Prairie Farmer Logo

U of I ag economists expect 2021 machinery cost estimates to be 8% to 10% higher than 2019’s.

Sierra Day, Field editor

September 17, 2021

2 Min Read
combine harvesting at sunset
CUSTOM FARMING: Looking at arranging custom farming on your operation? Check out the baseline prices on custom rates from 2019. University of Illinois will publish 2021 machinery cost estimates at the end of September.Holly Spangler

Let’s say you don’t want to retire and rent out your farm, but you don’t want to do it all yourself either. Could custom farming work? And how do you set a rate? University of Illinois ag economists publish machinery cost estimates intended to represent the actual costs associated with individual farm field operations, which can provide a baseline for setting a custom rate to ensure that costs are covered.

Gary Schnitkey, ag economist at U of I, says they’ll publish 2021 machinery cost estimates by the end of September. And he expects 2021 costs to be 8% to 10% higher than 2019.

2019 numbers

Here’s a look at those 2019 numbers.

Tillage. Includes tractor overhead, implement overhead, fuel and lube and labor:

  • Chisel plow at $12.70 per acre

  • Disk ripper at $25.70 per acre

  • Vertical tillage, rolling basket at $11.70 per acre

  • Moldboard plow at $39.80 per acre

  • Mulch tiller at $21.40 per acre

  • Offset disk at $14.70 per acre

  • Strip tillage at $16.70 per acre

  • V-ripper (shanks only) at $22.50 per acre

  • Field cultivator at $9.90 per acre

  • Mulch finisher at $15.40 per acre

  • Tandem disk at $12.60 per acre

Harvest. Includes tractor overhead, platform overhead, fuel and lube, and labor:

  • Combining only for corn at $37.60 per acre

  • Combining only soybeans at $32.60 per acre

  • Grain cart for corn at $14.20 per acre

  • Grain cart for soybeans at $7.80 per acre

  • Grain hauling at $0.10 per bushel

Planting. Includes tractor overhead, implement overhead, fuel and lube, and labor:

  • Broadcast seeding at $8.90 per acre

  • Conventional planter at $14.40 per acre

  • Split-row planter for soybeans at $12.50 per acre

  • No-till planter at $17.20 per acre

  • Grain drill at $14.50 per acre

  • No-till drill at $25.80 per acre

  • Air-seeder at $16.80 per acre

Spraying. Depending on your situation, you may want to consider the following spraying and ammonia application total costs from 2019:

  • Self-propelled at $4.40 per acre

  • Pull-type at $3.90 per acre

  • Anhydrous ammonia at $16.50 per acre

  • Liquid fertilizer applicator at $23.50 per acre

Other costs

Also consider fuel and labor costs:

  • Fuel. Fuel costs are based on $2.50 per gallon for diesel fuel. Fuel costs will vary with each operation’s fuel use.

  • Labor. Labor costs are based on a $19 per hour.

Check out the entire list of cost estimates at Farmdoc:

 

 

About the Author(s)

Sierra Day

Field editor, Farm Progress

A 10th-generation agriculturist, Sierra Day grew up alongside the Angus cattle, corn and soybeans on her family’s operation in Cerro Gordo, Ill. Although she spent an equal amount in farm machinery as she did in the cattle barn as a child, Day developed a bigger passion for the cattle side of the things.

An active member of organizations such as 4-H, FFA and the National Junior Angus Association, she was able to show Angus cattle on the local, state and national levels while participating in contests and leadership opportunities that were presented through these programs.

As Day got older, she began to understand the importance of transitioning from a member to a mentor for other youth in the industry. Thus, her professional and career focus is centered around educating agriculture producers and youth to aid in prospering the agriculture industry.

In 2018, she received her associate degree from Lake Land College, where her time was spent as an active member in clubs such as Ag Transfer club and PAS. A December 2020 graduate of Kansas State University in Animal Sciences & Industry and Agricultural Communications & Journalism, Day was active in Block & Bridle and Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow, while also serving as a communications student worker in the animal science department.

Day currently resides back home where she owns and operates Day Cattle Farm with her younger brother, Chayton. The duo strives to raise functional cattle that are show ring quality and a solid foundation for building anyone’s herd.

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like