How much does it cost to spray potatoes by drone in Illinois?

Drone spraying potatoes in Illinois typically runs about $18–$38 per acre (application only, product extra). Carrier volume, passes, field size, and product move the final number — compare operator quotes for an exact price.

Potatoes drone spraying cost in Illinois

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

Quick answer: Drone spraying for potatoes in Illinois typically runs $18–$38 per acre (application only). Late-blight fungicide on a 5–10 day schedule plus vine desiccation makes potatoes one of the most sprayed crops — frequent aerial passes avoid rutting irrigated ground. Typical carrier volume is 3–5 GPA over Multiple (5–12 late-blight fungicide sprays).

State

Illinois

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Illinois

$2,678–$5,654

$17–$35/acre × 160 acres

Get real quotes in Illinois

What’s driving this

Illinois base rate: $18–$38/acre (specialty)
Crop: ×0.93
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 2025.

Sources: Shaw Local (Aug 2025) — three Illinois spray-drone operators charge $12-$15/ac; one quotes $12/ac for fungicide to stay competitive with manned aerial; AgFly Illinois — in-state aerial/drone fungicide application rate card; Illinois farmdoc 2025 Machinery Cost Estimates: Field Operations (ground spraying cost reference; no separate aerial/drone line); AgDroneDirectory — Illinois page & Corn Belt $12-$17 row-crop band

What it takes to spray potatoes in Illinois

Late-blight fungicide on a 5–10 day schedule plus vine desiccation makes potatoes one of the most sprayed crops — frequent aerial passes avoid rutting irrigated ground.

Carrier volume: 3–5 GPA — higher volumes cost more per acre (more refills, fewer acres/hour).
Typical passes: Multiple (5–12 late-blight fungicide sprays).
Grown in Illinois: 6,373 harvestedacres (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022) — so there’s real, sprayable potatoes acreage for operators here.

Sources & confidence

Illinois estimate · medium confidence · data as of 2025 — Illinois farmdoc custom-rate publication does not break out aerial/drone application, so this is triangulated from multiple in-state operator quotes ($12-$15, one at $12 fungicide) plus the Corn Belt $12-$17 regional band. Operators explicitly price to match the Iowa-level competitive Corn Belt market, hence costIndex 1.00 (same as Iowa).

8 Illinois operators treat potatoes. Request free quotes.

Get quotes in Illinois

Other crops in Illinois

Corn Soybeans Wheat Alfalfa & Hay Oats Barley Sorghum Specialty Crops All Illinois costs

Potatoes drone spraying in Illinois: FAQs

How much does it cost to spray potatoes by drone in Illinois?: Drone spraying potatoes in Illinois typically runs about $18–$38 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 potatoes?: Potatoes is usually treated at 3–5 GPA over Multiple (5–12 late-blight fungicide sprays). Late-blight fungicide on a 5–10 day schedule plus vine desiccation makes potatoes one of the most sprayed crops — frequent aerial passes avoid rutting irrigated ground.