The total cost to produce corn averaged across Illinois last year was $542/acre, says University of Illinois Economist Dale Lattz. “Variable costs increased $22/acre, or 10%, other non-land costs increased $21/acre and land costs increased $11/acre. In 2007, cash costs accounted for 44% of the corn production cost, other non-land costs were 30%, and land costs were 26%.

For Illinois soybeans, that cost was $418/acre. Lattz says, “Variable costs accounted for 32% of the total cost of production for soybeans, other non-land costs 34% and land costs 34%.”