Cost Recovery
The Research and Education Centers are implementing a cost recovery program on January 1, 2026. Superintendents were tasked with creating this program to recoup direct costs for research on the REC farms. This program does not apply to departmental farms or the Griffin and Tifton campuses. Review the rules and rates for research below and watch the video that covers the program in more detail. Additionally, you can reach out to any of the superintendents for more information on the model. We look forward to working with you through this transition.
Cost Recovery System for Research Projects on RECs
The information on this page is the most up-to-date. Commodity rates are based on the variable or direct costs associated with research (fertilizer, pesticides, lime, irrigation, growth regulators).
- All commodity rates are based on (1) acre.
- Fractions of one acre will be rounded to the nearest whole acre.
- Soil sampling, “beyond normal” operations, and crop destruct will require a cost to be negotiated in advance with the REC superintendent.
- Schedules will be reevaluated in the fall season for the following calendar year.
- Multi-year projects will be locked on the calendar start year, with years 2-5 having 3% yearly increases.
- Separate rates are applied for D-Dryland and I-Irrigated.
- Industry projects will be charged at least a 2x rate for non-sponsored research.
Special Considerations
- Funds will be sent to the REC as Dept. Sales and Service (DSS) funds.
- The cost recovery rate is for a general plan of work and does not accommodate exceptional needs (i.e., seed, plastic mulch, exterior
grow lighting, extensive field prep, special diet, etc.). PIs must consult with the REC superintendent for these additional costs. - Normal is defined as typical tillage, cultivation, harvest, and data collection.
- PIs with commodities not on the schedule or needs outside of the cattle SOPs should contact the REC superintendent.
- Supplies and materials brought to the REC will be credited against the rate.
Exclusions
Work that is done on RECs to support stakeholders through variety selection, etc., that is not externally funded, will be exempt, and those costs will be recovered by the REC through the CAES Office of Research.
Cattle-Handling Events for Research
- Cattle rates are based on a daily per-head chute fee.
- An individual animal will be charged a single chute fee per day, regardless of the number of trips through the chute on that day.
- CY 26: $3.46, CY 27: $3.56, CY 28: $3.67, CY29: $3.78, CY30: $3.89
| Commodity | CY26 | CY27 | CY28 | CY29 | CY30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa - D | $478 | $493 | $508 | $523 | $538 |
| Apple - D | $2,129 | $2,193 | $2,259 | $2,326 | $2,396 |
| Blueberry - D | $605 | $623 | $642 | $661 | $681 |
| Clover - D | $402 | $415 | $427 | $440 | $453 |
| Corn - I | $872 | $898 | $925 | $952 | $981 |
| Cotton - D | $465 | $479 | $493 | $508 | $523 |
| Cotton - I | $590 | $607 | $626 | $644 | $664 |
| Fescue - D | $679 | $699 | $720 | $742 | $764 |
| Grape -Musc - I | $529 | $544 | $561 | $578 | $595 |
| Grape -Wine - D | $1,058 | $1,089 | $1,122 | $1,156 | $1,190 |
| Hops - I | $440 | $453 | $467 | $481 | $495 |
| Oat - D | $223 | $229 | $236 | $243 | $250 |
| Orchardgrass - D | $679 | $699 | $720 | $742 | $764 |
| Ornamental - D | $179 | $184 | $190 | $195 | $201 |
| Peach - D | $1,405 | $1,447 | $1,491 | $1,535 | $1,581 |
| Peach - I | $1,493 | $1,538 | $1,584 | $1,632 | $1,681 |
| Peanut - D | $313 | $322 | $332 | $342 | $352 |
| Peanut - I | $554 | $571 | $588 | $606 | $624 |
| Ryegrass - D | $679 | $699 | $720 | $742 | $764 |
| Sorghum - I | $235 | $242 | $249 | $257 | $265 |
| Soybean - D | $260 | $268 | $276 | $284 | $293 |
| Soybean - I | $354 | $364 | $375 | $386 | $398 |
| Tomato - I | $2,276 | $2,344 | $2,414 | $2,487 | $2,561 |
| Turf - D | $616 | $634 | $653 | $673 | $693 |
| Turf - I | $728 | $750 | $772 | $796 | $819 |
| Watermelon - I | $963 | $992 | $1,022 | $1,052 | $1,084 |
| Wheat - D | $213 | $220 | $226 | $233 | $240 |
*D- Dryland; I-Irrigated
1/13/2026