Pratum Co-op
Established 1946 ag co-op that launched drone program Feb 2023. Operates 4 drones with 5 crew. Sprayed approximately 19000 acres in 2024. Working with OSU on stink bug research in hazelnuts. One of the highest-volume drone spray programs in Oregon.
Operations are based in the Great Plains region.
Services offered
Pricing context for the crops Pratum Co-op services
Typical 2026 per-acre rates for drone spraying by crop, based on US ag drone industry data. Contact the operator for a quote on your specific fields.
- Drone spraying for pasture and rangeland$14 to $25 per acre
Crops serviced
Equipment used
States served (1)
Aerial pesticide licensing in states served
Every state requires a pesticide applicator license with the aerial category endorsement on top of FAA Part 137. The agencies that issue these licenses in Pratum Co-op's service area:
- Oregon: Any commercial drone spray over Oregon fields needs Aerial Pesticide Applicator (APA) license, a separate standalone add-on., issued by Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).
Full agency, exam and renewal-cycle details by state are catalogued on the state pesticide licensing reference.
Verify and resources
Primary-source references for verifying credentials and looking up state-specific rules in Pratum Co-op's service area.
Frequently asked questions
Pratum Co-op should carry three credentials before any commercial pesticide application by drone in Oregon: an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for the pilot in command, an FAA Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate for the business and a state aerial-category pesticide applicator license. In Oregon the state credential is issued by Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA); you can ask the operator for the applicator license number and verify it with the agency directly. A current certificate of insurance with chemical drift coverage and the operator's Section 44807 exemption number are reasonable to request alongside the license itself.
Typical drone spraying rates of $14 to $25 per acre in the region is application-only. The chemical, the surfactants and the adjuvants are farmer-supplied. The rate covers calibration, RTK GPS flight planning, the labor to fly the field, mixing and loading from your product, plus the FIFRA Part 170 application record: date, time, product, EPA reg number, rate, weather, field ID. Then watch four surcharges. Travel past a stated radius. Weekend or emergency turnaround. Terrain and obstruction add-ons. A minimum-acreage floor on a small field. Confirm every one of them in writing.