Alfalfa & Hay drone spraying cost in Nebraska
Researched per-acre cost to spray alfalfa & hay by drone in Nebraska, the agronomy that drives it, and operators who cover your area.
Estimated cost in Nebraska
$1,411–$2,822
$9–$18/acre × 160 acres
What’s driving this
- Nebraska base rate
- $9–$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: 2026 Nebraska Agricultural Custom Rates Report (UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability) - self-propelled crop spraying $9.17/ac avg, range $7.50-$12; dedicated drone-spraying line present but suppressed (N=3); Nebraska Custom Rates hub (UNL CAP) - report index; Nelson Drone Solutions (NE operator) - drone application $13-$20/ac for herbicide/fungicide; ground rig $8-$14/ac, drone $13-$25/ac comparison
What it takes to spray alfalfa & hay in Nebraska
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 Nebraska: 872,319 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 Nebraska?
The average Nebraska alfalfa & hay operation works about 85 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 10,311 operations) — so at these rates a field that size runs about $750–$1,499 per application. That’s an average across whole operations; a single field is usually smaller. Alfalfa & Hay field sizes & cost in Nebraska →
Sources & confidence
Nebraska estimate · medium confidence · data as of 2026 — The current UNL (2026) custom-rate survey now carries a dedicated 'Crop Spraying by Drone' line, but with only N=3 respondents UNL suppressed every cell, so no usable drone average exists. UNL's self-propelled (ground) crop-spraying rate is $9.17/ac avg (range $7.50-$12). A Nebraska drone operator (Nelson Drone) quotes $13-$20/ac, triangulating typical ~$13. costIndex 1.02 — marginally above Iowa. Confidence medium because the drone survey cell was suppressed. Specialty band uses national $18-$35 range, mid-set for thin specialty acreage.
- 2026 Nebraska Agricultural Custom Rates Report (UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability) - self-propelled crop spraying $9.17/ac avg, range $7.50-$12; dedicated drone-spraying line present but suppressed (N=3)
- Nebraska Custom Rates hub (UNL CAP) - report index
- Nelson Drone Solutions (NE operator) - drone application $13-$20/ac for herbicide/fungicide; ground rig $8-$14/ac, drone $13-$25/ac comparison
3 Nebraska operators treat alfalfa & hay, quoting roughly $12–$22/acre. Request free quotes.
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Alfalfa & Hay drone spraying in Nebraska: FAQs
- How much does it cost to spray alfalfa & hay by drone in Nebraska?
- Drone spraying alfalfa & hay in Nebraska typically runs about $9–$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.