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Soybeans show promise at start of long-term ecological study
The director of a long-term agricultural research project says soybeans have shown the most profit potential when using more diverse rotations.
Phil Robertson is with Michigan State University’s Kellogg Biological Station’s Long-Term Agroecosystem Project.
“We know we can be profitable and even more profitable with some (crops) using the aspirational system, not necessarily because of higher yield,” he says. “That has happened a bit because of lower input costs, we’re in fertilizing only to the point that the crops need it.”
Canola and forages in the trial last year were another story.
“For the forage crop in the first year, for example, we lost money, $50 an acre, but this year will definitely be profitable,” he explains. “Weather played a big role in that, as did the initial starting conditions.”
Net profits from both systems in 2023 were profitable but growing only corn and soybeans generated an additional $100 per acre.
Jason Stegink, the crop advisor on the study, tells Brownfield some soybeans in the no-till, multi-crop rotation this year were replanted three times because of slug damage. He says he’s excited to see how the systems compare in a complete five-year rotation when also considering market and weather volatility.
“Michigan State has an opportunity to really look at some different things that the average farmer can’t take that risk on,” he says. “If we can build replications that show it’s profitable and valuable, it gives us some opportunities going forward.”
Robertson says the long-term nature of the study will help better understand how diversifying crops could reduce economic and environmental risks for farmers.
Brownfield interview both during the recent KBS Long-Term Agroecosystem Field Day in Hickory Corners.
AUDIO: Phil Robertson is with Michigan State University
AUDIO: Jason Stegink, Wide Angle Agriculture
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