Home / Alberta / Aerial spraying & application
Aerial spraying & application ratesCentral Alberta
Custom aerial spraying & application in Central Alberta typically costs $10.05 per acre: the median of 26 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2015–2017, with the middle half between $9.65 and $10.55 per acre. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in Central Alberta
$10.05/acre
Median of 26 surveyed charges, 2015–2017
Low (25th pct)
$9.65
High (75th pct)
$10.55
Rates over time ($/acre)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
The median went from $6.50 in 2006 to $10.38 in 2017. In 2024 dollars that’s $9.57 to $12.78 (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.
| Special Area No. 2 | 29 | $10.05 | $13.15 |
| Rocky View County | 5 | $9.50 | $10.00 |
| County of Stettler No. 6 | 4 | $9.25 | $9.50 |
| Mountain View County | 3 | $9.50 | $10.00 |
| County of Paintearth No. 18 | 3 | $9.00 | $9.50 |
| MD of Bighorn No. 8 | 2 | $10.80 | $11.90 |
| Clearwater County | 1 | $11.90 | $11.90 |
| Red Deer County | 1 | $9.00 | $9.00 |
Did this job recently?
Share what you charged or paid. It’s anonymous and helps keep these numbers current.
Individual charges, 2013–2017
Each row is one operator’s reported charge (repeats from later surveys shown once), linked to its source PDF page.
| Special Area No. 2 | $13.15 | Special Area No. 2 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 fixed wing aircraft Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre | |
| Special Area No. 2 | $12.25 | Air Tractor 402/502 fixed wing Special Area 2 L Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre aircraft | |
| Special Area No. 2 | $12.25 | Special Area 2 L Air Tractor 502 fixed wing aircraft Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre | |
| MD of Bighorn No. 8 | $11.90 | Air Tractor 402/502 fixed wing Bighorn MD 8 L Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre aircraft | |
| Clearwater County | $11.90 | Air Tractor 402/502 fixed wing Clearwater L Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre aircraft | |
| Special Area No. 2 | $11.90 | Special Area 2 L Air Tractor 402/502 fixed wing aircraft Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre | |
| Special Area No. 2 | $11.90 | Special Area 2 L Air Tractor 502 fixed wing aircraft Aerial application; 10 gallons water/acre |
Common questions
How much does custom aerial spraying & application cost in Central Alberta?
Custom aerial spraying & application in Central Alberta typically costs $10.05 per acre: the median of 26 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2015–2017, with the middle half between $9.65 and $10.55 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 48 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes for Central Alberta, 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 Central Alberta went from $6.50 per acre in 2006 to $10.38 in 2017 (+60%). In 2024 dollars, using Statistics Canada's consumer price index, that is $9.57 to $12.78 (+34% after inflation).
How does Central Alberta compare with the rest of Alberta?
The Central Alberta median of $10.05 per acre compares with $10.20 for all of Alberta (163 charges, 2015–2017), about the same.
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, Central Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/aerial-application/central