Slurry 2023: FCI’s guide rates for agitating and spreading

As reported by That’s Farming earlier this week, the Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has published its charges guide for 2023.

The body is “satisfied” that this averaged price guide continues to provide “fair and reasonable” guidance for farm and forestry contractors and their clients.

However, it stressed that one must remember this is only a guide as these are average guideline charges surveyed from FCI members.

The association acknowledged that many contractors make individual arrangements with their client farmers regarding diesel, and, therefore, the guide charges do not reflect the market trend.

Because of local differences, the FCI outlined, the actual guide charge may vary between:

• Regions;
• Across soil types;
• Distance travelled;
• Size of contract undertaken;
• Size and type of equipment;
• Scale of work.

This 2023 charges guide reflects what the association has described as “some modest” increases in some charges up to 5%, while others are “virtually unchanged”.

This year sees the 2023 FCI Contracting Charges Guide include excluding and including VAT columns as an increasing number of farmers are moving towards VAT registration, especially those that have moved to limited company status.

In this news article on That’s Farming, read what the FCI has identified as drivers of ag contracting prices in 2023.

Slurry and muck spreading costs in 2023

It has provided the following guide charge rates for slurry and muck spreading:

• Muck loading wheeled loader – €66-€71/hour (excluding VAT at 13.5%) and €75-€80/hour (including VAT);
• Muck spreading – flail – €58-€60/hour (excluding VAT) and €65-€70 (including VAT);
• Muck spreading – 10 tonne – €66-€75/hour (excluding VAT) or €75-€86/hour (including VAT);
• Muck spreading – 14 tonne – €88-€97/hour (excluding VAT) and €100-€110/hour (including VAT);
• Loading and spreading – 12 tonne spreader – €135-€140/hour (excluding VAT) and €153-€158/hour (including VAT);
• 14-t dual/rear discharge spreader and loader – €155-€163 (excluding VAT) and €175-€185 (including VAT);
• Slurry agitation – €97-€115/hour (excluding VAT and €110-€130/hour (including VAT);
• Slurry spreading – 1,500 gal tanker – €65-€70/hour (excluding VAT) and €74-€79/hour (including VAT);
• Slurry spreading – 2,500 + gal tanker – €70-€80/hour (excluding VAT) and €97-€90/hour (including VAT);
• Slurry spreading – 3000 + gal tanker – €95-€100/hr (including VAT) and €107-€113/hour (including VAT);
• Umbilical spreading (set up charge – laying out and reeling in €100/hour) – €155-€163/hour (excluding VAT) and €175-€185/hour (including VAT);
• Dribble bar – 2500 + gal tanker – €85-€90/hour (excluding VAT) and €96-€102 (including VAT);
• Trailing shoe – 2500 + gal tanker – €90-100/hour (excluding VAT) and €102-€113/hour (including VAT).

Note for our readers: ** VAT @ 13.5% in these calculations **

2022 prices, as published in this article:

• Muck loading wheeled loader – €68-72/hr;
• Muck spreading – flail – €52-57/hr;
• Muck spreading – 10 tonne – €68-72/hr;
• Muck spreading – 14 tonne – €90-95/hr;
• Loading and spreading – 12 tonne spreader – €135-140/hr;
• 14 tonne dual/rear discharge spreader and loader – €160-170/hr;
• Slurry agitation – €97-102/hr;
• Slurry spreading – 1500-gal tanker – €52-55/hr;
• Slurry spreading – 2500 + gal tanker – €68-75/hr;
• Slurry spreading – 3000 + gal tanker – €93-98/hr;
• Umbilical spreading (set up charge – laying out & reeling in €100/hr) – €160-170/hr;
• Trailing shoe – 2500 + gal tanker – €90-95/hr.