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Manure spreading ratesCentral Alberta
Custom manure spreading in Central Alberta typically costs $140.00 per hour: the median of 43 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2016–2018, with the middle half between $140.00 and $165.00 per hour. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in Central Alberta
$140.00/hour
Median of 43 surveyed charges, 2016–2018
Low (25th pct)
$140.00
High (75th pct)
$165.00
Rates over time ($/hour)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
The median went from $86.50 in 2005 to $160.00 in 2018. In 2024 dollars that’s $129.83 to $192.62 (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.
| Red Deer County | 8 | $170.00 | $200.00 |
| Ponoka County | 7 | $135.00 | $165.00 |
| County of Stettler No. 6 | 7 | $130.00 | $140.00 |
| Kneehill County | 6 | $150.00 | $170.00 |
| Lacombe County | 5 | $135.00 | $165.00 |
| Mountain View County | 5 | $140.00 | $170.00 |
| County of Paintearth No. 18 | 5 | $115.00 | $140.00 |
| Starland County | 5 | $140.00 | $170.00 |
| Rocky View County | 3 | $160.00 | $170.00 |
| Special Area No. 2 | 3 | $160.00 | $170.00 |
| Special Area No. 3 | 3 | $160.00 | $170.00 |
| Clearwater County | 1 | $165.00 | $165.00 |
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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. 37 charges fall outside the normal range and are excluded from averages.
| 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 | |
| Red Deer County | $200.00 | Red Deer LM Fendt mfwd 300 hp tractor; Houle 7,900 imperial gallon liquid manure tank. with operator - for top dressing | |
| Red Deer County | $175.00 | Red Deer County LM Houle 8 inch lagoon pump; with operator | |
| Red Deer County | $175.00 | Red Deer CC Sp 700 Artex spreaders | |
| Kneehill County | $170.00 | Kneehill County CC Semi-trailer mounted McKee 1600 spreader with or without flotation tires; with operator | |
| Mountain View County | $170.00 | Mountain View County CC Semi-trailer mounted McKee 1600 spreader with or without flotation tires; with operator | |
| Rocky View County | $170.00 | Rocky View County CC Semi-trailer mounted McKee 1600 spreader with or without flotation tires; with operator | |
| Special Area No. 2 | $170.00 | Special Area No. 2 CC Semi-trailer mounted McKee 1600 spreader with or without flotation tires; with operator |
Common questions
How much does custom manure spreading cost in Central Alberta?
Custom manure spreading in Central Alberta typically costs $140.00 per hour: the median of 43 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2016–2018, with the middle half between $140.00 and $165.00 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 58 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes for Central Alberta, few mention fuel separately. 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 Central Alberta went from $86.50 per hour in 2005 to $160.00 in 2018 (+85%). In 2024 dollars, using Statistics Canada's consumer price index, that is $129.83 to $192.62 (+48% after inflation).
How does Central Alberta compare with the rest of Alberta?
The Central Alberta median of $140.00 per hour compares with $135.00 for all of Alberta (234 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. “Manure spreading custom rates, Central Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/manure-spreading/central