How big is the average rice operation in California?

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 364 harvested acres of rice per operation in California, averaged across 725 farms (263,922 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 364-acre figure is the average rice acreage per farm; most farms split that across several fields, so a single field is typically smaller. For a real field boundary, trace it on satellite with the field mapper.

How much does it cost to spray a 364-acre rice field by drone in California?

Roughly $5,096–$8,008 for a single application (about $14–$22/acre, application only — product is extra). Extra passes, higher carrier volume, or restricted-use products raise it. Use the calculator above to adjust.

How do I measure my exact rice field?

Open the field mapper, trace your field on satellite imagery, and you'll get its exact acreage, an instant California cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average rice field size in California

How big a typical California rice operation is, what it costs to spray a field that size by drone, and how to measure your own.

Quick answer: The average California rice operation harvests about 364 acres of rice (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 725 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $5,096–$8,008 for one pass (about $14–$22/acre). It's an average across whole operations, so an individual field is usually smaller — map your actual field for an exact number and free quotes.

Average rice per operation · California

364 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 725 operations · 263,922 acres of rice total. This is the average across whole operations — a single field is usually smaller, since most farms are split into several fields.

Cost to spray a 364-acre rice field

Pre-filled to California’s average rice acreage — adjust the acres, passes, carrier volume, or restricted-use toggle for your job.

State

California

CropAcres

Gallons per acre (carrier volume)Restricted-use pesticide (certified applicator + records)

Estimated cost in California

$5,096–$8,008

$14–$22/acre × 364 acres

Get real quotes in California

What’s driving this

California base rate: $14–$22/acre (row crop)
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: US Ag Drone Directory — California drone pesticide spraying (rice $14-22/ac; grapes $18-30; orchards $20-35); US Ag Drone Directory spray cost calculator — California 1.4x regional multiplier vs Iowa $12.50 baseline; UC Davis / UC ANR cost study files (Sacramento Valley almonds 2024 — custom application line items)

Drone-spraying cost by field size in California

Field size	Cost per application
40 acres	$560–$880
80 acres	$1,120–$1,760
160 acres	$2,240–$3,520
320 acres	$4,480–$7,040
364 acresCA average	$5,096–$8,008
640 acres	$8,960–$14,080

Single application, application only (product/chemical extra). Carrier volume ≈ 3–5 GPA; typical passes 1–2 (fungicide/herbicide over flooded paddies). Estimates — request quotes for exact pricing.

Measure your actual rice field

Averages are a planning starting point — your field is its own size. The field mapper turns satellite imagery into exact acreage in four steps:

Open the field mapper. Go to the Ag Drone Sprayers field mapper and search your address in California or pan the satellite map to your field.
Trace the boundary. Tap each corner of your field to drop pins; the tool closes the polygon and computes geodesic acreage.
Read acreage and cost. See your field's exact acreage and an instant drone-spraying cost estimate for rice in California.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving California to receive real, no-obligation quotes.

Measure my field on satellite

Sources & method

Field size: USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 — average acres of rice per operation (263,922 acres ÷ 725 operations). Average acres per operation is a proxy for typical field size; a farm usually contains several fields. Cost: researched per-acre drone-spraying rates for California (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

3 California operators treat rice. Map your field and request free quotes.

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Field size & cost in California

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Rice field size in California: FAQs

How big is the average rice operation in California?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 364 harvested acres of rice per operation in California, averaged across 725 farms (263,922 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 364-acre figure is the average rice acreage per farm; most farms split that across several fields, so a single field is typically smaller. For a real field boundary, trace it on satellite with the field mapper.
How much does it cost to spray a 364-acre rice field by drone in California?: Roughly $5,096–$8,008 for a single application (about $14–$22/acre, application only — product is extra). Extra passes, higher carrier volume, or restricted-use products raise it. Use the calculator above to adjust.
How do I measure my exact rice field?: Open the field mapper, trace your field on satellite imagery, and you'll get its exact acreage, an instant California cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.