How much does it cost to spray canola by drone in North Dakota?

Drone spraying canola in North Dakota typically runs about $6–$17 per acre (application only, product extra). Carrier volume, passes, field size, and product move the final number — compare operator quotes for an exact price.

Canola drone spraying cost in North Dakota

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

Quick answer: Drone spraying for canola in North Dakota typically runs $6–$17 per acre (application only). Sclerotinia fungicide at 20–50% bloom is timing-critical; drones hit the narrow window on soft northern ground when sprayers are stuck. Typical carrier volume is 2–3 GPA over 1–2 (sclerotinia fungicide at bloom).

State

North Dakota

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in North Dakota

$960–$2,880

$6–$18/acre × 160 acres

Get real quotes in North Dakota

What’s driving this

North Dakota base rate: $6–$18/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: NDSU — 2024 North Dakota Custom Rates, Early Season Operations (By Aircraft, All Pesticides: 1gal avg $9.76 / most-freq $9.75; 2-3gal avg $9.77; 4-5gal avg $10.00; >5gal avg $11.25; full range $4.50-$25.00); NDSU Agriculture — North Dakota Custom Rates (landing page / report index); Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey (anchor for calibration)

What it takes to spray canola in North Dakota

Sclerotinia fungicide at 20–50% bloom is timing-critical; drones hit the narrow window on soft northern ground when sprayers are stuck.

Carrier volume: 2–3 GPA — higher volumes cost more per acre (more refills, fewer acres/hour).
Typical passes: 1–2 (sclerotinia fungicide at bloom).
Grown in North Dakota: 1,702,791 harvestedacres (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022) — so there’s real, sprayable canola acreage for operators here.

Sources & confidence

North Dakota estimate · high confidence · data as of 2026 — Direct, current extension survey. NDSU's 2024 Early-Season report breaks out 'By Aircraft (All Pesticides)' by carrier volume: averages climb from $9.76/ac (1 gal) to $11.25/ac (>5 gal), full reported range $4.50-$25.00. Typical $11 (aircraft average bracket), low $6 (large flat fields, low-volume work), high $18 (heavy-water/specialty passes; $25 max an outlier). costIndex 0.95 — slightly below Iowa: very large fields, deep established ag-aviation fleet, low-volume applications. Specialty band derived from national orchard range, set modestly below other states for ND's lower cost structure.

9 North Dakota operators treat canola. Request free quotes.

Get quotes in North Dakota

Other crops in North Dakota

Wheat Soybeans Corn Alfalfa & Hay Sunflowers Barley Dry Beans Sugar Beets Field Peas Oats Flax All North Dakota costs

Canola drone spraying in North Dakota: FAQs

How much does it cost to spray canola by drone in North Dakota?: Drone spraying canola in North Dakota typically runs about $6–$17 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 canola?: Canola is usually treated at 2–3 GPA over 1–2 (sclerotinia fungicide at bloom). Sclerotinia fungicide at 20–50% bloom is timing-critical; drones hit the narrow window on soft northern ground when sprayers are stuck.