Corn drone spraying cost in South Dakota
Researched per-acre cost to spray corn by drone in South Dakota, the agronomy that drives it, and operators who cover your area.
Estimated cost in South Dakota
$1,280–$2,880
$8–$18/acre × 160 acres
What’s driving this
- South Dakota base rate
- $8–$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: agdronedirectory — Drone Spraying in South Dakota (row-crop $12-$16 typical, broader $12-$18; eastern SD competitive with Iowa, western SD wheat slightly lower; Great Plains Drone Co. $12-$16/ac, 40-ac min); SDSU Extension — Custom Rates Survey (2026 collection in progress; in-state survey instrument); NDSU 2024 Custom Rates — By Aircraft (regional analog for western/wheat SD acreage); Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey (anchor for eastern SD Corn Belt)
What it takes to spray corn in South Dakota
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 South Dakota: 4,803,202 harvestedacres (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022) — so there’s real, sprayable corn acreage for operators here.
How big is a typical corn field in South Dakota?
The average South Dakota corn operation works about 479 acres of corn (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 10,035 operations) — so at these rates a field that size runs about $3,832–$8,622 per application. That’s an average across whole operations; a single field is usually smaller. Corn field sizes & cost in South Dakota →
Sources & confidence
South Dakota estimate · medium confidence · data as of 2026 — SDSU's Custom Rates Survey was still being COLLECTED in 2026, so this blends two analogs reflecting SD's split: eastern SD (corn/soybean) is 'competitive with Iowa' (anchor $12-$18), western SD (large wheat, manned aerial) tracks lower NDSU aircraft averages. Operator data (Great Plains Drone Co. $12-$16) corroborate the eastern band. Typical $13, low $8 (western wheat), high $18 (eastern fungicide). costIndex 0.98 — just below Iowa. Specialty band derived from national orchard range, pulled slightly low. Medium confidence: two analogs plus operator cards, no published in-state aerial survey number yet.
- agdronedirectory — Drone Spraying in South Dakota (row-crop $12-$16 typical, broader $12-$18; eastern SD competitive with Iowa, western SD wheat slightly lower; Great Plains Drone Co. $12-$16/ac, 40-ac min)
- SDSU Extension — Custom Rates Survey (2026 collection in progress; in-state survey instrument)
- NDSU 2024 Custom Rates — By Aircraft (regional analog for western/wheat SD acreage)
- Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey (anchor for eastern SD Corn Belt)
Get matched with sprayers in South Dakota
Rather than picking one operator, send one request and we'll match you with up to three verified drone sprayers who cover your area. Free for farmers — no fees, no obligation.
Request your free quote
Takes about a minute.
Other crops in South Dakota
Corn drone spraying in South Dakota: FAQs
- How much does it cost to spray corn by drone in South Dakota?
- Drone spraying corn in South Dakota typically runs about $8–$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 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.