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Bale wrapping ratesSouth Alberta
Custom bale wrapping in South Alberta typically costs $14.00 per bale: the median of 7 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2016–2018, with the middle half between $13.50 and $14.00 per bale. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in South Alberta
$14.00/bale
Median of 7 surveyed charges, 2016–2018
Low (25th pct)
$13.50
High (75th pct)
$14.00
Rates over time ($/bale)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
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
$/bale, surveys 2014–2018. Click a column to sort; linked counties have their own page.
| Wheatland County | 5 | $14.00 | $16.50 |
| Foothills County | 3 | $14.00 | $14.00 |
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Individual charges, 2014–2018
Each row is one operator’s reported charge (repeats from later surveys shown once), linked to its source PDF page.
| Wheatland County | $16.50 | International Harvester 1086 130 hp tractor, Hesston 565A baler; large round Silage bales; with net wrap; hauling up to 5 miles; plus Wheatland Countu BH bales up to 2,400 lbs; fifth wheel trailer holds 15 large round ba | |
| Wheatland County | $16.50 | International Harvester 1086 130 hp tractor, Hesston 565A baler; large round Silage bales; with net wrap; hauling up to 5 miles; plus Wheatland County BH bales up to 2,400 lbs; fifth wheel trailer holds 15 large round ba | |
| Wheatland County | $14.00 | International Harvester 1086 130 hp tractor, Hesston 565A baler; Wheatland County B With net wrap; silage bales large round bales up to 2,400 lbs | |
| Foothills County | $14.00 | ~25 Hay, greenfeed or straw bales; price includes MD of Foothills No. 31 B Kubota 135 hp tractor, Hesston 2590 large round bales bales/hour net wrapping | |
| Foothills County | $14.00 | Rotary straw bales; price includes net MD of Foothills No. 31 B Kubota 135 hp tractor, Hesston 2590 large round bales wrapping | |
| Foothills County | $14.00 | Hay, greenfeed or straw bales; price MD of Foothills No. 31 B Kubota 135 hp tractor, Hesston 2590 large round bales ~25 bales/hour includes net wrapping | |
| Wheatland County | $13.00 | John Deere 7510 115 hp or John Deere 7700 125 hp tractor, John Wheatland County B With net wrap or twine Deere 567 or John Deere 535 baler; large round bales | |
| Wheatland County | $12.50 | White 2-105 tractor, Massey Ferguson 1665 baler; large round bales Wheatland County B With net wrap 1,500 to 1,800 lbs |
Common questions
How much does custom bale wrapping cost in South Alberta?
Custom bale wrapping in South Alberta typically costs $14.00 per bale: the median of 7 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2016–2018, with the middle half between $13.50 and $14.00 per bale. 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 bale wrapping rate include the operator and fuel?
Custom rates are normally quoted with the operator, but extras vary. Of the 8 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes for South Alberta, few mention fuel separately. If a quote doesn't say, confirm fuel and travel before the job starts.
How does South Alberta compare with the rest of Alberta?
The South Alberta median of $14.00 per bale compares with $14.00 for all of Alberta (29 charges, 2016–2018), 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. “Bale wrapping custom rates, South Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/bale-wrapping/south