An ag economist is recommending crop farmers dedicate less than 10 percent of their gross revenue to labor.

Michael Langemeier at Purdue University analyzed 2020 data from farmers across the Midwest along with a case study farm in south-central Indiana to establish labor benchmarks.

“My rule of thumb is you’d like to have at least $500,000 in gross revenue per worker,” he says.

Total labor costs include hired labor and operator income.

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