Costs of corn and soy seed per acre more than tripled between 1996-2012 in the US
The cost of seed per acre for corn in 1996 was $26.65. By 2012 it increased to $89.88. It more than tripled. The cost of seed per acre for soy in 1997 was $19.72. By 2012 it increased to $62.68. It more than tripled. The two spreadsheets (one for corn and one for soy) from which this data is derived are available here: http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/commodity-costs-and-returns.aspx
For Corn Data: In the field labeled "data" please select "recent costs and returns: corn." Once your browser loads the data please download the spreadsheet titled "U.S.: 1996-2000, 2001-04, 2005-09, 2010-12" For Soy Data: In the field labeled "data" please select "recent costs and returns: soybeans." Once your browser loads the data please download the spreadsheet titled "U.S.: 1997-2001, 2002-05, 2006-12"
Corn Operating Costs Cost of seed per acre in 1996: $26.65 Cost of seed per acre in 2012: $89.88 Percent change 1996 to 2012: 237.2% [Explanation of Math:] 89.88 - 26.65 = 63.23 63.23 / 26.65 = 2.3726 2.3726 x 100 = 237.26%
Soy Operating Costs Cost of seed per acre in 1997: $19.72 Cost of seed per acre in 2012: $62.68 Percent change 1997-2012: 217% [Explanation of math:] 62.68 - 19.72 = 42.96 42.96 / 19.72 = 2.178 2.178 x 100 = 217.8%
http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/commodity-costs-and-returns.aspx (these are sheets within the excel docs listed above). U.S. corn production costs and returns per planted acre, excluding Government payments, 1996-2000. May 1, 2013. Microsoft Excel. U.S. corn production costs and returns per planted acre, excluding Government payments, 2001-2004. May 1, 2013. Microsoft Excel. U.S. corn production costs and returns per planted acre, excluding Government payments, 2005-2009. May 1, 2013. Microsoft Excel. U.S. corn production costs and returns per planted acre, excluding Government payments, 2010-2012. May 1, 2013. Microsoft Excel. U.S. soybean production costs and returns per planted acre, excluding Government payments, 1997-2001. May 1, 2013. Microsoft Excel. U.S. soybean production costs and returns per planted acre, excluding Government payments, 2002-2005. May 1, 2013. Microsoft Excel. U.S. soybean production costs and returns per planted acre, excluding Government payments, 2006-2012. May 1, 2013. Microsoft Excel. [verified 4/15/14]