How much does it cost to spray rice by drone in Florida?

Drone spraying rice in Florida typically runs about $13–$28 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 rice?

Rice is usually treated at 3–5 GPA over 1–2 (fungicide/herbicide over flooded paddies). Flooded paddies are impassable to ground rigs, so drones are a natural fit; higher carrier volumes are common for coverage.

Rice drone spraying cost in Florida

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

Quick answer: Drone spraying for rice in Florida typically runs $13–$28 per acre (application only). Flooded paddies are impassable to ground rigs, so drones are a natural fit; higher carrier volumes are common for coverage. Typical carrier volume is 3–5 GPA over 1–2 (fungicide/herbicide over flooded paddies).

State

Florida

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Florida

$2,080–$4,480

$13–$28/acre × 160 acres

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What’s driving this

Florida base rate: $13–$28/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: UGA 2024 Georgia Custom Rate Survey (nearest in-region row-crop survey; Aerial Spray avg $12.81/ac, specialty tree spray $44-53/ac); UF/IFAS Ask IFAS AE611 — Agricultural Applications of Spraying Drones (citrus context, no per-acre rate); Ag Drone Directory 2026 — orchards $20-35, specialty vegetables $20-40/ac; Southeast $16-28

What it takes to spray rice in Florida

Flooded paddies are impassable to ground rigs, so drones are a natural fit; higher carrier volumes are common for coverage.

Carrier volume: 3–5 GPA — higher volumes cost more per acre (more refills, fewer acres/hour).
Typical passes: 1–2 (fungicide/herbicide over flooded paddies).
Grown in Florida: 20,237 harvestedacres (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022) — so there’s real, sprayable rice acreage for operators here.

Sources & confidence

Florida estimate · low confidence · data as of 2026 — No Florida aerial/drone custom-rate survey with per-acre figures found (UF/IFAS publishes technical/regulatory guidance only). Highest index in the Southeast: derived from Georgia's 2024 UGA survey scaled up ~17% because Florida work skews to high-value specialty (citrus, vegetables) with complex grove geometry, high labor, frequent passes, and a thin row-crop drone operator base. Spread widened ~15% per low-confidence rule. Still well below California.

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Other crops in Florida

Sugarcane Citrus Peanuts Corn Potatoes Soybeans Strawberries Alfalfa & Hay Blueberries Pecans Sweet Potatoes All Florida costs Rice operators

Rice drone spraying in Florida: FAQs

How much does it cost to spray rice by drone in Florida?: Drone spraying rice in Florida typically runs about $13–$28 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 rice?: Rice is usually treated at 3–5 GPA over 1–2 (fungicide/herbicide over flooded paddies). Flooded paddies are impassable to ground rigs, so drones are a natural fit; higher carrier volumes are common for coverage.