Harvesting Cost Calculator
Calculate combine and custom crop harvesting costs, grain cart operations, in-field hauling, and custom cutting rates per acre or bushel.
Harvest Acreage, Yield & Rates
Crop Harvest & In-Field Logistics Formula
Harvest Cost = (Base Combine Rate Per Acre + Bushel Overage Surcharge) × Acres + Grain Cart Cost + Trucking Haul Fee- Base Combine Rate: Standard custom cutting fee per acre (typically $30–$42/acre for corn/soybeans).
- High-Yield Bushel Surcharge: Custom cutters often add $0.25 to $0.35 per bushel for yields exceeding 150 bu/acre on corn or 50 bu/acre on soybeans.
- Grain Cart & Field Hauling: Dedicated tractor and chaser cart operation to keep the combine moving continuously.
- Road Trucking: Commercial semi-trailer hauling from the field edge to commercial grain elevator or on-farm bins ($0.15–$0.30/bushel).
Step-by-Step Worked Example
Calculation Steps:
- Calculate yield surcharge: (190 - 150) × $0.25 = 40 bu × $0.25 = $10.00 / acre
- Combine harvest fee per acre: $34.00 + $10.00 = $44.00 / acre
- Add grain cart operation: $44.00 + $8.00 = $52.00 / acre field cost
- Calculate total bushels: 450 acres × 190 bu = 85,500 bushels
- Calculate trucking fees: 85,500 bu × $0.18 = $15,390.00 ($34.20 / acre)
- Calculate total harvest operation cost: (450 × $52.00) + $15,390.00 = $38,790.00 ($86.20 / acre)
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter total crop acres to be harvested.
- 2Input expected harvest yield per acre.
- 3Enter custom combine cutting rate per acre and any high-yield bushel overage charges.
- 4Add grain cart operational fees and commercial grain truck hauling rates per bushel.
- 5Review total harvesting cost per acre and total project expense.
Assumptions & Limitations
- Assumes standard crop conditions without severe lodging or mud requiring tracks.
- Elevator trucking assumes delivery within a 20-mile local haul radius.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a typical custom combine harvesting rate in the US?
Iowa State and Kansas State custom rate surveys report average custom combine rates of $32.00 to $42.00 per acre for corn and soybeans, often with a $0.25 to $0.35 per bushel surcharge on corn yields exceeding 150 or 160 bu/acre.
Is it cheaper to own a combine or hire custom harvesters?
For operations harvesting fewer than 1,000 to 1,500 acres annually, hiring custom cutters is frequently cheaper than owning, maintaining, and depreciating a $400,000+ modern combine and corn/draper heads.
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