How big is the average cotton operation in Tennessee?

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 624 harvested acres of cotton per operation in Tennessee, averaged across 532 farms (331,791 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 624-acre figure is the average cotton 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 624-acre cotton field by drone in Tennessee?

Roughly $5,616–$10,608 for a single application (about $9–$17/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 cotton field?

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

Average cotton field size in Tennessee

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

Quick answer: The average Tennessee cotton operation harvests about 624 acres of cotton (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 532 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $5,616–$10,608 for one pass (about $9–$17/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 cotton per operation · Tennessee

624 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 532 operations · 331,791 acres of cotton 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 624-acre cotton field

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

State

Tennessee

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Tennessee

$5,616–$10,608

$9–$17/acre × 624 acres

Get real quotes in Tennessee

What’s driving this

Tennessee base rate: $9–$17/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 2024.

Sources: UT Extension 2024 Field Crop Budgets D33 (self-propelled boom sprayer ~$11.13/acre custom spray operation); UT Extension Ag & Resource Economics budgets index; University of Kentucky 2024 Custom Machinery Rates (Aerial Application $9.50-$11.50-$14.50/acre) - regional analog

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Tennessee

Field size	Cost per application
40 acres	$360–$680
80 acres	$720–$1,360
160 acres	$1,440–$2,720
320 acres	$2,880–$5,440
624 acresTN average	$5,616–$10,608
640 acres	$5,760–$10,880

Single application, application only (product/chemical extra). Carrier volume ≈ 3–5 GPA; typical passes Multiple (PGRs, insecticide, harvest-aid defoliation). Estimates — request quotes for exact pricing.

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

Measure my field on satellite

Sources & method

Field size: USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 — average acres of cotton per operation (331,791 acres ÷ 532 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 Tennessee (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

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Field size & cost in Tennessee

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Cotton field size in Tennessee: FAQs

How big is the average cotton operation in Tennessee?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 624 harvested acres of cotton per operation in Tennessee, averaged across 532 farms (331,791 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 624-acre figure is the average cotton 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 624-acre cotton field by drone in Tennessee?: Roughly $5,616–$10,608 for a single application (about $9–$17/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 cotton field?: Open the field mapper, trace your field on satellite imagery, and you'll get its exact acreage, an instant Tennessee cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.