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Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Corn profit comparisons

Monday, October 7, 2013

Is corn more profitable to grow now than a decade ago, or nearly 40 years ago for that matter?  Kansas State University ag economics professor Brian C. Briggeman says "yes" to both scenarios for American corn farmers. According to a fact sheet the ag economics department published in early August, the cost to produce an acre of corn has risen to US$639 an acre from $417 since 2002. Economists blame seed costs that have more than doubled to $90 an acre from $40, and fertilizer costs that have tripled to $158.

However, taking it back to 1975, on an inflation-adjusted basis the total cost of producing an acre of corn is up only two per cent. Seed costs have nearly doubled in that time, while equipment costs are up 92 per cent.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the total profit per acre in 1975 was $120, based on 2012 dollars, while the 2012 profit was $162.

The average corn farmer has experienced the longest-running stretch of positive profits since 1975 in the years 2007 to 2012. Interest on loans cost just less than $8 an acre in 1975, but today "that cost has plummeted nearly to zero," Briggeman writes, because of lower debt levels and very low interest rates.

Believe it or not, land rentals in the United State remain below historical levels – nearly 25 per cent or $50 an acre lower. BF

Current Issue

May 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

New board members for Ontario Pork

Friday, April 25, 2025

Ontario Pork, an association representing the 1,898 pork farms that market 5.9 million hogs in the province, has announced its new board lineup for 2025. As a Guelph, Ontario-headquartered organization, Ontario Pork is engaged in the areas of research, government representation,... Read this article online

Sheep farmers win Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Sheep farmers and wool producers from Wallenstein, Ont. are Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025. “It’s great to be recognized by your peers in the industry with an award like that,” Ryan Schill told Farms.com. “When we started the sheep farm, there were people questioning us... Read this article online

Ontario ag connections in the NHL playoffs

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

The 2025 NHL playoffs are underway, and some of hockey’s biggest names got their start on an Ontario farm or have invested in agriculture since becoming professional athletes. Farms.com went through each of the 16 playoff team rosters to uncover which players have a connection to... Read this article online

New Alcohol Trade Freedom in Ontario

Thursday, April 17, 2025

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has welcomed Ontario’s bold step in eliminating trade barriers and allowing direct alcohol sales to consumers. This new legislation aims to ease internal trade across provinces and support small businesses. One of the key changes... Read this article online

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