Aerial spraying & application ratesAlberta
Custom aerial spraying & application in Alberta typically costs $10.20 per acre: the median of 163 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2015–2017, with the middle half between $9.80 and $11.00 per acre. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in Alberta
$10.20/acre
Median of 163 surveyed charges, 2015–2017
Low (25th pct)
$9.80
High (75th pct)
$11.00
Rates over time ($/acre)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
The median went from $6.95 in 2006 to $10.55 in 2017. In 2024 dollars that’s $10.23 to $12.99 (Statistics Canada CPI). Years with fewer than 5 charges are left out of this comparison.
These are surveyed rates: what Alberta producers and custom operators reported actually charging, by county (Alberta Custom Rates Survey, Government of Alberta). Some are “good neighbour” rates. Alberta hasn’t published a newer survey. How we source data
By county
$/acre, surveys 2013–2017. Click a column to sort; linked counties have their own page.
| County of Forty Mile No. 8 | 34 | $10.20 | $13.15 |
| MD of Taber | 34 | $10.20 | $13.15 |
| Vulcan County | 32 | $10.03 | $13.15 |
| County of Newell | 31 | $10.05 | $13.15 |
| Cypress County | 29 | $10.05 | $13.15 |
| Special Area No. 2 | 29 | $10.05 | $13.15 |
| County of St. Paul No. 19 | 8 | $10.75 | $11.00 |
| MD of Bonnyville No. 87 | 6 | $10.75 | $11.00 |
| Wheatland County | 5 | $9.30 | $10.00 |
| Rocky View County | 5 | $9.50 | $10.00 |
| County of Stettler No. 6 | 4 | $9.25 | $9.50 |
| Beaver County | 4 | $9.25 | $9.50 |
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Individual charges, 2013–2017
Each row is one operator’s reported charge (repeats from later surveys shown once), linked to its source PDF page.
| County of Forty Mile No. 8 | $13.15 | County of Forty Mile No.8 L Air Tractor 502/802 Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre | |
| County of Newell | $13.15 | County of Newell L Air Tractor 502/802 Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre | |
| Cypress County | $13.15 | Cypress County L Air Tractor 502/802 Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre | |
| MD of Taber | $13.15 | MD of Taber L Air Tractor 502/802 Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre | |
| Vulcan County | $13.15 | Vulcan County L Air Tractor 502/802 Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre | |
| Special Area No. 2 | $13.15 | Special Area No. 2 L Air Tractor 502/802 Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre | |
| County of Forty Mile No. 8 | $13.15 | Air Tractor 502/802 fixed wing County of Forty Mile No. 8 L Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre aircraft | |
| County of Newell | $13.15 | County of Newell L Air Tractor 502/802 fixed wing aircraft Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre |
Common questions
How much does custom aerial spraying & application cost in Alberta?
Custom aerial spraying & application in Alberta typically costs $10.20 per acre: the median of 163 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2015–2017, with the middle half between $9.80 and $11.00 per acre. Charges flagged as data errors are left out. Alberta's survey last ran in 2018, so add for inflation and fuel; recent farmer reports are on PrairieRates.ca.
Does the aerial spraying & application rate include the operator and fuel?
Custom rates are normally quoted with the operator, but extras vary. Of the 259 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes, few mention fuel separately. If a quote doesn't say, confirm fuel and travel before the job starts.
How have custom aerial spraying & application rates changed over time?
The median surveyed charge in Alberta went from $6.95 per acre in 2006 to $10.55 in 2017 (+52%). In 2024 dollars, using Statistics Canada's consumer price index, that is $10.23 to $12.99 (+27% after inflation).
How current are these rates?
They come from the Government of Alberta's custom rates surveys, 2004–2018; Alberta has not published a newer survey. PrairieRates adds anonymous 2026 reports from farmers and custom operators, shown separately once a county has three or more. Data last updated October 12, 2026.
Cite this page
PrairieRates. “Aerial spraying & application custom rates, Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/aerial-application