Cost for contract spraying

[Steevo]

Cost of a contractor is miniscule compared to the value of the chemistry being applied.

.....and the chemistry should give you a return of more than it's cost, thus even more value at risk.

 

[Grassman]

Using a contractor makes financial sense but in a difficult time it's far better to have your own sprayer ready and waiting for that little weather window.

 

[Brisel]

But it is still a cost that has to be paid for ... and ultimately comes out of that crops profit ? (Or adds to its loss !)

True, but there’s a difference between cost and value. A contractor who charges 50p/ac more but whose timeliness gets you half a tonne/acre more crop is better value.

I have no issue with using a contractor for spraying. Some don’t want the hassle of NSTS, NRoSO etc or the time spent waiting for spraying weather when they have other jobs to do, it makes good sense.

 

[cousinjack]

True, but there’s a difference between cost and value. A contractor who charges 50p/ac more but whose timeliness gets you half a tonne/acre more crop is better value.

I have no issue with using a contractor for spraying. Some don’t want the hassle of NSTS, NRoSO etc or the time spent waiting for spraying weather when they have other jobs to do, it makes good sense.

I totally agree... contractors often have more up to date and efficient kit..

But then you do have to pay out 'x' amount in one lump... whereas a lot of the cost in running your own sprayer is 'hidden' in the general outgoings.. labour, fuel etc

 

[Brisel]

From memory, the management pocketbooks like Nix state a "farmer's own cost" of spraying to be £3-5/acre. There's the time, specialist qualifications, etc to consider too.

 

[ollie989898]

But it is still a cost that has to be paid for ... and ultimately comes out of that crops profit ? (Or adds to its loss !)

The cost of a modern sprayer and a good operator who does a lot of it makes it well worthwhile IMO.

I often wonder how the heck some spraying jobs pay for themselves. 'Can you just pop down and spray off this 30 acres of grass'? Can soon waste half a day doing that. Only pays if your spray contractor is turning up to do 90 acres of maize stubbles with round up, sprays the maize, 4 or 5 goes over the wheat, sprays off grass, sprays weeds in grass, all adds up to a nice sensible acreage and a few thousand a year but its still very small beer for having a skilled man who can read a rec sheet and knows how to spray properly.

 

[sahara]

30 acres! we wish!
We kept getting asked to spray 5, 6, or 10acre fields, often accessed through narrow and/or difficult gate ways, fill up at their place with a garden hose!
We soon learnt to charge by the hour.

 

[holywell farmer]

Some folk must have a sad life if they deal with people they can't trust with things like this.

Well my relatives are very picky about spraying contractor they use,

 

[Beowulf]

Well my relatives are very picky about spraying contractor they use,

My octogenarian aunt is very picky about the places we book for her birthday dinner, but that doesn't make her a restaurant critic.

 

[wellingtonfarmer]

How much do people charge for liquid n work? Do you charge more if you put bowser on? It speeds the job up a lot!

 

[Brisel]

How much do people charge for liquid n work? Do you charge more if you put bowser on? It speeds the job up a lot!

I hope they charge more. Higher dose rates, more specialist kit.

 

[thewalrus]

Think the paperwork and sitting pa1 and pa2 puts a lot of people off.

Pa1 and pa2 are the easiest “exams” I’ve ever done it’s almost set up for you not to fail!