North Dakota early season custom rates were generally higher than the rates compiled in 1995,
according to USDA's North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service. The Custom Rates Survey is
conducted in two parts. The rates in this release show the results of the early season survey while rates
for the fall survey will be released in November. A complete report may be obtained by contacting the
North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service.
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Tillage rates: Average costs per acre for tillage operations were as follows: harrowing, $2.96;
field cultivation, $4.40; row crop cultivating, $4.27; tandem disking, $5.15; chisel plowing,
$5.41; heavy disking, $6.19; moldboard plowing, $7.48.
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Seeding and planting rates: Average costs per acre which include the application of fertilizer were
as follows: regular drilling, $6.48; air seeding, $8.29; air seeding with tillage, $8.91; minimum
tillage drilling, $9.32. For average cost per acre which excluded fertilizer application, the rates
were $6.27, $7.92, $8.50 and $9.00 respectively. Corn, soybean and sunflower planting
averaged $6.86 per acre with fertilizer application and $6.47 without. Minimum tillage planting
for corn, soybean and sunflower with fertilizer application averaged $8.50 per acre and $8.22
without.
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Chemical application rates: Broadcasted dry fertilizer was $3.27 per acre, while liquid fertilizer
application was $3.70. Anhydrous ammonia application rates per acre were $5.11 for knife
application and $5.79 for chisel plow application. Average costs per acre for liquid pesticides
broadcasted by a surface vehicle were $3.32 for herbicides and $3.38 for insecticides. Pesticide
application by aircraft ranged from $3.56 per acre for applying 1 gallon of solution to $4.54 per
acre for applying over 5 gallons of solution.
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Custom haying rates: Average costs per acre for custom haying were as follows: mowing and
conditioning, $6.76; swathing, $5.31. Average cost of baling on a per bale basis: small bales,
$0.62; 1,000-1,500 pound round bales, $5.36. Tub hay grinding with a self-contained unit was
$77.46 per hour.
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Other custom work rates: Shearing sheep, $1.82 per head; skid steer loader with operator,
$31.78 per hour; pneumatic (vacuum) handling of grain $0.07 per bushel.
For a more detailed report go to: Early Season Custom Rates Publication