How much does drone spraying cost in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, drone spraying runs about $11–$22 per acre for row crops and $20–$34 per acre for orchards, vineyards, and specialty crops (application only, product extra), about 28% above the national median. Field size, carrier volume (gallons per acre), passes, and product all move the number — request quotes for an exact figure.

Why does drone spraying cost above in Wisconsin?

Per-acre rates vary by state with regulatory load (permitting, buffer zones, applicator licensing), labor and fuel costs, field size and geometry, and crop mix. Wisconsin's rate reflects those local factors versus the national median.

Does a restricted-use pesticide cost more to apply in Wisconsin?

Usually a little. Restricted-use products require a certified applicator, extra recordkeeping and notification, and stricter buffers — a modest per-acre surcharge (often a couple of dollars an acre) on top of the base rate.

How does gallons per acre change the price?

A spray drone's tank is a fixed size, so higher carrier volume (more gallons per acre) means more refills and ferrying and fewer acres per hour — which raises the per-acre cost. Low-volume row-crop jobs (~2 GPA) are cheapest; dense orchard/vineyard work at higher GPA costs more.

Drone spraying cost in Wisconsin

Researched per-acre rates for agricultural drone spraying in Wisconsin — estimate your job, see the crop-by-crop breakdown, and compare operators.

Quick answer: Drone spraying in Wisconsin typically runs $11–$22 per acre for row crops (application only), about 28% above the national median. Orchards, vineyards, and specialty crops run higher — about $20–$34 per acre. The final price depends on field size, gallons per acre, the number of passes, and whether a restricted-use product is applied.

State

Wisconsin

CropAcres

Gallons per acre (carrier volume)Applications (passes)

Restricted-use pesticide (certified applicator + records)

Estimated cost in Wisconsin

$1,760–$3,520

$11–$22/acre × 160 acres

Get real quotes in Wisconsin

What’s driving this

Wisconsin base rate: $11–$22/acre (row crop)
Gallons per acre: 2 GPA → ×1.00

medium confidence

Sources: UW-Madison Extension — Custom Rates for 2024 Wisconsin Farm Operations (Table 4: herbicide boom sprayer avg $11.48, range $6.75-$40; fungicide ground avg $11.90, range $8-$20); UW-Madison Extension 2024 custom-rate report PDF (Richland County mirror); agdronedirectory pricing guide — WI growers paid ~$18/ac for drone application in wet spring conditions; Corn Belt drone band $14-$22

Estimate only — actual rates vary by field size, terrain, and product. Application only; product/chemical extra. Data as of 2024.

Drone spraying cost by crop in Wisconsin

Crop	Typical cost ($/acre)
Corn	$11–$22
Soybeans	$11–$22
Alfalfa & Hay	$11–$22
Specialty Crops	$19–$32

Application only; product/chemical extra. Estimates — request quotes for exact pricing.

What drives the price in Wisconsin

Per-acre rates move with the crop (dense orchard and vineyard canopies cost more than open row crops), the carrier volume (more gallons per acre means more refills and fewer acres per hour), the number of passes, field size and terrain, and whether a restricted-use pesticide is applied (which adds a certified-applicator and recordkeeping surcharge).Wisconsin’s base rate also reflects local regulation, labor, and field geometry.

Sources & confidence

Wisconsin estimate · medium confidence · data as of 2024 — The UW-Madison 2024 Custom Rate Survey has NO aerial or drone line, so its ground figures (herbicide boom avg $11.48; fungicide ground avg $11.90) only set a floor. Row-crop drone band derived: Iowa $12-$18 scaled up ~10% (costIndex 1.10) for WI's smaller, hillier/dairy-country fields and the documented wet-condition premium (one in-state report of $18/ac). Specialty band (cranberry bogs, apple/cherry orchards, Driftless vineyards) scaled to the national $18-$35 orchard range and nudged up for terrain; medium confidence because drone-specific evidence is thin.

37 drone-spraying operators serve Wisconsin. Compare them and request free quotes.

Get quotes in Wisconsin

More on drone spraying cost

Cost per acre (guide)Cost calculator Cost by state

Drone spraying cost in Wisconsin: FAQs

How much does drone spraying cost in Wisconsin?: In Wisconsin, drone spraying runs about $11–$22 per acre for row crops and $20–$34 per acre for orchards, vineyards, and specialty crops (application only, product extra), about 28% above the national median. Field size, carrier volume (gallons per acre), passes, and product all move the number — request quotes for an exact figure.
Why does drone spraying cost above in Wisconsin?: Per-acre rates vary by state with regulatory load (permitting, buffer zones, applicator licensing), labor and fuel costs, field size and geometry, and crop mix. Wisconsin's rate reflects those local factors versus the national median.
Does a restricted-use pesticide cost more to apply in Wisconsin?: Usually a little. Restricted-use products require a certified applicator, extra recordkeeping and notification, and stricter buffers — a modest per-acre surcharge (often a couple of dollars an acre) on top of the base rate.
How does gallons per acre change the price?: A spray drone's tank is a fixed size, so higher carrier volume (more gallons per acre) means more refills and ferrying and fewer acres per hour — which raises the per-acre cost. Low-volume row-crop jobs (~2 GPA) are cheapest; dense orchard/vineyard work at higher GPA costs more.