Effect of mono‐, relay‐, and double‐crop systems on yield and profitability

Abstract

Diversification and intensification of cropping systems are of interest due to the potential for increased farm income. However, yield and profitability of multi-crop systems need to be understood, especially in northern environments where the growing season is short. The objective of this study was to evaluate yield and profitability of monocrop (MC), relay-intercrop (RI), and double-crop (DC) systems. A 3-yr field study was conducted in northwest Ohio with nine cropping systems, including winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), red clover (Trifolium pretense L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), and oat (Avena sativa L.) grown in MC, RI, and DC systems. System yield was calculated by summing crop yield within a cropping year. Cropping system profitability was estimated by subtracting costs that varied across treatments from gross revenue. Winter wheat + RI red clover had the highest system yield (11.1-11.4 Mg ha −1 yr −1 ). However, profit was the greatest with wheat planted in wide row (38 cm row width) + RI red clover cropping system ($1,252 ha −1 yr −1 ) followed by wheat planted in narrow row (19 cm row width) + RI red clover ($1,140 ha −1 yr −1 ) and MC soybean ($919 ha −1 yr −1 ). This suggests that producers interested in diversifying their cropping systems may increase profitability with a winter wheat + RI red clover system, provided there is a market for red clover forage. However, if producers do not have a market for red clover, the MC soybean system would offer greatest profitability and reduce workload compared with a multi-crop system.

Partial return calculator to compare monocrop, relay‐intercrop, and double crop production systems

“… a Yield data used to calculate gross return were based on a 3‐yr field study conducted in northwest Ohio (Shrestha et al., 2021). …”

“…The yield reduction associated with RI and DC soybean was likely due to late planting as soybean yield can be reduced as much as 0.5 bu ac −1 d −1 delay in soybean planting after the end of April (Hankinson et al., 2015; Rattalino Edreira et al., 2017). In northwest Ohio, MC soybean are generally planted mid to late May while RI and DC soybean are generally planted late May to early June and early July, respectively (Shrestha et al., 2021). On average, wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) grown as a MC in northwest Ohio yielded 93 bu ac −1 while wheat grown in 15‐inch row width and intercropped with soybean yielded 72 bu ac −1 (Shrestha et al., 2021).…”

Yield and soil responses to adding wheat to a corn–soybean rotation

“…Before entering into C agreements, farmers should carefully consider any potential yield outcomes to ensure proper payments from companies. Furthermore, additional management practices should be tested, such as the use of red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) as a cover crop between winter wheat grain harvest and corn planting (Drury et al., 1999; Agomoh et al., 2020; Shrestha et al., 2021), the use of strip tillage (Vyn & Raimbault, 1992), or the removal of wheat straw residue (Opoku et al., 1997) to enable the potential benefit of the 3‐yr CSW rotation.…”

“…In this region, the area of CS rotation has expanded largely over the last several decades because of agricultural intensification, lower labor costs (Roesch‐McNally et al., 2018), and low prices for wheat grain relative to corn and soybean (USDA NASS, 2021). For instance, in Ohio, winter wheat production is often less profitable than soybean production (Shrestha et al., 2021). Consequently, the expansion of corn and soybean production, a reduction in the planting area of small‐grain crops, and an overall loss in crop diversity have been observed (Aguilar et al., 2015; Roesch‐McNally et al., 2018; Becot et al., 2020).…”

Effect of traditional and intensive management on soft red winter wheat yield and profitability

“…First, the inclusion of wheat diversifies income and places less reliance on the volatile corn and soybean markets while also providing a secondary revenue stream from selling straw. Furthermore, as a fall‐planted crop, wheat provides the opportunity to double‐ or relay‐intercrop, meaning farmers can harvest two cash crops during a single year (Shrestha et al., 2021). Additionally, research has shown that including wheat in a crop rotation can increase the yield of the subsequent soybean crop by as much as 5% (Huo et al., 2022).…”