Alfalfa & Hay drone spraying cost in Indiana
Researched per-acre cost to spray alfalfa & hay by drone in Indiana, the agronomy that drives it, and operators who cover your area.
Estimated cost in Indiana
$1,411–$3,136
$9–$20/acre × 160 acres
What’s driving this
- Indiana base rate
- $9–$20/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 2025.
Sources: Purdue 2025 Indiana Farm Custom Rates (Langemeier) — 'Aerial Sprayer' $13.31/ac average, 18 responses (manned aerial line; no separate drone line surveyed); Purdue Commercial Ag — 2025/26 Indiana Farm Custom Rates landing page; AgDroneDirectory — Corn Belt drone row-crop $12-$17 band (IN grouped in Corn Belt)
What it takes to spray alfalfa & hay in Indiana
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 Indiana: 203,050 harvested acres (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 Indiana?
The average Indiana alfalfa & hay operation works about 21 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 9,616 operations) — so at these rates a field that size runs about $185–$412 per application. That’s an average across whole operations; a single field is usually smaller. Alfalfa & Hay field sizes & cost in Indiana →
Sources & confidence
Indiana estimate · medium confidence · data as of 2025
- Purdue 2025 Indiana Farm Custom Rates (Langemeier) — 'Aerial Sprayer' $13.31/ac average, 18 responses (manned aerial line; no separate drone line surveyed)
- Purdue Commercial Ag — 2025/26 Indiana Farm Custom Rates landing page
- AgDroneDirectory — Corn Belt drone row-crop $12-$17 band (IN grouped in Corn Belt)
Alfalfa & Hay drone sprayers in Indiana
Biggest alfalfa & hay counties in Indiana
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Other crops in Indiana
Alfalfa & Hay drone spraying in Indiana: FAQs
- How much does it cost to spray alfalfa & hay by drone in Indiana?
- Drone spraying alfalfa & hay in Indiana typically runs about $9–$20 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.