How big is the average rice operation in Missouri?

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 614 harvested acres of rice per operation in Missouri, averaged across 248 farms (152,285 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 614-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 614-acre rice field by drone in Missouri?

Roughly $6,754–$11,666 for a single application (about $11–$19/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 Missouri cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average rice field size in Missouri

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

Quick answer: The average Missouri rice operation harvests about 614 acres of rice (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 248 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $6,754–$11,666 for one pass (about $11–$19/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 · Missouri

614 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 248 operations · 152,285 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 614-acre rice field

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

State

Missouri

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Missouri

$6,754–$11,666

$11–$19/acre × 614 acres

Get real quotes in Missouri

What’s driving this

Missouri base rate: $11–$19/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 2025.

Sources: MU Extension G1274 — Economics of Drone Ownership for Agricultural Spray Applications: typical custom-hire drone rate ~$16/ac (modeled owner cost $12.27/ac, custom-operator cost $7.39/ac); MU Extension G1274 full PDF; AgDroneDirectory — Mississippi Delta band $14-$18/ac (Missouri Bootheel grouped here; strong manned aerial-applicator competition)

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Missouri

Field size	Cost per application
40 acres	$440–$760
80 acres	$880–$1,520
160 acres	$1,760–$3,040
320 acres	$3,520–$6,080
614 acresMO average	$6,754–$11,666
640 acres	$7,040–$12,160

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 Missouri 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 Missouri.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Missouri 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 (152,285 acres ÷ 248 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 Missouri (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

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Field size & cost in Missouri

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Rice field size in Missouri: FAQs

How big is the average rice operation in Missouri?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 614 harvested acres of rice per operation in Missouri, averaged across 248 farms (152,285 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 614-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 614-acre rice field by drone in Missouri?: Roughly $6,754–$11,666 for a single application (about $11–$19/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 Missouri cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.