Tools

Grain Drying Cost Calculator

Note: This budget is only a guide and is not intended to be an in-depth study of grain drying. Interpretation and utilization of this information is the responsibility of the user. If you need help with a budget, contact your local Manitoba Agriculture office. No liability for decisions based on this publication is assumed.

Dryer Type
  
Grain Type
  
Estimated Market Price per Tonne of Crop /tonne
Outside Air Temp (Celsius), at time of drying °C
Temperature of Drying Air (Celsius) °C
Initial Moisture Content of Grain %
Final Moisture Content of Grain %
  
Batch Dryers Only 
Holding Capacity Units
Holding Capacity of Dryer
Capacity in Cubic Meters m3
Hours to Dry a Batch hours
  
Continuous Flow Dryers Only 
Approximate Drying Rate Units
Drying Rate XXX
Drying Rate in Tonnes per Hour t/hr
  
All Dryers 
Electrical Energy Cost ($/kWh) /kWh
Cost of Propane ($/L) /litre
Total Power of Electric Motors on Dryer (HP) HP
Tractor Size Required to Drive Dryer (HP) HP
Labour Charge per Hours /hour
Estimated Hours of Use per Year hours
Cost of Grain Dryer
Cost of Auxiliary Equipment
(augers, foundations, electrical service, etc.)
Cost of Surge Bins
Depreciation Rate on Dryer %
Depreciation Rate on Surge Bins %
Investment Rate %

Crop Drying Cost Report

Dryer Type:XXX
Grain Type:XXX
Initial Moisture Content:XXX%
Final Moisture Content:XXX%
Drying Rate:XXX Tonnes/Hour
Drying Temp:XXX°C
Ambient Rate:XXX°C
Operating CostsCost/HourCost/BushelCost/Tonne
Repair Cost$XXX$XXX$XXX
Labour$XXX$XXX$XXX
Power Costs$XXX$XXX$XXX
Propane Cost$XXX$XXX$XXX
Total Operating Costs$XXX$XXX$XXX
Fixed CostsCost/HourCost/BushelCost/Tonne
Depreciation$XXX$XXX$XXX
Investment Cost$XXX$XXX$XXX
Total Fixed Costs$XXX$XXX$XXX
Total Costs$XXX$XXX$XXX
Total Overdrying Cost$XXX$XXX
ASSUMPTIONS: 1. Fuel consumptions based on PAMI test reports and CSAE paper 84-211 "Heated Air Grain Dryer Performance". 2. Default value for electrical cost = $0.0793/kWh which is the present runoff rate. 3. Default value for propane cost = $0.42/Litre. 4. Hourly repair rate is 1.5% of new cost per 100 hours of use. 5. Tractor cost used is $0.4286/HPh) which includes fuel but no markup. 6. Depreciation Rate used: 10% on dryer; 5% on surge bins. 7. Investment Cost includes 20% salvage value. Note: Fuel consumptions on individual dryers may vary as much as 25% from the averages used in this program. See individual PAMI test reports for comparisons between dryers.

Successfully managing and planning your business success starts with you. Contact your local Manitoba Agriculture Office for the support, advice and resources you need to make sound decisions for the continued success of your farm business. If you have questions, email us and a farm management specialist will contact you.

Created and Maintained by Manitoba Agriculture Farm Management
Updated: May 2018
Author(s): Darren Bond, Farm Management Specialist, and Roy Arnott, Farm Management Specialist

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