How much does it cost to spray corn by drone in California?

Drone spraying corn in California typically runs about $14–$22 per acre (application only, product extra). Carrier volume, passes, field size, and product move the final number — compare operator quotes for an exact price.

What carrier volume and how many passes for corn?

Corn is usually treated at 2–3 GPA over 1–2 (fungicide at tassel, ± a foliar/nitrogen pass). Fungicide for tar spot and gray leaf spot at VT–R1 over a tall canopy is the classic drone job — low carrier volume, fast wide passes.

Corn drone spraying cost in California

Researched per-acre cost to spray corn by drone in California, the agronomy that drives it, and operators who cover your area.

Quick answer: Drone spraying for corn in California typically runs $14–$22 per acre (application only). Fungicide for tar spot and gray leaf spot at VT–R1 over a tall canopy is the classic drone job — low carrier volume, fast wide passes. Typical carrier volume is 2–3 GPA over 1–2 (fungicide at tassel, ± a foliar/nitrogen pass).

State

California

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in California

$2,240–$3,520

$14–$22/acre × 160 acres

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What’s driving this

California base rate: $14–$22/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 2024.

Sources: US Ag Drone Directory — California drone pesticide spraying (rice $14-22/ac; grapes $18-30; orchards $20-35); US Ag Drone Directory spray cost calculator — California 1.4x regional multiplier vs Iowa $12.50 baseline; UC Davis / UC ANR cost study files (Sacramento Valley almonds 2024 — custom application line items)

What it takes to spray corn in California

Fungicide for tar spot and gray leaf spot at VT–R1 over a tall canopy is the classic drone job — low carrier volume, fast wide passes.

Carrier volume: 2–3 GPA — higher volumes cost more per acre (more refills, fewer acres/hour).
Typical passes: 1–2 (fungicide at tassel, ± a foliar/nitrogen pass).
Grown in California: 34,512 harvested acres (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022) — so there’s real, sprayable corn acreage for operators here.

Sources & confidence

California estimate · medium confidence · data as of 2024

US Ag Drone Directory — California drone pesticide spraying (rice $14-22/ac; grapes $18-30; orchards $20-35)
US Ag Drone Directory spray cost calculator — California 1.4x regional multiplier vs Iowa $12.50 baseline
UC Davis / UC ANR cost study files (Sacramento Valley almonds 2024 — custom application line items)

Corn drone sprayers in California

Featured$18–70/ac

Strata UAVPro

Carlsbad, CANew listing

pesticide applicationfungicide applicationliquid fertilizer application+6 more

FAA Part 137 certifiedFAA Part 107 pilotBusiness records reviewed

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Records reviewedRequest pricing

NC Ag Spraying

Tranquillity, CANew listing

drone applicationagricultural sprayingherbicide drone application+8 more

FAA Part 137 certifiedFAA Part 107 pilotBusiness records reviewed

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Records reviewedRequest pricing

Stratton Air and Ground LLC

Tulare, CANew listing

tractor sprayingdrone sprayingrow crop spraying+3 more

FAA Part 137 certifiedBusiness records reviewed

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Records reviewedRequest pricing

Driftline Precision LLC

Fallbrook, CANew listing

SprayMappingagricultural spraying+7 more

FAA Part 137 certifiedFAA Part 107 pilotBusiness records reviewed

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Records reviewedRequest pricing

Ag Drone Concepts

Grass Valley, CANew listing

SpraySeedingSpreading+8 more

FAA Part 137 certifiedFAA Part 107 pilotBusiness records reviewed

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Records reviewedRequest pricing

Specialty Drone Solutions

Calabasas, CANew listing

drone sprayingdrone spreadingcover crop seeding+4 more

FAA Part 137 certifiedFAA Part 107 pilotBusiness records reviewed

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All drone spraying companies in California

Biggest corn counties in California

San Joaquin County (14,503 ac)Glenn County (3,414 ac)Butte County (1,594 ac)Imperial County (1,136 ac)

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Other crops in California

Almonds Alfalfa & Hay Vineyards Citrus Rice Cotton Wheat Strawberries Peaches Cherries Sunflowers Orchards Specialty Crops All California costs Corn operators

Corn drone spraying in California: FAQs

How much does it cost to spray corn by drone in California?: Drone spraying corn in California typically runs about $14–$22 per acre (application only, product extra). Carrier volume, passes, field size, and product move the final number — compare operator quotes for an exact price.
What carrier volume and how many passes for corn?: Corn is usually treated at 2–3 GPA over 1–2 (fungicide at tassel, ± a foliar/nitrogen pass). Fungicide for tar spot and gray leaf spot at VT–R1 over a tall canopy is the classic drone job — low carrier volume, fast wide passes.