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Silage bagging ratesSouth Alberta
Custom silage bagging in South Alberta typically costs $2,512.50 per bag: the median of 16 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2012–2014, with the middle half between $2,162.50 and $2,793.75 per bag. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in South Alberta
$2,512.50/bag
Median of 16 surveyed charges, 2012–2014
Low (25th pct)
$2,162.50
High (75th pct)
$2,793.75
Rates over time ($/bag)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
The median went from $3,400.00 in 2005 to $2,512.50 in 2014. In 2024 dollars that’s $5,103.18 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.
| Foothills County | 20 | $3,000.00 | $5,600.00 |
| Lethbridge County | 20 | $3,000.00 | $5,600.00 |
| County of Newell | 20 | $3,000.00 | $5,600.00 |
| Wheatland County | 20 | $3,000.00 | $5,600.00 |
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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.
| Foothills 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 Foothills MD 31 CH, Bag 90-125 tonne/hour bag holds 380 tonne/bag; cus | |
| Lethbridge 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 Lethbridge CH, Bag 90-125 tonne/hour bag holds 380 tonne/bag; customer | |
| County of Newell | $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 Newell Co 4 CH, Bag 90-125 tonne/hour bag holds 380 tonne/bag; custome | |
| Wheatland 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 Wheatland CH, Bag 90-125 tonne/hour bag holds 380 tonne/bag; customer | |
| Foothills County | $5,600.00 | Sp Claas 900 600 hp forage harvester, transfer Cost of bag included; customer supplies tractor for bagger; Foothills MD 31 CH, Bag box, tandem axle truck, Gem Big 10' bagger; 90-125 tonne/hour additional tandem axle truc | |
| Lethbridge County | $5,600.00 | Sp Claas 900 600 hp forage harvester, transfer Cost of bag included; customer supplies tractor for bagger; Lethbridge CH, Bag box, tandem axle truck, Gem Big 10' bagger; 90-125 tonne/hour additional tandem axle trucks at | |
| County of Newell | $5,600.00 | Sp Claas 900 600 hp forage harvester, transfer Cost of bag included; customer supplies tractor for bagger; Newell Co 4 CH, Bag box, tandem axle truck, Gem Big 10' bagger; 90-125 tonne/hour additional tandem axle trucks a | |
| Wheatland County | $5,600.00 | Sp Claas 900 600 hp forage harvester, transfer Cost of bag included; customer supplies tractor for bagger; Wheatland 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 South Alberta?
Custom silage bagging in South Alberta typically costs $2,512.50 per bag: the median of 16 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2012–2014, with the middle half between $2,162.50 and $2,793.75 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 80 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes for South Alberta, 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 South Alberta went from $3,400.00 per bag in 2005 to $2,512.50 in 2014 (−26%). In 2024 dollars, using Statistics Canada's consumer price index, that is $5,103.18 to $3,222.90 (−37% after inflation).
How does South Alberta compare with the rest of Alberta?
The South Alberta median of $2,512.50 per bag compares with $3,600.00 for all of Alberta (13 charges, 2016–2018), about 30% 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, South Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/silage-bagging/south