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Manure spreading ratesSouth Alberta
Custom manure spreading in South Alberta typically costs $135.00 per hour: the median of 106 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2016–2018, with the middle half between $116.25 and $145.00 per hour. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in South Alberta
$135.00/hour
Median of 106 surveyed charges, 2016–2018
Low (25th pct)
$116.25
High (75th pct)
$145.00
Rates over time ($/hour)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
The median went from $76.50 in 2005 to $140.00 in 2018. In 2024 dollars that’s $114.82 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 |
| 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 |
| Lethbridge County | 11 | $130.00 | $170.00 |
| County of Newell | 11 | $130.00 | $170.00 |
| Vulcan County | 11 | $130.00 | $170.00 |
| Cardston County | 9 | $130.00 | $170.00 |
| MD of Taber | 9 | $130.00 | $170.00 |
| Wheatland County | 6 | $152.50 | $170.00 |
| Cypress County | 3 | $160.00 | $170.00 |
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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. 66 charges fall outside the normal range and are excluded from averages.
| Cardston County | $170.00 | Cardston County CC Semi-trailer mounted McKee 1600 spreader with or without flotation tires; with operator | |
| County of Newell | $170.00 | County of Newell CC Semi-trailer mounted McKee 1600 spreader with or without flotation tires; with operator | |
| County of Warner No. 5 | $170.00 | County of Warner No. 5 CC Semi-trailer mounted McKee 1600 spreader with or without flotation tires; with operator | |
| Cypress County | $170.00 | Cypress County CC Semi-trailer mounted McKee 1600 spreader with or without flotation tires; with operator | |
| Lethbridge County | $170.00 | Lethbridge County CC Semi-trailer mounted McKee 1600 spreader with or without flotation tires; with operator | |
| Foothills County | $170.00 | MD of Foothills No. 31 CC Semi-trailer mounted McKee 1600 spreader with or without flotation tires; with operator | |
| MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 | $170.00 | MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 CC Semi-trailer mounted McKee 1600 spreader with or without flotation tires; with operator | |
| MD of Taber | $170.00 | MD of Taber CC Semi-trailer mounted McKee 1600 spreader with or without flotation tires; with operator |
Common questions
How much does custom manure spreading cost in South Alberta?
Custom manure spreading in South Alberta typically costs $135.00 per hour: the median of 106 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2016–2018, with the middle half between $116.25 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 139 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes for South Alberta, few mention fuel separately, 37% 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 South Alberta went from $76.50 per hour in 2005 to $140.00 in 2018 (+83%). In 2024 dollars, using Statistics Canada's consumer price index, that is $114.82 to $168.55 (+47% after inflation).
How does South Alberta compare with the rest of Alberta?
The South Alberta median of $135.00 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, South Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/manure-spreading/south