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

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 41 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Maine, averaged across 285 farms (11,799 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 41-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 41-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Maine?

Roughly $603–$1,125 for a single application (about $15–$27/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 Maine cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average alfalfa & hay field size in Maine

How big a typical Maine 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 Maine alfalfa & hay operation harvests about 41 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 285 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $603–$1,125 for one pass (about $15–$27/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 · Maine

41 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 285 operations · 11,799 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 41-acre alfalfa & hay field

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

State

Maine

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Maine

$603–$1,125

$15–$27/acre × 41 acres

Get real quotes in Maine

What’s driving this

Maine base rate: $15–$28/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: US Ag Drone Directory — 2026 Drone Spraying Cost Per Acre (Northeast region PA/NY/VA/MD = $15–25/ac); University of Maine Cooperative Extension — Wild Blueberry BMPs (aerial application via fixed-wing/helicopter is established for ME specialty crops); Iowa State University 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey (national anchor)

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Maine

Field size	Cost per application
40 acres	$588–$1,098
41 acresME average	$603–$1,125
80 acres	$1,176–$2,195
160 acres	$2,352–$4,390
320 acres	$4,704–$8,781
640 acres	$9,408–$17,562

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 Maine 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 Maine.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Maine 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 (11,799 acres ÷ 285 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 Maine (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

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Field size & cost in Maine

Alfalfa & Hay spraying cost in Maine All Maine field sizes

Alfalfa & Hay field size in Maine: FAQs

How big is the average alfalfa & hay operation in Maine?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 41 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Maine, averaged across 285 farms (11,799 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 41-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 41-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Maine?: Roughly $603–$1,125 for a single application (about $15–$27/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 Maine cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.