How much does it cost to spray sorghum by drone in Colorado?

Drone spraying sorghum in Colorado typically runs about $8–$18 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 sorghum?

Sorghum is usually treated at 2–3 GPA over 1 (sugarcane aphid / headworm). Sugarcane aphid and headworm control over tall stands — a single well-timed pass is typical.

Sorghum drone spraying cost in Colorado

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

Quick answer: Drone spraying for sorghum in Colorado typically runs $8–$18 per acre (application only). Sugarcane aphid and headworm control over tall stands — a single well-timed pass is typical. Typical carrier volume is 2–3 GPA over 1 (sugarcane aphid / headworm).

State

Colorado

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Colorado

$1,280–$2,880

$8–$18/acre × 160 acres

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What’s driving this

Colorado base rate: $8–$18/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 2026.

Sources: CSU Extension - 2025 Land Rental & Custom Rates for Colorado Farms & Ranches (Aerial Spraying: Eastern $6.75-$33 median $8.25; Western $13-$14 median $14); CSU Extension Custom Rates Survey index page; Ag Drone Directory 2026 Rates Guide (national row-crop $12-18; specialty $18-35)

What it takes to spray sorghum in Colorado

Sugarcane aphid and headworm control over tall stands — a single well-timed pass is typical.

Carrier volume: 2–3 GPA — higher volumes cost more per acre (more refills, fewer acres/hour).
Typical passes: 1 (sugarcane aphid / headworm).
Grown in Colorado: 363,324 harvestedacres (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022) — so there’s real, sprayable sorghum acreage for operators here.

How big is a typical sorghum field in Colorado?

The average Colorado sorghum operation works about 541 acres of sorghum (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 671 operations) — so at these rates a field that size runs about $4,328–$9,738 per application. That’s an average across whole operations; a single field is usually smaller. Sorghum field sizes & cost in Colorado →

Sources & confidence

Colorado estimate · high confidence · data as of 2026 — Direct from CSU Extension's 2025 custom-rate survey, which breaks out 'Aerial Spraying $/acre' by region: Eastern (High Plains) median $8.25 over a $6.75-$33 range; Western (mountain valleys) median $14 over $13-$14. Row band set to blended ~$8 (east) to ~$18 (west), typical ~$12, dropping the $33 single-response outlier. Specialty band uses the national orchard/vineyard $18-35 range (front-range orchards/vineyards). costIndex 0.98 reflects typical slightly under Iowa's $12.50.

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Other crops in Colorado

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Sorghum drone spraying in Colorado: FAQs

How much does it cost to spray sorghum by drone in Colorado?: Drone spraying sorghum in Colorado typically runs about $8–$18 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 sorghum?: Sorghum is usually treated at 2–3 GPA over 1 (sugarcane aphid / headworm). Sugarcane aphid and headworm control over tall stands — a single well-timed pass is typical.