I realize that but I wasn't comparing out west where you guys buy your water out of a ditch and once setup your maitenance costs are virtually flat. I was using areas down south where they pull water out of a well and run it through a center pivot. In that scenario, the more you irrigate, the costs go up in a near linear manner. Labor, fuel, maitenance, etc.

Like I said, even if it would be more profitable to irrigate and fertilize for 180bu corn they aren't going to do it because they have to keep up with or beat the Jones's who irrigate and fertilize for 250+ at less profit per acre.

Doesn't make sense to me...but I guess I come from the aim for profit camp which doesn't always correlate with top yield. Seems like it's been working pretty well for us so far.