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Silage bagging ratesCentral Alberta
Custom silage bagging in Central Alberta typically costs $2,725.00 per bag: the median of 38 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2012–2014, with the middle half between $2,300.00 and $3,000.00 per bag. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in Central Alberta
$2,725.00/bag
Median of 38 surveyed charges, 2012–2014
Low (25th pct)
$2,300.00
High (75th pct)
$3,000.00
Rates over time ($/bag)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
The median went from $3,000.00 in 2005 to $2,512.50 in 2014. In 2024 dollars that’s $4,502.80 to $3,222.90 (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 2010–2014. Click a column to sort; linked counties have their own page.
| Clearwater County | 22 | $2,862.50 | $5,600.00 |
| Red Deer County | 22 | $2,862.50 | $5,600.00 |
| Kneehill County | 20 | $3,000.00 | $5,600.00 |
| Mountain View County | 20 | $3,000.00 | $5,600.00 |
| Rocky View County | 12 | $2,862.50 | $5,600.00 |
| Lacombe County | 6 | $3,675.00 | $6,000.00 |
| Ponoka County | 6 | $3,675.00 | $6,000.00 |
| County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 | 6 | $3,675.00 | $6,000.00 |
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Individual charges, 2010–2014
Each row is one operator’s reported charge (repeats from later surveys shown once), linked to its source PDF page.
| Lacombe County | $6,000.00 | Fendt 712 mfwd 200 hp tractor, Case 8750 plus forage harvester, Jiffy 1200 transfer box, 2 Cost of bag included; hauling up to 3 miles; additional tandem Lacombe CH, Bag 3% fuel surcharge tandem axle trucks, PowerFill 20 | |
| Ponoka County | $6,000.00 | Fendt 712 mfwd 200 hp tractor, Case 8750 plus forage harvester, Jiffy 1200 transfer box, 2 Cost of bag included; hauling up to 3 miles; additional tandem Ponoka CH, Bag 3% fuel surcharge tandem axle trucks, PowerFill 200 | |
| County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 | $6,000.00 | Fendt 712 mfwd 200 hp tractor, Case 8750 plus forage harvester, Jiffy 1200 transfer box, 2 Cost of bag included; hauling up to 3 miles; additional tandem Wetaskiwin Co 10 CH, Bag 3% fuel surcharge tandem axle trucks, Pow | |
| Clearwater County | $5,600.00 | Sp Claas 900 600 hp forage harvester, transfer box, tandem truck, Gem Big 10' bagger; 10'x300' Cost of bag included; additional tandem axle trucks at Clearwater CH, Bag 90-125 tonne/hour bag holds 380 tonne/bag; customer | |
| Kneehill County | $5,600.00 | Sp Claas 900 600 hp forage harvester, transfer box, tandem truck, Gem Big 10' bagger; 10'x300' Cost of bag included; additional tandem axle trucks at Kneehill CH, Bag 90-125 tonne/hour bag holds 380 tonne/bag; customer s | |
| Mountain View County | $5,600.00 | Sp Claas 900 600 hp forage harvester, transfer box, tandem truck, Gem Big 10' bagger; 10'x300' Cost of bag included; additional tandem axle trucks at Mountain View CH, Bag 90-125 tonne/hour bag holds 380 tonne/bag; custo | |
| Red Deer County | $5,600.00 | Sp Claas 900 600 hp forage harvester, transfer box, tandem truck, Gem Big 10' bagger; 10'x300' Cost of bag included; additional tandem axle trucks at Red Deer CH, Bag 90-125 tonne/hour bag holds 380 tonne/bag; customer s | |
| Clearwater County | $5,600.00 | Sp Claas 900 600 hp forage harvester, transfer Cost of bag included; customer supplies tractor for bagger; Clearwater CH, Bag box, tandem axle truck, Gem Big 10' bagger; 90-125 tonne/hour additional tandem axle trucks at |
Common questions
How much does custom silage bagging cost in Central Alberta?
Custom silage bagging in Central Alberta typically costs $2,725.00 per bag: the median of 38 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2012–2014, with the middle half between $2,300.00 and $3,000.00 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 114 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes for Central Alberta, 16% say fuel is extra (a fuel surcharge, or the farmer supplies fuel). 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 Central Alberta went from $3,000.00 per bag in 2005 to $2,512.50 in 2014 (−16%). In 2024 dollars, using Statistics Canada's consumer price index, that is $4,502.80 to $3,222.90 (−28% after inflation).
How does Central Alberta compare with the rest of Alberta?
The Central Alberta median of $2,725.00 per bag compares with $3,600.00 for all of Alberta (13 charges, 2016–2018), about 24% lower.
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, Central Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/silage-bagging/central