Drone spraying cost in Montana
Researched per-acre rates for agricultural drone spraying in Montana — estimate your job, see the crop-by-crop breakdown, and compare operators.
Estimated cost in Montana
$1,440–$3,040
$9–$19/acre × 160 acres
What’s driving this
- Montana base rate
- $9–$19/acre (row crop)
- Gallons per acre
- 2 GPA → ×1.00
Application only — product & chemical extra.
Sources & how this is estimated
Estimated from regional/national data — request quotes from operators for an accurate figure. Application only; product/chemical extra. Data as of 2026.
Sources: CSU Extension 2025 Custom Rates (Colorado/High Plains analog; Eastern aerial median $8.25); Ag Drone Directory 2026 Rates Guide (Great Plains band $12-16; national $12-18); Ag Drone Directory spray cost calculator (Great Plains regional multiplier 0.95x vs Corn Belt baseline)
Drone spraying cost by crop in Montana
| Crop | Typical cost ($/acre) | Grown in MT (acres) |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat | $9–$19 | 5,198,967 |
| Alfalfa & Hay | $9–$19 | 1,837,085 |
| Barley | $9–$19 | 798,415 |
| Field Peas | $9–$18 | 502,836 |
| Lentils | $9–$18 | 463,239 |
| Chickpeas | $9–$18 | 171,363 |
| Canola | $9–$18 | 163,304 |
| Flax | $8–$18 | 82,982 |
| Corn | $9–$19 | 67,434 |
| Sugar Beets | $18–$36 | 31,841 |
| Oats | $9–$18 | 24,256 |
| Potatoes | $18–$36 | 12,152 |
Cost is application only; product/chemical extra — estimates, so request quotes for exact pricing. Acreage is USDA Census of Agriculture 2022 (harvested acres, or bearing acres for tree/vine/berry crops).
What’s grown in Montana
The crops that cover the most ground in Montana, by acreage — every one is a candidate for aerial spraying. Share is of the state’s tracked-crop acreage in the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture.
Source: USDA NASS Census of Agriculture 2022 — acres harvested. Broad categories like pasture and mixed specialty crops aren’t charted here.
What drives the price in Montana
Per-acre rates move with the crop (dense orchard and vineyard canopies cost more than open row crops), the carrier volume (more gallons per acre means more refills and fewer acres per hour), the number of passes, field size and terrain, and whether a restricted-use pesticide is applied (which adds a certified-applicator and recordkeeping surcharge).Montana’s base rate also reflects local regulation, labor, and field geometry.
Sources & confidence
Montana estimate · low confidence · data as of 2026 · regional estimate — DERIVED: no Montana extension or in-state operator rate found. Montana's large, flat dryland wheat/pulse acreage most resembles the Great Plains, to which the Ag Drone Directory calculator assigns a 0.95x multiplier vs the Corn Belt/Iowa baseline -> typical ~0.95 x $12.50 ~= $12-13. Spread widened ~15% (low $9, high $19) for long ferry distances and sparse operator coverage. Specialty band at the national orchard/vineyard $18-36 (minimal MT specialty acreage; included for completeness). costIndex 0.95 = Great Plains analog.
36 drone-spraying operators serve Montana. Compare them and request free quotes.
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Drone spraying cost in Montana: FAQs
- How much does drone spraying cost in Montana?
- In Montana, drone spraying runs about $9–$19 per acre for row crops and $18–$36 per acre for orchards, vineyards, and specialty crops (application only, product extra). Field size, carrier volume (gallons per acre), passes, and product all move the number — request quotes for an exact figure.
- Why does drone spraying cost what it does in Montana?
- Per-acre rates vary by state with regulatory load (permitting, buffer zones, applicator licensing), labor and fuel costs, field size and geometry, and crop mix. Montana's rate reflects those local factors versus the national median.
- Does a restricted-use pesticide cost more to apply in Montana?
- Usually a little. Restricted-use products require a certified applicator, extra recordkeeping and notification, and stricter buffers — a modest per-acre surcharge (often a couple of dollars an acre) on top of the base rate.
- How does gallons per acre change the price?
- Higher carrier volume (more gallons per acre) means more refills and fewer acres per hour, so per-acre cost rises with GPA. Low-volume row-crop jobs (~2 GPA) are cheapest; California and specialty orchard/vineyard work at 5–10 GPA costs more. This is where the technology has moved fastest, though — today's flagship tanks hold roughly 26 gallons, about five times the 2020 models, so drones now cover higher-GPA work far more efficiently than they used to.