Baling ratesFoothills County, Alberta
Custom baling in Foothills County, Alberta typically costs $14.00 per bale: the median of 19 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2012–2016, with the middle half between $11.75 and $15.00 per bale. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in Foothills County, Alberta
$14.00/bale
Median of 19 surveyed charges, 2012–2016
Low (25th pct)
$11.75
High (75th pct)
$15.00
Rates over time ($/bale)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
The median went from $8.75 in 2005 to $14.50 in 2016. In 2024 dollars that’s $13.13 to $18.14 (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
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Individual charges, 2012–2016
Each row is one operator’s reported charge (repeats from later surveys shown once), linked to its source PDF page. 1 charge falls outside the normal range and is excluded from averages.
| Foothills County | $17.50 | Foothills MD 31 B Tractor, John Deere 566 baler; large round bales | |
| Foothills County | $15.00 | John Deere Tractor, Hesston 4900 baler; large square 4'x4'x8' MD of Foothills No. 31 B bales | |
| Foothills County | $15.00 | TG285 New Holland 4wd 230 hp tractor, Hesston 4910 baler; large MD of Foothills No. 31 B Minimum charge $150.00/hour square bales | |
| Foothills County | $15.00 | New Holland 8770 145 hp tractor, John Deere 568 baler; large MD of Foothills No. 31 B Minimum charge $150.00/hour round bales | |
| Foothills County | $15.00 | Tractor(John Deere), Hesston 4900 baler; large square 4'x4'x8' MD of Foothills No. 31 B bales | |
| Foothills County | $15.00 | Case 4694 4wd 230 hp tractor, Hesston 4910 baler; large Foothills MD 31 B Minimum charge $150.00/hour square bales | |
| Foothills County | $15.00 | New Holland 8770 145 hp tractor, John Deere 568 baler; large Foothills MD 31 B Minimum charge $150.00/hour round bales | |
| Foothills County | $15.00 | TG285 New Holland 4wd 230 hp tractor, Hesston 4910 baler; large Foothills MD 31 B Minimum charge $150.00/hour square bales |
Common questions
How much does custom baling cost in Foothills County, Alberta?
Custom baling in Foothills County, Alberta typically costs $14.00 per bale: the median of 19 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2012–2016, with the middle half between $11.75 and $15.00 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 baling rate include the operator and fuel?
Custom rates are normally quoted with the operator, but extras vary. Of the 19 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes for Foothills County, Alberta, few mention fuel separately. If a quote doesn't say, confirm fuel and travel before the job starts.
How have custom baling rates changed over time?
The median surveyed charge in Foothills County, Alberta went from $8.75 per bale in 2005 to $14.50 in 2016 (+66%). In 2024 dollars, using Statistics Canada's consumer price index, that is $13.13 to $18.14 (+38% after inflation).
How does Foothills County, Alberta compare with the rest of Alberta?
The Foothills County, Alberta median of $14.00 per bale compares with $12.00 for all of Alberta (73 charges, 2016–2018), about 17% higher.
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. “Baling custom rates, Foothills County, Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/baling/foothills-county