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.
Estimated cost in Illinois
$2,678–$5,654
$17–$35/acre × 160 acres
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 harvested acres (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
- 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
Potatoes drone sprayers in Illinois
Get matched with sprayers in Illinois
Rather than picking one operator, send one request and we'll match you with up to three verified drone sprayers who cover your area. Free for farmers — no fees, no obligation.
Request your free quote
Takes about a minute.
Other crops in Illinois
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.