Over recent weeks, we brought you news that the FCI (The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland) is currently compiling an ‘agricultural contracting charges (prices) guide’.
Also Read: How do these agri contracting ‘prices’ shape up?It is believed that the association is intending to publish the list of prices as a “guide” and not a recommended price listing.
Figures are currently under discussion for a range of contractor services. As well as tillage operations, other services up for debate include: (pit) silage harvesting; fertiliser application; spraying; hedge-cutting; slurry and muck spreading; as well as plant and tractor hire.
In this article, we focus on the ‘guide prices’ for round baling, wrapping and bale handling (and related activities).
Image source: Shane Casey
While this ‘job’ is far from some people’s minds at the moment it’s worth bearing in mind that the 2018 ‘silage campaign’ is just a matter of months away.
‘Guide rate’ per bale (silage)
The proposed ‘guide price’ for round baling (4X4) silage is €4.50/bale (plus VAT).
Image source: Shane Casey
The ‘guide rate’ for round baling and wrapping including plastic is €9.50/bale (plus VAT). This doesn’t include mowing, tedding or raking.
For the same service excluding plastic, the ‘guide rate’ is €6.50/bale (plus VAT). Again, this does not include mowing, tedding or raking.
How much extra is needed for moving and stacking the bales? The talked-about ‘guide rate’ for round baling, wrapping, moving and stacking including plastic is €13/bale (plus VAT).
Without plastic, this figure drops to €10/bale (plus VAT).
Meanwhile, the proposed figure for wrapping (on its own) excluding plastic is €2.50/bale (plus VAT). Again, that’s for a typical 4X4 bale.
Image source: Shane Casey
A ‘guide price’ for mowing, round baling and wrapping has also been the subject of discussion. Including plastic, the ‘draft’ figure is €15/bale (plus VAT). Excluding plastic, the figure is €12/bale (plus VAT).
Stacking (on its own) is ‘guiding’ at €1/bale (plus VAT).
Mowing (using a mower-conditioner) is ‘guiding’ at €20/ac (plus VAT).
Image source: Shane Casey
The ‘price’ for tedding is reckoned to be half that – at a rate of €10/ac (plus VAT). The same €10/ac rate applies to raking (rowing up).
What about straw?
‘Guide prices’ are also on the way for round baling straw. For 4X4 bales the figure is €4.50/bale (plus VAT); for 5X4 bales that rises to €5/bale (plus VAT).
Image source: Shane Casey
Points to note
The aforementioned ‘prices’ are believed to be average, guide-line prices – surveyed from FCI members. They may also change before the ‘guide’ is finally agreed by the membership.
In all cases, they are apparently based on a (green) diesel price of 70c/L.