Degree Name
Master of Science
Graduate Program
Agribusiness Economics
Advisor
Eberle, Phillip
Abstract
New technology continues to be developed to help farmers use their resources more efficiently. This research focuses on a method of planting crops in a twin-row configuration versus conventional planting. Farmers need to analyze many factors when considering switching from planting corn in thirty-inch rows and soybeans in seven and one-half or fifteen-inch rows, to planting in twin-rows.
The objectives of this research are: (1) Analyze the cost of alternative implements and how the differences in investment affect planting cost per acre. (2) Determine added cost per acre at planting higher corn populations in twin-rows compared to conventional thirty-inch rows. (3) Determine how much of a yield increase is needed to make higher corn populations with twin-row planting profitable. (4) Compare breakeven corn yield increase from objective three with results of recent field trials.
A higher initial investment results in a higher cost per acre for each implement due to the fact that the cost is based on the list price. There is an added seed and fertilizer cost of twenty-two dollars for planting at higher plant populations in twin-rows. An increase of 5.45 bushels per acre is needed for twin-rows to be profitable on a corn-soybean operation and a 6.68 bushel per acre increase for twin-rows to be profitable for a continuous corn operation. It was also concluded that in recent trials the required breakeven bushel per acre increase is obtainable to make twin-rows profitable for farmers.