How big is the average cotton operation in Texas?

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 485 harvested acres of cotton per operation in Texas, averaged across 4,822 farms (2,337,631 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 485-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 485-acre cotton field by drone in Texas?

Roughly $3,880–$10,185 for a single application (about $8–$21/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 Texas cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average cotton field size in Texas

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

Quick answer: The average Texas cotton operation harvests about 485 acres of cotton (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 4,822 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $3,880–$10,185 for one pass (about $8–$21/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 · Texas

485 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 4,822 operations · 2,337,631 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 485-acre cotton field

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

State

Texas

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Texas

$3,880–$10,185

$8–$21/acre × 485 acres

Get real quotes in Texas

What’s driving this

Texas base rate: $8–$21/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 2026.

Sources: 2026 Texas Agricultural Custom Rates Survey (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension) - Flat Rate Aerial Application of insecticides/fungicides state avg $10.46, herbicides $12.64, growth regulators/defoliants $10.07; range $7-$21 (West TX herbicide avg $21.50); Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Custom Rate Survey landing page (survey archive, regional methodology - North/South/East/West); Kingdom Crop Spraying (Texas-based drone operator) - approx $15/acre drone spray application; American Spray Drone Coalition 2025 U.S. Spray Drone Industry Survey - national avg $13/acre (down from $21 in 2024)

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Texas

Field size	Cost per application
40 acres	$320–$840
80 acres	$640–$1,680
160 acres	$1,280–$3,360
320 acres	$2,560–$6,720
485 acresTX average	$3,880–$10,185
640 acres	$5,120–$13,440

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 Texas 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 Texas.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Texas 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 (2,337,631 acres ÷ 4,822 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 Texas (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

2 Texas operators treat cotton. Map your field and request free quotes.

Find operators in Texas

Field size & cost in Texas

Corn field size Sorghum field size Wheat field size Cotton spraying cost in Texas All Texas field sizes

Cotton field size in Texas: FAQs

How big is the average cotton operation in Texas?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 485 harvested acres of cotton per operation in Texas, averaged across 4,822 farms (2,337,631 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 485-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 485-acre cotton field by drone in Texas?: Roughly $3,880–$10,185 for a single application (about $8–$21/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 Texas cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.