Average alfalfa & hay field size in West Virginia
How big a typical West Virginia 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 · West Virginia
21 acres
USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 1,886 operations · 39,057 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 21-acre alfalfa & hay field
Pre-filled to West Virginia’s average alfalfa & hay acreage — adjust the acres, passes, carrier volume, or restricted-use toggle for your job.
Estimated cost in West Virginia
$247–$576
$12–$27/acre × 21 acres
What’s driving this
- West Virginia base rate
- $12–$28/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) - nearest land-grant analog (weed spray $10-$42, avg $16.50); Custom Work Charges in Maryland and Delaware FS-683 (Feb 2025) - regional aerial analog, aerial pesticide $10-$28 avg $14.36; Northeast/Appalachian drone band $22-$38/ac for small, hard-to-reach fields; +$5-$10/ac for broken/hilly terrain (2026 pricing)
Drone-spraying cost by field size in West Virginia
| Field size | Cost per application |
|---|---|
| 21 acresWV average | $247–$576 |
| 40 acres | $470–$1,098 |
| 80 acres | $941–$2,195 |
| 160 acres | $1,882–$4,390 |
| 320 acres | $3,763–$8,781 |
| 640 acres | $7,526–$17,562 |
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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia.
- Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving West Virginia to receive real, no-obligation quotes.
Sources & method
Field size: USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 — average acres of alfalfa & hay per operation (39,057 acres ÷ 1,886 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 West Virginia (application only).
1 West Virginia operator treats alfalfa & hay. Map your field and request free quotes.
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Field size & cost in West Virginia
Alfalfa & Hay field size in West Virginia: FAQs
- How big is the average alfalfa & hay operation in West Virginia?
- USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 21 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in West Virginia, averaged across 1,886 farms (39,057 acres total).
- Is average operation size the same as field size?
- No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 21-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 21-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in West Virginia?
- Roughly $247–$576 for a single application (about $12–$27/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 West Virginia cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.