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

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 271 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Nevada, averaged across 1,068 farms (289,809 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 271-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 271-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Nevada?

Roughly $3,187–$6,108 for a single application (about $12–$23/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 Nevada cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average alfalfa & hay field size in Nevada

How big a typical Nevada 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 Nevada alfalfa & hay operation harvests about 271 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 1,068 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $3,187–$6,108 for one pass (about $12–$23/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 · Nevada

271 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 1,068 operations · 289,809 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 271-acre alfalfa & hay field

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

State

Nevada

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Nevada

$3,187–$6,108

$12–$23/acre × 271 acres

Get real quotes in Nevada

What’s driving this

Nevada base rate: $12–$23/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 2025.

Sources: My Drone Sprayer - Intermountain operator rates (Avary Drone $15-22; Clark Ag $10-20) used as nearest-neighbor analog for NV; Ag Drone Directory spray cost calculator (California 1.4x vs baseline; remoteness/terrain drive premiums); FairLifts - aerial agriculture services in Nevada (alfalfa/hay; >90% of NV cropland is hay/alfalfa)

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Nevada

Field size	Cost per application
40 acres	$470–$902
80 acres	$941–$1,803
160 acres	$1,882–$3,606
271 acresNV average	$3,187–$6,108
320 acres	$3,763–$7,213
640 acres	$7,526–$14,426

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 Nevada 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 Nevada.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Nevada 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 (289,809 acres ÷ 1,068 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 Nevada (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

Compare drone operators serving Nevada and request free quotes for alfalfa & hay.

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Field size & cost in Nevada

Alfalfa & Hay spraying cost in Nevada All Nevada field sizes

Alfalfa & Hay field size in Nevada: FAQs

How big is the average alfalfa & hay operation in Nevada?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 271 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Nevada, averaged across 1,068 farms (289,809 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 271-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 271-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Nevada?: Roughly $3,187–$6,108 for a single application (about $12–$23/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 Nevada cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.