How big is the average alfalfa & hay operation in Colorado?

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 91 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Colorado, averaged across 6,990 farms (635,129 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 91-acre figure is the average alfalfa & hay 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 91-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Colorado?

Roughly $713–$1,605 for a single application (about $8–$18/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 alfalfa & hay field?

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

Average alfalfa & hay field size in Colorado

How big a typical Colorado alfalfa & hay operation is, what it costs to spray a field that size by drone, and how to measure your own.

Quick answer: The average Colorado alfalfa & hay operation harvests about 91 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 6,990 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $713–$1,605 for one pass (about $8–$18/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 alfalfa & hay per operation · Colorado

91 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 6,990 operations · 635,129 acres of alfalfa & hay 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 91-acre alfalfa & hay field

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

State

Colorado

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Colorado

$713–$1,605

$8–$18/acre × 91 acres

Get real quotes in Colorado

What’s driving this

Colorado 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: CSU Extension - 2025 Land Rental & Custom Rates for Colorado Farms & Ranches (Aerial Spraying: Eastern $6.75-$33 median $8.25; Western $13-$14 median $14); CSU Extension Custom Rates Survey index page; Ag Drone Directory 2026 Rates Guide (national row-crop $12-18; specialty $18-35)

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Colorado

Field size	Cost per application
40 acres	$314–$706
80 acres	$627–$1,411
91 acresCO average	$713–$1,605
160 acres	$1,254–$2,822
320 acres	$2,509–$5,645
640 acres	$5,018–$11,290

Single application, application only (product/chemical extra). Carrier volume ≈ 2–3 GPA; typical passes 1+ between cuttings (weevil, aphid). Estimates — request quotes for exact pricing.

Measure your actual alfalfa & hay 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 Colorado 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 alfalfa & hay in Colorado.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Colorado to receive real, no-obligation quotes.

Measure my field on satellite

Sources & method

Field size: USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 — average acres of alfalfa & hay per operation (635,129 acres ÷ 6,990 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 Colorado (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

1 Colorado operator treats alfalfa & hay. Map your field and request free quotes.

Find operators in Colorado

Field size & cost in Colorado

Corn field size Wheat field size Alfalfa & Hay spraying cost in Colorado All Colorado field sizes

Alfalfa & Hay field size in Colorado: FAQs

How big is the average alfalfa & hay operation in Colorado?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 91 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Colorado, averaged across 6,990 farms (635,129 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 91-acre figure is the average alfalfa & hay 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 91-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Colorado?: Roughly $713–$1,605 for a single application (about $8–$18/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 alfalfa & hay field?: Open the field mapper, trace your field on satellite imagery, and you'll get its exact acreage, an instant Colorado cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.