Average alfalfa & hay field size in South Dakota
How big a typical South Dakota alfalfa & hay operation is, what it costs to spray a field that size by drone, and how to measure your own.
Average alfalfa & hay per operation · South Dakota
189 acres
USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 9,268 operations · 1,749,234 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 189-acre alfalfa & hay field
Pre-filled to South Dakota’s average alfalfa & hay acreage — adjust the acres, passes, carrier volume, or restricted-use toggle for your job.
Estimated cost in South Dakota
$1,482–$3,334
$8–$18/acre × 189 acres
What’s driving this
- South Dakota base rate
- $8–$18/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: agdronedirectory — Drone Spraying in South Dakota (row-crop $12-$16 typical, broader $12-$18; eastern SD competitive with Iowa, western SD wheat slightly lower; Great Plains Drone Co. $12-$16/ac, 40-ac min); SDSU Extension — Custom Rates Survey (2026 collection in progress; in-state survey instrument); NDSU 2024 Custom Rates — By Aircraft (regional analog for western/wheat SD acreage); Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey (anchor for eastern SD Corn Belt)
Drone-spraying cost by field size in South Dakota
| Field size | Cost per application |
|---|---|
| 40 acres | $314–$706 |
| 80 acres | $627–$1,411 |
| 160 acres | $1,254–$2,822 |
| 189 acresSD average | $1,482–$3,334 |
| 320 acres | $2,509–$5,645 |
| 640 acres | $5,018–$11,290 |
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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota.
- Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving South Dakota to receive real, no-obligation quotes.
Sources & method
Field size: USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 — average acres of alfalfa & hay per operation (1,749,234 acres ÷ 9,268 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 South Dakota (application only).
Compare drone operators serving South Dakota and request free quotes for alfalfa & hay.
Find operators in South DakotaGet matched with sprayers in South Dakota
Rather than picking one operator, send one request and we'll match you with up to three verified drone sprayers who cover your area. Free for farmers — no fees, no obligation.
Request your free quote
Takes about a minute.
Field size & cost in South Dakota
Alfalfa & Hay field size in South Dakota: FAQs
- How big is the average alfalfa & hay operation in South Dakota?
- USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 189 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in South Dakota, averaged across 9,268 farms (1,749,234 acres total).
- Is average operation size the same as field size?
- No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 189-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 189-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in South Dakota?
- Roughly $1,482–$3,334 for a single application (about $8–$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 alfalfa & hay field?
- Open the field mapper, trace your field on satellite imagery, and you'll get its exact acreage, an instant South Dakota cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.