ISAP member Precision Conservation Management (PCM) recently published their annual data book The Business Case for Conservation in the June issue of Prairie Farmer Magazine. This report highlights data gleaned from farmers in Illinois regarding the financial, agronomic, and environmental impact of in-field conservation practices.
“Profitability trends for tillage, cover crops, and nutrient management can change from year to year, but overall, certain profitability trends remain surprisingly consistent,” says Dr. Laura Gentry, Director of Water Quality at IL Corn. “The long-term goal for PCM data is to provide farmers with accurate, unbiased data that they can rely on to make good financial decisions for their farming operations.”
Increased Yield ≠ Increased Profitability
It can be difficult to pivot from the drive to maximize crop yields; however, PCM says it’s time to challenge the assumption that increased yield equals increased profitability. They encourage farmers to review 9 years’ worth of data in this report while considering the impact of lower yields and lower input costs on the future of their farm.
Highlights
- Higher yields do not always equal higher profitability.
- More than two passes of heavy tillage is never profitable compared to lighter tillage systems. Strip tillage is also proving to be a profitable option.
- The past 9 years of data have shown that nitrogen applications over MRTN rates are less profitable.
- Cover crops are the most effective tool for improving water quality and soil health, although profitability remains a challenge. Several cost-share opportunities are available to farmers through PCM and other programs.
While their annual data book focuses on high SPR soil data, PCM has also published low SPR data on their website. Learn more and view the full reports at www.precisionconservation.org
