Custom Machine Work Rate Estimates Available

May 02, 2017

By Dennis Stein

Farms are gearing up for the 2017 crop production season during which farms trying to keep costs under control may utilize neighbors’ equipment to perform some production tasks.

The Michigan “Farm Machine Work Rate for 2017” summary report has been posted on the Michigan State University Extension FIRM – farm management page to be used as a reference tool. This report has been updated to provide Michigan farms with estimated values for farm machine work exchanges. This report is not an actual cost on any one farm, but is a summary of custom rate values taken from several sources. The report has been compiled and published to be a reference, or starting point for farms to use in negotiating their own farm’s actual numbers.

The one bright spot is that the price of fuel is lower than the last several year’s reports, providing some relief in the estimated operational costs.

For farms looking back, you can find a copy of the past couple years Farm Machine Work Rate reports still posted on the page.

Source:msu.edu

Video: Dream Projects Made Real | BX Summer Contest Winner Stories

Three women. Three properties. Three summers that changed everything.

Meet the 2025 Kubota BX Summer Contest winners — and watch what happened when their biggest plans finally had the power to match them.

Akesh transformed her 9.8-acre property in just 3 months — clearing a historic barn, building a cottage garden, and growing vegetable beds for her family. Kathleen rebuilt her yard from the ground up after the 2023 wildfires devastated her property — creating a space where her children could play and grow again. Teresa reclaimed her family's 97-acre Ontario farm — moving topsoil, restoring fields, and honouring her mother's memory one season at a time.

Three dream projects. Three stories of vision, resilience, and hard work. One unforgettable summer with a Kubota BX.

"The BX made everything happen so quick." — Akesh "I feel like I can make a huge difference." — Kathleen "It's a dream come true. The answer to my prayers." — Teresa