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Nebraska custom farming rates 2026
123 rates from the 2026 Nebraska Agricultural Custom Rates (EC823).
- Published by
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Center for Agricultural Profitability
- Published
- April 24, 2026
- Rates for
- 2026 · Early 2026
- Responses
- 108 responses
- Fuel
- Rates include fuel, labor and machinery unless otherwise stated (some rental items exclude fuel and operator).
- Diesel baseline
- $2.93/gal. Respondents’ expected 2026 farm-delivered diesel price, statewide average $2.93/gal.
- Ranges
- Range is the minimum and maximum reported. “Most common” (mode) also shown.
- 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 (15) · Planting & seeding (24) · Spraying (3) · Fertilizer application (6) · Harvesting (29) · Hauling (6) · Drying & storage (4) · Hay & forage (15) · Custom farming (all operations) (4) · Machinery rental (7) · Other services (10)
Tillage
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disk harrowing, tandem or offset, primary (heavy, deep, leaving rough surface) compare states | $20.69/acre | $7.00 – $30.00 | 27 | PDF p. 7 · calculate |
| Disk harrowing, tandem or offset, finishing (secondary, light, seedbed preparation) compare states | $19.47/acre | $7.00 – $26.00 | 29 | PDF p. 7 · calculate |
| Harrowing, spike or spring tooth | $14.75/acre | $8.00 – $28.00 | 8 | PDF p. 7 · calculate |
| Moldboard plowing compare states outlierfew responses ⚠ +61% vs. the cross-state median ($26.93) for “Moldboard plowing”. |
$43.25/acre | $28.00 – $60.00 | 4 | PDF p. 7 · calculate |
| Chisel plow (4 to 12 inches) for primary tillage compare states | $25.75/acre | $17.00 – $36.00 | 8 | PDF p. 7 · calculate |
| Deep chisel (Over 12 inches) compare states | $36.00/acre | $28.00 – $60.00 | 8 | PDF p. 7 · calculate |
| Subsoil or rip compare states | $27.40/acre | $15.00 – $35.00 | 15 | PDF p. 7 · calculate |
| Field cultivator (3 to 8 inches with shanks or sweeps) compare states | $19.28/acre | $9.00 – $26.00 | 16 | PDF p. 8 · calculate |
| Vertical or turbo tillage compare states | $21.31/acre | $14.00 – $28.00 | 18 | PDF p. 8 · calculate |
| Combination tillage operations, primary tillage few responses |
$23.50/acre | $18.00 – $30.00 | 4 | PDF p. 8 · calculate |
| Combination tillage operations, finishing tillage | $21.80/acre | $18.00 – $26.00 | 5 | PDF p. 8 · calculate |
| Strip tilling (Tillage only, leaving about an 8-inch seedbed) compare states | $25.67/acre | $14.00 – $36.00 | 9 | PDF p. 8 · calculate |
| Strip tilling (Tillage with fertilizer application, leaving about an 8-inch seedbed) compare states | $26.71/acre | $18.00 – $36.00 | 14 | PDF p. 8 · calculate |
| Stalk shredder, PTO driven compare states | $19.40/acre | $15.00 – $25.00 | 5 | PDF p. 8 · calculate |
| Rolling stalk chopper, Not PTO (for ridge plant acres) compare states | $15.29/acre | $12.00 – $20.00 | 7 | PDF p. 8 · calculate |
Planting & seeding
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drilling small grains, conventional drill with disk or row opening device compare states | $17.86/acre | $10.00 – $25.00 | 14 | PDF p. 9 · calculate |
| Drilling small grains, no-till drill compare states | $22.55/acre | $15.00 – $40.00 | 31 | PDF p. 9 · calculate |
| Drilling soybeans, conventional drill with disk or row opening devices compare states | $22.33/acre | $18.00 – $25.00 | 6 | PDF p. 9 · calculate |
| Drilling soybeans, no-till drill compare states | $24.02/acre | $15.00 – $40.00 | 26 | PDF p. 9 · calculate |
| Planting dry edible beans few responses |
$30.50/acre | $25.00 – $35.00 | 4 | PDF p. 9 · calculate |
| Planting sugar beets few responses |
$29.00/acre | $25.00 – $35.00 | 3 | PDF p. 9 · calculate |
| Seeding grass seed | $30.40/acre | $24.00 – $38.00 | 5 | PDF p. 9 · calculate |
| Seeding grass seed with depth bands few responses |
$33.00/acre | $24.00 – $40.00 | 4 | PDF p. 9 · calculate |
| Seeding legumes few responses |
$31.25/acre | $20.00 – $40.00 | 4 | PDF p. 10 · calculate |
| Seeding legumes seed with depth bands few responses |
$31.67/acre | $25.00 – $35.00 | 3 | PDF p. 10 · calculate |
| Seeding CRP ground | $30.00/acre | $15.00 – $45.00 | 8 | PDF p. 10 · calculate |
| Planting cover crops - drill compare states | $22.27/acre | $15.00 – $30.00 | 28 | PDF p. 10 · calculate |
| Planting cover crops - broadcast seeding few responses |
$13.00/acre | $10.00 – $15.00 | 4 | PDF p. 10 · calculate |
| Planting cover crops - aerial seeding with drone compare states | $19.00/acre | $14.00 – $25.00 | 5 | PDF p. 10 · calculate |
| Planting row crops, no coulters or row cleaning device, includes no-till, with band applicator | $26.36/acre | $15.00 – $49.00 | 14 | PDF p. 10 · calculate |
| Planting row crops, no coulters or row cleaning device, includes no-till, no band applicator compare states | $29.19/acre | $20.00 – $44.00 | 8 | PDF p. 10 · calculate |
| Planting row crops, with coulters, with band applicator | $30.01/acre | $20.00 – $50.00 | 20 | PDF p. 11 · calculate |
| Planting row crops, with coulters, no band applicator | $25.95/acre | $18.00 – $36.00 | 15 | PDF p. 11 · calculate |
| Planting row crops, with row cleaning devices for ridge planting, with band applicator | $28.26/acre | $20.00 – $42.00 | 17 | PDF p. 11 · calculate |
| Planting row crops, with row cleaning devices for ridge planting, no band applicator | $29.14/acre | $20.00 – $45.00 | 11 | PDF p. 11 · calculate |
| Cultivation tillage, rotary hoe compare states outlierfew responses ⚠ +102% vs. the cross-state median ($12.85) for “Rotary hoeing”. |
$26.00/acre | $8.00 – $50.00 | 4 | PDF p. 11 · calculate |
| Cultivation tillage, conventional crop cultivator compare states | $21.33/acre | $12.00 – $40.00 | 6 | PDF p. 11 · calculate |
| Cultivation tillage, cultivator handling residue and / or making ridges | $18.75/acre | $12.00 – $26.00 | 8 | PDF p. 11 · calculate |
| Cultivation tillage, hill or ditch for irrigation | $21.62/acre | $12.00 – $50.00 | 13 | PDF p. 11 · calculate |
Spraying
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Injection pump for chemicals - center pivot irrigation, (power, labor, & applicator) few responses |
$5.33/acre | $4.00 – $7.00 | 3 | PDF p. 15 · calculate |
| Crop spraying of insecticides &/or herbicides by self-propelled sprayer compare states | $9.85/acre | $7.00 – $12.50 | 29 | PDF p. 15 · calculate |
| Crop spraying by drone of fungicides, insecticides and/or herbicides compare states | $15.17/acre | $13.00 – $20.00 | 6 | PDF p. 15 · calculate |
Fertilizer application
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry fertilizer solid broadcast, (including power, labor, & applicator) compare states | $9.66/acre | $8.00 – $17.00 | 14 | PDF p. 14 · calculate |
| Dry fertilizer variable rate, (including power, labor, & applicator) compare states | $12.48/acre | $9.00 – $22.00 | 12 | PDF p. 14 · calculate |
| Liquid fertilizer constant rate, (including power, labor, & applicator) compare states | $12.82/acre | $8.00 – $25.00 | 22 | PDF p. 14 · calculate |
| Liquid fertilizer variable rate, (including power, labor, & applicator) | $15.25/acre | $9.50 – $23.00 | 18 | PDF p. 15 · calculate |
| Anhydrous ammonia, conventional knife, (including power, labor, & applicator) compare states checkfew responses ⚠ Only 3 responses; $24.33 vs Iowa $15.55 and Kansas $21.51. |
$24.33/acre | $18.00 – $35.00 | 3 | PDF p. 15 · calculate |
| Anhydrous ammonia, knife with coulters, (including power, labor, & applicator) compare states | $19.69/acre | $10.00 – $25.00 | 16 | PDF p. 15 · calculate |
Harvesting
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windrowing grain crops few responses |
$16.12/acre | $14.00 – $20.00 | 4 | PDF p. 13 · calculate |
| Combining small grains, flat charge with no hauling compare states | $47.39/acre | $36.00 – $65.00 | 9 | PDF p. 13 · calculate |
| Combining small grains, minimum with extra charge for high yields | $33.57/acre | $30.00 – $45.00 | 7 | PDF p. 14 · calculate |
| Additional fee above minimum for combining small grains-yield over 22 bu. per acre | $0.32/bushel | $0.30 – $0.35 | 5 | PDF p. 14 · calculate |
| Hauling small grain from combine to local storage | $0.21/bushel | $0.15 – $0.33 | 11 | PDF p. 14 · calculate |
| Hauling small grain extra distance, additional (when hauling over 12 miles) | $0.11/bushel | $0.01 – $0.20 | 5 | PDF p. 14 · calculate |
| Combining irrigated corn compare states | $50.70/acre | $25.00 – $82.00 | 30 | PDF p. 17 · calculate |
| Combining irrigated corn | $0.32/bushel | $0.26 – $0.45 | 8 | PDF p. 17 · calculate |
| Combining irrigated corn: additional charge to run a tractor and grain cart in the field compare states | $6.14/acre | $4.00 – $12.00 | 7 | PDF p. 17 · calculate |
| Combining irrigated corn: additional charge to run a tractor and grain cart in the field few responses |
$0.06/bushel | $0.03 – $0.08 | 4 | PDF p. 17 · calculate |
| Hauling irrigated corn from field to local storage (15 miles or less) compare states | $0.14/bushel | $0.05 – $0.28 | 31 | PDF p. 17 · calculate |
| Combining dryland corn compare states | $49.29/acre | $30.00 – $82.00 | 42 | PDF p. 17 · calculate |
| Combining dryland corn few responses |
$0.35/bushel | $0.27 – $0.45 | 3 | PDF p. 17 · calculate |
| Combining dryland corn, base acre plus yield charge, base Base rate; statewide average yield that triggers the additional per-bushel charge = 120 bu/acre |
$49.60/acre | $38.00 – $70.00 | 5 | PDF p. 18 · calculate |
| Combining dryland corn, base acre plus yield charge, additional charge per bushel above trigger yield (120 bu/acre) n not published Number of responses and range not published for this item |
$0.23/bushel | not published | — | PDF p. 18 · calculate |
| Combining dryland corn: additional charge to run a tractor and grain cart in the field compare states outlier ⚠ +59% vs. the cross-state median ($7.83) for “Grain cart (per acre)”. |
$12.42/acre | $3.00 – $50.00 | 12 | PDF p. 18 · calculate |
| Combining dryland corn: additional charge to run a tractor and grain cart in the field | $0.11/bushel | $0.02 – $0.25 | 5 | PDF p. 18 · calculate |
| Hauling dryland corn from field to local storage (15 miles or less) compare states | $0.15/bushel | $0.06 – $0.28 | 39 | PDF p. 18 · calculate |
| Combining high moisture corn | $58.60/acre | $47.00 – $75.00 | 10 | PDF p. 18 · calculate |
| Combining high moisture corn | $0.34/bushel | $0.26 – $0.45 | 8 | PDF p. 18 · calculate |
| Combining high moisture corn: additional charge to run a tractor and grain cart in the field | $34.67/acre | $5.00 – $65.00 | 6 | PDF p. 19 · calculate |
| Hauling high moisture corn from field to local storage (15 miles or less) | $0.15/bushel | $0.10 – $0.25 | 15 | PDF p. 19 · calculate |
| Combining soybeans compare states check ⚠ Average $50.87/acre but most common rate is $40. A few high responses pull the average up. |
$50.87/acre | $28.00 – $85.00 | 38 | PDF p. 19 · calculate |
| Combining soybeans: additional charge to run a tractor and grain cart in the field compare states | $6.11/acre | $2.00 – $12.00 | 9 | PDF p. 19 · calculate |
| Combining soybeans: additional charge to run a tractor and grain cart in the field few responses |
$0.10/bushel | not published | 3 | PDF p. 19 · calculate |
| Hauling soybeans from field to local storage (15 miles or less) compare states | $0.15/bushel | $0.06 – $0.27 | 34 | PDF p. 19 · calculate |
| Combining grain sorghum few responses |
$49.75/acre | $42.00 – $60.00 | 4 | PDF p. 19 · calculate |
| Combining sunflowers few responses |
$66.67/acre | $45.00 – $100.00 | 3 | PDF p. 20 · calculate |
| Combining dry edible beans with pickup header few responses |
$88.33/acre | $65.00 – $105.00 | 3 | PDF p. 20 · calculate |
Hauling
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hauling grain from combine with tractor and grain cart to the edge of the field compare states | $5.83/acre | $4.00 – $8.00 | 6 | PDF p. 20 · calculate |
| Hauling grain from combine with tractor and grain cart few responses |
$0.08/bushel | $0.05 – $0.15 | 3 | PDF p. 20 · calculate |
| Hauling grain with grain truck to storage or elevator compare states | $0.16/bushel | $0.07 – $0.30 | 22 | PDF p. 20 · calculate |
| Hauling large round bales of hay or cornstalks - 22 tons average weight per load few responses |
$260.00/load | $180.00 – $400.00 | 3 | PDF p. 20 · calculate |
| Hauling baled HAY OR cornstalks - 20 Tons Average weight per load | $5.28/loaded mile | $4.00 – $7.00 | 9 | PDF p. 21 · calculate |
| Hauling silage by truck few responses |
$150.00/hour | $100.00 – $250.00 | 3 | PDF p. 21 · calculate |
Drying & storage
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grain BIN storage - (Air or Electric Charge NOT included) compare states | $0.02/bushel/month | $0.01 – $0.04 | 7 | PDF p. 21 · calculate |
| Grain BIN storage - (With Air or Electric Charge Included) compare states | $0.03/bushel/month | $0.01 – $0.06 | 6 | PDF p. 22 · calculate |
| Bagging shelled corn | $0.10/bushel | $0.06 – $0.12 | 5 | PDF p. 22 · calculate |
| Unloading shelled corn from bag | $0.11/bushel | $0.06 – $0.18 | 5 | PDF p. 22 · calculate |
Hay & forage
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mowing hay compare states | $18.71/acre | $10.00 – $25.00 | 7 | PDF p. 12 · calculate |
| Raking hay compare states | $8.17/acre | $5.00 – $12.50 | 15 | PDF p. 12 · calculate |
| Mowing AND raking HAY (Where one rate is quoted or contracted.) few responses |
$28.00/acre | $20.00 – $37.00 | 4 | PDF p. 12 · calculate |
| Swathing hay with crushing/crimping | $159.00/hour | $135.00 – $180.00 | 5 | PDF p. 12 · calculate |
| Swathing hay with crushing/crimping compare states | $19.26/acre | $14.00 – $25.00 | 17 | PDF p. 12 · calculate |
| Baling small square bales with twine tie, (average lbs/bale = 60#) compare states | $1.94/bale | $1.10 – $3.00 | 5 | PDF p. 12 · calculate |
| Baling small square bales with wire tie, (average lbs/bale = 66#) compare states few responses |
$2.50/bale | $1.50 – $3.00 | 3 | PDF p. 12 · calculate |
| Baling large square bales, (average lbs/bale = 900#) compare states few responses |
$16.25/bale | $15.00 – $18.00 | 4 | PDF p. 13 · calculate |
| Loading and stacking small square bales in field few responses |
$2.50/bale | $1.00 – $5.00 | 4 | PDF p. 13 · calculate |
| Baling large round bales with net wrap, (average lbs/bale = 1,559#) compare states | $17.88/bale | $12.00 – $25.00 | 26 | PDF p. 13 · calculate |
| Loading and moving large round bales | $4.82/mile | $2.00 – $7.00 | 11 | PDF p. 13 · calculate |
| Raking cornstalks | $9.67/acre | $4.00 – $15.00 | 6 | PDF p. 13 · calculate |
| Baling cornstalks with net wrap, (average lbs/bale = 1,192#) | $21.22/bale | $18.00 – $27.00 | 9 | PDF p. 13 · calculate |
| Corn silage (field chopping, hauling, filling, and packing silo) few responses |
$13.38/ton | $10.00 – $15.00 | 4 | PDF p. 21 · calculate |
| Corn silage (field chopping and hauling) few responses |
$11.50/ton | $9.00 – $13.00 | 3 | PDF p. 21 · calculate |
Custom farming (all operations)
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dryland soybeans (average times over the field =6.8) compare states | $125.00/acre | $100.00 – $180.00 | 6 | PDF p. 15 · calculate |
| Irrigated soybeans (average times over the field = 6.7) compare states few responses |
$130.00/acre | $105.00 – $155.00 | 4 | PDF p. 16 · calculate |
| Dryland corn (average times over the field = 4.3) compare states check ⚠ Same statistics as the NE per-hour CRP mowing row ($154.29, mode 100, 100–250, n=7). Possible copy error in the source report. |
$154.29/acre | $100.00 – $250.00 | 7 | PDF p. 16 · calculate |
| Irrigated corn (average times over the field = 4.4) compare states | $169.80/acre | $120.00 – $250.00 | 5 | PDF p. 16 · calculate |
Machinery rental
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skid steer loader rent, (exclude fuel & operator) few responses |
$105.00/metered hour | $60.00 – $150.00 | 4 | PDF p. 23 · calculate |
| Tractor rent, tractor only (exclude fuel and operator), under 100 h.p. | $58.00/metered hour | $30.00 – $100.00 | 5 | PDF p. 24 · calculate |
| Tractor rent, tractor only (exclude fuel and operator), 100-149 h.p. few responses |
$101.88/metered hour | $62.50 – $200.00 | 4 | PDF p. 24 · calculate |
| Tractor rent, tractor only (exclude fuel and operator), 150-250 PTO h.p. | $133.00/metered hour | $75.00 – $300.00 | 5 | PDF p. 24 · calculate |
| Tractor rent, tractor only (exclude fuel and operator), greater than 250 PTO h.p. | $158.57/metered hour | $85.00 – $400.00 | 7 | PDF p. 24 · calculate |
| Heavy equipment operations, bulldozing /clearing land, (includes machinery, fuel, and labor) few responses |
$240.00/hour | $210.00 – $275.00 | 4 | PDF p. 24 · calculate |
| Heavy equipment operations, excavating & hauling, (includes machinery, fuel, and labor) few responses |
$200.00/hour | $175.00 – $250.00 | 4 | PDF p. 24 · calculate |
Other services
| Job (survey wording) | Average | Range | Responses | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hauling cattle with an 18-wheel semi-trailer few responses |
$6.00/loaded mile | $4.75 – $8.00 | 3 | PDF p. 21 · calculate |
| Treating soybean seed (include cost of chemical treatment) checkfew responses ⚠ $10.67 per bushel “including cost of chemical treatment”. Includes the chemical, so not comparable to application-only rates. |
$10.67/bushel | $5.00 – $14.00 | 3 | PDF p. 22 · calculate |
| Building new fence (labor charge only for building 4 strand barbed /wood posts) few responses |
$1.60/foot | $1.30 – $2.00 | 3 | PDF p. 22 · calculate |
| Clearing cedar trees | $134.00/hour | $60.00 – $200.00 | 5 | PDF p. 22 · calculate |
| Mowing grass (CRP or pasture) compare states checkoutlier ⚠ The per-hour row ($154.29, mode $100, range $100–$250, n=7) has exactly the same statistics as “Dryland corn” custom farming. Possible copy error in the source report. ⚠ -78% vs. the cross-state median ($21.36) for “Mowing CRP / pasture (per acre)”. |
$4.60/acre | $3.00 – $5.00 | 5 | PDF p. 22 · calculate |
| Mowing grass (CRP or pasture) check ⚠ The per-hour row ($154.29, mode $100, range $100–$250, n=7) has exactly the same statistics as “Dryland corn” custom farming. Possible copy error in the source report. |
$154.29/hour | $100.00 – $250.00 | 7 | PDF p. 23 · calculate |
| Checking pivots during irrigation season few responses |
$43.75/hour | $25.00 – $50.00 | 4 | PDF p. 23 · calculate |
| Checking pivots during irrigation season | $14.19/acre | $5.00 – $35.00 | 9 | PDF p. 23 · calculate |
| Closing pivot tracks | $161.11/hour | $50.00 – $250.00 | 9 | PDF p. 23 · calculate |
| Closing pivot tracks | $357.14/pivot | $100.00 – $1,000.00 | 7 | PDF p. 23 · calculate |
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