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Examining Tradeoffs between Conservation and Profitability

Conservation practices can improve soil health, reduce erosion, and lower greenhouse gas emissions—but they also create important profitability tradeoffs for commercial farms. This article explores how farms can evaluate competing goals such as conservation, profitability, and risk management using scenario analysis and long-run planning tools. Comparing practices like no-till, cover crops, and adding winter wheat to rotations, the analysis highlights why some conservation practices gain wider adoption than others and why long-term benefits often matter more than short-term economics.

Net Return Comparisons between Tillage Systems

Using the FINBIN database, this article compares the net return per acre between no-till systems and reduced tillage systems for corn and soybeans from 2014 to 2023. It is important to keep in mind that no-till systems typically exhibit lower erosion levels and GHG emissions. There is a tradeoff between net return per acre and environmental concerns that need to be considered when comparing these two production systems.

2025/26 Indiana Farm Custom Rates

The rates reported in this publication were compiled from questionnaires received from farmers, farm owners, farm custom operators, and professional farm managers in Indiana during the last month of 2024 and the first three months of 2025. Respondents were asked to report custom rates they had either paid or received during the past year.

Exploring the Organic Grain Industry: Challenges and Opportunities

In this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, Chad Fiechter hosts Michael O’Donnell, a regional manager at Belltown Farms, who focusing on converting conventional farms to organic. Michael shares insights on crop rotations, equipment, personnel, and market demands, emphasizing the shift towards domestic organic grain production. The episode concludes with optimism for the future of organic farming and Michael’s dedication to promoting sustainable agriculture.

Connecting Soil Health to Economics: A Look at Balancing Farm Goals

Michael Langemeier presented at the Regional Conservation Finance Ag Educator Training in Arlington, WI on September 16, 2024, on connecting soil health to economics and looking at formulating and priortizing farm goals.

The Economics of Reduced Tillage and Cover Crops: Exploring Aggregated Data

Michael Langemeier presented at the Regional Conservation Finance Ag Educator Training in Arlington, WI on September 16, 2024, on the economics of reduced tillage and cover crops.

2023 Indiana Farm Custom Rates

The rates reported in this publication were compiled from questionnaires received from farmers, farm owners, farm custom operators, and professional farm managers in Indiana. Purdue Extension Educators distributed the questionnaires at meetings and events statewide during the last month of 2022 and the first three months of 2023. Respondents were asked to report custom rates they had either paid or received during the past year.

2021 Indiana Farm Custom Rates

The rates reported in this publication were compiled from questionnaires received from farmers, farm owners, farm custom operators, and professional farm managers in Indiana. Purdue Extension educators and specialists developed the questionnaire. Purdue Educators distributed the questionnaires at meetings and events statewide during the last month of 2020 and the first three months of 2021.

Farmer Adoption of Enhanced Conservation

What are and what drives the adoption of “enhanced conservation practices” on the farm? In this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode, Purdue agricultural economists Allan Gray and Brady Brewer discuss their recent research that examines the adoption practices of enhanced conservation practices.

2019 Indiana Farm Custom Rates

The rates reported in this publication were compiled from questionnaires received from farmers, farm owners, farm custom operators, and professional farm managers in Indiana.

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