Intensifying cropping sequences in the US Central Great Plains: an in silico analysis of a sorghum–wheat sequence

Results included two regions where sorghum-wheat was more profitable than the monocrops i.e., one with lower profits (S+W lower), and a second one with higher profits (S+W higher); a third cluster where wheat monocrop was most profitable (W), and lastly one cluster showing no difference between the sorghum-wheat sequence and the wheat monocrop (S+W or W). Principal component analyses were used to identify environmental drivers of profit in each cluster. Results showed that the profitability of the sorghum-wheat sequence was higher in counties in the south-east and south-central of Kansas. Wheat monocrops were the most profitable option for counties of the west and central regions. Counties from the north-east of the state showed similar patterns amongst scenarios. These results highlight potential avenues for diversifying and intensifying the current wheat monocrop sequence while maintaining or increasing profitability. Lastly, this study delineates a map in Kansas with areas where it would be more profitable for farmers to expand their rotations by adding a second crop per year.