What should I expect to pay per hour to have a field plowed and disked. Any ideas?? What would you charge to do the work? The field has just been brush hogged? Do you have any idea how long it will take to plow and disc 2 acres with standard farm equiptment?

Thanks Eddie

Edited by - eddiee on 09/24/2002 20:19:50

If the farmer is using his own equipment, its usually $30-40/hr in my area. Also, fall can be a very busy time with harvest and all, you will have to be flexible, and able to live with the farmer's schedule. You should offer to pay for fuel, and your help. You might even consider offering your time for other fall chores the farmer might need done. He will not likely take you up on it, but will definitely notice that you offered. If he does take you up on your offer to help, consider yourself lucky. Do not offer your "expertise", just listen to what he would like done and do your best to do it well. Farmers HATE advice about thier operation, even if its good advice. If you can develop a good relationship with a local farmer, he can become your best freind when it comes to plots in the future.

Years ago, I used to offer to milk on sunday mornings, to let my neighbor farmer have a morning off every week. I had grown up with his son, and helped out on and off on the farm for years (you know - $1.00 per haywagon to unload, $5.00/day to help milk). I knew my way around the farm a bit, but was not an expert by any means. Even though its been 20 years, I would still feel comfortable asking to hunt that farm, and be glad to see an old friend.

I am definately not an expert, but using a two bottom plow, an eight foot disc, and an eight foot drag, it took me 5-6 hours to work up a little more than an acre. I also broadcast, dragged and ran the cultapacker in that time. All but the planting required the tractor.
-ost

Follow Farmhunters advice. Which I think is terrific. I offered to cut and bail Chrismas trees in order to hunt rabbits on a big pine plantation. Worked well and made many friends. Depending on the condition of the soil etc., I think I could do it in 1/2 a day useing the equipment I have. 30 to 40 dollars per hr. is not unreasonable. Consider the guys time, fuel, getting the implements there etc. terry <img src=icon_smile_clown.gif border=0 align=middle>

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