How big is the average rice operation in Mississippi?

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 469 harvested acres of rice per operation in Mississippi, averaged across 188 farms (88,106 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 469-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 469-acre rice field by drone in Mississippi?

Roughly $3,752–$7,504 for a single application (about $8–$16/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 Mississippi cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average rice field size in Mississippi

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

Quick answer: The average Mississippi rice operation harvests about 469 acres of rice (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 188 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $3,752–$7,504 for one pass (about $8–$16/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 · Mississippi

469 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 188 operations · 88,106 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 469-acre rice field

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

State

Mississippi

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Mississippi

$3,752–$7,504

$8–$16/acre × 469 acres

Get real quotes in Mississippi

What’s driving this

Mississippi base rate: $8–$16/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: MSU Extension - Custom Rates for Mississippi Agricultural Practices (2024 survey, Table 4 aerial $7.00-$9.50-$11.50/acre); Ag Drone Directory 2026 pricing - Mississippi Delta tier $14-$18/acre; MSU Extension Spray Drones overview

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Mississippi

Field size	Cost per application
40 acres	$320–$640
80 acres	$640–$1,280
160 acres	$1,280–$2,560
320 acres	$2,560–$5,120
469 acresMS average	$3,752–$7,504
640 acres	$5,120–$10,240

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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Mississippi 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 (88,106 acres ÷ 188 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 Mississippi (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

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Field size & cost in Mississippi

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Rice field size in Mississippi: FAQs

How big is the average rice operation in Mississippi?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 469 harvested acres of rice per operation in Mississippi, averaged across 188 farms (88,106 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 469-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 469-acre rice field by drone in Mississippi?: Roughly $3,752–$7,504 for a single application (about $8–$16/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 Mississippi cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.