How big is the average rice operation in Louisiana?

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 591 harvested acres of rice per operation in Louisiana, averaged across 736 farms (435,266 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 591-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 591-acre rice field by drone in Louisiana?

Roughly $5,319–$10,047 for a single application (about $9–$17/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 Louisiana cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average rice field size in Louisiana

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

Quick answer: The average Louisiana rice operation harvests about 591 acres of rice (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 736 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $5,319–$10,047 for one pass (about $9–$17/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 · Louisiana

591 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 736 operations · 435,266 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 591-acre rice field

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

State

Louisiana

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Louisiana

$5,319–$10,047

$9–$17/acre × 591 acres

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What’s driving this

Louisiana base rate: $9–$17/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 2026.

Sources: LSU AgCenter rice budgets (aerial fungicide/herbicide application embedded in custom operations); LSU AgCenter 2026 Cost of Production staff report (custom application line items); Ag Drone Directory 2026 pricing - Mississippi Delta tier, rice $14-$22/acre

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Louisiana

Field size	Cost per application
40 acres	$360–$680
80 acres	$720–$1,360
160 acres	$1,440–$2,720
320 acres	$2,880–$5,440
591 acresLA average	$5,319–$10,047
640 acres	$5,760–$10,880

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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Louisiana 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 (435,266 acres ÷ 736 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 Louisiana (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

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

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Field size & cost in Louisiana

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Rice field size in Louisiana: FAQs

How big is the average rice operation in Louisiana?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 591 harvested acres of rice per operation in Louisiana, averaged across 736 farms (435,266 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 591-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 591-acre rice field by drone in Louisiana?: Roughly $5,319–$10,047 for a single application (about $9–$17/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 Louisiana cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.