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Silage making ratesPonoka County, Alberta
Custom silage making in Ponoka County, Alberta typically costs $8.50 per tonne: the median of 20 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2014–2018, with the middle half between $4.81 and $11.63 per tonne. Source: Alberta Custom Rates Survey, via PrairieRates.ca.
Last updated · Methodology
Typical charge in Ponoka County, Alberta
$8.50/tonne
Median of 20 surveyed charges, 2014–2018
Low (25th pct)
$4.81
High (75th pct)
$11.63
Rates over time ($/tonne)
Median charge per year, with the middle 50% of charges shaded.
The median went from $8.50 in 2007 to $2.75 in 2018. In 2024 dollars that’s $12.24 to $3.31 (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
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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.
| Ponoka County | $18.00 | Sp John Deere swather 30' and MacDon 30', Sp John Deere 7780 Ponoka County SCHP forage harvester, up to 3 tandem trucks, packing with John Deere 3 trucks (depends on distance to determine cost) 8870 with 16' 6-way blade | |
| Ponoka County | $12.50 | plus fuel Sp Claus forage harvester, tandem trucks; packing with John Deere Plus 10% fuel surcharge; hauling up to 2 miles; plus Ponoka County CHP surcharge 9400 4wd 425 hp tractor with 16' dozer blade $1.00/loaded mile | |
| Ponoka County | $12.50 | Sp Claus forage harvester, tandem trucks; packing with John Deere Plus 10% fuel surcharge; hauling up to 2 miles; plus Ponoka County CHP 9400 4wd 425 hp tractor with 16' dozer blade $1.00/loaded mile over 2 miles | |
| Ponoka County | $12.50 | plus fuel Sp Claus forage harvester, tandem trucks; packing with Plus 10% fuel surcharge; hauling up to 2 Ponoka County CHP surcharge John Deere 9400 4wd 425 hp tractor with 16' dozer blade miles; plus $1.00/loaded mile | |
| Ponoka County | $12.00 | plus Sp John Deere forage harvester, tandem trucks; packing with John Plus 10% fuel surcharge; hauling up to 2 miles; plus Ponoka CHP fuel surcharge Deere 9400 4wd 425 hp tractor with 16' dozer blade $1.00/loaded mile ov | |
| Ponoka County | $11.50 | Hauling over 6-10 miles; Minimum $85.00/load + $85.00 Ponoka County CH Sp Claas 860 430 hp forage harvester; 5 tandem axle trucks ($12.60/tonne) extra truck | |
| Ponoka County | $11.50 | Sp Claas 860 430 hp forage harvester; up to 3 tandem axle trucks, Ponoka County CH Hauling over 6 to 10 miles minimum $85.00/load + $85.00 extra truck | |
| Ponoka County | $10.00 | Hauling over 2-6 miles; Minimum $85.00/load + $85.00 Ponoka County CH Sp Claas 860 430 hp forage harvester; 3-4 tandem axle trucks ($10.90/tonne) extra truck |
Common questions
How much does custom silage making cost in Ponoka County, Alberta?
Custom silage making in Ponoka County, Alberta typically costs $8.50 per tonne: the median of 20 distinct operator charges in the Alberta Custom Rates Survey, 2014–2018, with the middle half between $4.81 and $11.63 per tonne. 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 making rate include the operator and fuel?
Custom rates are normally quoted with the operator, but extras vary. Of the 20 recent charges in Alberta's survey notes for Ponoka County, Alberta, 30% 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 making rates changed over time?
The median surveyed charge in Ponoka County, Alberta went from $8.50 per tonne in 2007 to $2.75 in 2018 (−68%). In 2024 dollars, using Statistics Canada's consumer price index, that is $12.24 to $3.31 (−73% 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 making custom rates, Ponoka County, Alberta.” Data: Government of Alberta, Alberta Custom Rates Survey. Updated October 12, 2026. https://prairierates.ca/alberta/silage/ponoka-county