How much does it cost to spray corn by drone in Pennsylvania?

Drone spraying corn in Pennsylvania typically runs about $12–$25 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 corn?

Corn is usually treated at 2–3 GPA over 1–2 (fungicide at tassel, ± a foliar/nitrogen pass). Fungicide for tar spot and gray leaf spot at VT–R1 over a tall canopy is the classic drone job — low carrier volume, fast wide passes.

Corn drone spraying cost in Pennsylvania

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

Quick answer: Drone spraying for corn in Pennsylvania typically runs $12–$25 per acre (application only). Fungicide for tar spot and gray leaf spot at VT–R1 over a tall canopy is the classic drone job — low carrier volume, fast wide passes. Typical carrier volume is 2–3 GPA over 1–2 (fungicide at tassel, ± a foliar/nitrogen pass).

State

Pennsylvania

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Pennsylvania

$1,920–$4,000

$12–$25/acre × 160 acres

Get real quotes in Pennsylvania

What’s driving this

Pennsylvania base rate: $12–$25/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: Pennsylvania's 2022 Machinery Custom Rates (USDA NASS) - Ground Spraying for Weeds $10-$42/ac, avg $16.50; Herbicide boom $10-$20, avg $15.60; Farm Progress - Check out Pennsylvania custom rates (weed spraying $10-$42/ac, state avg $16.50); Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey - drone spraying anchor $8-$16, avg $12.50; Northeast specialty/orchard-vineyard drone band $18-$38/ac (2026 directory pricing)

What it takes to spray corn in Pennsylvania

Fungicide for tar spot and gray leaf spot at VT–R1 over a tall canopy is the classic drone job — low carrier volume, fast wide passes.

Carrier volume: 2–3 GPA — higher volumes cost more per acre (more refills, fewer acres/hour).
Typical passes: 1–2 (fungicide at tassel, ± a foliar/nitrogen pass).
Grown in Pennsylvania: 998,267 harvested acres (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022) — so there’s real, sprayable corn acreage for operators here.

How big is a typical corn field in Pennsylvania?

The average Pennsylvania corn operation works about 80 acres of corn (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 12,468 operations) — so at these rates a field that size runs about $960–$2,000 per application. That’s an average across whole operations; a single field is usually smaller. Corn field sizes & cost in Pennsylvania →