WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Researchers at Purdue are looking at whether replacing some corn and soybeans on the farm would position farmers better for the future. 

“Growing only a rotation of corn and soybeans is not necessarily sustainable economically, environmentally or socially,” said Linda Prokopy, a professor of horticulture and landscape architecture at Purdue.

Researchers from Illinois State University and Iowa State University are also involved in the five-year project funded by a $10 million grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Replacing some of the corn and soybean production with possibly small grain and other commodities like grazed livestock would provide more stability in various ways for the agriculture industry in the Midwest, according to researchers.

Prokopy, who’s leading the effort, said researchers will be working with farmers in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa to evaluate what else can be added successfully to what they already produce.

Other possible options for producers include forage and bioenergy crops, agroforestry and horticulture food crops.

“There will be challenges ahead and we must prepare for the future. We hope this project will bring together farmers, researchers and the agri-food community to figure out how,” Prokopy said.

Prokopy said COVID-19 exposed how farmers in the Midwest are prone to being hurt during a crisis in an economy dominated by corn and soybeans.

She said pandemics come and go but climate change might be more lasting and one farmers could better adapt to by successful changes in some of their land use.

Matt Schafer, an Indiana corn and soybean grower, said he doesn’t disagree that more diversity on a farm can result in more stable and higher profits.

Schafer said the major slashing on farm exports from the United States during the trade war with China is an example of the pain farmers who rely too heavily on one crop can ease by having a market for other products. “When all of your eggs are in just one basket your income is married to any hiccup in the global economy,” he said.

Researchers will also identify economic and social barriers to change that need to be overcome, along with the cost and environmental benefits of more diversified farms.

Schafer said the potential for profit being greater than the cost of new equipment and materials that might have to be purchased is definitely a factor in deciding whether to become a more diverse operation.

He said the same planter, for example, doesn’t always work on other crops. He once added green beans and cucumbers to his fields because the planters used on his corn and soybeans were compatible for putting the other crops into the ground.

Schafer said he no longer raises alternative crops but, if approached, would be open minded. “We’d certainly be inclined to try some things if it made financial sense,” he said.

Schafer said other crops are more profitable than corn and soybeans at times but they’re also more vulnerable to crashing. He said corn and soybean growers during lean years are protected financially to a certain extent by the federal government, but other crops don’t have such backing.

“If the dollars at the end of the day are enticing, I’m sure there are those guys out there that would be happy to try it,” Schafer said.

According to Purdue officials, supporters of the research include farmers and others in the agriculture industry. along with environmentalists, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Red Gold and Smithfield Foods. Institutions such as the American Society of Agronomy, Practical Farmers of Iowa and Sustainable Food Labs are partnering in the effort.

“We don’t know what kinds of diversification this project will identify as the most promising but the Extension team will be ready to get the word out, help stakeholders evaluate the findings and provide resources needed to make changes for a more sustainable Midwest agriculture,” said Elizabeth Maynard, a Purdue Extension specialist and associate professor of horticulture and landscape architecture.