A WHOLE-FARM ECONOMIC-ANALYSIS OF EARLY-MATURING AND TRADITIONAL SOYBEAN

Diversification into early-maturing soybean [Glycine mar (L.) Merr.] c ould spread operator labor and machinery use over a longer time, there by reducing seasonal labor and machinery requirements or allowing prod uction of more acres. The objective of this research was to investigat e the economic potential of early-maturing soybean (EMS) in the mid-la titude section of the eastern Great Plains using experimental research plot data. A linear programming (LP) model of a representative farm t hat produced soybean, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] was developed to determine whether a pro fit-maximizing farm would raise EMS, traditional soybean (TS), or a co mbination of both. This study focuses on a maturity group I variety (H odgson 78) drilled in April at a rate of 336000 seeds/acre and a matur ity group III variety (Zane) planted in June at a rate of 139000 seeds /acre to represent EMS and TS, respectively. Results indicate that whe n hired seasonal labor is available, EMS rotated with grain sorghum pr ovides the highest returns above variable costs ($65927). When hired l abor is not available, a combination of 235 acres of EMS rotated with wheat and 132 acres of TS rotated with wheat (26 acres) and grain sorg hum (106 acres) provides the highest returns above variable costs ($48 680). Early-maturing soybean was more profitable than TS, When hired s easonal labor was not available, a combination of EMS and TS distribut ed labor and machinery held time over a larger time, and thereby, enha nced farm income.