By Trish Svoboda

The Kansas Department of Agriculture invites feedback for the 2024 Custom Rates Survey, aiming to gather data on rates for agricultural custom work, feed preparation, and machinery rental.

Administered by the K-State Land Use Survey Center, the survey is open until April 30, 2024. Understanding accurate, competitive prices is vital for the sustainability of agricultural operations, whether providing or hiring custom services. Secretary Mike Beam stresses the survey’s value for farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses in contract and service arrangement considerations.

“We view the Kansas Custom Rates Survey as a very valuable tool for farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses to access as they consider contracts and agriculture service arrangements,” said Secretary Mike Beam. “KDA works to provide support and assistance to help make Kansas agriculture more successful, and we are pleased to partner with K-State to publish this biennial survey.”

The 2024 survey, conducted in collaboration with K-State, is voluntary, anonymous, and confidential, taking less than 15 minutes to complete. Participants can visit tinyurl.com/custom2024, or contact Dr. Leah Tsoodle or Tori Laird for alternative participation methods. The initiative, led by the KDA Division of Agriculture Marketing and K-State Land Use Survey Center, aims to support Kansas agriculture’s success. To complete the survey, visit tinyurl.com/custom2024. If you are unable to complete the survey but wish to participate, contact Dr. Leah Tsoodle, Director, Land Use Survey Center, at LTsoodle@ksu.edu or Tori Laird, KDA Division of Agriculture Marketing, at 785-564-6726 or Tori.Laird@ks.gov to receive a written survey or to complete the survey over the telephone.