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

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 26 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Ohio, averaged across 12,876 farms (331,071 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 26-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 26-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Ohio?

Roughly $178–$510 for a single application (about $7–$20/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 Ohio cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average alfalfa & hay field size in Ohio

How big a typical Ohio 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 Ohio alfalfa & hay operation harvests about 26 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 12,876 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $178–$510 for one pass (about $7–$20/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 · Ohio

26 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 12,876 operations · 331,071 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 26-acre alfalfa & hay field

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

State

Ohio

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Ohio

$178–$510

$7–$20/acre × 26 acres

Get real quotes in Ohio

What’s driving this

Ohio base rate: $7–$20/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 2024.

Sources: Ohio State 2024 Farm Custom Rates Factsheet — 'Drone/UAV: Chemical (Fungicide etc.)' $14.64/ac avg, $15 median, range $7-$20, 22 responses (also Drone Seed $15.42, Drone Fertilizer $16.50); statewide survey of 333; Ohio Ag Manager — 2024 Ohio Farm Custom Rates Released (drone/UAV added as new operation); OSU Farm Office — Ohio Farm Custom Rates 2024

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Ohio

Field size	Cost per application
26 acresOH average	$178–$510
40 acres	$274–$784
80 acres	$549–$1,568
160 acres	$1,098–$3,136
320 acres	$2,195–$6,272
640 acres	$4,390–$12,544

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 Ohio 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 Ohio.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Ohio 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 (331,071 acres ÷ 12,876 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 Ohio (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

1 Ohio operator treats alfalfa & hay. Map your field and request free quotes.

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Field size & cost in Ohio

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Alfalfa & Hay field size in Ohio: FAQs

How big is the average alfalfa & hay operation in Ohio?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 26 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Ohio, averaged across 12,876 farms (331,071 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 26-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 26-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Ohio?: Roughly $178–$510 for a single application (about $7–$20/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 Ohio cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.