Introducing soybean to the lowland rice system in southern Brazil can increase rice yield by 26% compared to continuous rice. Despite lower income from the soybean-rice rotation, the lower production costs make the net economic return similar to continuous rice. The rotation also requires less labor and has a higher benefit-to-cost ratio. However, there is higher economic risk and variability in the rotation due to factors like excess water in fields and logistical challenges. This study provides insights for rice-based systems worldwide seeking to improve profits while reducing costs and labor.