Alfalfa & Hay drone spraying cost in South Dakota
Researched per-acre cost to spray alfalfa & hay by drone in South Dakota, the agronomy that drives it, and operators who cover your area.
Estimated cost in South Dakota
$1,254–$2,822
$8–$18/acre × 160 acres
What’s driving this
- South Dakota 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: agdronedirectory — Drone Spraying in South Dakota (row-crop $12-$16 typical, broader $12-$18; eastern SD competitive with Iowa, western SD wheat slightly lower; Great Plains Drone Co. $12-$16/ac, 40-ac min); SDSU Extension — Custom Rates Survey (2026 collection in progress; in-state survey instrument); NDSU 2024 Custom Rates — By Aircraft (regional analog for western/wheat SD acreage); Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey (anchor for eastern SD Corn Belt)
What it takes to spray alfalfa & hay in South Dakota
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 South Dakota: 1,749,234 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 South Dakota?
The average South Dakota alfalfa & hay operation works about 189 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 9,268 operations) — so at these rates a field that size runs about $1,482–$3,334 per application. That’s an average across whole operations; a single field is usually smaller. Alfalfa & Hay field sizes & cost in South Dakota →
Sources & confidence
South Dakota estimate · medium confidence · data as of 2026 — SDSU's Custom Rates Survey was still being COLLECTED in 2026, so this blends two analogs reflecting SD's split: eastern SD (corn/soybean) is 'competitive with Iowa' (anchor $12-$18), western SD (large wheat, manned aerial) tracks lower NDSU aircraft averages. Operator data (Great Plains Drone Co. $12-$16) corroborate the eastern band. Typical $13, low $8 (western wheat), high $18 (eastern fungicide). costIndex 0.98 — just below Iowa. Specialty band derived from national orchard range, pulled slightly low. Medium confidence: two analogs plus operator cards, no published in-state aerial survey number yet.
- agdronedirectory — Drone Spraying in South Dakota (row-crop $12-$16 typical, broader $12-$18; eastern SD competitive with Iowa, western SD wheat slightly lower; Great Plains Drone Co. $12-$16/ac, 40-ac min)
- SDSU Extension — Custom Rates Survey (2026 collection in progress; in-state survey instrument)
- NDSU 2024 Custom Rates — By Aircraft (regional analog for western/wheat SD acreage)
- Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey (anchor for eastern SD Corn Belt)
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Alfalfa & Hay drone spraying in South Dakota: FAQs
- How much does it cost to spray alfalfa & hay by drone in South Dakota?
- Drone spraying alfalfa & hay in South Dakota 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.