Alfalfa & Hay drone spraying cost in Kentucky
Researched per-acre cost to spray alfalfa & hay by drone in Kentucky, the agronomy that drives it, and operators who cover your area.
Estimated cost in Kentucky
$1,411–$2,509
$9–$16/acre × 160 acres
What’s driving this
- Kentucky base rate
- $9–$16/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 2024.
Sources: University of Kentucky 2024 Custom Machinery Rates Applicable to Kentucky - Aerial Application $9.50 low / $11.50 avg / $14.50 high per acre (4 responses); UK Agricultural Economics - Custom Machinery Rates publication page (2024); Farm Progress - Agricultural drone spraying ($11-$14/acre competitive with aerial)
What it takes to spray alfalfa & hay in Kentucky
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 Kentucky: 148,412 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 Kentucky?
The average Kentucky alfalfa & hay operation works about 28 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 5,337 operations) — so at these rates a field that size runs about $247–$439 per application. That’s an average across whole operations; a single field is usually smaller. Alfalfa & Hay field sizes & cost in Kentucky →
Sources & confidence
Kentucky estimate · high confidence · data as of 2024 — Direct, current state extension survey: UK 2024 Custom Machinery Rates lists Aerial Application at $9.50/$11.50/$14.50 per acre and self-propelled spraying at $7.00/$8.00/$10.50, with reported drone rates ($11-$14) competitive with manned aerial. Row-crop typical set to the survey aerial average of $12 (~Iowa parity, costIndex 1.00); high $16 to capture drone/tall-corn premiums. Specialty band reflects Kentucky's tobacco, vineyards, and orchard acreage (more genuine vineyard culture than the Delta states), upper-middle of the national $18-$35 range.
- University of Kentucky 2024 Custom Machinery Rates Applicable to Kentucky - Aerial Application $9.50 low / $11.50 avg / $14.50 high per acre (4 responses)
- UK Agricultural Economics - Custom Machinery Rates publication page (2024)
- Farm Progress - Agricultural drone spraying ($11-$14/acre competitive with aerial)
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Alfalfa & Hay drone spraying in Kentucky: FAQs
- How much does it cost to spray alfalfa & hay by drone in Kentucky?
- Drone spraying alfalfa & hay in Kentucky typically runs about $9–$16 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.