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 | Includes | Job (survey wording) | Unit | Avg | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma · 2021–22 | Mowing or swathing only | Mowing hay | per acre | $16.19 | — |
| Mowing or swathing only | Swathing | per acre | $16.09 | — | |
| Georgia · 2024 | Mowing or swathing only | Mow Hay | per acre | $22.68 | $11.00–$57.00 |
| Tennessee · 2023 | Mowing or swathing only | Disc Mowing | per acre | $16.50 | $13.00–$20.00 |
| Mow and condition | Disc Mower Conditioner | per acre | $21.00 | $15.00–$27.00 | |
| Mowing or swathing only | Disc Mowing | per bale | $6.69 | $2.00–$10.00 | |
| Mow and condition | Disc Mower Conditioner | per bale | $12.50 | $10.00–$15.00 | |
| Kansas · 2026 | Mowing or swathing only | Mowing or swathing hay | per acre | $17.71 | $10.00–$25.00 |
| Mowing or swathing only | Mowing or swathing forage | per acre | $17.47 | $10.00–$25.00 | |
| Mow and condition | Swathing and conditioning | per acre | $17.93 | $8.00–$25.00 | |
| Mowing or swathing only | Mowing or swathing hay | per hour | $179 | $100–$270 | |
| Mowing or swathing only | Mowing or swathing forage | per hour | $178 | $160–$190 | |
| Mow and condition | Swathing and conditioning | per hour | $175 | $120–$270 | |
| Iowa · 2026 | Mowing or swathing only | Hay - mowing | per acre | $15.45 | $9.50–$21.00 |
| Mow and condition | Hay - mowing with conditioning | per acre | $17.30 | $10.00–$25.00 | |
| Mowing or swathing only | Swathing hay or small grain | per acre | $18.00 | $15.00–$22.00 | |
| Nebraska · 2026 | Mowing or swathing only | Mowing Hay | per acre | $18.71 | $10.00–$25.00 |
| Mow and condition | Swathing with Crushing/Crimping | per acre | $19.26 | $14.00–$25.00 | |
| Ohio · 2026 | Mow and condition | Mowing with conditioning | per acre | $17.17 | $5.00–$35.00 |