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Hay cutting & swathing ratesRocky View County, Alberta
Custom hay cutting & swathing in Rocky View County, Alberta typically costs $20.00 per acre: the median of 9 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2014–2018, with the middle half between $17.50 and $22.00 per acre. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in Rocky View County, Alberta
$20.00/acre
Median of 9 surveyed charges, 2014–2018
Low (25th pct)
$17.50
High (75th pct)
$22.00
Rates over time ($/acre)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
The median went from $14.00 in 2005 to $20.00 in 2016. In 2024 dollars that’s $21.01 to $25.02 (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, 2014–2018
Each row is one operator’s reported charge (repeats from later surveys shown once), linked to its source PDF page.
| Rocky View County | $28.00 | Rocky View County MC Sp International Harvester 5000 swather with 12' header Minimum charge $125.00/hour | |
| Rocky View County | $22.00 | Rocky View County MC Fendt 720 tractor, Claas 24` wide mower | |
| Rocky View County | $22.00 | Rocky View County MC White 6145 145 hp tractor; Hesston 1345 discbine 12' wide | |
| Rocky View County | $22.00 | Rocky View MD 44 MC Fendt 930 300 hp tractor, Claas 24` wide mower | |
| Rocky View County | $20.00 | Rocky View County MC White 6145 145 hp tractor; Hesston 1345 discbine 12' wide | |
| Rocky View County | $20.00 | Rocky View County MC Case 2290 130 hp tractor, New Holland H7450 discbine 13.6' wide ~5-7 acres/hour Rate of work depends on field | |
| Rocky View County | $17.50 | Rocky View County MC Sp Hesston 8550 or Massey Ferguson discbine 16' wide ~15 acres/hour Field must have been rolled | |
| Rocky View County | $14.00 | PT John Deere 955 discbine 14' wide; John Deere 7700 125 hp Rocky View MD 44 MC Minimum charge $85.00/hour tractor |
Common questions
How much does custom hay cutting & swathing cost in Rocky View County, Alberta?
Custom hay cutting & swathing in Rocky View County, Alberta typically costs $20.00 per acre: the median of 9 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2014–2018, with the middle half between $17.50 and $22.00 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 hay cutting & swathing rate include the operator and fuel?
Custom rates are normally quoted with the operator, but extras vary. Of the 9 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes for Rocky View County, Alberta, few mention fuel separately. If a quote doesn't say, confirm fuel and travel before the job starts.
How have custom hay cutting & swathing rates changed over time?
The median surveyed charge in Rocky View County, Alberta went from $14.00 per acre in 2005 to $20.00 in 2016 (+43%). In 2024 dollars, using Statistics Canada's consumer price index, that is $21.01 to $25.02 (+19% after inflation).
How does Rocky View County, Alberta compare with the rest of Alberta?
The Rocky View County, Alberta median of $20.00 per acre compares with $17.50 for all of Alberta (41 charges, 2016–2018), about 14% 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. “Hay cutting & swathing custom rates, Rocky View County, Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/hay-cutting/rocky-view-county