Custom Hay mowing and conditioning rates by state
7 state surveys. Years differ and aren't inflation-adjusted. Arkansas: no university survey; farmer reports wanted.
| State | Job (survey wording) | Unit | Avg | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma · 2021–22 | Mowing hay | per acre | $16.19 | — |
| Swathing | per acre | $16.09 | — | |
| Georgia · 2024 | Mow Hay | per acre | $22.68 | $11.00–$57.00 |
| Tennessee · 2023 | Disc Mowing | per acre | $16.50 | $13.00–$20.00 |
| Disc Mower Conditioner | per acre | $21.00 | $15.00–$27.00 | |
| Disc Mowing | per bale | $6.69 | $2.00–$10.00 | |
| Disc Mower Conditioner | per bale | $12.50 | $10.00–$15.00 | |
| Kansas · 2026 | Mowing or Swathing [column group 1 of 2] | — | $17.71 | $10.00–$25.00 |
| Mowing or Swathing [column group 2 of 2] | — | $17.47 | $10.00–$25.00 | |
| Swathing & Conditioning and Side Raking [column group 1 of 2] | — | $17.93 | $8.00–$25.00 | |
| Swathing & Conditioning and Side Raking [column group 2 of 2] | — | $6.74 | $4.00–$18.00 | |
| Mowing, Swathing, and Side Raking [column group 1 of 4] | per hour | $179 | $100–$270 | |
| Mowing, Swathing, and Side Raking [column group 2 of 4] | per hour | $178 | $160–$190 | |
| Mowing, Swathing, and Side Raking [column group 3 of 4] | per hour | $175 | $120–$270 | |
| Mowing, Swathing, and Side Raking [column group 4 of 4] | per hour | $110 | $70.00–$130 | |
| Iowa · 2026 | Hay - mowing | per acre | $15.45 | $9.50–$21.00 |
| Hay - mowing | per conditioning / acre | $17.30 | $10.00–$25.00 | |
| Swathing hay or small grain | per acre | $18.00 | $15.00–$22.00 | |
| Nebraska · 2026 | Mowing Hay | per acre | $18.71 | $10.00–$25.00 |
| Swathing with Crushing/Crimping | per acre | $19.26 | $14.00–$25.00 | |
| North Dakota · 2024 | Swathing Canola: Self-Propelled | per acre | $14.51 | $10.00–$18.60 |
| Combining From Swaths: Small Grains & Flaxseed | per acre | $36.06 | $15.00–$55.00 | |
| Combining From Swaths: Dry Edible Beans | per acre | $51.00 | $15.00–$60.00 | |
| Combining From Swaths: Canola | per acre | $44.73 | $10.00–$60.00 |