Cost to Plant Corn Per Acre (2024 Breakdown)
Detailed breakdown of corn production costs per acre including seed, fertilizer, chemicals, equipment, and land rent. Updated for current input prices.
The total cost to plant and grow corn ranges from $600 to $900 per acre in the Corn Belt, depending on land costs, input prices, and management intensity. Understanding the cost breakdown helps identify where savings are possible and what yield is needed to break even.
Seed is one of the largest variable costs. At $280-$350 per 80,000-seed unit and a seeding rate of 32,000 seeds per acre, seed cost runs $112-$140 per acre. Traited hybrids with insect and herbicide tolerance are at the high end. Conventional seed or generic traited options can save $30-$50 per acre without significant yield penalty in low-pest environments.
Fertilizer typically costs $150-$250 per acre for corn. Nitrogen is the largest component at 180-200 lbs N per acre. At $0.45-$0.65 per lb of N (anhydrous ammonia), nitrogen alone runs $80-$130 per acre. Phosphorus and potassium add $40-$80 depending on soil test levels. MAP or DAP at $550-$700 per ton and potash at $400-$500 per ton are the most common sources.
Crop protection (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) costs $40-$80 per acre. A pre-emerge plus post-emerge herbicide program runs $30-$50 per acre. Fungicide application at VT/R1 adds $20-$30 per acre and returns a yield benefit of 5-12 bushels in disease-prone environments. Insecticide is situation-dependent and may not be needed every year.
Equipment and machinery costs, including fuel, repairs, and depreciation, average $80-$120 per acre for planting, spraying, and harvest operations. Custom-hire rates for a planter pass run $18-$25 per acre, spraying $8-$14, and combining $35-$50, providing useful benchmarks even for those owning equipment.
Land cost is the largest single expense for most operations. Cash rent in central Iowa averages $250-$300 per acre, while marginal ground in western Kansas may rent for $50-$80. Land cost is often the difference between profit and loss in moderate-yield environments.
Crop insurance premiums add $15-$40 per acre depending on coverage level and county. Revenue Protection (RP) at 80% coverage is the most popular option, protecting against both yield loss and price declines.
At a total cost of $750 per acre and corn at $4.50 per bushel, you need 167 bushels per acre to break even. At $5.00 corn, break-even drops to 150 bushels. Tracking costs per acre and per bushel helps you make informed decisions about input intensity, land rental, and marketing strategy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost to grow an acre of corn?
Total costs range from $600 to $900 per acre in the Corn Belt, including seed ($112-$140), fertilizer ($150-$250), chemicals ($40-$80), equipment ($80-$120), land ($50-$300), and insurance/misc ($30-$60). Actual costs vary widely by region and management.
How many bushels per acre to break even on corn?
At a total cost of $750/acre and $4.50/bushel corn, break-even is 167 bu/acre. At $5.00/bushel, it drops to 150 bu/acre. Low-cost operators on owned land can break even at 120-130 bu/acre, while high-rent operations may need 180+ bu/acre.
What is the biggest cost in corn production?
Land rent or ownership cost is typically the largest single expense ($50-$300/acre), followed by fertilizer ($150-$250/acre) and seed ($112-$140/acre). Together, these three items account for roughly 70% of total production costs.