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

Drone spraying rice in Missouri typically runs about $11–$19 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 Missouri

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

Quick answer: Drone spraying for rice in Missouri typically runs $11–$19 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

Missouri

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Missouri

$1,760–$3,040

$11–$19/acre × 160 acres

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What’s driving this

Missouri base rate: $11–$19/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 2025.

Sources: MU Extension G1274 — Economics of Drone Ownership for Agricultural Spray Applications: typical custom-hire drone rate ~$16/ac (modeled owner cost $12.27/ac, custom-operator cost $7.39/ac); MU Extension G1274 full PDF; AgDroneDirectory — Mississippi Delta band $14-$18/ac (Missouri Bootheel grouped here; strong manned aerial-applicator competition)

What it takes to spray rice in Missouri

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 Missouri: 152,285 harvestedacres (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022) — so there’s real, sprayable rice acreage for operators here.

How big is a typical rice field in Missouri?

The average Missouri rice operation works about 614 acres of rice (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 248 operations) — so at these rates a field that size runs about $6,754–$11,666 per application. That’s an average across whole operations; a single field is usually smaller. Rice field sizes & cost in Missouri →

Sources & confidence

Missouri estimate · medium confidence · data as of 2025 — MU G1274 cites a typical custom-hire drone rate of ~$16/ac; AgDroneDirectory places the Missouri/Delta band at $14-$18. Typical set to $15.50 (midpoint of the MU $16 figure and the Delta band), low/high $11-$19. costIndex 1.18 = $15.50 / Iowa $12.50; Missouri prices above the flat Corn Belt core due to strong manned aerial-applicator competition and Delta-market pricing in the south/Bootheel.

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Other crops in Missouri

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Rice drone spraying in Missouri: FAQs

How much does it cost to spray rice by drone in Missouri?: Drone spraying rice in Missouri typically runs about $11–$19 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.