difference) to determine if farmers could offset yield monitor costs by identifying the better hybrid to plant in subsequent years. At one farm, 37M81 yielded 0.48 Mg ha−1 greater than 3752 in 1999. In 2000 and 2001, 37M81 yielded 1.03 Mg ha−1 greater for an $85 ha−1 return above seed costs. If 37M81 were planted on 20 ha in 2000 and 2001, additional revenue from higher yields offset annual fixed costs ($1655) of a yield monitor. If 37M81 were planted to 320 ha, relative profit ($79 ha−1) did not equal the $85 ha−1 return for planting 37M81 without on‐farm testing. At the other farm, 3752 yielded 0.39 Mg ha−1 greater in 1999 but the same (7.7 Mg ha−1) in 2000 and 2001. Savings in seed costs ($9 ha−1) did not offset annual yield monitor costs in 2000 and 2001. If 3752 were planted to more than 200 ha, relative profit from the yield monitor purchase exceeded relative profit for planting 37M81 without on‐farm testing. We recommend that farmers who plant 200 or more corn hectares conduct split‐planter studies to compare new hybrid releases vs. proven hybrids because seed costs have increased significantly.