Responses to MU Extension survey set bar for custom farm service rates, machinery costs
Farmers and agricultural service providers across Missouri are invited to participate in University of Missouri Extension’s Custom Rates Survey.
This triennial survey helps shed light on the costs associated with custom farming operations such as tillage, planting, spraying, harvesting, land management work and machinery rental, offering valuable insights for both those who hire services and those who provide them, said survey coordinator Drew Kientzy, an MU Extension research analyst.
“Whether you’re a farmer trying to budget for next season or a service provider looking to stay competitive, the information from the custom rates survey helps bring transparency to the marketplace,” Kientzy said. “The more responses we receive, the more useful the results will be for farmers, custom applicators, earthmoving contractors and many others.”
The survey is designed to be quick, taking just 5–10 minutes to complete, he said. It covers a wide range of custom services and aims to reflect real-world pricing across different regions and farm sizes.
Why participate?
- Farmers gain an understanding of what others are paying for custom work.
- Service providers can benchmark their rates against averages.
- Everyone benefits from more informed decision-making and fairer pricing.
How to respond
There are three convenient ways to respond to the survey. Online and printable versions of the survey are available, and your county MU Extension center can provide a paper copy of the survey. For more information, contact Kientzy at [email protected].
“Don’t miss your chance to help build a more transparent and competitive custom farm services market in Missouri,” Kientzy said.
PHOTO: Wheat harvest. (Journal stock photo)
