Conan the Farmer - 9/6/2017 21:19

It would produce 200 bushel corn if our ground performed that well. Last year we were 180's and 160's is more of a realistic number and what I use for planning. This year looks 140's. 

Custom rates and all inputs for us are below in the table. We charge ourselves $13 for Nh3 and $8 for spraying. I buy bulk fertilizer and chemical wholesale then sell it to us at Co-op level markups with 1 pass for corn and 2 for soy. So that is $91 on corn and $99 on soy per acre. All of it pays for the tractors, they are the only "unjustified" equipment. Then those amounts cover all parts/repairs, fuel, insurance, and farm infrastructure (buildings and bins) and payments (PPE). To break out on a per acre basis: Fuel $7 per acre, Parts/Repairs $13 per acre, Insurance $4, and Payments for all PPE $57. So the total per acre cost is actually $81 and we have about $14 per acre profit on average.

Corn Direct Input Costs Per Acre
Item	Price	Note
Seed	$  72.80	32,000 Population
Nitrogen	$  39.34	120-0-0 w/ App
Dry	$  32.50	8-40-40 w/ App
Top Dress	$  32.56	50-0-0-10 w/ App and Agrotain
Chemical	$  54.00	Acuron w/ App
Planting	$  20.00
Combine	$  35.00
Trucking	$  15.00
Insurance	$  13.74	80% Coverage
Drying/Bin Cost	$  16.00
Interest	$    8.25	$329.94 x 5% x 6 mo duration
Total	$338.19

 

Soybean Direct Input Cost per Acre
Item	Price	Note
Seed	$  52.10	140,000 per acre w/ CruiserMax
Dry	$  32.50	8-40-40 w/ App
Chemical	$  61.84	2 pass w/ App
Planting	$  20.00
Combine	$  35.00
Trucking	$    6.00
Insurance	$  12.93
Interest	$    5.51	$220.37 x 5% x 6 mo duration
Total	$225.88

 

I fully utilize equipment. It takes us 15-20 days to plant and 35 days to combine. I put a lot of hours on machines. I do not plant long-season corn, mostly 109-110 day. I also plant a healthy portion of 2-3 maturity soybeans which is unusual for my area, most are 3-4. We will be among the first to combine soybeans in Iowa. I have to be in order to have enough days. Leaves are dropping!