All Posts by Gary Schnitkey
Wheat-Double-Crop Soybeans Competitive with Corn
September 10, 2020
AMP - Agribusiness Management, Double-CropAs wheat planting season approaches, we evaluate expected returns for crop rotations that include wheat. Given current 2021 grain bids, a combination of wheat and double-crop-soybeans is projected more profitable than either corn or stand-alone-soybeans in southern Illinois.
2020 Planting Decisions in the Face of COVID-19
March 23, 2020
Planting StrategiesTrade conflicts, prevented and late planting, and policy innovations have presented a difficult decision-making environment to farmers over the past several years. The decisions for this spring are now drastically complicated given the rapidly changing situation with the spread of COVID-19 and its attendant health threats and control measures
The Geography of Exceptional Soybean Yields
December 17, 2018
In-Season AgronomyFrom 2013 to 2018, U.S. soybean yields have been above trend in all years, with an average yield-above-trend of 3.7 bushels per acre.
The Economics of Fertilizer Application
October 17, 2018
Nutrient ManagementWith tariff challenges and depressed commodity prices, should you cut back on 2019 fertilizer applications?
2017 Crop Budgets and Current Prices Say Switch to Soybeans and Expect Low Returns
January 27, 2017
In-Season AgronomyCurrent 2017 fall delivery bids for central Illinois are near $10 per bushel for soybeans while corn is near $3.60 per bushel.
Agronomy: Soybean Yields in Illinois
October 27, 2016
Harvest StrategiesIn recent years, soybean yields in Illinois have been exceptional, leading to questions on whether technologies have caused a "jump" in soybean yields.
Agronomy: Continuous Beans: Are soybeans after soybeans profitable?
March 21, 2016
In-Season AgronomyRecent analysis suggests that soybeans have been more profitable than corn in Illinois from 2013 to 2015, and there is a reasonable chance that soybeans will be more profitable than corn in 2016 (farmdoc daily, February 16, 2016).
Agronomy: 2015 Crop and Income Outlook - Conserve Cash Income
January 22, 2016
In-Season AgronomyNet incomes on Illinois farms have decreased form an all-time high near $290,000 in 2012.
Agronomy: Current Fertilizer Prices and Projected 2016 Fertilizer Costs
January 04, 2016
Nutrient ManagementDecember 2015 prices are used to project 2016 fertilizer costs for corn grown on high-productivity farmland in central Illinois.