Although the inputs for the organic legume and conventional
farming systems were quite different, the overall economic
net returns were similar without premiums (figure 2).
Comparative net returns in the Rodale experiments differ from
those of Dobbs and Smolik (1996), who reported a 38%
higher gross income for the conventional than for the organic
alternative system.However, Smolik and colleagues (1995) reported
higher net returns for the organic alternative system
in their study with alfalfa and nearly equal returns in the green
manure treatment.
Prices for organic corn and soybeans in the marketplace
often range from 20% to 140% higher than for conventional
corn, soybeans, and other grains (Dobbs 1998, Bertramsen and
Dobbs 2002,New Farm Organization 2003). Thus, when the
market price differential was factored in, the differences
between the organic alternative and conventional farming
would be relatively small, and in most cases the returns on the
organic produce would be higher, as in the results here for the
FST.