Financial Dynamics
There are many factors considered by farmers when deciding what to plant, but not many more important than the expected return for their time and efforts. Of course the input costs (seed, fertilizer, pesticides, fuel, etc) are different for each crop, which makes the decisions that much harder, but notice the large gap between oats and corn $/acre...
|
Grain
Corn Soybeans Oats |
Average Yield per Acre (Bushels)*
168 47 66 |
Average $/Bushel*
$3.65 $10.10 $2.10 |
Average $/Acre Planted
$613 $475 $139 |
*Pricing & Yield Source: http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/feed-grains-database/feed-grains-yearbook-tables.aspx#26766
Note: Weighted avg farm price/bushel from 2016/17 used to highlight price gap, grain prices vary widely depending on annual supply/demand
Note: Weighted avg farm price/bushel from 2016/17 used to highlight price gap, grain prices vary widely depending on annual supply/demand
More Detailed Data
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, when accounting for all costs, a farmer can expect to lose on average ($9)/acre for oats vs make $146/acre for corn.
Would you "invest" in any herbicide/pesticides for your oat crop?
Would you "invest" in any herbicide/pesticides for your oat crop?