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Iowa custom farming rates 2026
144 rates from the 2026 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey (Ag Decision Maker File A3-10, FM 1698).
- Published by
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Ag Decision Maker
- Published
- March 2026 (FM 1698, revised March 2026)
- Rates for
- 2026 · Survey mailed early February 2026
- Responses
- 205 responses (4,698 rates)
- Fuel
- Rates include fuel, repairs, depreciation, interest and operator labor unless otherwise noted. Rates are expected to be charged or paid in 2026.
- Diesel baseline
- $2.89/gal. Report assumed diesel at $2.89/gal (February 2026).
- Ranges
- Range excludes the single lowest and single highest response.
- Source
- Original report (PDF) · publisher page
Survey averages, not quotes. These are averages of what people reported in extension surveys. Use them as a starting point for a conversation, not as a price.
Tillage (22) · Planting & seeding (19) · Spraying (8) · Fertilizer application (8) · Harvesting (21) · Drying & storage (2) · Hay & forage (19) · Custom farming (all operations) (3) · Manure (3) · Labor (2) · Machinery rental (11) · Other services (26)
Tillage
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chopping cornstalks compare states | $14.55/acre | $8.00 – $20.00 | 32 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Moldboard plowing compare states | $20.10/acre | $14.00 – $24.00 | 17 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Chisel plowing compare states | $20.75/acre | $10.00 – $28.00 | 37 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Disk/chiseling compare states | $23.00/acre | $10.00 – $34.00 | 58 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Vertical tillage compare states | $22.15/acre | $12.00 – $30.00 | 79 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Strip tillage - without fertilizer application compare states | $23.20/acre | $15.00 – $30.00 | 20 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Strip tillage - with dry bulk fertilizer, banded, no materials compare states | $29.65/acre | $17.00 – $40.00 | 21 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Strip tillage - with liquid fertilizer, knifed, no materials compare states | $28.15/acre | $17.00 – $39.00 | 16 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Strip tillage - with anhydrous fertilizer, no materials compare states | $28.35/acre | $17.00 – $37.00 | 18 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Subsoiling (8 to 15 inches deep) compare states | $25.20/acre | $13.00 – $35.00 | 36 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| V-ripping (over 15 inches deep) compare states | $27.20/acre | $15.00 – $40.00 | 28 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| V-ripping with tandem disk compare states | $26.10/acre | $12.25 – $40.00 | 48 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Disking, tandem compare states | $19.80/acre | $10.00 – $30.00 | 59 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Disking, heavy or offset compare states | $23.75/acre | $16.00 – $30.00 | 22 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Harrowing or dragging | $12.80/acre | $7.00 – $18.00 | 23 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Soil finishing compare states | $19.80/acre | $10.00 – $33.00 | 52 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Field cultivating compare states | $19.20/acre | $7.60 – $32.00 | 82 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Rock picking | $18.50/acre | $10.00 – $30.00 | 23 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Cultivating, conventional compare states | $17.45/acre | $12.00 – $20.00 | 18 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Cultivating, ridge-till | $17.35/acre | $15.00 – $18.75 | 8 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Rotary hoeing compare states | $12.85/acre | $8.00 – $17.00 | 28 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Land rolling compare states | $9.75/acre | $4.00 – $18.00 | 56 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
Planting & seeding
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planting - with fertilizer and insecticide attachments compare states | $29.60/acre | $16.00 – $50.00 | 47 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Planting - without attachments compare states | $26.50/acre | $15.00 – $38.00 | 69 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Planting - with splitters and attachments | $28.50/acre | $13.00 – $47.00 | 49 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Planting - with high-speed planter | $31.25/acre | $14.00 – $56.00 | 71 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Planting - no-till planter compare states | $29.10/acre | $15.00 – $46.00 | 76 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Planting - no-till planter with splitters | $30.00/acre | $16.00 – $45.00 | 58 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Planting - ridge till planter | $28.45/acre | $24.00 – $34.00 | 7 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Extra charge for seed shut-offs | $3.75/acre | $0.50 – $10.00 | 70 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Extra charge for variable rate seeding | $3.90/acre | $1.00 – $10.00 | 52 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Extra charge for GPS use, if used for analytics | $3.65/acre | $1.00 – $10.00 | 45 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Seed tender | $5.05/acre | $2.00 – $10.00 | 51 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Drilling soybean compare states | $22.00/acre | $14.00 – $28.00 | 33 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Drilling soybean, no-till compare states | $24.15/acre | $15.00 – $32.00 | 40 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Drilling grass seed | $21.80/acre | $10.00 – $30.00 | 36 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Drilling small grain compare states | $19.45/acre | $10.00 – $27.00 | 30 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Seeding grass, broadcast with tractor | $15.65/acre | $8.00 – $25.00 | 19 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Seeding grass, broadcast with ATV | $18.65/acre | $10.00 – $30.00 | 16 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Aerial seeding of cover crop compare states | $14.70/acre | $10.00 – $18.00 | 25 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
| Drilling cover crop seed compare states | $19.05/acre | $9.00 – $25.00 | 39 | PDF p. 2 · calculate |
Spraying
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground, broadcast, not incorporated, tractor compare states Materials not included |
$8.50/acre | $5.00 – $14.00 | 35 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Ground, incorporated, tractor Materials not included |
$12.30/acre | $7.00 – $18.00 | 10 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Ground, broadcast, not incorporated, self-propelled compare states Materials not included |
$9.35/acre | $5.00 – $18.00 | 121 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Ground, broadcast, self-propelled tall-crop compare states Materials not included |
$11.15/acre | $6.00 – $20.00 | 65 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Ground, banded, tractor Materials not included |
$12.20/acre | $8.50 – $16.00 | 8 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Ground, road ditches Materials not included |
$90.45/hour | $25.00 – $145.00 | 40 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Aerial compare states Materials not included |
$12.00/acre | $9.00 – $18.00 | 54 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Drone compare states Materials not included |
$12.50/acre | $8.00 – $16.00 | 47 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
Fertilizer application
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry bulk - applied compare states Materials not included |
$8.15/acre | $4.00 – $13.50 | 59 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Liquid - spraying compare states Materials not included |
$9.45/acre | $5.00 – $15.00 | 35 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Liquid - side dressing compare states Materials not included |
$14.10/acre | $9.00 – $20.00 | 38 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Liquid - high clearance, drop hose, Y spray nozzle compare states Materials not included |
$13.25/acre | $8.00 – $20.00 | 26 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Anhydrous - injecting, with tool bar compare states Materials not included |
$15.55/acre | $7.00 – $28.00 | 79 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Anhydrous - injecting, without tool bar Materials not included |
$13.45/acre | $8.00 – $20.00 | 42 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Anhydrous - side dressing Materials not included |
$13.55/acre | $8.00 – $18.00 | 15 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Spreading lime compare states Materials not included |
$8.30/ton | $5.00 – $14.00 | 31 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
Harvesting
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corn combining compare states | $46.05/acre | $25.00 – $80.00 | 119 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Corn combining - with chopper head | $50.60/acre | $25.00 – $80.00 | 61 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Corn combining - added charge for corn reel (downed corn) | $12.55/acre | $5.00 – $30.00 | 34 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Soybean combining compare states | $43.05/acre | $24.00 – $70.00 | 94 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Soybean combining - with air reel | $47.00/acre | $26.00 – $70.00 | 21 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Soybean combining - with draper head | $48.20/acre | $24.00 – $80.00 | 95 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Small grain combining compare states | $47.00/acre | $35.00 – $65.00 | 13 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Complete harvesting (combine, grain cart, haul to farm storage) - Corn compare states checkoutlier ⚠ Range runs up to $175/acre (excluding the single highest). Wide spread; median ($70–75) is lower than the average. ⚠ +71% vs. the cross-state median ($47.95) for “Corn harvest package (combine + grain cart)”. |
$82.00/acre | $40.00 – $175.00 | 67 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Complete harvesting (combine, grain cart, haul to farm storage) - Soybean compare states checkoutlier ⚠ Range runs up to $175/acre (excluding the single highest). Wide spread; median ($70–75) is lower than the average. ⚠ +67% vs. the cross-state median ($46.22) for “Soybean harvest package (combine + grain cart)”. |
$77.40/acre | $32.00 – $175.00 | 68 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Added charge for GPS mapping | $3.95/acre | $1.00 – $8.00 | 46 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Picking ear corn | $49.70/acre | $30.00 – $100.00 | 19 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Drying corn (includes fuel, electricity, labor) - continuous flow dryer compare states | $0.055/point/bushel | $0.025 – $0.09 | 21 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Drying corn (includes fuel, electricity, labor) - bin dryer compare states | $0.05/point/bushel | $0.025 – $0.06 | 10 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Handling grain by auger | $0.085/bushel | $0.02 – $0.16 | 37 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Hauling grain - grain cart, corn compare states | $9.25/acre | $3.00 – $22.00 | 72 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Hauling grain - grain cart, soybean compare states | $8.10/acre | $2.00 – $19.00 | 72 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Hauling grain - to farm storage, wagon compare states | $0.095/bushel | $0.04 – $0.15 | 28 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Hauling grain - farm storage to market, wagon | $0.125/bushel | $0.05 – $0.24 | 27 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Hauling grain - to market, truck, (5 miles, 1-way trip) compare states | $0.135/bushel | $0.06 – $0.50 | 96 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Hauling grain - to market, truck, (25 miles, 1-way trip) compare states | $0.20/bushel | $0.09 – $0.35 | 97 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
| Hauling grain - to market, truck, (100 miles, 1-way trip) compare states outlier ⚠ +108% vs. the cross-state median ($0.20) for “Hauling grain to market”. |
$0.405/bushel | $0.18 – $0.65 | 46 | PDF p. 3 · calculate |
Drying & storage
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storing grain, bin rental compare states | $0.03/bushel/month | $0.01 – $0.06 | 22 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Storing grain, bin rental | $0.19/bushel/year | $0.10 – $0.45 | 45 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
Hay & forage
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hay - mowing compare states | $15.45/acre | $9.50 – $21.00 | 20 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Hay - mowing/conditioning compare states | $17.30/acre | $10.00 – $25.00 | 31 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Hay - raking compare states | $9.90/acre | $7.50 – $15.00 | 24 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Hay - merging | $12.40/acre | $8.00 – $13.00 | 5 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Hay - tedding compare states | $11.85/acre | $8.00 – $15.00 | 12 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Swathing hay or small grain | $18.00/acre | $15.00 – $22.00 | 5 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Hay baling - small square bales compare states outlier ⚠ -47% vs. the cross-state median ($1.88) for “Baling small square bales”. |
$1.00/bale | $0.50 – $1.50 | 16 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Hay baling - large square bales compare states | $14.90/bale | $13.00 – $18.00 | 7 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Hay baling - large round bales without wrap compare states | $13.15/bale | $10.00 – $20.00 | 11 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Hay baling - large round bales with wrap compare states | $15.75/bale | $12.00 – $20.00 | 39 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Straw or corn stalk baling - large round or square bales without wrap | $14.50/bale | $10.00 – $20.00 | 8 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Straw or corn stalk baling - large round or square bales with wrap | $16.85/bale | $12.00 – $20.00 | 31 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Moving large round bales to storage | $3.25/bale | $1.50 – $5.00 | 11 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Haul round bales by truck or trailer | $0.29/bale/loaded mile | $0.18 – $0.38 | 6 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Haul round bales by truck or trailer | $118.00/hour | $90.00 – $150.00 | 5 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Silage - chopping | $77.40/hour/head row | $50.00 – $98.00 | 5 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Silage - chopping | $9.20/ton | $7.00 – $12.00 | 10 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Filling silage bags | $11.30/foot of bag | $9.00 – $15.00 | 8 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Earlage or snaplage - chopping | $84.75/acre | $65.00 – $100.00 | 8 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
Custom farming (all operations)
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom farming, all operations - Corn compare states check ⚠ Very wide range ($65–$375/acre). Survey does not specify yield or field conditions. |
$177.85/acre | $74.50 – $375.00 | 64 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Custom farming, all operations - Soybean compare states check ⚠ Very wide range ($65–$375/acre). Survey does not specify yield or field conditions. |
$161.70/acre | $65.00 – $353.00 | 63 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Custom farming, all operations - Small grain check ⚠ Very wide range ($65–$375/acre). Survey does not specify yield or field conditions. |
$186.15/acre | $70.00 – $290.00 | 13 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
Manure
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spreading liquid manure, injected compare states | $18.15/1,000 gallons | $11.00 – $29.00 | 16 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Applying liquid manure with drag line compare states | $16.85/1,000 gallons | $12.50 – $21.00 | 9 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Loading, spreading solid manure | $7.20/ton | $5.00 – $9.00 | 7 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
Labor
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farm labor wage for operating machinery - Spraying or harvesting compare states | $24.45/hour | $15.00 – $40.00 | 81 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Farm labor wage for operating machinery - Other operations compare states | $22.95/hour | $15.00 – $40.00 | 105 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
Machinery rental
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machinery rental (no operator, tractor or fuel) - Tractor compare states Rental rate: operator labor, tractor and fuel NOT included |
$0.34/horsepower/hour | $0.14 – $0.50 | 18 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Machinery rental (no operator, tractor or fuel) - Corn head for combine Rental rate: operator labor, tractor and fuel NOT included |
$11.60/acre | $5.00 – $20.00 | 11 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Machinery rental (no operator, tractor or fuel) - Soybean head for combine Rental rate: operator labor, tractor and fuel NOT included |
$13.45/acre | $5.00 – $20.00 | 9 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Machinery rental (no operator, tractor or fuel) - Grain cart with auger, corn Rental rate: operator labor, tractor and fuel NOT included |
$6.70/acre | $6.00 – $12.00 | 7 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Machinery rental (no operator, tractor or fuel) - Grain cart with auger, soybean Rental rate: operator labor, tractor and fuel NOT included |
$5.85/acre | $5.00 – $10.00 | 6 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Machinery rental (no operator, tractor or fuel) - Grain truck (semi) Rental rate: operator labor, tractor and fuel NOT included |
$0.20/bushel/round trip | $0.18 – $0.22 | 5 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Machinery rental (no operator, tractor or fuel) - Grain auger Rental rate: operator labor, tractor and fuel NOT included |
$0.08/bushel | $0.05 – $0.12 | 7 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Machinery rental (no operator, tractor or fuel) - Grain vacuum Rental rate: operator labor, tractor and fuel NOT included |
$0.10/bushel | $0.07 – $0.13 | 8 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Machinery rental (no operator, tractor or fuel) - Skid loader compare states Rental rate: operator labor, tractor and fuel NOT included |
$97.50/hour | $80.00 – $120.00 | 8 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Machinery rental (no operator, tractor or fuel) - Dry bulk fertilizer applicator Rental rate: operator labor, tractor and fuel NOT included |
$7.05/acre | $5.00 – $9.00 | 8 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
| Machinery rental (no operator, tractor or fuel) - Anhydrous fertilizer applicator Rental rate: operator labor, tractor and fuel NOT included |
$9.50/acre | $3.00 – $15.00 | 8 | PDF p. 5 · calculate |
Other services
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Removing snow (loader) | $114.05/hour | $50.00 – $200.00 | 34 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Removing snow (blade) | $14.25/hour/foot of blade | $12.50 – $16.70 | 7 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Removing snow (blower) | $16.95/hour/foot of blower | $4.15 – $27.80 | 13 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Tub grinding hay | $273.90/hour | $100.00 – $425.00 | 9 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Power washing | $78.85/hour | $50.00 – $100.00 | 13 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Building fence, barbed (no materials) | $42.70/hour | $35.00 – $50.00 | 7 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Scouting crops | $6.65/acre | $4.00 – $9.50 | 13 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| GPS grid soil testing | $7.95/acre | $3.00 – $12.50 | 18 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Managing stored grain | $0.08/bushel | $0.03 – $0.12 | 12 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Vacuuming grain | $0.12/bushel | $0.05 – $0.20 | 29 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Livestock hauling with semi-truck | $4.70/loaded mile | $3.50 – $5.75 | 9 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Bulldozing | $17.55/hour/foot of blade | $12.00 – $22.50 | 16 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Trenching | $1.60/foot | $1.25 – $2.00 | 5 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Tiling, tiling machine (excluding materials) | $1.70/foot | $1.05 – $2.30 | 7 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Tiling, tile plow (excluding materials) | $1.15/foot | $0.50 – $1.75 | 12 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Backhoeing compare states | $129.35/hour | $70.00 – $200.00 | 23 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Clearing land | $161.65/hour | $100.00 – $225.00 | 15 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Building ponds | $161.65/hour | $125.00 – $210.00 | 6 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Chain sawing | $89.15/hour | $50.00 – $120.00 | 18 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Welding machinery | $83.85/hour | $40.00 – $110.00 | 15 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Mowing CRP or pasture compare states | $27.05/acre | $12.00 – $50.00 | 47 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Controlled burning of grass, CRP, pasture | $33.35/acre | $20.00 – $60.00 | 25 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Mowing fence rows, ditches | $103.20/hour | $20.00 – $150.00 | 45 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Mowing lawns | $56.65/hour | $20.00 – $100.00 | 30 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Chopping brush | $105.55/acre | $25.00 – $200.00 | 18 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
| Using truck scale | $11.15/load weighed | $5.00 – $19.25 | 8 | PDF p. 4 · calculate |
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