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Aerial spraying & application ratesNorth West Alberta
Custom aerial spraying & application in North West Alberta typically costs $8.25 per acre: the median of 20 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2012–2014, with the middle half between $8.00 and $8.50 per acre. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in North West Alberta
$8.25/acre
Median of 20 surveyed charges, 2012–2014
Low (25th pct)
$8.00
High (75th pct)
$8.50
Rates over time ($/acre)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
The median went from $8.00 in 2006 to $8.25 in 2014. In 2024 dollars that’s $11.78 to $10.58 (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 2010–2014. Click a column to sort; linked counties have their own page.
| County of Barrhead No. 11 | 4 | $8.25 | $8.50 |
| Parkland County | 4 | $8.25 | $8.50 |
| Strathcona County | 4 | $8.25 | $8.50 |
| Sturgeon County | 4 | $8.25 | $8.50 |
| Westlock County | 4 | $8.25 | $8.50 |
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Individual charges, 2010–2014
Each row is one operator’s reported charge (repeats from later surveys shown once), linked to its source PDF page.
| County of Barrhead No. 11 | $8.50 | Barrhead Co 11 L Cessna fixed wing aircraft Aerial application; 2 gallons water/acre | |
| Parkland County | $8.50 | Parkland L Cessna fixed wing aircraft Aerial application; 2 gallons water/acre | |
| Strathcona County | $8.50 | Strathcona L Cessna fixed wing aircraft Aerial application; 2 gallons water/acre | |
| Sturgeon County | $8.50 | Sturgeon L Cessna fixed wing aircraft Aerial application; 2 gallons water/acre | |
| Westlock County | $8.50 | Westlock L Cessna fixed wing aircraft Aerial application; 2 gallons water/acre | |
| County of Barrhead No. 11 | $8.50 | Barrhead Co 11 L Cessna fixed wing aircraft 2 gallons water/acre | |
| Parkland County | $8.50 | Parkland L Cessna fixed wing aircraft 2 gallons water/acre | |
| Strathcona County | $8.50 | Strathcona L Cessna fixed wing aircraft 2 gallons water/acre |
Common questions
How much does custom aerial spraying & application cost in North West Alberta?
Custom aerial spraying & application in North West Alberta typically costs $8.25 per acre: the median of 20 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2012–2014, with the middle half between $8.00 and $8.50 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 20 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes for North West 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 North West Alberta went from $8.00 per acre in 2006 to $8.25 in 2014 (+3%). In 2024 dollars, using Statistics Canada's consumer price index, that is $11.78 to $10.58 (−10% after inflation).
How does North West Alberta compare with the rest of Alberta?
The North West Alberta median of $8.25 per acre compares with $10.20 for all of Alberta (163 charges, 2015–2017), about 19% lower.
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, North West Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/aerial-application/north-west