Alfalfa & Hay drone spraying cost in Colorado
Researched per-acre cost to spray alfalfa & hay by drone in Colorado, the agronomy that drives it, and operators who cover your area.
Estimated cost in Colorado
$1,254–$2,822
$8–$18/acre × 160 acres
What’s driving this
- Colorado base rate
- $8–$18/acre (row crop)
- Crop
- ×0.98
- Gallons per acre
- 2 GPA → ×1.00
Application only — product & chemical extra.
Sources & how this is estimated
Estimate only — actual rates vary by field size, terrain, and product. Application only; product/chemical extra. Data as of 2026.
Sources: CSU Extension - 2025 Land Rental & Custom Rates for Colorado Farms & Ranches (Aerial Spraying: Eastern $6.75-$33 median $8.25; Western $13-$14 median $14); CSU Extension Custom Rates Survey index page; Ag Drone Directory 2026 Rates Guide (national row-crop $12-18; specialty $18-35)
What it takes to spray alfalfa & hay in Colorado
Insecticide for weevil and aphid between cuttings with quick turnaround and no compaction on established stands.
- Carrier volume: 2–3 GPA — higher volumes cost more per acre (more refills, fewer acres/hour).
- Typical passes: 1+ between cuttings (weevil, aphid).
- Grown in Colorado: 635,129 harvestedacres (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022) — so there’s real, sprayable alfalfa & hay acreage for operators here.
How big is a typical alfalfa & hay field in Colorado?
The average Colorado alfalfa & hay operation works about 91 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 6,990 operations) — so at these rates a field that size runs about $713–$1,605 per application. That’s an average across whole operations; a single field is usually smaller. Alfalfa & Hay field sizes & cost in Colorado →
Sources & confidence
Colorado estimate · high confidence · data as of 2026 — Direct from CSU Extension's 2025 custom-rate survey, which breaks out 'Aerial Spraying $/acre' by region: Eastern (High Plains) median $8.25 over a $6.75-$33 range; Western (mountain valleys) median $14 over $13-$14. Row band set to blended ~$8 (east) to ~$18 (west), typical ~$12, dropping the $33 single-response outlier. Specialty band uses the national orchard/vineyard $18-35 range (front-range orchards/vineyards). costIndex 0.98 reflects typical slightly under Iowa's $12.50.
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Other crops in Colorado
Alfalfa & Hay drone spraying in Colorado: FAQs
- How much does it cost to spray alfalfa & hay by drone in Colorado?
- Drone spraying alfalfa & hay in Colorado typically runs about $8–$18 per acre (application only, product extra). Carrier volume, passes, field size, and product move the final number — compare operator quotes for an exact price.
- What carrier volume and how many passes for alfalfa & hay?
- Alfalfa & Hay is usually treated at 2–3 GPA over 1+ between cuttings (weevil, aphid). Insecticide for weevil and aphid between cuttings with quick turnaround and no compaction on established stands.