By Andi Anderson
The 2025 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey has been released, providing farmers with updated rates for common farming tasks, machinery rentals, and labor costs.
The report, published in Ag Decision Maker, includes 193 responses and 3,703 custom rates submitted by Iowa farmers, custom operators, and farm managers.
The survey covers various farming operations, including planting, harvesting, and transportation. It provides average, median, and range data for each task, offering valuable insights into market trends.
The rates are projected for 2025 and include fuel and labor costs unless otherwise noted. The assumed diesel fuel price is $3.66 per gallon, based on U.S. Energy Information Administration projections.
According to Ann Johanns, a program specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, this survey is widely used across Iowa and the Midwest.
The 2024 survey had 170,000 downloads, highlighting its significance. The 2025 report shows a 5% increase in overall rates, with harvesting and hauling costs for corn and soybeans rising by 9% and hired labor increasing by 4%.
While the survey provides a general guideline, actual custom rates may vary based on equipment availability, field conditions, operator experience, and other factors.
Johanns advises farmers to ensure that custom rates cover the full cost of owning and operating machinery. Resources for calculating machinery costs are available on Ag Decision Maker.
The report includes 133 operations, rental rates, and wage data. Historical custom rate data dating back to 2000 is also available for reference. Farmers can use this survey to compare rates, negotiate contracts, and plan for the 2025 farming season effectively.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Iowa, Rural Lifestyle