Finding a fair custom farming rate can often be challenging. One way custom farming providers and clients arrive at an agreeable rate is to consult the Ohio Farm Custom Rates. This publication of OSU Extension and The Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics is a research summary of surveys completed by Ohio custom farming providers and clients. “Ohio Farm Custom Rates – 2006”, the first update since 2002 reveals that most practices have experienced cost increases.
The average amount of increase of custom farming practices was 17.0% over the four year period. This works out to 4.25% per year. Increases in fuel costs, machinery costs, labor rates and interest rates have helped to drive this increase in custom farming rates. Grouping custom farming practices into their survey categories reveals differences in rates of increase for the four year period. “Soil Preparation” practices increased the most with an average of 22.8% while “Grain Drying” actually decreased 16.7% (from $0.036 to $0.03 per point per bushel) over the four year period. A complete list of the percentage changes of the different categories of custom farming practices over the four year period reveals a mixed bag. In general the categories reveal double digit percentage increases over the four year period.
Custom Farming Category and % Change 2002-2006
• Soil Preparation +22.8%
• Fertilizer/Lime Application +17.9%
• Chemical Control of Weeds +10.5%
• Mechanical Control of Weeds – 4.15%
• Aerial Application +20.8%
• Planting/Seeding Operations +13.1%
• Grain Harvest +12.0%
• Grain Storage +10.7%
• Grain Drying -16.7%
• Grain Hauling +10.4%
• Custom Farming +17.3%
• Silage Harvest +16.5%
• Hay Harvest +18.1%
The complete list of all custom farming rates for 2006 is available as an OSU Extension FactSheet (in pdf form) titled “Ohio Farm Custom Rates – 2006” at:
http://ohioline.osu.edu/ae-fact/pdf/0011.pdf