Skip the NI Direct Bar
Skip navigation

Harvesting Costs

These contract charges are considered to be reasonable for operations carried out in normal circumstances. The rates include fuel, oil lubricant and operator's wages. Prices will differ from one district to another and will be affected by the contracted area. If the farmer supplies fuel, the price may be lower. The charges may be subject to VAT.
Cost (£) per hectare
Forage, including harvester, tractor and trailer
precision (complete operation) 100 to 120
precision (without buckraking) 85 to 100
double chop (complete operation) 85 to 95
Buckraking into silo 15 to 20
Additional tractor and trailer for haulage 10 to 17 or 14 to 16 per hour
Mowing hay or grass (conventional) 16 to 22
Mowing hay or grass (Conditioner/auto swather) 20 to 30
Topping grass 15
Tedding, turning or raking 10
Pick-up baling - including twine 0.25 to 030. per small bale
Pick-up baling - excluding twine 0.16 to 0.20 per small bale
Big bale silage - round and wrap 4.25 to 4.75 per bale
Round 4.50 to 5.00 per bale net
Big bale straw 1.70 to 2.20
Combine harvesting 60 to 100 per hectare
Threshing 13 per hour
Potato harvesting (ground destoned) 220 to 320 per hectare
Forage Maize harvesting (complete harvesting) 145 to 160 per hectare