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

Drone spraying sunflowers in North Dakota typically runs about $6–$18 per acre (application only, product extra). Carrier volume, passes, field size, and product move the final number — compare operator quotes for an exact price.

Sunflowers drone spraying cost in North Dakota

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

Quick answer: Drone spraying for sunflowers in North Dakota typically runs $6–$18 per acre (application only). Head rot and rust fungicide at bloom plus a late desiccation over tall stands — drones treat without shattering heads the way a ground rig can. Typical carrier volume is 2–3 GPA over 1–2 (bloom fungicide/insecticide, ± desiccation).

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 sunflowers in North Dakota

Head rot and rust fungicide at bloom plus a late desiccation over tall stands — drones treat without shattering heads the way a ground rig can.

Carrier volume: 2–3 GPA — higher volumes cost more per acre (more refills, fewer acres/hour).
Typical passes: 1–2 (bloom fungicide/insecticide, ± desiccation).
Grown in North Dakota: 670,623 harvestedacres (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022) — so there’s real, sprayable sunflowers 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 sunflowers. Request free quotes.

Get quotes in North Dakota

Other crops in North Dakota

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

Sunflowers drone spraying in North Dakota: FAQs

How much does it cost to spray sunflowers by drone in North Dakota?: Drone spraying sunflowers in North Dakota typically runs about $6–$18 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 sunflowers?: Sunflowers is usually treated at 2–3 GPA over 1–2 (bloom fungicide/insecticide, ± desiccation). Head rot and rust fungicide at bloom plus a late desiccation over tall stands — drones treat without shattering heads the way a ground rig can.