Southern Illinois Farmers See Profits in Wheat-Double-Crop Soybean Rotation

Wheat followed by double-crop soybeans appears to be the most profitable crop rotation in southern Illinois, according to recent projections. The combination of wheat and double-crop soybeans generated the highest operator and land return among corn, stand-alone soybeans, and wheat-double-crop soybeans in 2022 and 2023, and is projected to do so again in 2026 and 2027.

In southern Illinois, most of the state's wheat acres are planted, with over 60-75% of wheat planted from 2021 to 2025. Double-crop soybeans follow a significant share of these acres, with an estimated 60-80% of Illinois wheat acres being double-cropped with soybeans.

The projected return for stand-alone wheat is below corn and soybeans in all years since 2003, but combining wheat with double-crop soybeans increases the projected operator and land return to $309 per acre. This is a significant advantage over corn and stand-alone soybeans.