How much does it cost to spray soybeans by drone in Virginia?

Drone spraying soybeans in Virginia typically runs about $11–$27 per acre (application only, product extra). Carrier volume, passes, field size, and product move the final number — compare operator quotes for an exact price.

Soybeans drone spraying cost in Virginia

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

Quick answer: Drone spraying for soybeans in Virginia typically runs $11–$27 per acre (application only). White mold and frogeye fungicide plus aphid control at R3; aerial cover-crop seeding into standing beans is increasingly common. Typical carrier volume is 2–3 GPA over 1–2 (R3 fungicide/insecticide).

State

Virginia

CropAcres

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

Estimated cost in Virginia

$1,760–$4,320

$11–$27/acre × 160 acres

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What’s driving this

Virginia base rate: $11–$27/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: UGA 2024 Georgia Custom Rate Survey (nearest in-region row-crop survey; Aerial Spray avg $12.81/ac); Virginia Tech News — researchers study herbicide spray applications using drones (Eastern Shore, in-state context, no per-acre rate); Ag Drone Directory 2026 — Northeast band (incl. Virginia) $15-25/ac; orchards $20-35, vineyards $18-30

What it takes to spray soybeans in Virginia

White mold and frogeye fungicide plus aphid control at R3; aerial cover-crop seeding into standing beans is increasingly common.

Carrier volume: 2–3 GPA — higher volumes cost more per acre (more refills, fewer acres/hour).
Typical passes: 1–2 (R3 fungicide/insecticide).
Grown in Virginia: 610,605 harvestedacres (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022) — so there’s real, sprayable soybeans acreage for operators here.

How big is a typical soybeans field in Virginia?

The average Virginia soybeans operation works about 248 acres of soybeans (USDA Census of Agriculture 2022, 2,466 operations) — so at these rates a field that size runs about $2,728–$6,696 per application. That’s an average across whole operations; a single field is usually smaller. Soybeans field sizes & cost in Virginia →

Sources & confidence

Virginia estimate · low confidence · data as of 2026 — No Virginia aerial/drone custom-rate survey with per-acre figures found (Virginia Tech publishes research, not rates; Ag Drone Directory places VA in its Northeast $15-25/ac band). Derived from Georgia's 2024 UGA survey scaled up ~10% for VA's smaller, hillier, more fragmented fields and thinner operator density; specialty band reflects VA's notable orchard/vineyard sector. Spread widened ~15% per low-confidence rule.

7 Virginia operators treat soybeans, quoting roughly $12–$24/acre. Request free quotes.

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Other crops in Virginia

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Soybeans drone spraying in Virginia: FAQs

How much does it cost to spray soybeans by drone in Virginia?: Drone spraying soybeans in Virginia typically runs about $11–$27 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 soybeans?: Soybeans is usually treated at 2–3 GPA over 1–2 (R3 fungicide/insecticide). White mold and frogeye fungicide plus aphid control at R3; aerial cover-crop seeding into standing beans is increasingly common.