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

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 21 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Indiana, averaged across 9,616 farms (203,050 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 21-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 21-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Indiana?

Roughly $185–$412 for a single application (about $9–$20/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 Indiana cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average alfalfa & hay field size in Indiana

How big a typical Indiana 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 Indiana alfalfa & hay operation harvests about 21 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 9,616 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $185–$412 for one pass (about $9–$20/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 · Indiana

21 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 9,616 operations · 203,050 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 21-acre alfalfa & hay field

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

State

Indiana

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Indiana

$185–$412

$9–$20/acre × 21 acres

Get real quotes in Indiana

What’s driving this

Indiana base rate: $9–$20/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 2025.

Sources: Purdue 2025 Indiana Farm Custom Rates (Langemeier) — 'Aerial Sprayer' $13.31/ac average, 18 responses (manned aerial line; no separate drone line surveyed); Purdue Commercial Ag — 2025/26 Indiana Farm Custom Rates landing page; AgDroneDirectory — Corn Belt drone row-crop $12-$17 band (IN grouped in Corn Belt)

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Indiana

Field size	Cost per application
21 acresIN average	$185–$412
40 acres	$353–$784
80 acres	$706–$1,568
160 acres	$1,411–$3,136
320 acres	$2,822–$6,272
640 acres	$5,645–$12,544

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 Indiana 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 Indiana.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Indiana 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 (203,050 acres ÷ 9,616 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 Indiana (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

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Field size & cost in Indiana

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Alfalfa & Hay field size in Indiana: FAQs

How big is the average alfalfa & hay operation in Indiana?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 21 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Indiana, averaged across 9,616 farms (203,050 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 21-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 21-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Indiana?: Roughly $185–$412 for a single application (about $9–$20/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 Indiana cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.