The break-even price is the per-bushel price that exactly covers your costs — total cost per acre divided by yield per acre. Sell above it and you profit; below it and you lose.
The example
$720/ac cost, 180 bu/ac.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | 720 / 180 | — |
| 3 | Break-even | → $4.00/bu |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Total your cost per acre — seed, fertilizer, chemicals, fuel, land, etc.
- Divide by yield per acre for the break-even price per bushel.
- Compare to the market price: margin per bushel = price − break-even.
- Lower break-even by raising yield or cutting cost — both move the ratio.
Yield and cost both bend the break-even. At $720/acre, 180 bu/ac breaks even at $4.00 but 200 bu/ac breaks even at $3.60 — higher yield spreads the same cost over more bushels. That’s why an extra input that reliably lifts yield can lower your break-even even though it raises cost per acre. Model both levers before deciding.
Try it: interactive demo
Cost per acre, yield, market price.
Variations
Margin per bushel
Price − break-even:
Profit per acre
Margin × yield:
Yield to hit a target price
Solve for yield:
Pitfalls & errors
All costs in. Include land, labor, and overhead — not just inputs.
Per-acre basis. Both cost and yield must be per acre.
Zero yield. A failed crop gives #DIV/0! — guard it.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate break-even price per bushel in Excel?
How do I get my margin per bushel?
Why does higher yield lower break-even?
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