The 2014 Nebraska Farm Custom Rate survey results are now available.

These surveys, conducted every two years, consist of two parts, said Roger Wilson, farm management specialist in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Part I covers 110 spring and summer operations including tillage, fertilizing, planting, spraying and waste handling. Part II covers 46 harvesting and 14 miscellaneous operations.

The survey is sent to people who have been identified as doing custom farm work, Wilson said. Survey results are tabulated for each of eight USDA districts as well as the whole state. 

Four results are provided for each operation: the number reporting, the average rate of those reporting, the range of replies and the most common rate charged, Wilson said.

A minimum of three replies is required for each operation or the results are not reported.

Changes from 2012 Rates

Wilson compared rates between 2012 and 2014 for three operations that each had more than 70 responses:

Disk harrowing, tandem or offset, finishing harrowing per acre. The average rate statewide increased from $9.26 per acre in 2012 to $12.24 in 2014. The most common rate remained $10 per acre for both years.

No-till drilling of soybeans. The average rate increased from $14.83 per acre in 2012 to $17.04 in 2014. The most common charge remained at $15 per acre for both years.

Combining soybeans. The average rate increased from $29.54 per acre in 2012 to $31.41 per acre in 2014. The most common rate remained $30 per acre for both years.

"It is interesting that in each case the average went from being less than the most common rate to being greater," he said. "This indicates there is a reluctance to raise rates by a large number of operators even though average rates are increasing."

To Access These ECs

The rates are published online in UNL Extension Circulars

2014 Nebraska Farm Custom Rates – Part I (EC823) and
2014 Nebraska Farm Custom Rates – Part II (EC826).

The rates can also be accessed via the CropWatch website at https://cropwatch.unl.edu/economics/customrates or the Department of Agricultural Economics website at http://agecon.unl.edu/resource.html.

Printed copies are available for $3.75 at http://marketplace.unl.edu/.

IANR News Release