By Andi Anderson
The 2024 growing season marked the third year of research at the Kellogg Biological Station’s Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (KBS LTAR) site.
The goal: compare a business-as-usual (BAU) cropping system with a conservation-driven aspirational (ASP) system to understand how sustainable practices hold up—both environmentally and financially.
The BAU system reflects common Michigan practices: a corn-soy rotation with conventional tillage, fertilizers, and no cover crops. The ASP system includes a diverse five-crop rotation (corn, soy, wheat, canola, and forages), year-round cover crops, manure application, no-till, and variable fertilizer rates.
Weather and Profit Impacts in 2024
A wet spring in southwest Michigan created early challenges. Heavy May rains caused erosion and poor corn stands in BAU fields, while ASP fields, protected by cover crops, fared better. However, slug damage in ASP soybeans led to costly replanting ($107.68 per acre) and lower yields, making them less profitable than BAU soybeans.
Conversely, forages in the ASP system performed well. Though feed quality dropped due to volunteer canola, high yields and reduced harvest costs made 2024 more profitable than 2023. Forage value was estimated at $160 per ton (vs. $200 in 2023), but improved yield offset the dip.
Financial Comparison and Future Planning
Though ASP soybeans struggled, ASP corn showed resilience, and the profit gap between ASP and BAU narrowed compared to 2023. This shows how conservation practices can improve with time and adjustments.
KBS LTAR’s ASP system remains flexible and adaptive, shaped by research and stakeholder feedback. As the first five-year rotation nears completion in 2026, the team will evaluate what to continue or change.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Michigan, Sustainable Agriculture