By Scout Nelson
The Kansas Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Land Use Survey Office at Kansas State University, is requesting producer participation in the 2026 Custom Rates Survey. The survey aims to gather updated information on charges for a wide range of custom agricultural services across Kansas.
The survey focuses on common farm services such as custom harvesting, land preparation, haying, feed preparation, and machinery rental. Accurate pricing information for these services plays an important role in helping agricultural operations plan budgets, compare costs, and make sound business decisions. Whether an operation provides custom services or hires them, knowing current and competitive rates supports long-term sustainability.
The online survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and is designed to be simple and easy to understand. All responses will be kept confidential, ensuring that individual data remains protected while contributing to reliable statewide averages. The collected information will be used to develop updated custom rate guidelines that benefit producers, service providers, lenders, and agricultural advisors.
Producers are encouraged to participate, as higher response numbers lead to more accurate and useful results. The survey is open through March 31, allowing ample time for participation during the winter planning season.
The survey can be accessed online and completed at a convenient time. For those who prefer a paper version or need assistance, support is available. Questions about the survey or requests for a printed copy can be directed by email to Leah Tsoodle at ltsoodle@ksu.edu.
Additional assistance is available from the Kansas Department of Agriculture by phone at tel:+17855646726, or by email at heather.c.johnson@ks.gov.
Participation in this survey helps strengthen agricultural data resources in Kansas and ensures that custom service rates reflect current conditions, costs, and operational needs across the state.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Kansas, General, Government & Policy, Harvesting