What is the going price for slurry spreading?

There is a wide range of prices currently being quoted by agricultural contractors around the country to get slurry spread. Quotes were given either on a per-load or per-hour basis, which would very much depend on individual farm set-up and location.

All of the contractors interviewed used splash-plate slurry spreaders, although two businesses also had alternative spreading options.

Prices per load

Beginning with Co. Galway, the contacted contractor gave a quote of €16 per load (including VAT) for a 1,350-gallon tanker. The contractor said he used a small tanker with over-sized wheels because he had to spread a substantial amount on fairly bad ground. This was spread using a splash-plate. The quote given included agitating and spreading.

Image source: Shane Casey

In Co. Mayo, the quote offered by a local contractor was €30 per tanker load (plus VAT) using a 2,600-gallon tanker for splash-plate spreading. The same contractor quoted €35 per tanker load (plus VAT) using a dribble bar, also with a 2,600-gallon capacity tanker. The quoted figure also included agitating.

Going on the two prices given, in theory, the average for a 2,000-gallon tanker load would cost approximately €25 per load including VAT.

Prices per hour

In Co. Cork, a contractor quoted a price of €50 per hour plus VAT for spreading using a 2,000-gallon tanker with a splash-plate.

A contractor in Co. Kilkenny quoted €45 (including VAT) per hour using a 2,500-gallon tanker with a splash-plate. The quote rose to €60 per hour (including VAT), when also using a high-flow agitator.

Image source: Shane Casey

A contractor in Donegal quoted a figure of €40 per hour plus VAT for spreading using a 2,000-gallon tank and splash-plate. The same business offered a quote of €100 per hour plus VAT for an umbilical hose and dribble bar (using a Doda HD35 pump), which can stretch from 800m to 2,000m. It is also possible to split the line and add another pump (for long distances), according to the contractor.