Manure spreading ratesAlberta
Custom manure spreading in Alberta typically costs $135.00 per hour: the median of 234 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2016–2018, with the middle half between $115.00 and $145.00 per hour. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in Alberta
$135.00/hour
Median of 234 surveyed charges, 2016–2018
Low (25th pct)
$115.00
High (75th pct)
$145.00
Rates over time ($/hour)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
The median went from $80.00 in 2005 to $140.00 in 2018. In 2024 dollars that’s $120.07 to $168.55 (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
$/hour, surveys 2014–2018. Click a column to sort; linked counties have their own page.
| MD of Willow Creek No. 26 | 18 | $137.50 | $170.00 |
| County of Forty Mile No. 8 | 16 | $132.50 | $170.00 |
| County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 | 16 | $140.00 | $200.00 |
| Foothills County | 15 | $130.00 | $170.00 |
| MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 | 15 | $130.00 | $170.00 |
| County of Warner No. 5 | 15 | $130.00 | $170.00 |
| Camrose County | 13 | $135.00 | $350.00 |
| Lethbridge County | 11 | $130.00 | $170.00 |
| County of Newell | 11 | $130.00 | $170.00 |
| Vulcan County | 11 | $130.00 | $170.00 |
| Leduc County | 11 | $140.00 | $200.00 |
| MD of Wainwright No. 61 | 10 | $120.00 | $350.00 |
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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. 108 charges fall outside the normal range and are excluded from averages.
| Beaver County | $350.00 | Beaver CC 2 truck-mounted Knight 350 bushel spreaders; with operator | |
| Camrose County | $350.00 | Camrose Co 22 CC 2 truck-mounted Knight 350 bushel spreaders; with operator | |
| Flagstaff County | $350.00 | Flagstaff CC 2 truck-mounted Knight 350 bushel spreaders; with operator | |
| MD of Wainwright No. 61 | $350.00 | Wainwright MD 61 CC 2 truck-mounted Knight 350 bushel spreaders; with operator | |
| Red Deer County | $200.00 | Fendt mfwd 300 hp tractor; Houle 7,900 imperial gallon liquid manure tank. with operator - for top Red Deer County LM dressing | |
| Camrose County | $200.00 | Fendt mfwd 300 hp tractor; Houle 7,900 imperial gallon liquid manure tank. with operator - for top Camrose County LM dressing | |
| County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 | $200.00 | Fendt mfwd 300 hp tractor; Houle 7,900 imperial gallon liquid manure tank. with operator - for top County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 LM dressing | |
| Leduc County | $200.00 | Fendt mfwd 300 hp tractor; Houle 7,900 imperial gallon liquid manure tank. with operator - for top Leduc County LM dressing |
Common questions
How much does custom manure spreading cost in Alberta?
Custom manure spreading in Alberta typically costs $135.00 per hour: the median of 234 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2016–2018, with the middle half between $115.00 and $145.00 per hour. 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 manure spreading rate include the operator and fuel?
Custom rates are normally quoted with the operator, but extras vary. Of the 339 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes, few mention fuel separately, 22% mention travel or moving charges. If a quote doesn't say, confirm fuel and travel before the job starts.
How have custom manure spreading rates changed over time?
The median surveyed charge in Alberta went from $80.00 per hour in 2005 to $140.00 in 2018 (+75%). In 2024 dollars, using Statistics Canada's consumer price index, that is $120.07 to $168.55 (+40% after inflation).
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. “Manure spreading custom rates, Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/manure-spreading