How big is the average corn operation in Nebraska?

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 435 harvested acres of corn per operation in Nebraska, averaged across 19,874 farms (8,648,207 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 435-acre figure is the average corn 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 435-acre corn field by drone in Nebraska?

Roughly $3,915–$7,830 for a single application (about $9–$18/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 corn field?

Open the field mapper, trace your field on satellite imagery, and you'll get its exact acreage, an instant Nebraska cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average corn field size in Nebraska

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

Quick answer: The average Nebraska corn operation harvests about 435 acres of corn (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 19,874 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $3,915–$7,830 for one pass (about $9–$18/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 corn per operation · Nebraska

435 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 19,874 operations · 8,648,207 acres of corn 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 435-acre corn field

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

State

Nebraska

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Nebraska

$3,915–$7,830

$9–$18/acre × 435 acres

Get real quotes in Nebraska

What’s driving this

Nebraska base rate: $9–$18/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: 2026 Nebraska Agricultural Custom Rates Report (UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability) - self-propelled crop spraying $9.17/ac avg, range $7.50-$12; dedicated drone-spraying line present but suppressed (N=3); Nebraska Custom Rates hub (UNL CAP) - report index; Nelson Drone Solutions (NE operator) - drone application $13-$20/ac for herbicide/fungicide; ground rig $8-$14/ac, drone $13-$25/ac comparison

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Nebraska

Field size	Cost per application
40 acres	$360–$720
80 acres	$720–$1,440
160 acres	$1,440–$2,880
320 acres	$2,880–$5,760
435 acresNE average	$3,915–$7,830
640 acres	$5,760–$11,520

Single application, application only (product/chemical extra). Carrier volume ≈ 2–3 GPA; typical passes 1–2 (fungicide at tassel, ± a foliar/nitrogen pass). Estimates — request quotes for exact pricing.

Measure your actual corn 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 Nebraska 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 corn in Nebraska.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Nebraska to receive real, no-obligation quotes.

Measure my field on satellite

Sources & method

Field size: USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 — average acres of corn per operation (8,648,207 acres ÷ 19,874 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 Nebraska (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

11 Nebraska operators treat corn. Map your field and request free quotes.

Find operators in Nebraska

Field size & cost in Nebraska

Soybeans field size Wheat field size Sorghum field size Corn spraying cost in Nebraska All Nebraska field sizes

Corn field size in Nebraska: FAQs

How big is the average corn operation in Nebraska?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 435 harvested acres of corn per operation in Nebraska, averaged across 19,874 farms (8,648,207 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 435-acre figure is the average corn 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 435-acre corn field by drone in Nebraska?: Roughly $3,915–$7,830 for a single application (about $9–$18/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 corn field?: Open the field mapper, trace your field on satellite imagery, and you'll get its exact acreage, an instant Nebraska cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.