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NW Iowa | You are right on certain points you list. Fertility in the form of manure is a critical componen. We do have access to poultry litter that provides the bulk of our nutrient needs. And your point about various "fixes" is accurate as well. There are no silver bullets to be found.
Success in organic production results around timing and crop rotations. Pushing only for high value row crops will leave your fields a weed mess. Working with nature instead of watching what happens on the neighbors side of the fence is critical when it comes to timing of field operations. I like to believe we start every year with the exact same genetic potential as any conventional system. Organic farmers just lack the multiple "defensive" options to combat pests -- chemical fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, seed treatmenents, etc. ... a different level of "stewardship."
I would challenge your "sneak application" notion as a broad assessment of the profitable organic farmers. I'm sure it's possible and it might be happening. But not the folk I know.
Bottom line, it's a choice -- neither right or wrong. Commodity producers produce a commodity for a market that asks for commodities. Organic producers value-add to another market that has it's own "right" to ask for something they perceive to be "different" (better in their opinion.)
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Going organic
