How much does drone spraying cost in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, drone spraying runs about $9–$16 per acre for row crops and $16–$30 per acre for orchards, vineyards, and specialty crops (application only, product extra), about 12% below the national median. Field size, carrier volume (gallons per acre), passes, and product all move the number — request quotes for an exact figure.

Why does drone spraying cost below in Arkansas?

Per-acre rates vary by state with regulatory load (permitting, buffer zones, applicator licensing), labor and fuel costs, field size and geometry, and crop mix. Arkansas's rate reflects those local factors versus the national median.

Does a restricted-use pesticide cost more to apply in Arkansas?

Usually a little. Restricted-use products require a certified applicator, extra recordkeeping and notification, and stricter buffers — a modest per-acre surcharge (often a couple of dollars an acre) on top of the base rate.

How does gallons per acre change the price?

A spray drone's tank is a fixed size, so higher carrier volume (more gallons per acre) means more refills and ferrying and fewer acres per hour — which raises the per-acre cost. Low-volume row-crop jobs (~2 GPA) are cheapest; dense orchard/vineyard work at higher GPA costs more.

Drone spraying cost in Arkansas

Researched per-acre rates for agricultural drone spraying in Arkansas — estimate your job, see the crop-by-crop breakdown, and compare operators.

Quick answer: Drone spraying in Arkansas typically runs $9–$16 per acre for row crops (application only), about 12% below the national median. Orchards, vineyards, and specialty crops run higher — about $16–$30 per acre. The final price depends on field size, gallons per acre, the number of passes, and whether a restricted-use product is applied.

State

Arkansas

CropAcres

Gallons per acre (carrier volume)Applications (passes)

Restricted-use pesticide (certified applicator + records)

Estimated cost in Arkansas

$1,440–$2,560

$9–$16/acre × 160 acres

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What’s driving this

Arkansas base rate: $9–$16/acre (row crop)
Gallons per acre: 2 GPA → ×1.00

high confidence

Sources: UADA 2025 Arkansas Crop Enterprise Budgets (custom aerial application $10/acre); UADA news: 2025 enterprise budgets now available; Ag Drone Directory 2026 pricing - Mississippi Delta tier $14-$18/acre (incl. AR)

Estimate only — actual rates vary by field size, terrain, and product. Application only; product/chemical extra. Data as of 2026.

Drone spraying cost by crop in Arkansas

Crop	Typical cost ($/acre)
Rice	$9–$16
Soybeans	$9–$16
Cotton	$9–$16
Corn	$9–$16

Application only; product/chemical extra. Estimates — request quotes for exact pricing.

What drives the price in Arkansas

Per-acre rates move with the crop (dense orchard and vineyard canopies cost more than open row crops), the carrier volume (more gallons per acre means more refills and fewer acres per hour), the number of passes, field size and terrain, and whether a restricted-use pesticide is applied (which adds a certified-applicator and recordkeeping surcharge).Arkansas’s base rate also reflects local regulation, labor, and field geometry.

Sources & confidence

Arkansas estimate · high confidence · data as of 2026 — Row-crop application-only band anchored on the UADA 2025 enterprise-budget custom aerial figure of $10/acre (manned fixed-wing); Delta drone operators quote $14-$18, so typical set to $11 with high $16 to bridge manned and drone. Arkansas is a dense, mature aerial-application market (rice/soybean/cotton) with heavy manned-applicator competition suppressing rates ~5-10% below Iowa, hence costIndex 0.92. Specialty band reflects cotton defoliation and sweet-potato/pecan work; no significant vineyard culture, so lower-to-mid national specialty range.

20 drone-spraying operators serve Arkansas. Compare them and request free quotes.

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More on drone spraying cost

Cost per acre (guide)Cost calculator Cost by state

Drone spraying cost in Arkansas: FAQs

How much does drone spraying cost in Arkansas?: In Arkansas, drone spraying runs about $9–$16 per acre for row crops and $16–$30 per acre for orchards, vineyards, and specialty crops (application only, product extra), about 12% below the national median. Field size, carrier volume (gallons per acre), passes, and product all move the number — request quotes for an exact figure.
Why does drone spraying cost below in Arkansas?: Per-acre rates vary by state with regulatory load (permitting, buffer zones, applicator licensing), labor and fuel costs, field size and geometry, and crop mix. Arkansas's rate reflects those local factors versus the national median.
Does a restricted-use pesticide cost more to apply in Arkansas?: Usually a little. Restricted-use products require a certified applicator, extra recordkeeping and notification, and stricter buffers — a modest per-acre surcharge (often a couple of dollars an acre) on top of the base rate.
How does gallons per acre change the price?: A spray drone's tank is a fixed size, so higher carrier volume (more gallons per acre) means more refills and ferrying and fewer acres per hour — which raises the per-acre cost. Low-volume row-crop jobs (~2 GPA) are cheapest; dense orchard/vineyard work at higher GPA costs more.