On Illinois grain farms, variable costs for corn are projected to be $55 per acre higher in 2006 than in 2002. Similarly, variable costs for soybeans will be $20 per acre higher in 2006 than in 2002. In percentage terms, cost increases are 33% for corn and 19% for soybeans over the four-year period from 2002 to 2006. Increases of this magnitude have not occurred in recent history and will cause reductions in farm profitability. Further historical perspectives on these increases are provided in this article.
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