The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors (FCI) has released its annual pit silage guide. It covers the advised silage and willow harvesting rates for 2022.
The body emphasizes that these are merely guidelines, but is “satisfied” that these average estimates provide “fair and reasonable” guidance for farm and forestry contractors and their clients.
Actual guide charges may vary between:
– Regions
– Across soil types
– Distance travelled
– Size of contract undertaken
– Size and type of equipment
– Scale of work
It has based prices on green diesel at 75c/L. The body stressed that the “guide charges do not reflect this market trend, and such agreements may make a significant difference to contracting charges”.
Prices are supplied as a guide only, plus VAT at 13.5%, and per area or per hour and include operator, unless otherwise stated. Many contractors do make individual arrangements with clients regarding diesel.
The FCI warned that farmers across Ireland would see an average minimum 5% increase in agricultural contracting service charges in 2022.
Guide charge rates for silage and willow harvesting rates:
Mowing – conditioner – €24-26/ac;
Raking/tedding/rowing – €12-12.50/ac;
Precision chop grass silage – complete job (in pit) – €140/ac (extra for long draw);
Maize silage – complete job (in pit) – €180/ac (extra for long draw);
Wagon silage – complete job (into the pit) – €130/ac (extra for long draw);
Whole crop silage – complete job (into the pit) – €145/ac (extra for long draw);
Zero-grazing: €70-73/load (will vary with capacity and distance);
Willow harvesting complete job – €215/ac (extra for long draw);
Topping grassland – €20-25/ac or €55/hour.
Mowing, baling, wrapping, stacking, transporting silage bales:
Bale, wrap, stack and move (inc. plastic 4 layers, extra layers additional cost) *For NRF add €1/bale* – €16-17/bale;
Also, Bale, wrap, stack and move (excl. plastic) – €12-13/bale;
Bale and wrap (inc. plastic 4 layers, extra layers additional cost) *For NRF add €1/bale* – €12-13/bale;
Bale and wrap including combinations (excl. plastic) – €10-11/bale;
Baling silage (4 x 4) – €6/bale;
Mow, bale, and wrap (incl. plastic 4 layers, extra layers additional cost) – €18-19/bale;
Mow, bale, and wrap (excl. plastic) – €15-16/bale;
Wrap (4×4) (excl. plastic) – €3.50-4/bale;
Bale transport – €70/hr or €4/bale;
Bale stacking – €68-€70/hr;
Large square bales of silage (6x4x3) – €9.5-10/bale;
Large 5x3x2 silage bales wrapped – €14-15/bale.
NSL News.