A trusted tool that helps Wisconsin farmers make smart financial decisions is getting a fresh start in 2025. The Wisconsin Custom Rate Survey, which shows the average prices charged for farming services across the state, is now being handled directly by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension.

“This survey gives farmers the power of information,” said Brian Luck, University Extension Agricultural Engineer. “It helps them understand what others are paying or charging for everything from planting to harvest.”

In the past, the Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Service conducted the survey. But due to rising costs, the Extension team decided to take it on themselves. “The costs just got too high,” Luck said. “So we looked at how other states do it and decided to build our own version in-house.”