Comparing Widespan Equipment with Conventional Machinery Systems for Soybean Production

The DCTEM soybean and wheat double cropping simulation model was modified to allow the comparison of conventional tractor powered systems with a wide-span controlled-traffic machinery system for soybean production. Farm areas were varied to analyze the effectiveness of each machinery complement. Field capacities for the controlled-traffic system were varied to simulate possible reductions that could occur when this technology is applied under different conditions. Simulations were performed to determine the value of the harvested soybean, fixed costs, variable costs, and net returns for each machinery system. The wide-span system delivered consistently higher average net returns per unit area than the two conventional tractor systems considered.