Home › Rates by state › North Dakota

North Dakota custom farming rates 2024

132 rates from the 2024 North Dakota Custom Rates – Part I Early Season (Aug 2024) and Part II Late Season (Dec 2024).

Published by
North Dakota State University Extension
Published
August 2024 (Part I) and December 2024 (Part II)
Rates for
2024 · Early season: July–Aug 2024; late season: Oct–Nov 2024
Responses
≈1,420 reports (early) and ≈1,370 reports (late)
Fuel
Rates include charges for equipment, power, fuel and the operator.
Diesel baseline
$3.31/gal. Respondents reported average diesel of $3.31/gal (early-season survey) and $3.21/gal (late-season survey).
Ranges
Range is the minimum and maximum reported. “Most frequent” (mode) also shown.
Source
Part I – early season PDF · publisher page
Part II – late season PDF

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 (14) · Planting & seeding (16) · Spraying (14) · Fertilizer application (6) · Harvesting (13) · Hauling (15) · Drying & storage (7) · Hay & forage (12) · Custom farming (all operations) (2) · Machinery rental (7) · Drainage & tile (2) · Other services (24)

Tillage

Job (survey wording)AverageRangeResponsesSource
Primary Tillage (Deep) - Plowing (Moldboard) compare states
outlier

⚠ -53% vs. the cross-state median ($26.93) for “Moldboard plowing”.

$12.78/acre$10.00 – $17.00 6PDF p. 1 · calculate
Primary Tillage (Deep) - Heavy Disking compare states $16.92/acre$5.00 – $35.00 13PDF p. 1 · calculate
Primary Tillage (Deep) - Chisel Plowing compare states $15.03/acre$6.00 – $25.00 15PDF p. 1 · calculate
Primary Tillage (Deep) - Sub Soiling (16-20 inches deep) compare states
few responses
$23.00/acre$12.00 – $30.00 4PDF p. 1 · calculate
Primary Tillage (Deep) - Disk/Chisel Plowing compare states $17.55/acre$10.00 – $24.00 11PDF p. 1 · calculate
Secondary Tillage (Shallow) - Field Cultivation compare states $12.55/acre$5.00 – $22.00 19PDF p. 1 · calculate
Secondary Tillage (Shallow) - One-Way Disking $12.80/acre$10.00 – $20.00 5PDF p. 1 · calculate
Secondary Tillage (Shallow) - Tandem Disking compare states $15.55/acre$10.00 – $32.00 11PDF p. 1 · calculate
Secondary Tillage (Shallow) - Rotary Hoe compare states
few responses
$9.00/acre$5.00 – $13.00 4PDF p. 1 · calculate
Secondary Tillage (Shallow) - Vertical Tillage compare states $15.78/acre$5.00 – $40.00 20PDF p. 1 · calculate
Secondary Tillage (Shallow) - Land Rolling compare states $7.32/acre$2.00 – $18.00 27PDF p. 1 · calculate
Secondary Tillage (Shallow) - Light Harrowing $9.86/acre$4.00 – $15.00 7PDF p. 1 · calculate
Secondary Tillage (Shallow) - Heavy Harrowing $9.67/acre$5.00 – $15.00 9PDF p. 1 · calculate
Secondary Tillage (Shallow) - Row Crop Cultivation compare states
few responses
$11.50/acre$9.50 – $15.00 4PDF p. 1 · calculate

Planting & seeding

Job (survey wording)AverageRangeResponsesSource
Small grain seeding - With Fertilizer - Regular Drilling $23.25/acre$3.00 – $40.00 24PDF p. 1 · calculate
Small grain seeding - With Fertilizer - Drilling & Tillage $18.33/acre$8.00 – $25.00 9PDF p. 1 · calculate
Small grain seeding - With Fertilizer - Air Seeding $22.29/acre$10.00 – $40.00 34PDF p. 1 · calculate
Small grain seeding - With Fertilizer - No Till Drill $23.32/acre$12.50 – $40.00 17PDF p. 1 · calculate
Small grain seeding - Without Fertilizer - Regular Drilling compare states $18.26/acre$3.00 – $30.00 23PDF p. 1 · calculate
Small grain seeding - Without Fertilizer - Drilling & Tillage $20.57/acre$14.00 – $40.00 7PDF p. 1 · calculate
Small grain seeding - Without Fertilizer - Air Seeding $17.43/acre$8.00 – $30.00 20PDF p. 1 · calculate
Small grain seeding - Without Fertilizer - No Till Drill compare states $21.04/acre$10.00 – $30.00 26PDF p. 1 · calculate
Row crop planting - With Fertilizer - Corn, Soybean, Sunflower (Regular) compare states $28.83/acre$15.00 – $75.00 29PDF p. 1 · calculate
Row crop planting - With Fertilizer - Corn, Soybean, Sunflower (Air Seed) $25.86/acre$15.00 – $40.00 14PDF p. 1 · calculate
Row crop planting - With Fertilizer - Dry Edible Beans $29.25/acre$15.00 – $47.00 12PDF p. 1 · calculate
Row crop planting - Without Fertilizer - Corn, Soybean, Sunflower (Regular) compare states $21.02/acre$12.50 – $35.00 28PDF p. 1 · calculate
Row crop planting - Without Fertilizer - Corn, Soybean, Sunflower (Air Seed) $19.21/acre$12.00 – $25.00 14PDF p. 1 · calculate
Row crop planting - Without Fertilizer - Dry Edible Beans $19.15/acre$10.00 – $26.00 10PDF p. 1 · calculate
Row crop planting - No Till With Fertilizer - Corn, Soybean, Sunflower $25.96/acre$18.00 – $40.00 23PDF p. 1 · calculate
Row crop planting - No Till Without Fertilizer - Corn, Soybean, Sunflower compare states $22.73/acre$14.00 – $35.00 15PDF p. 1 · calculate

Spraying

Job (survey wording)AverageRangeResponsesSource
By Surface Vehicles - Herbicides - Broadcast, Liquid compare states $9.23/acre$3.00 – $26.50 111PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Surface Vehicles - Herbicides - Broadcast, Dry $8.22/acre$3.00 – $12.00 27PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Surface Vehicles - Herbicides - Incorporated, Liquid $8.65/acre$5.00 – $15.00 22PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Surface Vehicles - Herbicides - Incorporated, Dry $11.04/acre$8.00 – $25.00 12PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Surface Vehicles - Insecticides - Broadcast, Liquid $8.45/acre$4.25 – $12.00 46PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Surface Vehicles - Insecticides - Broadcast, Dry $8.67/acre$5.00 – $12.00 16PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Surface Vehicles - Insecticides - Incorporated, Liquid $8.58/acre$7.00 – $10.00 11PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Surface Vehicles - Insecticides - Incorporated, Dry $11.57/acre$8.50 – $25.00 7PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Surface Vehicles - Fungicides compare states $8.68/acre$4.25 – $13.00 63PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Surface Vehicles - Desiccants $8.72/acre$4.00 – $13.00 43PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Aircraft (All Pesticides) - 1 Gallon compare states $9.76/acre$4.50 – $15.00 29PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Aircraft (All Pesticides) - 2-3 Gallons compare states $9.77/acre$6.00 – $15.00 40PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Aircraft (All Pesticides) - 4-5 Gallons compare states $10.00/acre$8.00 – $20.00 34PDF p. 2 · calculate
By Aircraft (All Pesticides) - Over 5 Gallons compare states $11.25/acre$8.25 – $25.00 20PDF p. 2 · calculate

Fertilizer application

Job (survey wording)AverageRangeResponsesSource
Dry Fertilizer - Broadcast compare states $9.22/acre$5.00 – $40.00 147PDF p. 2 · calculate
Dry Fertilizer - Deep Banded $20.15/acre$8.00 – $35.00 13PDF p. 2 · calculate
Liquid Fertilizer - Broadcast compare states $9.47/acre$4.00 – $20.00 23PDF p. 2 · calculate
Liquid Fertilizer - Side-Dressing compare states $11.25/acre$5.00 – $22.00 6PDF p. 2 · calculate
Anhydrous Ammonia - With Knife Applicator compare states $16.33/acre$8.00 – $26.00 9PDF p. 2 · calculate
Anhydrous Ammonia - While Chiseling compare states $18.00/acre$8.00 – $28.00 9PDF p. 2 · calculate

Harvesting

Job (survey wording)AverageRangeResponsesSource
Swathing Grain - Self-Propelled $16.60/acre$8.00 – $45.00 10PDF p. 1 · calculate
Swathing Grain - Pull-Type (PTO Unit)
few responses
$9.40/acre$5.00 – $15.00 4PDF p. 1 · calculate
Swathing Canola - Self-Propelled $14.51/acre$10.00 – $18.60 7PDF p. 1 · calculate
Combining From Swaths - Small Grains & Flaxseed $36.06/acre$15.00 – $55.00 24PDF p. 1 · calculate
Combining From Swaths - Dry Edible Beans $51.00/acre$15.00 – $60.00 7PDF p. 1 · calculate
Combining From Swaths - Canola $44.73/acre$10.00 – $60.00 11PDF p. 1 · calculate
Straight Combining - Small Grains & Flaxseed compare states $36.49/acre$13.00 – $60.00 72PDF p. 1 · calculate
Straight Combining - Corn compare states $43.87/acre$20.00 – $100.00 38PDF p. 1 · calculate
Straight Combining - Sunflower $37.08/acre$18.00 – $60.00 13PDF p. 1 · calculate
Straight Combining - Soybeans compare states $36.02/acre$12.50 – $60.00 61PDF p. 1 · calculate
Straight Combining - Dry Edible Beans $43.40/acre$15.00 – $60.00 15PDF p. 1 · calculate
Straight Combining - Canola $38.35/acre$12.75 – $60.00 35PDF p. 1 · calculate
Straight Combining - Pulse Crops $36.00/acre$22.00 – $50.00 7PDF p. 1 · calculate

Hauling

Job (survey wording)AverageRangeResponsesSource
Hauling Crops - Wheat, All compare states
outlier

⚠ +65% vs. the cross-state median ($0.16) for “Hauling grain, field to farm/local storage”.

Basic charge; average base mileage = 36.91 miles
$0.261/bushel$0.05 – $0.80 27PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Crops - Wheat, All: extra charge per 10 miles over base mileage compare states $0.094/bushel/10 milesnot published 8PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Crops - Barley
Basic charge; average base mileage = 92.00 miles
$0.385/bushel$0.10 – $0.80 6PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Crops - Oats
Basic charge; average base mileage = 58.00 miles
$0.285/bushel$0.10 – $0.48 6PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Crops - Sunflower
Basic charge; average base mileage = 154.50 miles
$1.22/cwt$0.22 – $2.50 6PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Crops - Canola
Basic charge; average base mileage = 120.00 miles
$1.13/cwt$0.15 – $2.50 10PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Crops - Flaxseed
few responses
Basic charge; average base mileage = 73.25 miles
$0.288/bushel$0.10 – $0.48 4PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Crops - Corn compare states
outlier

⚠ +40% vs. the cross-state median ($0.16) for “Hauling grain, field to farm/local storage”.

Basic charge; average base mileage = 47.62 miles
$0.222/bushel$0.03 – $0.48 27PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Crops - Corn: extra charge per 10 miles over base mileage compare states $0.09/bushel/10 milesnot published 9PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Hay - By the Load (Loose & Bales) - Less than 10 tons $6.50/loaded mile (excludes loading)$1.50 – $25.00 14PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Hay - By the Load (Loose & Bales) - Less than 10 tons: loading charge $27.86/loadnot published 7PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Hay - By the Load (Loose & Bales) - 10-20 tons $6.14/loaded mile (excludes loading)$3.00 – $10.00 14PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Hay - By the Load (Loose & Bales) - 10-20 tons: loading charge $34.44/loadnot published 9PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Hay - By the Load (Loose & Bales) - Over 20 tons $6.12/loaded mile (excludes loading)$0.18 – $20.00 14PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Hay - By the Load (Loose & Bales) - Over 20 tons: loading charge $32.17/loadnot published 6PDF p. 2 · calculate

Drying & storage

Job (survey wording)AverageRangeResponsesSource
Drying Grain - Small Grains
Basic charge; average maximum moisture content covered by basic charge = 15.83%
$0.216/bushel$0.05 – $1.00 18PDF p. 2 · calculate
Drying Grain - Small Grains: extra charge for each additional 1% moisture removed $0.038/point/bushelnot published 5PDF p. 2 · calculate
Drying Grain - Corn
Basic charge; average maximum moisture content covered by basic charge = 17.66%
$0.131/bushel$0.04 – $0.55 19PDF p. 2 · calculate
Drying Grain - Corn: extra charge for each additional 1% moisture removed $0.051/point/bushelnot published 11PDF p. 2 · calculate
Drying Grain - Soybeans
few responses
Basic charge; average maximum moisture content covered by basic charge = 17.25%
$0.203/bushel$0.06 – $0.50 4PDF p. 2 · calculate
On Farm Grain Bin Storage
check

⚠ Published unit label says “cents” but values (e.g., 0.05 per bu/month) only make sense in dollars. Kept with the published label; not used for comparison.

Published unit label is 'cents/bu/month', but the values look like dollars (see review page)
$0.05/cents/bu/month$0.01 – $0.13 15PDF p. 3 · calculate
On Farm Grain Bin Storage
check

⚠ Published unit label says “cents” but values (e.g., 0.05 per bu/month) only make sense in dollars. Kept with the published label; not used for comparison.

Published unit label is 'cents/bu/year', but the values look like dollars (see review page)
$0.14/cents/bu/year$0.01 – $0.25 10PDF p. 3 · calculate

Hay & forage

Job (survey wording)AverageRangeResponsesSource
Mowing and Raking - Mowing compare states $13.73/acre$6.00 – $25.00 11PDF p. 2 · calculate
Mowing and Raking - Mowing and Conditioning compare states $15.53/acre$6.50 – $25.00 16PDF p. 2 · calculate
Mowing and Raking - Swathing $15.64/acre$7.00 – $25.00 11PDF p. 2 · calculate
Mowing and Raking - Raking compare states $7.29/acre$2.00 – $12.00 14PDF p. 2 · calculate
Baling (Wire or Twine Included) - Small Square Bales, 250 lbs or less compare states
outlier

⚠ +60% vs. the cross-state median ($1.88) for “Baling small square bales”.

$3.00/bale$1.00 – $9.00 6PDF p. 2 · calculate
Baling (Wire or Twine Included) - Large Square Bales, Over 250 lbs compare states
few responses
$12.00/bale$8.00 – $15.00 4PDF p. 2 · calculate
Baling (Wire or Twine Included) - Round Bales, 1,500 lbs or less compare states $12.99/bale$5.00 – $30.00 21PDF p. 2 · calculate
Baling (Wire or Twine Included) - Round Bales, Over 1,500 lbs compare states $15.27/bale$5.00 – $60.00 13PDF p. 2 · calculate
Making Corn Silage - Field Chopping Only $116.23/acre$12.00 – $200.00 13PDF p. 1 · calculate
Making Corn Silage - Field Chopping Only $137.86/hour$50.00 – $250.00 7PDF p. 1 · calculate
Making Corn Silage - Field Chopping and Hauling $137.46/acre$45.00 – $240.00 12PDF p. 1 · calculate
Making Corn Silage - Field Chopping and Hauling
few responses
$408.75/hour$125.00 – $1,200.00 4PDF p. 1 · calculate

Custom farming (all operations)

Job (survey wording)AverageRangeResponsesSource
Custom Farming - Small Grains
check

⚠ Row crops $40.20 and small grains $25.62 per acre are far below other states’ “all operations” rates, even though the footnote says “all necessary farming operations from field preparation through harvesting.” Likely some respondents reported per-operation rates. Not used for cross-state comparison.

$25.62/acre$6.00 – $150.00 28PDF p. 3 · calculate
Custom Farming - Row Crops
check

⚠ Row crops $40.20 and small grains $25.62 per acre are far below other states’ “all operations” rates, even though the footnote says “all necessary farming operations from field preparation through harvesting.” Likely some respondents reported per-operation rates. Not used for cross-state comparison.

$40.20/acre$7.00 – $300.00 34PDF p. 3 · calculate

Machinery rental

Job (survey wording)AverageRangeResponsesSource
Machine Rental - Tractor - Under 100 Horsepower
Tachometer hours (per report footnote)
$54.33/hour$18.00 – $70.00 6PDF p. 1 · calculate
Machine Rental - Tractor - 100-200 Horsepower
Tachometer hours (per report footnote)
$82.30/hour$22.00 – $150.00 10PDF p. 1 · calculate
Machine Rental - Tractor - Over 200 Horsepower
Tachometer hours (per report footnote)
$104.56/hour$30.00 – $250.00 9PDF p. 1 · calculate
Machine Rental - Combine $31.67/acre$20.00 – $50.00 6PDF p. 1 · calculate
Machine Rental - Combine
Tachometer hours (per report footnote)
$257.04/hour$125.00 – $400.00 10PDF p. 1 · calculate
Machine Rental - Corn Head Rental Only
few responses
$7.25/acre$5.00 – $10.00 4PDF p. 1 · calculate
Machine Rental - Field Roller $5.44/acre$2.00 – $14.00 18PDF p. 1 · calculate

Drainage & tile

Job (survey wording)AverageRangeResponsesSource
Surface Drainage $140.60/hour$30.00 – $200.00 5PDF p. 3 · calculate
Installing Drainage Tile
few responses
$1,050.00/acre$300.00 – $2,000.00 4PDF p. 3 · calculate

Other services

Job (survey wording)AverageRangeResponsesSource
Shearing Sheep $6.80/head$4.50 – $10.00 5PDF p. 3 · calculate
Custom Feeding Livestock - Weaned Calves
few responses
$2.38/head/day$2.00 – $3.00 4PDF p. 3 · calculate
Custom Feeding Livestock - Yearlings and Cull Cows $2.48/head/day$1.45 – $4.00 5PDF p. 3 · calculate
Custom Feeding Livestock - Wintering Pregnant Beef Cows
few responses
$3.13/head/day$2.50 – $4.00 4PDF p. 3 · calculate
Custom Feeding Livestock - Calving Out Cows
few responses
$2.50/head/day$2.00 – $3.00 4PDF p. 3 · calculate
Tub Grinding Hay - Self-Contained Unit $280.00/hour$100.00 – $500.00 8PDF p. 3 · calculate
Pneumatic Handling of Grain
few responses
$0.18/bushel$0.05 – $0.30 4PDF p. 3 · calculate
Building Multi-Strand Wire Fence (No Supplies Included) - Per Rod
few responses
$15.96/rod$1.70 – $31.25 4PDF p. 3 · calculate
Building Multi-Strand Wire Fence (No Supplies Included) - Per Hour $61.00/hour$20.00 – $200.00 5PDF p. 3 · calculate
Loader Work - Skid-Steer Loader $104.09/hour$20.00 – $200.00 22PDF p. 3 · calculate
Loader Work - Tractor Loader $67.50/hour$20.00 – $125.00 6PDF p. 3 · calculate
Loader Work - Industrial Loader $137.50/hour$75.00 – $200.00 8PDF p. 3 · calculate
Seed Preparation - Seed Grain - Cleaning Only $0.884/gross bushel$0.25 – $1.95 25PDF p. 1 · calculate
Seed Preparation - Seed Grain - Treating Only $2.01/gross bushel$0.08 – $6.00 7PDF p. 1 · calculate
Seed Preparation - Flaxseed - Cleaning Only $1.68/gross bushel$0.90 – $2.00 5PDF p. 1 · calculate
Hauling Cattle - Gooseneck Trailer
Average load = 420 cwt (6 reports)
$6.79/loaded mile$2.00 – $30.00 21PDF p. 2 · calculate
Hauling Cattle - Semi Trailer
Average load = 353 cwt (6 reports)
$5.99/loaded mile$1.00 – $10.00 24PDF p. 2 · calculate
Mowing/Clipping CRP compare states $13.48/acre$6.00 – $35.00 12PDF p. 3 · calculate
Mowing Road Ditches (not for hay)
check

⚠ $99.77 per acre (mode $100; range $12–$500) for ditch mowing. Road ditches are narrow, so “acre” may mean something different to respondents.

$99.77/acre$12.00 – $500.00 13PDF p. 3 · calculate
Mowing Road Ditches (not for hay)
checkfew responses

⚠ $99.77 per acre (mode $100; range $12–$500) for ditch mowing. Road ditches are narrow, so “acre” may mean something different to respondents.

$201.50/hour$125.00 – $300.00 4PDF p. 3 · calculate
Machine Shed Rental
check

⚠ Published unit label says “cents” but values (e.g., 0.05 per bu/month) only make sense in dollars. Kept with the published label; not used for comparison.

Published unit label is 'cents/sq ft/year', but the values look like dollars (see review page)
$0.65/cents/sq ft/year$0.30 – $1.00 8PDF p. 3 · calculate
Land Leveling
few responses
$94.25/hour$22.00 – $200.00 4PDF p. 3 · calculate
Snow Removal - Front End Loader $74.78/hour$20.00 – $150.00 9PDF p. 3 · calculate
Snow Removal - Tractor Blower $100.36/hour$25.00 – $200.00 14PDF p. 3 · calculate
Ad slot — placeholderResponsive ad unit (e.g. 320×100 phone / 728×90 desktop). Nothing is sold here yet.
Sponsor slot — placeholderReserved for a single clearly-labeled sponsor of North Dakota rates (for example a local equipment dealer or ag lender). No sponsor yet.