Corn and soybean yields and returns are greater in rotations with wheat

Simple rotations containing only corn and/or soybean dominate landscapes despite agronomic, soil health, and environmental benefits associated with diversification. Yields from rotation–tillage trials located near Elora and Ridgetown, ON, Canada, were used to investigate the yield and return effects of diversifying corn-soybean (CS) rotation using wheat with/without red clover. At Elora, net returns in the 4-yr wheat-containing rotations were 10% greater compared to the CS rotation. Similar corn and soybean yield responses including wheat in 2 or 3 yr rotations also occurred at the greater-yielding Ridgetown trial, however net returns were not increased relative to the CS rotation. Inclusion of wheat in CS rotation once every 4–5 yr may provide the optimal balance between accruing higher net returns from corn and soybean while minimizing direct net revenue reductions associated with wheat.