The conventional notion that highly erodible soils are uniformly unproductive is not supported by empirical evidence. Highly erodible soils are capable of producing corn grain yields and net crop revenue statistically equivalent to that from nonerodible soils. Significant acreages with all but the highest productivity can be found at all levels of erodibility. Retiring highly erodible, physically marginal cropland is not synonymous with retiring less productive, economically marginal cropland.