Barley drone spraying cost in Maryland
Researched per-acre cost to spray barley by drone in Maryland, the agronomy that drives it, and operators who cover your area.
Estimated cost in Maryland
$1,600–$3,840
$10–$24/acre × 160 acres
What’s driving this
- Maryland base rate
- $10–$24/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: Custom Work Charges in Maryland and Delaware FS-683 (Feb 2025, UMD/UD Extension) - Spraying Pesticide Aerial $10.00-$28.00/ac, avg $14.36; Pesticide Ground $7-$50, avg $14.01; UMD Extension Custom Work Charges in Maryland and Delaware (FS-683 landing page); Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey - drone anchor avg $12.50
What it takes to spray barley in Maryland
Flag-leaf fungicide for scald, net blotch, and Fusarium — the same tight timing as wheat, so aerial application wins when fields are wet.
- Carrier volume: 2–3 GPA — higher volumes cost more per acre (more refills, fewer acres/hour).
- Typical passes: 1 (flag-leaf fungicide).
- Grown in Maryland: 17,539 harvestedacres (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022) — so there’s real, sprayable barley acreage for operators here.
Sources & confidence
Maryland estimate · high confidence · data as of 2026 — High confidence: the current (Feb 2025) UMD/UD Extension FS-683 survey breaks out AERIAL pesticide application directly at $10-$28/ac (avg $14.36, modal $12.50) and ground pesticide at $7-$50 (avg $14.01). Drone application in-state tracks this aerial band. costIndex 1.10 vs Iowa (typical ~$14 vs $12.50) reflects Delmarva field sizes between Corn Belt and small NE farms. Specialty band set to regional orchard/vineyard drone range for MD's Western/Southern fruit acreage.
- Custom Work Charges in Maryland and Delaware FS-683 (Feb 2025, UMD/UD Extension) - Spraying Pesticide Aerial $10.00-$28.00/ac, avg $14.36; Pesticide Ground $7-$50, avg $14.01
- UMD Extension Custom Work Charges in Maryland and Delaware (FS-683 landing page)
- Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey - drone anchor avg $12.50
4 Maryland operators treat barley, quoting roughly $20–$150/acre. Request free quotes.
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Barley drone spraying in Maryland: FAQs
- How much does it cost to spray barley by drone in Maryland?
- Drone spraying barley in Maryland typically runs about $10–$24 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 barley?
- Barley is usually treated at 2–3 GPA over 1 (flag-leaf fungicide). Flag-leaf fungicide for scald, net blotch, and Fusarium — the same tight timing as wheat, so aerial application wins when fields are wet.