Alfalfa & Hay drone spraying cost in Pennsylvania
Researched per-acre cost to spray alfalfa & hay by drone in Pennsylvania, the agronomy that drives it, and operators who cover your area.
Estimated cost in Pennsylvania
$1,882–$3,920
$12–$25/acre × 160 acres
What’s driving this
- Pennsylvania base rate
- $12–$25/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: Pennsylvania's 2022 Machinery Custom Rates (USDA NASS) - Ground Spraying for Weeds $10-$42/ac, avg $16.50; Herbicide boom $10-$20, avg $15.60; Farm Progress - Check out Pennsylvania custom rates (weed spraying $10-$42/ac, state avg $16.50); Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey - drone spraying anchor $8-$16, avg $12.50; Northeast specialty/orchard-vineyard drone band $18-$38/ac (2026 directory pricing)
What it takes to spray alfalfa & hay in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania: 341,531 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 Pennsylvania?
The average Pennsylvania alfalfa & hay operation works about 36 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 9,518 operations) — so at these rates a field that size runs about $423–$882 per application. That’s an average across whole operations; a single field is usually smaller. Alfalfa & Hay field sizes & cost in Pennsylvania →
Sources & confidence
Pennsylvania estimate · high confidence · data as of 2026 — Row-crop band built from PA's 2022 USDA NASS custom-rate survey (first PA survey in 7 years): ground weed spraying $10-$42/ac averaging $16.50, herbicide boom $10-$20 averaging $15.60. These are ground custom rates; in-state drone/aerial tracks the same band (small-to-mid fields, rolling terrain). costIndex 1.20 vs Iowa (typical ~$16 vs $12.50) reflects smaller fields and Northeast labor. Specialty band set from the regional NE orchard/vineyard drone range ($20-$40) covering PA's substantial fruit and grape acreage.
- Pennsylvania's 2022 Machinery Custom Rates (USDA NASS) - Ground Spraying for Weeds $10-$42/ac, avg $16.50; Herbicide boom $10-$20, avg $15.60
- Farm Progress - Check out Pennsylvania custom rates (weed spraying $10-$42/ac, state avg $16.50)
- Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey - drone spraying anchor $8-$16, avg $12.50
- Northeast specialty/orchard-vineyard drone band $18-$38/ac (2026 directory pricing)
3 Pennsylvania operators treat alfalfa & hay. Request free quotes.
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Alfalfa & Hay drone spraying in Pennsylvania: FAQs
- How much does it cost to spray alfalfa & hay by drone in Pennsylvania?
- Drone spraying alfalfa & hay in Pennsylvania typically runs about $12–$25 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.