An agronomic and economic evaluation of commonly used wheat planting methods in the lower Mississippi River delta

The four most commonly used methods of seeding wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the lower Mississippi River Valley are conventionally drilled into prepared seedbed (DP), broadcast incorporated (BI), drilled no-till (DN) and broadcast unincorporated (BU). The objective of this study was to determine the effects of these four wheat seeding methods on net returns, yields, yield components, and stand establishment. Experiments were conducted at four locations from 1992 to 1995. Grain yields were adjusted to a constant 13% moisture content. Yield components of culms per plant, kernels per spike, and kernel weight were analyzed. Percentage residue measurements were taken to characterize the effects of residue on stand. An enterprise budget technique was used to estimate expenses associated with each production strategy. BI and DP yields were rather similar and were greater than those of the other two alternatives. No-till and BU resulted in about a 17% and 24% reduction in yield, respectively, compared with BI. DN, while yielding slightly less than DP and BI, also bad more stable yields than DP or BU. Thus, BU displays characteristics of a high-risk planting method. Net returns ranged from -$31.31 to $84.18/acre. BI bad the highest average net returns followed by DP. Moreover, results were mixed with DP, BI, and BU each being the most profitable in two of six experiments. DP was consistently the most profitable at one site while BI was otherwise most profitable in 1993-1994 and BU in 1994-1995. The economies of production indicates that total expenses are similar for DP, DIN, and BI except for varied seeding rates. Therefore, yield is directly proportional to net returns in those cases.