EC823

(Revised June 2018)

2018 Nebraska Farm Custom Rates

Glennis A. McClure, Extension Educator – Farm & Ranch Management Analyst
Jim A. Jansen, Agricultural Economist

A survey of agricultural custom operators is
conducted in Nebraska every two years. A total of
227 survey responses were received in 2018 with
information reflecting the current rates charged
by custom operators for machine hire services and
other work they provide for neighboring farms
and ranches or as part of a business enterprise that
covers a broader area. Survey participants identified
by Nebraska Extension personnel, or in some cases,
self-identified custom operators, received a paper
survey or a link to the custom rates survey online.
Actual rates paid for custom services may vary
from those listed in these survey results due to
differences in the operators responding and those
providing services across the State. This report
provides a summary of State averages for specific
custom operations in Table 1. More detailed
information covering results of the custom rates
survey by Nebraska Agricultural Statistical Districts
is provided in two parts. Part I of the survey focused
on spring and summer farm and ranch operations
such as planting, tillage, and baling hay. Part II of
the custom rates survey included questions about
fall operations such as harvesting and hauling as
well as miscellaneous custom work activities on the
farm.
Detailed custom rate information from survey
responses included in Part I and II are grouped by
Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Districts as shown
on the map below (Figure 1). Due in part to the
State’s diversity in agriculture, rates for similar
operations can vary greatly from one area of the
State to another. Custom rates reported include
charges for use of necessary equipment, fuel,
labor, and supplies such as baling wire or twine
provided by the custom operator. Seed, fertilizer,
and chemical costs are not included unless
specified per operation. The information presented
in this publication should be used only as a guide
when figuring what to charge or pay for custom
operations.

Figure 1. USDA Agricultural Statistics Services reporting districts for Nebraska.

Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agricultural and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the
Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with
the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture

© 1994-2018, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on behalf of the

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension. All rights reserved.
The Number Reporting is the number of usable
responses received for a specific operation. The results
from operations with more responses are considered
to be more reliable than those with fewer responses.
Results are not reported if fewer than three usable
responses were reported for an operation.
The Average Rate for a specific operation provides an
estimate of the prevailing charge for an operation. The
reliability for this figure improves as the number of
responses increase for a particular operation. The size
of the range should also be viewed when considering
the average, as the range of answers in some cases may
be wide.
The Most Common Rate (Mode) is the rate reported
more often than any other for that practice. The Average
Rate and the Mode are usually similar. The results do
not include a mode figure when any value fails to be
reported more than once or when two or more values
are reported the same number of times.
The Range shows the minimum and maximum amounts
reported. These values may be indicative of different
conditions under which the work was performed. The
range also may reflect the fact that some rates include
travel to and from the field while others do not.
Costs to Consider in Establishing Custom Rates
Be aware that average custom rates reported may not
cover all of an operator’s costs. Rates change from year
to year due to expense changes and the availability
of custom operators. The rates reported in the
publication were the prevailing rates in the spring of
2018. In determining the rates beyond 2018, custom
operators and farm owners should consider their cost
of machinery, labor, and fuel.
This publication has been peer reviewed.
Nebraska Extension publications are available
at http://extension.unl.edu/publications.
# Too few responses to publish
2 © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.
The rates provided in this report do not necessarily
measure the full economic cost of performing the
work specified. Some custom operators may only
charge for fuel and labor. Other operators may charge
for all costs, including depreciation on equipment,
personal property taxes, a charge for risk, and a return
to management. Field conditions such as size of area,
terrain, and location will vary, which could partially
account for the range in the rates charged.
Calculating Cost Associated with Fuel Price Changes
The following is an example showing how custom rates
may be adjusted as fuel prices change. Farm price for
diesel increases $0.50 from $2.10 to $2.60 per gallon.
Consumption rate of the machine operation is 0.80
gallons per acre. Cost increase due to the higher fuel
prices would be $0.50 X 0.80 = $0.40 per acre. This
additional cost would be added to the custom rate
quoted in the 2018 results.
Calculating Machine Costs to Utilize in Setting
Custom Rates
Variability in the rates reported across the statewide
survey suggest that calculating machine costs based
on ownership and operating expenses provide value
when determining custom rates. Certain custom
rates reported in Nebraska fully account for covering
operating and ownership costs of machinery and
equipment. If sufficient custom rates information does
not exist in a particular district or if an operator has
upgraded equipment, then calculating an updated
custom rate may be necessary. Those that provide
custom services on a commercial scale should account
for machinery, labor, and other related expenses that
appropriately produces returns at a larger scale.
For inquiries about this report or requests to be added
to the list of respondents, please contact:
Glennis McClure or Jim Jansen
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
303B Filley Hall, PO Box 830922
Lincoln, NE 68583-0922
Glennis: 402-472-0661; Jim: 402-261-7572
Email: gmcclure3@unl.edu or jjansen4@unl.edu
Table 1 STATE SUMMARY OF THE MOST POPULAR MACHINERY OPERATIONS
Most Number
 LAND TILLAGE OPERATIONS Average Rate Range
Common  Reporting
Disk Harrowing, Primary (heavy), rate per acre 14.43 15 08-25 69
Disk Harrowing, Finishing (light), rate per acre 13.71 15 10-19 51
Chisel Plow, rate per acre 14.45 18 08-25 11
Deep Chisel, rate per acre 18.77 18 11-30 15
Subsoil or Rip, rate per acre 21.08 25 12-30 37
Field Cultivator, rate per acre 13.61 15 08-22 49
Vertical or Turbo Tillage, rate per acre 15.4 15 12-25 21
Combination Tillage Operations, Finishing, rate per acre 13.88 15 08-20 15
Strip Tilling, rate per acre 18.73 20 12-25 20
Stalk Shredder PTO Driven, rate per acre 12.7 10 10-20 10

Most Number
PLANTING AND POST PLANTING OPERATIONS Average Rate Range
Common  Reporting
DRILLING
- Small Grains, conventional drill, rate per acre 14.4 15 09-18 20
- Small Grains, no-till drill, rate per acre 17.74 18 12-28 59
- Soybeans, conventional drill, rate per acre 16.92 20 14-20 12
- Soybeans, no-till drill, rate per acre 18.02 18 12-28 49
PLANTING ROW CROPS
- No coulters, with band applicator, rate per acre 19.59 20 12-1 49
- No coulters, without band applicator, rate per acre 18.35 15 12-1 36
- Coulters, with band applicator, rate per acre 19.7 20 13-30 39
- Coulters, without band applicator, rate per acre 18.24 20 10-25 34
- Ridge planting, with band applicator, rate per acre  21.12 20 10-1 33
- Ridge planting, without band applicator, rate per acre  18.33 18 12-28 23
- Dry Edible Beans, rate per acre  22.61 22 16-38 9
- Sugarbeets, rate per acre 22.38 24 15-30 8
Seeding Grass Seed, rate per acre 18.92 20 12-29 13
Seeding Legumes, rate per acre 18 15 15-24 19
Seeding CRP Ground, rate per acre 19.62 15 15-31 13
Cultivation Tillage, conventional, rate per acre 13.25 12 10-18 12
Cultivation Tillage, handling residue, rate per acre 12.5 15 07-18 20
Cultivation Tillage, hill or ditch, rate per acre  11.21 15 07-18 14

Most Number
HAYING AND BALING  Average Rate Range
Common  Reporting
Mowing, rate per acre 14.28 10 10-20 16
Raking, rate per acre 5.16 5 1.50-12 34
Swathing with Crushing/Crimping, rate per hour 117.92 110 70-170 13
Swathing with Crushing/Crimping, rate per acre 15.1 15 10-20 50
Shredding Cornstalks, rate per acre 16.2 15 10-25 10
Raking Cornstalks, rate per acre 8.09 10 02-16 11
BALING
- Small Square Bales with Twine Tie, rate per bale 1.16 1 0.40-3.50 19
- Small Square Bales With Wire Tie, rate per bale 1.12 0.75 0.40-3.50 10
- Large Square Bales, rate per bale 15 20 08-20 7
- Large Round Bales Without Net Wrap, rate per bale 13.56 14 08-17 33
- Large Round Bales With Net Wrap, rate per bale 14.13 15 10-24 48
# Too few responses to publish
- Cornstalks With Large Round Baler, rate per bale 15.63 15 11-21 23

© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved. 3

Table 1 STATE SUMMARY OF THE MOST POPULAR MACHINERY OPERATIONS
Most Number
SMALL GRAIN HARVEST Average Rate Range
Common  Reporting
Windrowing Grain Crops, rate per acre 16.67 12 10.50-30 12
Combining Small Grains, flat charge, rate per acre 31.68 30 22-45 36
Hauling Small Grain to Local Storage, cents per bushel 0.14 0.1 0.07-0.26 23

Most Number
APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER Average Rate Range
Common  Reporting
Dry Fertilizer Solid Broadcast, rate per acre 6.43 5 3.50-10 26
Dry Fertilizer Variable Rate, rate per acre 7.97 6.5 06-10 19
Liquid Fertilizer Solid Application, rate per acre 8.25 7 05-15 21
Liquid Fertilizer Variable Rate, rate per acre 9.67 10 4.75-16 18
Anhydrous Ammonia, conventional knife, rate per acre 13.3 16 05-20 10
Anhydrous Ammonia, knife with coulters, rate per acre 15.18 15 09-25 40

Most Number
INSECT, DISEASE, AND WEED CONTROL  Average Rate Range
Common  Reporting
Spraying Weed Control, boom, rate per acre 6.84 7 4.75-10 55
Spraying Weed Control, recirculation, rate per acre  7.23 8 5.50-10 13
Crop Spraying by Surface Vehicle, rate per acre 6.94 7 4.50-8.50 41

Most Number
WASTE HANDLING Average Rate Range
Common  Reporting
Loading Manure with Tractor & Loader, rate per hour 97.22 90 50-200 9
Hauling and Spreading Dry Manure, rate per hour 160.83 120 70-375 12

Most Number
HARVESTING GRAINS & SOYBEANS Average Rate Range
Common  Reporting
Combining Irrigated Corn, flat rate per acre 38.22 35 18-95 101
Combining Irrigated Corn, flat rate per bushel 0.27 0.35 0.08-0.42 18
Combining Dryland Corn, flat rate per acre 34.82 30 14-90 123
Combining Dryland Corn, flat rate per bushel 0.24 0.25 0.08-0.37 9
Combining High Moisture Corn, flat rate per acre 42.31 45 30-110 45
Combining Soybeans, flat rate per acre 35.4 35 20-66 140
Combining Grain Sorghum, without pickup header, flat rate per acre 34.4 35 20-45 10

Most Number
HAULING OPERATIONS Average Rate Range
Common  Reporting
HAULING GRAIN
-From Combine with Tractor and Grain Cart, rate per acre 5.27 6 2-10 13
-From Combine with Tractor and Grain Cart, rate per bushel 0.08 0.05 0.04-0.18 16
-Grain Truck to Storage or Elevator, flat rate per bushel 0.13 0.1 0.05-0.25 61
-Grain (above 20 miles), additional charge per bushel 0.10 0.1 0.01-0.32 42
-Dry Edible Beans to Storage or Elevator, rate per bushel 0.14 0.12 0.10-0.25 10
Hauling Large Round Bales of Hay or Cornstalks (avg load 18.6 Tons),
3.83 4 2.50-4.50 10
rate per loaded mile
Hauling Cattle by Semi-trailer Truck (avg load 50,000 lbs), rate per
3.89 4 2.50-4.50 14
loaded mile

# Too few responses to publish

4 © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

Table 1 STATE SUMMARY OF THE MOST POPULAR MACHINERY OPERATIONS
Most Number
MAKING SILAGE AND EARLAGE Average Rate Range
Common  Reporting
Corn Silage (field chopping, hauling, filling, packing silo),
9.25 - 4-15 8
flat rate per ton 
Corn Silage (field chopping and hauling), flat rate per ton  8.06 10 5.50-10 8

Most Number
HAULING SILAGE Average Rate Range
Common  Reporting
Hauling Silage from Field to Silo by Truck, rate per hour 88.57 100 45-100 7
Hauling Silage from Field to Silo by Truck, rate per ton 3.28 3 2.75-4.00 7

Most Number
OTHER CUSTOM SERVICES Average Rate Range
Common  Reporting
Drying Grain, per point of moisture removed, rate per bushel 0.04 0.02 0.02-0.10 6
Renting Bin Storage, rate per bushel 0.02 0.03 0.01-0.05 18
Elevating Grain (on farm), rate per bushel 0.03 0.03 0.01-0.10 7
Checking Pivots During Irrigation Season, rate per acre 16.22 10 5-25 9
Closing Pivot Tracks, rate per hour 75.5 100 25-100 10
Closing Pivot Tracks, rate per pivot 324.67 100 100-750 15
Mowing Grass Pasture or CRP, rate per acre 20.13 20 5-65 12
Skid Steer Loader Rent, rate per hour 76.39 - 28-135 9
Clearing Cedar Trees, rate per hour 91.36 100 45-125 11
Auto Steer System - GPS Mapping, rate per acre 1.94 1 1-4 8

# Too few responses to publish

© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved. 5

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART I
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
LAND TILLAGE OPERATIONS
Disk Harrowing, Tandem or Offset (primary, heavy, deep, leaving rough surface), rate per acre
Number Reporting 11 10 10 6 14 6 3 16 69
Average Rate 13.5 15 15.6 16.25 13.75 14.75 15.67 13.69 14.43
Range 9.00-20.00 10.00-19.00 12.00-25.00 15.00-19.00 8.00-18.00 10.00-18.00 12.00-19.00 8.00-19.00 8.00-25.00
Most Common 14 15 12 15 15 18 - 15 15
Disk Harrowing, Tandem or Offset, Finishing (secondary, light, seedbed preparation), rate per acre
Number Reporting 4 9 11 6 10 4 # 11 51
Average Rate 13.25 13.33 12.73 15.08 14.6 14 - 13.73 13.71
Range 12.00-15.00 10.00-18.00 10.00-17.00 12.50-18.00 12.00-18.50 12.00-15.00 - 10.00-19.00 10.00-19.00
Most Common 12 15 10 15 15 15 - 15 15
Moldboard Plowing, rate per acre
Number Reporting 4 # # # # # # # 7
Average Rate 20.75 - - - - - - - 22.57
Range 15.00-30.00 - - - - - - - 15.00-30.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 20
Harrowing, Spike Tooth, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 3
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 15.33
Range - - - - - - - - 15.00-16.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 15
Harrowing, Spring Tooth, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 3 4
Average Rate - - - - - - - 13.33 11.94
Range - - - - - - - 10.00-15.00 7.75-15.00
Most Common - - - - - - - 15 15
Chisel Plow (3 to 8 inches) for primary tillage, rate per acre
Number Reporting 5 # # # # # # 3 11
Average Rate 10.79 - - - - - - 14.67 14.45
Range 8.00-14.00 - - - - - - 14.00-15.00 8.00-25.00
Most Common - - - - - - - 15 18
Deep Chisel (deeper than usual plow depth), rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # 4 # # 3 15
Average Rate - - - - 17.75 - - 20.5 18.77
Range - - - - 12.00-20.00 - - 14.00-30.00 11.00-30.00
Most Common - - - - 20 - - - 18
Subsoil or Rip, rate per acre
Number Reporting 6 6 5 3 10 3 3 6 37
Average Rate 19.17 21.25 23.7 21 22 16.33 23.33 23.08 21.08
Range 12.00-30.00 18.00-27.50 20.00-27.50 18.00-25.00 12.00-30.00 12.00-23.00 15.00-30.00 14.00-30.00 12.00-30.00
Most Common 17 18 25 - 25 - - 30 25
Field Cultivator (3 to 8 inches with shanks or sweeps), rate per acre
Number Reporting 8 5 6 # 15 # 3 13 49
Average Rate 12.88 13.4 14 - 13.23 - 15.33 13.69 13.61
Range 8.00-22.00 10.00-18.00 9.50-20.00 - 8.00-18.50 - 11.00-19.00 8.00-19.00 8.00-22.00
Most Common 11 12 - - 15 - - 10 15

# Too few responses to publish

6 © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART I
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
Vertical or Turbo Tillage, rate per acre
Number Reporting 4 # # # 5 # # 5 21
Average Rate 15.75 - - - 16.9 - - 14.8 15.4
Range 15.00-17.00 - - - 12.00-25.00 - - 12.00-18.00 12.00-25.00
Most Common 15 - - - - - - 15 15
Blade Plow or Wide Sweep Blade, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 3
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 10.67
Range - - - - - - - - 8.00-12.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 12
Combination Tillage Operations, finishing tillage, rate per acre
Number Reporting 3 # # # 6 # # 4 15
Average Rate 16.67 - - - 13.54 - - 12.5 13.88
Range 15.00-20.00 - - - 8.00-18.00 - - 8.00-16.00 8.00-20.00
Most Common 15 - - - 15 - - - 15
Strip Tilling (leaving about an 8 inch seedbed), rate per acre
Number Reporting 5 # # 4 4 5 # # 20
Average Rate 18.8 - - 18.25 19.5 17.7 - - 18.73
Range 16.00-20.00 - - 12.00-25.00 16.00-23.00 15.00-22.00 - - 12.00-25.00
Most Common 20 - - 18 - - - - 20
Stalk Shredder PTO Driven, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 4 10
Average Rate - - - - - - - 15.25 12.7
Range - - - - - - - 10.00-20.00 10.00-20.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 10
Rolling Stalk Chopper, not PTO, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # 3 # # # # 8
Average Rate - - - 10 - - - - 10.05
Range - - - 8.00-12.00 - - - - 6.50-12.40
Most Common - - - - - - - - 12

PLANTING AND POST PLANTING OPERATIONS

Drilling Small Grains, conventional drill with disk or row opening device, rate per acre
Number Reporting 6 4 # # # # # 3 20
Average Rate 13.17 15.5 - - - - - 14 14.4
Range 9.00-16.00 13.00-18.00 - - - - - 12.00-15.00 9.00-18.00
Most Common - - - - - - - 15 15
Drilling Small Grains, no-till drill, rate per acre
Number Reporting 8 6 5 5 13 6 5 18 59
Average Rate 15.75 17.83 17.2 18.1 17.35 18.17 18.6 18.5 17.74
Range 13.00-18.00 15.00-20.00 15.00-20.00 15.50-20.00 14.00-25.00 17.50-20.00 18.00-20.00 12.00-28.00 12.00-28.00
Most Common 18 18 18 18 15 18 18 18 18
Planting Row Crops, no coulters or row cleaning devices, includes no-till with band applicator, rate per acre
Number Reporting 7 # 5 4 9 4 3 21 49
Average Rate 20.14 - 17.8 17.5 23 19.44 20 20.33 19.59
Range 14.00-24.00 - 12.00-22.00 15.00-20.00 16.00-45.00 17.50-22.00 15.00-25.00 12.00-45.00 12.00-45.00
Most Common 22 - 20 - 25 - - 22 20

# Too few responses to publish

© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved. 7

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART I
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
Planting Row Crops, no coulters or row cleaning devices, includes no-till, without band applicator, rate per acre
Number Reporting # 5 6 3 10 # # 16 36
Average Rate - 21.2 19.33 16 19.95 - - 18.13 18.35
Range - 14.00-26.00 15.00-26.00 14.00-18.00 14.00-40.00 - - 12.00-40.00 12.00-40.00
Most Common - 26 20 - 16 - - 15 15
Planting Row Crops, with coulters, with band applicator, rate per acre
Number Reporting 5 4 8 5 9 # 3 12 39
Average Rate 21.6 19.25 19.31 20 21.72 - 18 18.1 19.7
Range 14.00-30.00 16.00-22.00 15.00-24.00 16.00-25.00 13.00-30.00 - 16.00-20.00 13.00-21.00 13.00-30.00
Most Common 22 - 21 - 20 - - 20 20
Planting Row Crops, with coulters, without band applicator, rate per acre
Number Reporting # 5 9 5 3 # # 14 34
Average Rate - 20.2 17.89 18.8 19 - - 16.94 18.24
Range - 17.00-25.00 15.00-20.00 16.00-23.00 12.00-25.00 - - 10.00-25.88 10.00-25.88
Most Common - - 17 16 - - - 15 20
Planting Row Crops, with row cleaning devices for ridge planting, with band applicator, rate per acre 
Number Reporting 4 # # 6 9 # 5 10 33
Average Rate 25 - - 20.33 20.72 - 18.9 20.3 21.12
Range 18.00-38.00 - - 17.00-25.00 15.00-26.00 - 17.00-21.50 10.00-28.00 10.00-38.00
Most Common 22 - - 20 20 - 18 20 20
Planting Row Crops, with row cleaning devices for ridge planting, without band applicator, rate per acre 
Number Reporting # # 4 5 5 # 3 7 23
Average Rate - - 18.25 18 16.9 - 18.33 19.14 18.33
Range - - 13.00-22.00 15.00-23.00 12.00-24.00 - 17.00-20.00 15.00-28.00 12.00-28.00
Most Common - - - 17 18 - - 20 18
Drilling Soybeans, conventional drill with disk or row opening devices, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # 3 # 3 # # 4 12
Average Rate - - 18 - 16.67 - - 14.75 16.92
Range - - 16.00-20.00 - 14.00-20.00 - - 14.00-15.00 14.00-20.00
Most Common - - - - - - - 15 20
Drilling Soybeans, no-till drill, rate per acre
Number Reporting 3 4 6 4 17 5 # 16 49
Average Rate 20.33 17.75 18 17.63 17.44 18.2 - 18.47 18.02
Range 18.00-25.00 17.00-18.00 15.00-23.00 15.00-19.00 12.00-25.00 17.50-20.00 - 12.00-28.00 12.00-28.00
Most Common 18 18 15 - 14 17.5 - 18 18
Planting Dry Edible Beans, rate per acre 
Number Reporting 5 # # # # 3 # # 9
Average Rate 25.6 - - - - 19.83 - - 22.61
Range 20.00-38.00 - - - - 17.50-22.00 - - 16.00-38.00
Most Common 24 - - - - - - - 22
Planting Sugarbeets, rate per acre
Number Reporting 4 3 # # # # # # 8
Average Rate 23.5 21.67 - - - - - - 22.38
Range 22.00-24.00 15.00-30.00 - - - - - - 15.00-30.00
Most Common 24 - - - - - - - 24

# Too few responses to publish

8 © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART I
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
Seeding Grass Seed, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 4 13
Average Rate - - - - - - - 23.5 18.92
Range - - - - - - - 20.00-29.00 12.00-29.00
Most Common - - - - - - - 20 20
Seeding Grass Seed with depth bands, rate per acre 
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 7
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 19.29
Range - - - - - - - - 15.00-29.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 18
Seeding Legumes, rate per acre
Number Reporting # 3 # # 4 3 # 6 19
Average Rate - 19.33 - - 15.63 19 - 19.5 18
Range - 18.00-22.00 - - 15.00-17.50 15.00-22.00 - 15.00-24.00 15.00-24.00
Most Common - 18 - - 15 - - 20 15
Seeding Legumes with depth bands, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 4
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 18.25
Range - - - - - - - - 15.00-24.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 15
Seeding CRP Ground, rate per acre
Number Reporting 3 # # # 3 # # 4 13
Average Rate 17.33 - - - 15.67 - - 24 19.62
Range 16.00-18.00 - - - 15.00-17.00 - - 15.00-31.00 15.00-31.00
Most Common 18 - - - 15 - - 25 15
Cultivation Tillage, rotary hoe, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 8
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 9.38
Range - - - - - - - - 6.00-15.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 10
Cultivation Tillage, conventional crop cultivator, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # 3 # 3 12
Average Rate - - - - - 14.67 - 14 13.25
Range - - - - - 14.00-15.00 - 12.00-18.00 10.00-18.00
Most Common - - - - - 15 - 12 12
Cultivation Tillage, cultivator handling residue &/or making ridges, rate per acre
Number Reporting 4 # # 3 6 # 3 4 20
Average Rate 9.5 - - 14.67 12.17 - 14.67 12.75 12.5
Range 7.00-14.00 - - 12.00-17.00 8.00-17.00 - 12.00-18.00 8.00-18.00 7.00-18.00
Most Common 7 - - - 10 - - - 15
Cultivation Tillage, hill or ditch for irrigation, rate per acre 
Number Reporting 3 # # # # # 3 4 14
Average Rate 8 - - - - - 13 12.25 11.21
Range 7.00-10.00 - - - - - 10.00-18.00 8.00-18.00 7.00-18.00
Most Common 7 - - - - - - 8 15

# Too few responses to publish

© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved. 9

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART I
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
HAYING AND BALING
Mowing, rate per acre
Number Reporting # 3 # # 4 # # 4 16
Average Rate - 13.33 - - 13.63 - - 14.5 14.28
Range - 10.00-20.00 - - 12.00-15.50 - - 10.00-20.00 10.00-20.00
Most Common - 10 - - 12 - - 10 10
Raking, rate per acre
Number Reporting # 5 7 5 8 3 # 9 34
Average Rate - 7.4 3.93 6 5.31 5 - 5.17 5.16
Range - 4.00-12.00 1.50-6.00 3.00-12.00 3.00-8.00 5.00-5.00 - 2.00-8.00 1.50-12.00
Most Common - - 3 5 5 5 - 5 5
Mowing and Raking (Where one rate is quoted or contracted.), rate per acre
Number Reporting # 3 # # # # # # 5
Average Rate - 19 - - - - - - 17.6
Range - 12.00-25.00 - - - - - - 6.00-25.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 25
Swathing with Crushing/Crimping, rate per hour
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 9 13
Average Rate - - - - - - - 119.44 117.92
Range - - - - - - - 70-170 70-170
Most Common - - - - - - - 120 110
Swathing with Crushing/Crimping, rate per acre
Number Reporting 3 5 8 6 14 5 4 12 50
Average Rate 17.67 15.2 14.13 16 15.21 17.6 13.75 14.33 15.1
Range 15.00-20.00 12.00-18.00 10.00-17.00 15.00-18.00 12.00-20.00 14.00-20.00 11.00-15.00 10.00-18.00 10.00-20.00
Most Common - 15 15 16 15 20 15 15 15
Swathing without Crushing/Crimping, rate per hour 
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 3
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 150
Range - - - - - - - - 100-195
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Swathing without Crushing/Crimping, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 3 7
Average Rate - - - - - - - 13 14.71
Range - - - - - - - 9.00-20.00 9.00-20.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 20
Baling Small Square Bales with Twine Tie (average lbs/bale = 62), rate per bale
Number Reporting # # 4 # 7 3 # 5 19
Average Rate - - 0.85 - 1.4 1.42 - 0.63 1.16
Range - - 0.65-1.35 - 0.75-3.50 1.00-2.00 - 0.40-1.00 0.40-3.50
Most Common - - 0.7 - 1 - - 0.5 1
Baling Small Square Bales With Wire Tie (average lbs/bale = 67), rate per bale
Number Reporting # # # # 3 # # 4 10
Average Rate - - - - 1.83 - - 0.54 1.12
Range - - - - 0.75-3.50 - - 0.40-0.75 0.40-3.50
Most Common - - - - - - - 0.5 0.75

# Too few responses to publish

10 © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART I
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
Baling Large Square Bales (average lbs/bale = 1400), rate per bale
Number Reporting # # # # 3 # # # 7
Average Rate - - - - 13.67 - - - 15
Range - - - - 12.00-16.00 - - - 8.00-20.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 20
Baling Large Round Bales Without Net Wrap (average lbs/bale = 1432), rate per bale
Number Reporting # # 6 # 9 4 # 10 33
Average Rate - - 13.17 - 13.5 13.38 - 13.35 13.56
Range - - 11.00-16.00 - 12.00-16.00 12.00-14.50 - 8.00-17.00 8.00-17.00
Most Common - - 13 - 12 - - 13.5 14
Baling Large Round Bales With Net Wrap (average lbs/bale = 1558), rate per bale
Number Reporting # 3 9 6 11 3 4 17 48
Average Rate - 13.83 12.67 16.67 15.41 15 12.88 13.35 14.13
Range - 13.00-15.00 10.00-18.00 13.00-24.00 12.00-20.00 15.00-15.00 11.00-15.00 10.00-16.00 10.00-24.00
Most Common - - 10 15 15 15 - 13 15
Shredding Cornstalks, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # 3 # # 4 10
Average Rate - - - - 15 - - 14.75 16.2
Range - - - - 10.00-20.00 - - 10.00-18.00 10.00-25.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 15
Raking Cornstalks, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # 4 6 # # # # 11
Average Rate - - 5.5 9.5 - - - - 8.09
Range - - 2.00-9.00 5.00-16.00 - - - - 2.00-16.00
Most Common - - - 10 - - - - 10
Baling Cornstalks With Large Round Baler (average lbs/bale = 1258), rate per bale
Number Reporting # 3 6 5 4 # # 6 23
Average Rate - 16.67 13.25 19.2 16.25 - - 15.5 15.63
Range - 15.00-20.00 12.00-15.00 15.00-21.00 15.00-18.00 - - 11.00-18.00 11.00-21.00
Most Common - 15 12 20 16 - - 16 15
Loading and Stacking Small Bales, rate per bale 
Number Reporting # # # # 3 # # # 9
Average Rate - - - - 0.63 - - - 0.98
Range - - - - 0.15-1.00 - - - 0.15-2.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 2
Lifting and Moving Large Round Bales With Tractor (average distance = 1.54 miles), rate per bale
Number Reporting # 3 3 4 # # # # 15
Average Rate - 2 1.4 1.88 - - - - 2.85
Range - 1.50-3.00 1.00-2.20 1.50-3.00 - - - - 1.00-10.00
Most Common - 1.5 1 1.5 - - - - 3

# Too few responses to publish

© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved. 11

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART I
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
SMALL GRAIN HARVEST (WHEAT, OATS, AND BARLEY)
Windrowing Grain Crops, rate per acre
Number Reporting 6 # # # # 3 # # 12
Average Rate 13.33 - - - - 13.67 - - 16.67
Range 10.50-18.00 - - - - 12.00-15.00 - - 10.50-30.00
Most Common 12 - - - - - - - 12
Combining Small Grains, flat charge, rate per acre
Number Reporting # 6 5 # 6 3 # 11 36
Average Rate - 35 30 - 34.25 30 - 31.18 31.68
Range - 30.00-40.00 24.00-36.00 - 25.00-42.50 25.00-35.00 - 24.00-36.00 22.00-45.00
Most Common - 30 - - - - - 30 30
Combining Small Grains, minimum with extra charge for high yields, rate per acre
Number Reporting 8 # # # # 3 # # 11
Average Rate 22.88 - - - - 25.67 - - 24.36
Range 21.00-25.00 - - - - 21.00-30.00 - - 21.00-30.00
Most Common 23 - - - - - - - 23
Additional Fee for Combining Small Grains for Yield Over 23.6 bushels per acre, rate per bushel
Number Reporting 7 # # # # 3 # # 13
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate 0.22 - - - - 0.23 - - 0.22

Range 0.15-0.24 - - - - 0.21-0.26 - - 0.12-0.30
Most Common 0.23 - - - - - - - 0.23
Hauling Small Grain from Combine to Local Storage, flat rate per bushel
Number Reporting 4 3 3 # 7 3 # 4 23
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate 0.2 0.1 0.13 - 0.12 0.21 - 0.16 0.14

Range 0.15-0.22 0.07-0.12 0.10-0.15 - 0.07-0.22 0.15-0.26 - 0.10-0.25 0.07-0.26
Most Common 0.22 - 0.15 - - - - - 0.1
Hauling Small Grains Based on Rate per Bushel - Plus $0.08/bu Extra Charge for Distance Over 15 Miles
Number Reporting # # # # 3 # # 4 10
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate - - - - 0.14 - - 0.16 0.15

Range - - - - 0.07-0.22 - - 0.10-0.30 0.07-0.30
Most Common - - - - - - - 0.1 0.12

# Too few responses to publish

12 © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART I
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER (EXCLUDING COST OF FERTILIZER)
Dry Fertilizer Solid Broadcast, including power, labor & applicator, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # 4 # 10 # 4 9 26
Average Rate - - 6.38 - 5.7 - 6.31 7 6.43
Range - - 5.00-7.50 - 3.50-7.00 - 5.00-8.00 5.00-8.00 3.50-10.00
Most Common - - - - 6 - - 8 5
Dry Fertilizer Solid Broadcast, applicator rental only, rate per ton
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 3
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 11.67
Range - - - - - - - - 10.00-15.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 10
Dry Fertilizer Variable Rate, including power, labor & applicator, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # 11 # 3 5 19
Average Rate - - - - 7.47 - 8.58 8.15 7.97
Range - - - - 6.00-10.00 - 7.50-9.25 7.50-9.00 6.00-10.00
Most Common - - - - 6.5 - - - 6.5
Liquid Fertilizer Solid Application, power, labor & applicator, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # 3 # 6 # 3 8 21
Average Rate - - 8.58 - 7 - 6.17 8.38 8.25
Range - - 6.75-12.00 - 6.25-8.00 - 5.75-7.00 6.00-12.00 5.00-15.00
Most Common - - - - 7 - 5.75 12 7
Liquid Fertilizer Variable Rate, power, labor & applicator, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # 7 3 4 4 18
Average Rate - - - - 8.21 12.08 9.56 9.88 9.67
Range - - - - 6.50-12.00 9.25-15.00 9.00-10.00 7.50-15.00 4.75-16.00
Most Common - - - - 6.5 - 10 - 10
Anhydrous Ammonia, conventional knife, power, labor & applicator, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # 4 # # # 10
Average Rate - - - - 13.88 - - - 13.3
Range - - - - 5.00-18.00 - - - 5.00-20.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 16
Anhydrous Ammonia, conventional knife, applicator rental only, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 3
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 16.33
Range - - - - - - - - 9.00-20.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 20
Anhydrous Ammonia, knife with coulters, power, labor & applicator, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # 14 # 4 25 40
Average Rate - - - - 15.29 - 17.75 14.97 15.18
Range - - - - 12.00-19.00 - 14.00-22.00 9.00-25.00 9.00-25.00
Most Common - - - - 12.5 - - 15 15
Anhydrous Ammonia, knife with coulters, applicator rental only, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 3 7
Average Rate - - - - - - - 5.5 10.07
Range - - - - - - - 4.00-6.50 4.00-14.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 14

# Too few responses to publish

© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved. 13

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART I
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
INSECT, DISEASE, AND WEED CONTROL PER APPLICATION (EXCLUDES COST OF MATERIALS)
Spraying Weed Control, boom, rate per acre
Number Reporting 9 3 5 4 19 4 # 17 55
Average Rate 6.31 7.83 7.6 7.38 7.16 7.06 - 6.49 6.84
Range 4.75-8.00 5.50-10.00 6.50-10.00 6.50-8.00 6.00-8.00 5.75-8.00 - 5.00-8.00 4.75-10.00
Most Common 7 - 7 8 7 8 - 7 7
Spraying Weed Control, recirculation sprayer, rate per acre 
Number Reporting # # # # 3 # # 6 13
Average Rate - - - - 7 - - 6.71 7.23
Range - - - - 6.50-7.50 - - 5.50-8.00 5.50-10.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 8
Crop Spraying by Surface Vehicle of Insecticides &/or Herbicides, rate per acre
Number Reporting 7 # 5 # 16 4 # 10 41
Average Rate 6.43 - 7.5 - 6.88 6.5 - 7.14 6.94
Range 5.00-7.00 - 7.00-8.50 - 4.50-8.00 5.75-8.00 - 6.00-8.40 4.50-8.50
Most Common 7 - 7 - 6.5 5.75 - 7 7
Crop Spraying by Aircraft of Insecticides &/or Herbicides, rate per acre 
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 5 9
Average Rate - - - - - - - 7.25 8.42
Range - - - - - - - 6.00-9.00 6.00-14.00
Most Common - - - - - - - 6 6

WASTE HANDLING
Loading Manure with Tractor & Loader, rate per hour
Number Reporting # # 3 # 3 # # 3 9
Average Rate - - 126.67 - 91.67 - - 73.33 97.22
Range - - 90-200 - 70-125 - - 50-120 50-200
Most Common - - 90 - - - - 50 90
Hauling and Spreading Dry Manure, rate per hour
Number Reporting # # # # 3 # # 4 12
Average Rate - - - - 105 - - 135 160.83
Range - - - - 75-120 - - 70-250 70-375
Most Common - - - - 120 - - - 120
Pumping, Hauling & Spreading Liquid Manure, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # 3 # # # 4
Average Rate - - - - 96 - - - 89.5
Range - - - - 50-120 - - - 50-120
Most Common - - - - - - - - -

# Too few responses to publish

14 © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART I
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
MISCELLANEOUS
Mowing Grass Pasture or CRP, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # 3 # 3 3 # # 12
Average Rate - - 16.5 - 27.33 16.67 - - 20.13
Range - - 13.50-20.00 - 5.00-65.00 15.00-20.00 - - 5.00-65.00
Most Common - - - - - 15 - - 20
Digging Post Holes, rate per hole
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 3 5
Average Rate - - - - - - - 4 3.1
Range - - - - - - - 2.00-5.00 1.50-5.00
Most Common - - - - - - - 5 5
Building Fence, rate per 1/4 mile
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 3 5
Average Rate - - - - - - - 1640 2284
Range - - - - - - - 700-2,900 700-4,000
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Trenching, rate per foot
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 5
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 1.7
Range - - - - - - - - 1.00-2.50
Most Common - - - - - - - - 1
Injection Pump for Chemicals with Center Pivot Irrigation, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # 3 # # 4
Average Rate - - - - - 1.67 - - 1.88
Range - - - - - 1.00-2.00 - - 1.00-2.50
Most Common - - - - - 2 - - 2
Skid Steer Loader Rent, rate per hour
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 5 9
Average Rate - - - - - - - 96 76.39
Range - - - - - - - 50-135 28-135
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Tractor Rent, Tractor Only (exclude fuel and operator) 101-149 H.P., rate per meter hour
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 5
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 46.8
Range - - - - - - - - 29-100
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Tractor Rent, Tractor Only (exclude fuel and operator) 150-199 H.P., rate per meter hour
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 6
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 63.5
Range - - - - - - - - 35-120
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Tractor Rent, Tractor Only (exclude fuel and operator) 200 & above PTO H.P., rate per meter hour
Number Reporting # # 3 # # # # # 9
Average Rate - - 93.33 - - - - - 80.11
Range - - 75-120 - - - - - 45-180
Most Common - - - - - - - - 45

# Too few responses to publish

© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved. 15

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART I
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
CUSTOM CONTRACT FARMING
Dryland Soybeans (Average Times Over the Field = 3.7), rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # 3 # # 7 11
Average Rate - - - - 83.33 - - 75 68.82
Range - - - - 60-100 - - 45-100 45-100
Most Common - - - - - - - 90 60
Irrigated Soybeans (Average Times Over the Field = 4), rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # 3 # # 3 8
Average Rate - - - - 91.67 - - 71.67 85
Range - - - - 60-125 - - 45.00-90.00 45-140
Most Common - - - - - - - - 70
Dryland Corn (Average Times Over the Field = 4.2), rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # 4 # # 7 12
Average Rate - - - - 92.5 - - 80.71 76.42
Range - - - - 75-100 - - 60-100 52-100
Most Common - - - - 100 - - 100 65
Irrigated Corn (Average Times Over the Field = 4.9), rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # 4 # # 3 9
Average Rate - - - - 106.25 - - 86.67 103.33
Range - - - - 75-125 - - 60-100 60-150
Most Common - - - - 125 - - 100 125
Does the Custom Farming Rate Include Hauling Grain from Field to Farm?
Number Reporting Yes - - - - 3 - - 2 5
Number Reporting No - - - - 1 - - 2 7
Does the Custom Farming Rate Include Hauling Grain from Field to Elevator?
Number Reporting Yes - - - - 3 - - 2 5
Number Reporting No - - - - 2 - - 3 8

LABOR RATE
Average Labor Rate Assumed or Included in Custom Rates, rate per hour 
Number Reporting 16 14 16 12 17 6 11 33 108
Average Rate 16.1 18.64 22.28 17.33 19.15 16.17 24.82 17.47 18.85
Range 10.00-25.00 12.00-25.00 9.50-70.00 14.00-20.00 15.00-25.00 10.00-22.00 10-100 10.00-35.00 10-100
Most Common 15 20 20 20 20 15 15 15 15

DIESEL COST
Expected Farm Delivered Diesel Fuel Cost in 2018, rate per gallon
Number Reporting 17 10 16 10 25 6 10 33 115
Average Rate 2.4 2.55 2.41 2.45 2.52 2.5 2.59 2.42 2.46
Range 1.79-3.00 2.20-2.89 1.96-2.80 1.90-3.00 2.00-3.50 1.90-2.80 2.08-3.00 2.00-3.00 1.79-3.50
Most Common 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.2 3 2.8 2.75 2.25 2.5

AUTO STEER SYSTEM

Additional Fee Charged for Field Operations when including GPS Mapping, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # 3 # # 3 8
Average Rate - - - - 2.33 - - 1.67 1.94
Range - - - - 1.00-4.00 - - 1.00-3.00 1.00-4.00
Most Common - - - - - - - 1 1

# Too few responses to publish

16 © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART II
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
HARVESTING GRAINS & SOYBEANS
Combining Irrigated Corn, flat rate per acre
Number Reporting 12 12 16 11 24 4 6 31 101
Average Rate 36.33 44.08 36.44 45.14 38.33 46.5 35.17 36.42 38.22
Range 25.00-48.00 30.00-95.00 30.00-48.00 37.00-51.00 18.00-65.00 35.00-64.00 25.00-45.00 25.00-65.00 18.00-95.00
Most Common 36 40 30 45 35 - 38 35 35
Combining Irrigated Corn, flat rate per bushel
Number Reporting 3 # # 5 # 3 5 4 18
Average Rate 0.31 - - 0.3 - 0.28 0.31 0.13 0.27
Range 0.15-0.42 - - 0.22-0.36 - 0.15-0.36 0.25-0.37 0.08-0.25 0.08-0.42
Most Common - - - - - - - - 0.35
Extra Charge per Bushel for Hauling Irrigated Corn, above agreed-upon miles, rate per bushel
Number Reporting 6 # 3 4 11 3 6 6 32
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------
Average Rate 0.11 - 0.13 0.09 0.08 0.11 0.06 0.04 0.08
Range 0.01-0.18 - 0.10-0.18 0.01-0.19 0.01-0.18 0.05-0.15 0.01-0.25 0.01-0.12 0.01-0.25
Most Common - - 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.01 0.01 0.01
Average Miles 5 - 10 19 7 17 10 12 11
Combining Dryland Corn, flat rate per acre
Number Reporting 11 6 23 10 29 5 5 49 123
Average Rate 32.09 45.42 34.11 42.2 36 35 33.8 33.77 34.82
Range 25.00-42.00 30.00-90.00 25.00-45.00 35.00-50.00 14.00-60.00 32.00-38.00 25.00-42.00 20.00-66.00 14.00-90.00
Most Common 32 - 30 35 35 35 25 30 30
Combining Dryland Corn, flat rate per bushel
Number Reporting # # # # # # 4 # 9
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------
Average Rate - - - - - - 0.31 - 0.24
Range - - - - - - 0.25-0.37 - 0.08-0.37
Most Common - - - - - - - - 0.25
Combining Dryland Corn, base acre plus yield charge, base rate per acre
Number Reporting 3 # # # # # # 3 8
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------
Average Rate 23.33 - - - - - - 31.67 28.13
Range 21.00-25.00 - - - - - - 25.00-40.00 21.00-40.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 25 
Corn yield per acre that triggers an additional per bushel charge
Average Bu/Acre 37 - - - - - - 133 87 
Additional per bushel charge when corn yield (noted above) per acre is met (cents per bushel)
Average Rate/Bushel 0.23 - - - - - - 0.07 0.15
Extra Charge per Bushel for Hauling Corn, above agreed-upon miles, rate per bushel
Number Reporting 6 # 3 3 16 3 3 13 40
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------
Average Rate 0.13 - 0.13 0.11 0.09 0.07 0.1 0.06 0.09
Range 0.01-0.20 - 0.10-0.18 0.04-0.19 0.01-0.18 0.03-0.12 0.01-0.25 0.01-0.15 0.01-0.25
Most Common 0.1 - - - 0.1 - - 0.01 0.1
Average Miles 5.8 - 5.3 21.7 7.8 - 8.3 11 10.9

# Too few responses to publish

© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved. 17

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART II
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
Combining High Moisture Corn, flat rate per acre
Number Reporting 7 8 10 5 7 # # 11 45
Average Rate 38.14 49.13 38.4 53.4 41.57 - - 41.36 42.31
Range 34.00-48.00 30-110 32.00-48.00 48.00-59.00 32.00-60.00 - - 30.00-53.00 30-110
Most Common 38 36 32 55 48 - - 45 45
Combining High Moisture Corn, flat rate per bushel
Number Reporting # # # 3 # # # # 6
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate - - - 0.31 - - - - 0.31

Range - - - 0.22-0.36 - - - - 0.22-0.44
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Combining Soybeans, flat rate per acre
Number Reporting 3 11 21 15 38 5 9 59 140
Average Rate 41 38.32 34.21 40.3 36.95 38.8 36.56 33.73 35.4
Range 35.00-48.00 30.00-50.00 20.00-48.00 25.00-48.00 25.00-65.00 35.00-45.00 25.00-48.00 20.00-66.00 20.00-66.00
Most Common - 35 30 48 30 35 35 30 35
Combining Soybeans, flat rate per bushel
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 3 5
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate - - - - - - - 0.09 0.18

Range - - - - - - - 0.07-0.11 0.07-0.45
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Extra per Bushel Charge when Hauling Soybeans Additional Distance, charge per bushel
Number Reporting 3 3 4 4 13 # 4 15 36
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate 0.15 0.1 0.14 0.08 0.09 - 0.08 0.08 0.09
Range 0.10-0.18 0.02-0.18 0.10-0.18 0.01-0.15 0.01-0.20 - 0.01-0.25 0.00-0.16 0.00-0.25
Most Common - - - - 0.1 - 0.01 0.1 0.1
Average Miles 0.7 6 5.3 13.8 8.3 - 8.8 13 9.5
Combining Grain Sorghum, without pickup header, flat rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 8 10
Average Rate - - - - - - - 34.25 34.4
Range - - - - - - - 20.00-45.00 20.00-45.00
Most Common - - - - - - - 38 35
Combining Grain Sorghum, with pickup header, flat rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 4
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 36.75
Range - - - - - - - - 25.00-50.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Combining Millet, with pickup header, flat rate per acre
Number Reporting 5 # # # # 3 # # 7
Average Rate 23 - - - - 29.33 - - 25.29
Range 19.00-26.00 - - - - 22.00-40.00 - - 19.00-40.00
Most Common 23 - - - - - - - 23

# Too few responses to publish

18 © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART II
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
Combining Millet, with pickup header, base acre plus yield charge, base rate per acre
Number Reporting 3 # # # # # # # 3
Average Rate 22 - - - - - - - 22
Range 18.00-24.00 - - - - - - - 18.00-24.00
Most Common 24 - - - - - - - 24
Millet yield per acre that triggers an additional per bushel charge
Average Bu/Acre 23 - - - - - - - 23 
Additional per bushel charge when millet yield (noted above) per acre is met (cents per bushel)
Average Rate/Bushel 0.21 - - - - - - - 0.21
Combining Sunflowers, flat rate per acre
Number Reporting 3 # # # # # # # 5
Average Rate 35 - - - - - - - 34
Range 28.00-40.00 - - - - - - - 25.00-40.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 40

HARVESTING OTHER CROPS

Combining Dry Edible Beans with pickup header, rate per acre
Number Reporting 4 # # # # # # # 6
Average Rate 56.5 - - - - - - - 56
Range  36.00-95.00 - - - - - - - 36.00-95.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 55
Cutting and Windrowing Dry Edible Beans, rate per acre
Number Reporting 3 # # # # # # # 4
Average Rate 20.5 - - - - - - - 30.38
Range  14.00-25.50 - - - - - - - 14.00-60.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Combining Standing Dry Edible Beans, rate per acre
Number Reporting 3 # # # # # # # 5
Average Rate 45.67 - - - - - - - 45.4
Range  42.00-50.00 - - - - - - - 42.00-50.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 45
Topping Sugar Beets, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 3
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 48.83
Range  - - - - - - - - 1.50-90.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Lifting Sugar Beets, rate per acre
Number Reporting 3 # # # # # # # 3
Average Rate 106.17 - - - - - - - 106.17
Range  4-165 - - - - - - - 4-165
Most Common - - - - - - - - -

# Too few responses to publish

© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved. 19

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART II
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
HAULING OPERATIONS
Hauling Grain from Combine with Tractor and Grain Cart, rate per acre
Number Reporting # # 3 # 3 # # 4 13
Average Rate - - 5.33 - 6.83 - - 4.25 5.27
Range  - - 5.00-6.00 - 4.00-10.00 - - 2.00-6.00 2.00-10.00
Most Common - - 5 - - - - - 6
Hauling Grain from Combine with Tractor and Grain Cart, rate per bushel
Number Reporting 3 # 3 # 3 # # 8 16
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate 0.08 - 0.1 - 0.06 - - 0.08 0.08

Range  0.04-0.16 - 0.05-0.18 - 0.05-0.06 - - 0.04-0.15 0.04-0.18
Most Common - - - - 0.06 - - 0.07 0.05
Hauling Grain from Combine with Tractor and Grain Cart, rate per hour
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 5
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 74
Range  - - - - - - - - 20-130
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Hauling Grain with Grain Truck to Storage or Elevator, flat rate per bushel
Number Reporting 6 # 7 4 16 3 6 26 61
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate 0.16 - 0.14 0.11 0.11 0.19 0.11 0.12 0.13
Range  0.10-0.24 - 0.07-0.22 0.10-0.12 0.05-0.20 0.10-0.25 0.10-0.12 0.07-0.25 0.05-0.25
Most Common 0.15 - 0.17 0.12 0.1 - 0.1 0.1 0.1
Extra Per Bushel Charge when Hauling Grain Additional Distance, charge per bushel
Number Reporting 4 4 6 4 14 # 3 14 42
Average Rate 0.15 0.09 0.17 0.07 0.1 - 0.1 0.07 0.1
Range 0.10-0.18 0.01-0.18 0.03-0.32 0.01-0.11 0.01-0.20 - 0.01-0.25 0.01-0.20 0.01-0.32
Most Common 0.18 - - - 0.1 - - 0.1 0.1
Average Miles 11 11 26 13 16 - 38 16 20
Hauling Dry Edible Beans with Truck to Storage or Elevator, flat rate per bushel
Number Reporting 3 # # # 3 # # 4 10
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate 0.14 - - - 0.13 - - 0.14 0.14

Range  0.12-0.18 - - - 0.10-0.18 - - 0.10-0.20 0.10-0.25
Most Common 0.12 - - - - - - - 0.12
Hauling Sunflowers by Truck to Storage or Elevator, flat rate per bushel
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 4
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 0.23
Range  - - - - - - - - 0.18-0.27
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Hauling Sugarbeets by Truck, flat rate per ton
Number Reporting 3 # # # # # # # 4
Average Rate 3.58 - - - - - - - 5.19
Range  3.50-3.75 - - - - - - - 3.50-10.00
Most Common 3.5 - - - - - - - 3.5

# Too few responses to publish

20 © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART II
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
Hauling Large Round Bales of Hay or Cornstalks (avg load 18.6 Tons), rate per loaded mile
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 3 10
Average Rate - - - - - - - 4.42 3.83
Range  - - - - - - - 4.25-4.50 2.50-4.50
Most Common - - - - - - - 4.5 4
Hauling Large Square Bales by Truck (avg load 22 Tons), rate per loaded mile
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 5
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 3.8
Range  - - - - - - - - 2.50-4.50
Most Common - - - - - - - - 4

MAKING SILAGE AND EARLAGE

Corn Silage (field chopping, hauling, filling and packing silo), flat rate per hour 
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 3
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 516.67
Range  - - - - - - - - 150-900
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Corn Silage (field chopping, hauling, filling and packing silo), flat rate per ton 
Number Reporting # # # # # # 4 3 8
Average Rate - - - - - - 10.75 8.83 9.25
Range  - - - - - - 7.50-15.00 4.00-15.00 4.00-15.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Earlage (field chopping, hauling, filling and packing silo), flat rate per ton 
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 4
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 12.5
Range  - - - - - - - - 7.50-20.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 7.5
Alfalfa Silage (field chopping, hauling, filling and packing silo), flat rate per ton
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 4
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 8.63
Range  - - - - - - - - 7.50-10.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 7.5
Corn Silage (field chopping and hauling), flat rate per ton 
Number Reporting # # # 3 # # # # 8
Average Rate - - - 7.83 - - - - 8.06
Range  - - - 5.50-10.00 - - - - 5.50-10.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 10
Earlage (field chopping and hauling), flat rate per ton
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 3
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 10.33
Range  - - - - - - - - 7.00-13.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Alfalfa Silage (field chopping and hauling), flat rate per ton
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 4
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 9.13
Range  - - - - - - - - 7.00-13.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - -

# Too few responses to publish

© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved. 21

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART II
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
Corn Silage (field chopping only), flat rate per hour
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 3
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 483.33
Range  - - - - - - - - 100-700
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Corn Silage (field chopping only), flat rate per ton 
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 7
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 5.15
Range  - - - - - - - - 3.25-7.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 5
Alfalfa Silage (field chopping only), flat rate per ton
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 4
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 4.7
Range  - - - - - - - - 4.00-5.50
Most Common - - - - - - - - 4
Packing Silage Bags, rate per ton
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 3
Average Rate - - - - - - - - 4.17
Range  - - - - - - - - 2.00-5.50
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Packing Silage Bags, rate per hour
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 3 4
Average Rate - - - - - - - 21.67 50
Range  - - - - - - - 15.00-30.00 15-135
Most Common - - - - - - - - -

HAULING SILAGE
Hauling Silage from Field to Silo by Truck, rate per hour
Number Reporting # # 6 # # # # # 7
Average Rate - - 86.67 - - - - - 88.57
Range  - - 45-100 - - - - - 45-100
Most Common - - 100 - - - - - 100
Hauling Silage from Field to Silo by Truck, rate per ton
Number Reporting # # # # # # 3 # 7
Average Rate - - - - - - 3.57 - 3.28
Range  - - - - - - 3.20-4.00 - 2.75-4.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 3
Extra Charge Above the Flat Rate when Hauling Silage Additional Distance, rate per mile
Number Reporting # # # # # # 3 # 5
Average Rate - - - - - - 1.92 - 2.95
Range - - - - - - 1.00-3.25 - 1.00-5.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Average Miles - - - - - - 4 - 2

# Too few responses to publish

22 © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART II
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER CUSTOM SERVICES
Drying Grain, (exclude hauling) per point of moisture removed, rate per bushel
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 6
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate - - - - - - - - 0.04

Range  - - - - - - - - 0.02-0.10
Most Common - - - - - - - - 0.02
Renting Bin Storage, rate per bushel
Number Reporting # # 3 # 6 3 # 5 18
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate - - 0.02 - 0.04 0.03 - 0.03 0.02

Range  - - 0.02-0.03 - 0.01-0.15 0.03-0.03 - 0.01-0.05 0.01-0.05
Most Common - - 0.02 - 0.01 0.03 - - 0.03
Elevating Grain (on farm), rate per bushel
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 3 7
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate - - - - - - - 0.02 0.03

Range - - - - - - - 0.01-0.02 0.01-0.10
Most Common - - - - - - - 0.02 0.03
Cleaning Only, soybeans seed grain, rate per bushel 
Number Reporting # # # # # # # # 3
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate - - - - - - - - 0.21

Range  - - - - - - - - 0.02-0.40
Most Common - - - - - - - - -
Treating Soybeans Seed Grain (include cost of chemical), rate per bushel
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 3 6
-------------------------------------------------------------cents per bushel-------------------------------------------------------------

Average Rate - - - - - - - 11.58 9.96

Range  - - - - - - - 9.75-13.00 5.00-13.00
Most Common - - - - - - - - 12
Checking Pivots During Irrigation Season, rate per acre
Number Reporting 3 4 # # # # # # 9
Average Rate 8.33 17.75 - - - - - - 16.22
Range  5.00-10.00 10.00-25.00 - - - - - - 5.00-25.00
Most Common 10 - - - - - - - 10
Closing Pivot Tracks, rate per hour
Number Reporting 3 3 # # # # # # 10
Average Rate 61.67 93.33 - - - - - - 75.5
Range  25-100 80-100 - - - - - - 25-100
Most Common - 100 - - - - - - 100
Closing Pivot Tracks, rate per pivot
Number Reporting 3 3 # 3 3 3 3 # 15
Average Rate 250 260 - 366.67 283.33 383.33 446.67 - 324.67
Range  150-350 100-400 - 150-500 100-500 100-700 290-750 - 100-750
Most Common - - - - - - - - 100

# Too few responses to publish

© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved. 23

 2018 NEBRASKA CUSTOM RATES - PART II
NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS DISTRICTS
CUSTOM PRACTICE
Northwest North Northeast Central East Southwest South Southeast STATE
-------------------------------------------------------------All Units in Dollars Unless Specified-------------------------------------------------------------
Clearing Cedar Trees, rate per hour
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 7 11
Average Rate - - - - - - - 89.29 91.36
Range  - - - - - - - 45-125 45-125
Most Common - - - - - - - 100 100
Grinding Dry Hay, rate per hour
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 5 5
Average Rate - - - - - - - 322 322
Range  - - - - - - - 175-390 175-390
Most Common - - - - - - - - -

HAULING LIVESTOCK
Hauling Cattle for Slaughter by Semi-trailer Truck (avg load 50,000 lbs), rate per loaded mile
Number Reporting 3 # # # 4 # # 5 14
Average Rate 3.9 - - - 4.08 - - 3.73 3.89
Range  3.80-4.00 - - - 3.80-4.50 - - 2.50-4.25 2.50-4.50
Most Common - - - - 4 - - 4 4
Hauling Cattle for Slaughter by Gooseneck Stock Trailer, rate per loaded mile
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 5 6
Average Rate - - - - - - - 3.1 3.08
Range  - - - - - - - 1.50-4.00 1.50-4.00
Most Common - - - - - - - 4 3
Hauling Hogs by Semi-trailer Truck, rate per loaded mile
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 3 4
Average Rate - - - - - - - 4.02 3.92
Range  - - - - - - - 4.00-4.05 3.62-4.05
Most Common - - - - - - - 4 4
Hauling Hogs by Gooseneck Stock Trailer, rate per loaded mile
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 3 6
Average Rate - - - - - - - 3.67 3.83
Range  - - - - - - - 3.00-4.00 3.00-5.00
Most Common - - - - - - - 4 4
Hauling Feeder Cattle by Semi-trailer Truck (avg load 51,250 lbs), rate per loaded mile
Number Reporting # # # # 5 # # 4 13
Average Rate - - - - 3.93 - - 3.98 4.12
Range  - - - - 3.80-4.00 - - 3.90-4.00 3.62-6.25
Most Common - - - - 4 - - 4 4
Hauling Feeder Cattle by Gooseneck Stock Trailer, rate per loaded mile
Number Reporting # # # # # # # 4 7
Average Rate - - - - - - - 3.13 3.16
Range  - - - - - - - 1.50-4.00 1.50-4.00
Most Common - - - - - - - 4 4

CUSTOM OPERATOR INFORMATION

Acres Covered per Year in Custom Work 
Number Reporting 17 17 23 14 39 8 13 48 157
Average Rate 6264.41 3607.65 5790 3535.71 10938.46 6525 5186.77 1048.65 4852.76
Range  375-32,000 100-17,000 110-90,000 200-17,000 70-250,000 200-35,000 100-35,000 80-10,000 70-250,000
Hours Spent per Year on Custom Work Operations
Number Reporting 10 11 15 8 23 5 9 27 96
#Average
Too fewRate
responses to publish 1006.6 546.36 616.33 801.25 296.74 1234 925 248.78 480.5
Range  66-3,600 50-1,700 35-1,700 60-4,200 35-1,500 20-3,200 50-4,200 20-2,000 20-4,200
24 # Too few responses to publish © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.