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

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 50 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Vermont, averaged across 447 farms (22,534 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 50-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 50-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Vermont?

Roughly $784–$1,470 for a single application (about $16–$29/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 Vermont cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average alfalfa & hay field size in Vermont

How big a typical Vermont 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 Vermont alfalfa & hay operation harvests about 50 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 447 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $784–$1,470 for one pass (about $16–$29/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 · Vermont

50 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 447 operations · 22,534 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 50-acre alfalfa & hay field

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

State

Vermont

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Vermont

$784–$1,470

$16–$29/acre × 50 acres

Get real quotes in Vermont

What’s driving this

Vermont base rate: $16–$30/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: US Ag Drone Directory — 2026 Drone Spraying Cost Per Acre (Northeast region PA/NY/VA/MD = $15–25/ac); UVM Extension Agriculture & Food Systems (no published aerial/drone custom-rate line; dairy/hay/agronomy programs only); Iowa State University 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey (national anchor)

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Vermont

Field size	Cost per application
40 acres	$627–$1,176
50 acresVT average	$784–$1,470
80 acres	$1,254–$2,352
160 acres	$2,509–$4,704
320 acres	$5,018–$9,408
640 acres	$10,035–$18,816

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 Vermont 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 Vermont.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Vermont 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 (22,534 acres ÷ 447 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 Vermont (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

Compare drone operators serving Vermont and request free quotes for alfalfa & hay.

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Field size & cost in Vermont

Alfalfa & Hay spraying cost in Vermont All Vermont field sizes

Alfalfa & Hay field size in Vermont: FAQs

How big is the average alfalfa & hay operation in Vermont?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 50 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Vermont, averaged across 447 farms (22,534 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 50-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 50-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Vermont?: Roughly $784–$1,470 for a single application (about $16–$29/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 Vermont cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.