How Much Does A Farmer Earn Per Bushel Of Corn?

Let’s provide a more comprehensive and clear explanation of the profit margins for corn over the past decade. Profit margins for corn, both dryland and irrigated, have exhibited significant fluctuations since 2013. In 2016, both dryland and irrigated corn experienced a challenging year with profit margins plummeting to a loss of -$0.31 cents per unit. However, the situation improved drastically by 2021, with corn farmers seeing substantial profits of over $2.00 per unit.

When we look at the dryland soybean data, we can observe a similar trend of fluctuating profit margins. In 2013, the profit margin for dryland soybeans ranged from a low of $1.62 per bushel to a high of $5.25 per bushel. By 2021, the profit margin for dryland soybeans remained favorable, hovering just above $4.00 per bushel.

As of April 19, 2022, it is worth noting that more recent data might provide additional insights into the evolving profit margins in the corn and soybean industries.

“What are the expenses involved in producing a bushel of corn? The cost of producing a bushel of corn varies depending on the efficiency of farming practices. On average, farmers in the lowest quartile of production costs spend approximately $1.19 per bushel, while those in the highest quartile incur higher costs, amounting to around $3.67 per bushel. These costs are determined by a range of factors, including seed, fertilizer, labor, and machinery expenses, and they play a significant role in the profitability of corn farming.”