WEST LAFAYETTE, IN (RFD News) — Organic farming returns for many grains continue to exceed conventional returns, but the advantage comes with lower yields, higher costs, and wider performance gaps among farms.
Purdue University’s Dr. Michael Langemeier says FINBIN data from 2021 through 2025 show mixed results across crop enterprises.
Organic corn yields averaged 24 percent below conventional corn. Organic soybean yields were 23 percent lower, while oats showed a 36 percent yield drag. Winter wheat and alfalfa had smaller yield differences.
Higher organic prices helped offset lower production. Organic gross revenue per unit was about 1.81 times that of conventional corn and 2.13 times that of conventional soybeans.
On average, organic net returns to land exceeded conventional returns by $312 per acre for corn and $327 for soybeans. Conventional alfalfa, oats, and winter wheat were similar to or slightly better than organic returns.
Langemeier says producers should test organic budgets carefully before transitioning acres, especially since organic rotations often include small grains or forages with lower returns.
