silage cost calculator

Silage Cost Calculator

Our silage cost calculator is designed to calculate the approximate costs associated with harvesting and clamping silage.

This tool is designed to help farmers calculate the costs associated with silage production. This calculator simplifies estimating annual expenses, including fertilizer costs, slurry costs, and additional costs per acre/ha, making it easier to keep an eye on costings.

Inputting an expected yield and target Grass Dry matter will output a total fresh weight cost per ton and a cost per Dry Matter ton.

Members can save, edit, and download their silage costs, allowing a pragmatic approach to update throughout the season.

Read our guide on how to use the silage cost calculator >

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Silage Cost Calculator >

Silage Cost Calculator >

*Input figures below to calculate an approximate silage cost per ton.Nb. acres/ha are generic on this calculator i.e, if you input acres at field size, use acres measurement for the rest of the calculator.

Field Costs: Inputs:
Field Size/Total Land Area (Acres or Ha):
Rent/Mortgage Payments Due Per Annum Per Acre/Ha(£):
Total Sundry Costs (Insurance, Overdraft, Maintenance, Etc.) Per Annum (£):
Fertilizer Costs: Fertilizer Applied Per Acre/Ha (Kg): Fertilizer Cost Per Ton (£): Fertilizer Spreading Cost Per Acre/Ha (£): Total Fertilizer Costs (£):
Enter the Kg applied per acre/ha, cost per ton and the spreading cost per acre/ha:NAAC Guide - £6.45 per acre - £15.93 per Ha 0.00
Slurry/Manure Costs: Slurry/Manure Spreading Cost Per Hour (£): Total Slurry/Manure Spreading Hours (Hours): Total Slurry Costs (£):
Enter slurry/manure cost per hour and total spreading hours:NAAC Guide -Slurry tanker £75 per hour - Umbilical £140 per hour - FYM spreading £70 per hour 0.00
Additional Tractor Work Costs: Total Tractor Hours Worked: Average Cost Per Hour (£): Total Additional Works (£):
Enter any additional tractor/machinery costs per hour and total working hours:NAAC Guide - £45 - £65 per tractor hour 0.00
Harvesting Costs: Harvesting Cost Per Acre/Ha (£): Total Harvesting Costs (£):
Enter total harvesting costs per acre/ha:NAAC Guide - £70 - £100 per acre 0.00
Additional Costs: Enter Total Other Costs (£): Total Other Costs (£):
Enter total other costs:Sprays, silage cover, etc. 0.00
Expected Yield:
Expected Grass Yield (tons/acre/ha fresh weight):
Expected Dry Matter (%):
Costs Summary:
Total Output Costs (£): 0.00
Cost per Acre/Ha (£): 0.00
Cost per Ton (Fresh Weight): 0.00
Dry Matter Yield (tons/acre/ha): 0.00
Cost per Ton (Dry Matter): 0.00
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Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: Please note that these are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the links and make a purchase, We may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

How to Use the Silage Cost Calculator >

Follow these 6 steps for accurate results:

  1. Field Costs Setup
    • Land Area: Enter total acres/Ha
    • Annual Costs: Input rent/mortgage payments + insurance/overdraft costs
    • Tip: Keep measurement units consistent (all acres or all hectares)
  2. Fertilizer Inputs
    • Application Rate: Kg per acre/Ha (e.g., 200kg/acre)
    • Pricing: Cost per ton + spreading cost per acre/Ha
    • Example: 200kg/acre @ £500/ton = £100/acre fertilizer cost
  3. Slurry/Manure Management
    • Hourly Rate: Select appropriate machinery cost
    • Time Investment: Total spreading hours required
    • Pro Tip: Umbilical systems cost more hourly but save time
  4. Machinery & Harvest
    • Tractor Work: Hours x hourly rate
    • Harvest Costs: Contractor charges per acre/Ha
    • Don’t Forget: Silage wrap/cover costs in ‘Other Expenses’
  5. Yield Projections
    • Fresh Weight: Expected tons per acre/Ha
    • Dry Matter: Typical % for your crop (e.g., 30% for grass)
  6. Analyze Results
    • Cost Per Ton: Both fresh and dry matter values
    • PDF Report: Save/print for financial records

Real-World Example: Dairy Farm Scenario

50-Acre Grass Silage Production

  1. Input Data - Field Area: 50 acres Rent: £150/acre Sundries: £25/acre Fertilizer: 200kg/acre @ £600/ton Spreading: £15/acre Slurry: 10 hours @ £75/hour Tractor: 15 hours @ £50/hour Harvest: £80/acre Other Costs: £1,200 Expected Yield: 12 tons/acre Dry Matter: 28%
  2. Calculations
    • Fertilizer Cost: (200kg/1000) × £600 × 50 = £6,000
    • Total Costs: £27,125
    • Cost/Ton Fresh: £27,125 ÷ (50×12) = £45.21
    • Dry Matter Cost: £45.21 ÷ 0.28 = £161.46/DM ton
  3. Key Insight
    “Reducing fertilizer to 180kg/acre saves £600 while maintaining yield.”