Silage bagging ratesAlberta
Custom silage bagging in Alberta typically costs $3,600.00 per bag: the median of 13 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2016–2018, with the middle half between $2,850.00 and $4,400.00 per bag. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in Alberta
$3,600.00/bag
Median of 13 surveyed charges, 2016–2018
Low (25th pct)
$2,850.00
High (75th pct)
$4,400.00
Rates over time ($/bag)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
The median went from $2,362.50 in 2004 to $3,600.00 in 2018. In 2024 dollars that’s $3,623.85 to $4,334.03 (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
$/bag, surveys 2014–2018. Click a column to sort; linked counties have their own page.
| Sturgeon County | 10 | $3,412.50 | $5,500.00 |
| Westlock County | 10 | $3,412.50 | $5,500.00 |
| Foothills County | 4 | $2,512.50 | $3,000.00 |
| Lethbridge County | 4 | $2,512.50 | $3,000.00 |
| County of Newell | 4 | $2,512.50 | $3,000.00 |
| Wheatland County | 4 | $2,512.50 | $3,000.00 |
| Clearwater County | 4 | $2,512.50 | $3,000.00 |
| Kneehill County | 4 | $2,512.50 | $3,000.00 |
| Mountain View County | 4 | $2,512.50 | $3,000.00 |
| Red Deer County | 4 | $2,512.50 | $3,000.00 |
| Rocky View County | 4 | $2,512.50 | $3,000.00 |
| Leduc County | 3 | $2,850.00 | $3,920.00 |
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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. 8 charges fall outside the normal range and are excluded from averages.
| Sturgeon County | $8,700.00 | Sp Claas 870 forage harvester, Artex dump wagon, tandem axle Cost of bag included; additional tandem trucks at Sturgeon CH, Bag truck (10-14 ton/load); Versa 10'-12' adjustable, motorized bagger; $100.00/hour per truck 1 | |
| Westlock County | $8,700.00 | Sp Claas 870 forage harvester, Artex dump wagon, tandem axle Cost of bag included; additional tandem trucks at Westlock CH, Bag truck (10-14 ton/load); Versa 10'-12' adjustable, motorized bagger; $100.00/hour per truck 1 | |
| Sturgeon County | $7,300.00 | Sp Claas 870 forage harvester, Artex dump wagon, tandem axle Cost of bag included; additional tandem trucks at Sturgeon CH, Bag truck (10-14 ton/load); Versa 10'-12' adjustable, motorized bagger; $100.00/hour per truck 1 | |
| Westlock County | $7,300.00 | Sp Claas 870 forage harvester, Artex dump wagon, tandem axle Cost of bag included; additional tandem trucks at Westlock CH, Bag truck (10-14 ton/load); Versa 10'-12' adjustable, motorized bagger; $100.00/hour per truck 1 | |
| Sturgeon County | $6,600.00 | Sp Claas 940 forage harvester, Artex dump wagon, tandem axle truck (10-14 Cost of bag included; additional tandem Sturgeon County CH, Bag ton/load); Versa 10'-14' adjustable, motorized bagger; 10'x300' bag holds 375 truc | |
| Westlock County | $6,600.00 | Sp Claas 940 forage harvester, Artex dump wagon, tandem axle truck (10-14 Cost of bag included; additional tandem Westlock County CH, Bag ton/load); Versa 10'-14' adjustable, motorized bagger; 10'x300' bag holds 375 truc | |
| Sturgeon County | $6,600.00 | Sp Claas 870 forage harvester, Artex dump wagon, tandem axle Cost of bag included; additional tandem trucks at Sturgeon CH, Bag truck (10-14 ton/load); Versa 10'-12' adjustable, motorized bagger; $100.00/hour per truck 1 | |
| Westlock County | $6,600.00 | Sp Claas 870 forage harvester, Artex dump wagon, tandem axle Cost of bag included; additional tandem trucks at Westlock CH, Bag truck (10-14 ton/load); Versa 10'-12' adjustable, motorized bagger; $100.00/hour per truck 1 |
Common questions
How much does custom silage bagging cost in Alberta?
Custom silage bagging in Alberta typically costs $3,600.00 per bag: the median of 13 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2016–2018, with the middle half between $2,850.00 and $4,400.00 per bag. 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 silage bagging rate include the operator and fuel?
Custom rates are normally quoted with the operator, but extras vary. Of the 59 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes, few mention fuel separately. If a quote doesn't say, confirm fuel and travel before the job starts.
How have custom silage bagging rates changed over time?
The median surveyed charge in Alberta went from $2,362.50 per bag in 2004 to $3,600.00 in 2018 (+52%). In 2024 dollars, using Statistics Canada's consumer price index, that is $3,623.85 to $4,334.03 (+20% 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. “Silage bagging custom rates, Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/silage-bagging