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

USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 45 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Wisconsin, averaged across 20,230 farms (917,777 acres total).

Is average operation size the same as field size?

No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 45-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 45-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Wisconsin?

Roughly $485–$970 for a single application (about $11–$22/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 Wisconsin cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.

Average alfalfa & hay field size in Wisconsin

How big a typical Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin alfalfa & hay operation harvests about 45 acres of alfalfa & hay (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 20,230 operations). Drone-spraying a field that size runs roughly $485–$970 for one pass (about $11–$22/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 · Wisconsin

45 acres

USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 · 20,230 operations · 917,777 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 45-acre alfalfa & hay field

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

State

Wisconsin

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Wisconsin

$485–$970

$11–$22/acre × 45 acres

Get real quotes in Wisconsin

What’s driving this

Wisconsin base rate: $11–$22/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 2024.

Sources: UW-Madison Extension — Custom Rates for 2024 Wisconsin Farm Operations (Table 4: herbicide boom sprayer avg $11.48, range $6.75-$40; fungicide ground avg $11.90, range $8-$20); UW-Madison Extension 2024 custom-rate report PDF (Richland County mirror); agdronedirectory pricing guide — WI growers paid ~$18/ac for drone application in wet spring conditions; Corn Belt drone band $14-$22

Drone-spraying cost by field size in Wisconsin

Field size	Cost per application
40 acres	$431–$862
45 acresWI average	$485–$970
80 acres	$862–$1,725
160 acres	$1,725–$3,450
320 acres	$3,450–$6,899
640 acres	$6,899–$13,798

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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.
Request free quotes. Send your mapped field to drone operators serving Wisconsin 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 (917,777 acres ÷ 20,230 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 Wisconsin (application only).

USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture

2 Wisconsin operators treat alfalfa & hay. Map your field and request free quotes.

Find operators in Wisconsin

Field size & cost in Wisconsin

Corn field size Soybeans field size Alfalfa & Hay spraying cost in Wisconsin All Wisconsin field sizes

Alfalfa & Hay field size in Wisconsin: FAQs

How big is the average alfalfa & hay operation in Wisconsin?: USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture reports about 45 harvested acres of alfalfa & hay per operation in Wisconsin, averaged across 20,230 farms (917,777 acres total).
Is average operation size the same as field size?: No — and it's the most common mix-up. The 45-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 45-acre alfalfa & hay field by drone in Wisconsin?: Roughly $485–$970 for a single application (about $11–$22/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 Wisconsin cost estimate, and free quotes from drone operators serving your area — no app to install.