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

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 36 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Pennsylvania, averaged across 9,518 farms (341,531 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 36-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 36-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Pennsylvania?

Roughly $423–$882 for a single application (about $12–$25/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 Pennsylvania cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average alfalfa & hay field size in Pennsylvania

How big a typical Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania alfalfa & hay operation harvests about 36 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 9,518 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $423–$882 for one pass (about $12–$25/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 · Pennsylvania

36 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 9,518 operations · 341,531 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 36-acre alfalfa & hay field

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

State

Pennsylvania

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Pennsylvania

$423–$882

$12–$25/acre × 36 acres

Get real quotes in Pennsylvania

What’s driving this

Pennsylvania base rate: $12–$25/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 2026.

Sources: Pennsylvania's 2022 Machinery Custom Rates (USDA NASS) - Ground Spraying for Weeds $10-$42/ac, avg $16.50; Herbicide boom $10-$20, avg $15.60; Farm Progress - Check out Pennsylvania custom rates (weed spraying $10-$42/ac, state avg $16.50); Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey - drone spraying anchor $8-$16, avg $12.50; Northeast specialty/orchard-vineyard drone band $18-$38/ac (2026 directory pricing)

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Pennsylvania

Field size	Cost per application
36 acresPA average	$423–$882
40 acres	$470–$980
80 acres	$941–$1,960
160 acres	$1,882–$3,920
320 acres	$3,763–$7,840
640 acres	$7,526–$15,680

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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Pennsylvania 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 (341,531 acres ÷ 9,518 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 Pennsylvania (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

3 Pennsylvania operators treat alfalfa & hay. Map your field and request free quotes.

Find operators in Pennsylvania

Field size & cost in Pennsylvania

Corn field size Soybeans field size Orchards field size Alfalfa & Hay spraying cost in Pennsylvania All Pennsylvania field sizes

Alfalfa & Hay field size in Pennsylvania: FAQs

How big is the average alfalfa & hay operation in Pennsylvania?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 36 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Pennsylvania, averaged across 9,518 farms (341,531 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 36-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 36-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Pennsylvania?: Roughly $423–$882 for a single application (about $12–$25/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 Pennsylvania cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.