Changing Rotation

Am taking over a farm across the road next year which has 120 acres-all corn this year.

Not wanting to put all my eggs in 1 basket I want to keep close to a 50/50 rotation....so I want to change one of my 80s-and alternate corn on one farm and beans on the other and then alternate the whole locations.

What would you guys think may be the best way-put beans in 2 years in a row or corn in 2 years straight on on of my 80s?

I am trying to stay no till, but will do what needs to be done. Not particularly interested in continuous corn as all but 1 80 I have is a little rolling.

Paul

"Farmers plant soybeans because they have too. They plant corn because the want to.?

The yield and cash flow advantage of planing corn is compelling me and other farmers in our area to increase our corn on corn acres substantially.

Jim

3% yeild drop in beans on beans doesn't bother me. I just wondered if I would still be $ ahead taking one of my 80s and doing corn on corn for 1 year and still come out ahead over beans. I know anything is a crapshoot due to weather, market prices, etc. but playing the odds.

I hadn't even considered until you mentioned it about how this would affect USDA DCP/Countercyclical programs. I guess I need to look into that too. Any insight on that?

Corn on corn take more fert and an insecticide, but is quite dependable and there are common options to control the issues. In many locations corn nets a bit more money most of the time, so folks overload on corn.

Beans on bean works well in some locations, but is a horrible disaster in others with white mold, root rots, and other build up of pests. There is no good way to fight these issues.

Add in the risk of aphids & bean rust from the last 3 years, and beans on beans is the riskier option with usually a lower net return to boot.

But, I was in a similar situation on a very small field last year, put beans on beans & it out-yielded my whole farm average.....

--->Paul