Custom farm work costs more this year.
A new report from University of Wisconsin agricultural economists details the rising rates, showing that price hikes vary widely by the task.
Chisel plowing rates rose 2% to an average of $23.13 per acre. Vertical tillage increased 3% to $21.67 per acre.
Drilling alfalfa, soybeans, and small grains now costs between $21.04 and $22.42 per acre. No-till drilling runs slightly higher.
Custom corn planting averages $23.22 per acre, but adding fertilizer pushes that to $25.41. Soybean planting costs about $24.50 per acre, or $26.42 with fertilizer. No-till drilling with fertilizer and soybean seed hits $30.00 per acre.
Application costs saw some of the biggest jumps. Dry fertilizer application rates climbed 11%, while liquid broadcast applications surged 40%. Lime application spiked 55%, reaching an average of $31.71 per acre.
Harvesting took a similar hit. Combining and hauling corn or soybeans exceeds $50.00 per acre. Chopping and hauling forage costs vary widely, but the average sits at more than $780 per hour.
Finally, drag-line manure application jumped 17% this year. The service now costs farmers roughly $17.50 per 1,000 gallons.
Read the full custom harvest report online.
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