SDSU Extension Launches New Survey on Custom Farming Rates

The survey aims to provide up-to-date data on custom farming practices and pricing across South Dakota.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:14pm

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South Dakota State University Extension is conducting a new survey to collect information on custom farming rates in the state. The Custom Farming Rates Survey is open to agricultural producers, landowners, managers, lenders, and consultants, with the goal of providing a comprehensive overview of current custom farming practices and pricing across different regions of South Dakota.

Why it matters

Custom farming, where owners hire others to complete tasks like harvesting crops or feeding livestock, is an important part of the agricultural industry in South Dakota. However, there hasn't been a detailed survey of custom farming rates in the state for several years. This new survey aims to fill that data gap and give producers a better understanding of average rates in their area.

The details

The survey is being led by Aspen Winter, a senior business economics student at SDSU, under the oversight of Sarah Sellars, an assistant professor and SDSU Extension Sustainable Farm and Food Systems Specialist. All information provided will remain anonymous and aggregated by region to help producers understand average rates in their area. Anyone who completes the survey will receive a coupon for a free scoop of SDSU ice cream from the SDSU Dairy Bar in Brookings.

  • The Custom Farming Rates Survey is available now at https://extension.sdstate.edu/custom-rates-survey.

The players

Sarah Sellars

An assistant professor and SDSU Extension Sustainable Farm and Food Systems Specialist overseeing the survey.

Aspen Winter

A senior business economics student at SDSU who is spearheading the survey.

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What they’re saying

“I think it's an important public service that a land grant university provides.”

— Sarah Sellars, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Sustainable Farm and Food Systems Specialist

“I want to be able to refer them to the South Dakota custom rates report.”

— Aspen Winter, Senior Business Economics Student at SDSU

What’s next

The survey will remain open for an undisclosed period of time, and SDSU Extension plans to analyze the results and publish a comprehensive report on custom farming rates in South Dakota.

The takeaway

This new survey from SDSU Extension represents an important effort to gather up-to-date data on custom farming practices and pricing in South Dakota. The results will provide valuable insights for producers, landowners, and others in the agricultural industry across the state.