Agricultural drone services for potatoes in Florida. Typical rate: $16 to $24/acre
In Florida, drone spraying for potatoes sits within the broader state custom-rate band of $18 to $28/acre, with the most comparable per-acre range for potatoes applications running $16 to $24/acre. Florida sits in the Southeast region, which shapes the disease, drift and timing pressures local operators plan around. Commercial drone applications in Florida require Aerial Pest Control (Ch. 487 F.S.) from Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on top of FAA Part 137 certification.
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About potatoes drone spraying
US potato production runs roughly 1 million harvested acres per year per USDA NASS, with Idaho the dominant state at over 300,000 acres followed by Washington, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Colorado and Maine. Potatoes are one of the most pesticide-intensive row crops in US agriculture, with an 8-to-12-pass fungicide program per season targeting late blight (Phytophthora infestans), early blight (Alternaria solani) and white mold. Drones serve potato growers in two niches: late-season fungicide work after the canopy closes and ground rigs cause yield-damaging row crush, and Colorado potato beetle insecticide work on small or irregularly shaped fields where airplane setup time is uneconomic. Per-acre rates run $16 to $24, higher than corn or soybean fungicide because of the application frequency and the precision required to keep pesticide off neighboring sensitive crops. Idaho potato operators book through season contracts that cover the full disease program; spot work for beetle outbreaks runs at premium rates with 24-to-48-hour turnaround. Operators serving potato growers should hold FAA Part 137 plus the state commercial pesticide applicator license with aerial endorsement and, on Idaho fields, a Confidentiality Agreement with the grower for scheduling against neighboring fields. University of Idaho Extension and the Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbook are the authoritative scouting references.
Typical rate: $16 to $24/acre
US acreage: 1M+ acres
Application calendar for potatoes
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Green months = optimal application window
Aerial pesticide licensing in Florida
Florida requires Aerial Pest Control (Ch. 487 F.S.) for aerial pesticide application. The licensing authority is Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
Southern Skies Ag Drone specializes in cotton defoliation, peanut desiccation and corn fungicide across Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. Our 5-drone fleet handles soft Delta soils and sensitive neighboring crops where airplane applicators decline to fly. Defoliant season (Sept to Oct) books fast, reserve your window in July.
Avary Drone operates a national network of vetted agricultural drone operators and a booking marketplace connecting growers with local certified pilots. Coverage spans the Southeast, Midwest and mid-Atlantic, with operators available for corn, soybean, cotton and rice fungicide and herbicide applications, as well as cover crop seeding.
Verified OperatorFAA Part 107 ✓
Drone SprayingCover Crop SeedingFertilizer Application+1 more
American-made NDAA-compliant ag drones & operator network
Hylio designs and manufactures the AG-272, the leading NDAA-compliant agricultural spray drone in the United States and supports a national network of certified Hylio operators. The company provides sales, training and operator support for federal programs, defense-adjacent ag operations and buyers requiring US-manufactured drone equipment.
Verified OperatorFAA Part 107 ✓NDAA Compliant ✓
Drone SprayingFertilizer ApplicationCover Crop Seeding+2 more
Advanced ag drone technology & application services
Pegasus Robotics develops and deploys advanced agricultural drone systems for large-scale crop protection and precision application. The company offers both equipment solutions and commercial application services across the Southeast, with a focus on high-efficiency coverage for corn, soybeans and cotton using autonomy-enhanced drone platforms.
Verified OperatorFAA Part 107 ✓
Drone SprayingFertilizer ApplicationEquipment Sales+2 more
Drone ag technology & application services, Southeast US
Volitant Technologies provides agricultural drone application services and precision technology solutions to row-crop and specialty crop producers across the Southeast. The company combines drone spraying with data analytics and remote sensing to deliver prescription-based applications for fungicide, herbicide and fertilizer programs.
Southeast multi-state ag drone & aerial application services
KDB Land and Air is a multi-state agricultural drone and aerial application company operating across the Southeast. The company offers drone fungicide, herbicide and defoliant programs for cotton, corn, soybeans and peanuts across Alabama, Georgia and Florida, with crews positioned for rapid deployment during critical spray windows.
Authorized Reinke irrigation dealer in Smithville, SW Georgia that expanded into DJI agricultural drone sales and spraying. Run by Alex Harrell (owner/operator) and Johnny Villanueva (store manager). Sells DJI T10, T30 and T40 plus custom spray drone trailers. Featured in SW Georgia Farm Credit Wiregrass magazine as a drone spraying pioneer for peanuts, cotton and row crops.
SE Georgia · drone herbicide for forestry reforestation in GA & FL
Forestry-focused company in Southeast Georgia offering drone herbicide spraying for pine reforestation (loblolly and slash pine plantations). Also provides reforestation consulting, prescribed burning and tree planting. Led by a registered Forester in Georgia and certified SAF Forester. Serves Georgia and Florida.
GA · XAG P100 Pro HP fleet, peanuts, cotton, pecans & blueberries
National aerial services company with a dedicated drone ag division actively operating in Georgia. Fully licensed in Georgia. Operates fleet of XAG P100 Pro HP drones for wet spraying, dry spreading (fertilizer/seed), aerial surveys, multispectral crop analysis and prescription mapping. Confirmed operations in Bulloch County peanuts and SW Georgia cotton.
Verified OperatorFAA Part 137 ✓FAA Part 107 ✓
Drone SprayingFertilizer ApplicationAerial Mapping+1 more
Tampa FL · citrus, strawberry & turf drone spraying since 2023
Central Florida drone spraying provider founded 2023, specializing in citrus disease protection, turf nutrient application and strawberry field treatments. Based in Tampa, FL. Operates DJI Agras T40 for fungicides, pesticides, fertilizers and micronutrients across citrus, strawberry, nurseries and turf farms.
Miami FL · DJI Agriculture Master Distributor for the Americas
DJI Agriculture Master Distributor headquartered in Miami, FL with offices in Mexico, Argentina and Panama. Specializes in agricultural drone technology sales serving the Americas. Sells DJI Agras T30, T40, Phantom 4 RTK and P4 Multispectral. Training provided with each industrial drone purchase. Contact: +1 786-229-6330.
South FL · citrus, sugarcane & exotic vegetation control
Agricultural drone spraying and mapping service in South Florida (Polk/Highlands County area). Specializes in exotic vegetation control and precision application with RTK GPS centimeter-level accuracy. Covers citrus, sugarcane, tomatoes, avocados and nursery plants.
FL · primary research & education hub for drone ag in Florida
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (Gainesville, FL). Primary educational and research institution in Florida for drone technology in agriculture. Led by Yiannis Ampatzidis and Wenhao Liu. Publishes regulatory guides, conducts spray drone research for citrus and specialty crops and provides Part 107 exam prep and pesticide applicator training statewide.
FL Keys government · drone larvicide in remote salt marshes since 2019
Monroe County / Florida Keys government agency using customized drones carrying 7 to 8 lbs of larvicide to treat small, hard-to-reach parcels in remote salt marshes. Founded drone program 2019 under Executive Director Andrea Leal. Too confined for helicopters but impractical to reach on foot across the Florida Keys.
Vero Beach FL government · drone aerial larvicide application
Indian River County, FL government agency using sub-contracted drone operators alongside fixed-wing aircraft for aerial larvicide application (granular/pelleted material) targeting mosquito larvae. All operations follow local, state and federal regulations.
Fort Myers FL · FAA UAS Integration Pilot Program 2018 selectee
Fort Myers, FL government agency and one of only 10 entities selected for the FAA's UAS Integration Pilot Program in 2018. Uses drones for mosquito surveillance and treatment in extensive mangrove habitats. Has planned deployment of a 1,500-lb drone platform for large-scale treatment. Contact: Eric Jackson (Public Information Officer).
FL · BS in Unmanned Aircraft Systems + drone pilot training
Daytona Beach, FL university offering one of the few Bachelor's degrees in Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the US. Covers drone operations, data collection, regulations and engineering with hands-on simulator and flight training. Nationally recognized program preparing students for agricultural and commercial drone careers.
South FL · 200 to 700 acres/day per drone near Lake Okeechobee
South Florida ag drone spraying operator near Lake Okeechobee founded 2024 by Alex Peterson. Operates EAVision J150 drones (20-gallon tank with LiDAR radar mapping) covering 200 to 700 acres per day per drone. Services: fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and insecticides for South Florida agricultural crops.
FL government · drone larvicide in parks & wetlands
Broward County government agency using drones with 15-lb spray payloads to treat mosquito breeding grounds in difficult-to-access parks and wetlands. Targets Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in South Florida. Pioneer government use of UAS for vector control.
FL · first FAA-certified UAS spray company, 10,000+ flights completed
Daytona Beach, FL manufacturer and operator formerly known as LEAT (Leading Edge Aerial Technologies). First company to receive FAA certification for UAS spray applications of agricultural products. Founded 2012; acquired by Central Garden and Pet in November 2024. Completed over 10,000 UAS flights. Makes PrecisionVision PV35X, PV40X and PV100 platforms plus MapVision software.
Naples FL government · drone surveillance & larvicide application
Collier Mosquito Control District in Naples, FL uses drones for mosquito management, filling the gap between manned aircraft and ground operations. Conducts drone surveillance for mosquito breeding and targeted larvicide applications. Key contacts: Robin King (Communications) and Atom Rosales (Technical Development).
AL franchise · precision drone spraying, sales & training nationwide
National franchise network for precision drone spraying with a confirmed Southeast franchise location in Vina, AL. Co-founded by Aaron Duval and Jeff Bickley. Named Top Precision Farming Solutions Provider 2023 by AgriBusiness Review. Sells DJI Agras T50, T100, XAG P100 Pro and Talos T60X plus drone trailers. Provides Part 107/137 regulatory support.
FL · FAA Part 107 certification training across Miami, Orlando & Treasure Coast
Port St. Lucie, FL drone training provider offering FAA Part 107 certification and professional drone training across Florida, serving Miami, Orlando and the Treasure Coast. Provides hands-on flight skills and enterprise/government drone training including agriculture applications.
Veteran-owned. Selling spray drones since 2014. DJI and XAG authorized.
Pilot TrainingEquipment Sales
Price on request
FAQ: potatoes drone spraying in Florida
Drone spraying rates for potatoes in Florida typically run $16 to $24/acre for application only; the farmer supplies the chemical product. State-level custom-rate guidance for Florida averages $18 to $28/acre. Pricing varies based on total acreage, distance from the operator base and product type.
Optimal drone application timing for potatoes runs May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep. Exact timing depends on weather, growth stage and pest or disease pressure each season; contact a local operator in Florida for scheduling at least 4 to 6 weeks ahead of the peak window.
Commercial drone pesticide application in Florida requires three credentials: an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for the pilot, an FAA Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate for the business, and Aerial Pest Control (Ch. 487 F.S.) from Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Confirm any operator you hire holds all three before any application.
Drone spraying on potatoes offers zero soil compaction, the ability to operate when fields are too wet for tractors, GPS-guided uniform coverage at 95%+ accuracy and the ability to treat small or irregularly shaped fields. Peer-reviewed studies (Nature Scientific Reports 2025, ScienceDirect 2025, ACS 2023) report 46 to 75% pesticide use reduction, 65 to 70% drift reduction at field boundaries and 90 to 99% lower operator chemical exposure versus ground equipment.
Potato drone spraying runs $16 to $24 per acre, the highest average among major US row crops because of the 8-to-12-pass disease program per season and the precision required to manage drift onto sensitive neighboring crops. Season contracts covering the full program are typically discounted 10 to 15% from spot rates.
Most Idaho and Washington programs run 8 to 12 passes per season, starting at row closure and continuing through vine-kill. Late blight pressure years can push the count to 14 or more passes on susceptible varieties. Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks publish current threshold and rotation guidance.
Drift control on neighboring sensitive crops, smaller-field economics, and faster turnaround on Colorado potato beetle outbreaks. Airplanes are still the workhorse on contiguous 500+ acre Idaho fields, but drones win on fragmented production, drift-sensitive borders, and the late-season canopy work after row closure when airplane wingtip drift becomes a liability.
June through September is the heart of the disease program in the Pacific Northwest. Wisconsin and Maine peak slightly earlier in June through August. Vine-kill applications in September close the season. Operators serving Idaho potato country are typically fully booked into season contracts by mid-May.
Same FAA Part 107 plus Part 137 plus state commercial pesticide applicator license with aerial endorsement that any commercial drone spraying requires. Idaho and Washington both publish potato-specific drift management guidance under their state department of agriculture; some Idaho operators voluntarily certify under the Idaho Potato Commission grower-operator coordination program.