Ottumwa, Iowa sits in Wapello County, an ag-relevant region with statewide drone-spray operator coverage available; this page surfaces the crops, rates and licensing context for Ottumwa farmers booking work. Southeast Iowa center serving the Skunk and Des Moines River valleys; mixed corn, soybeans and pasture. Primary crops in Iowa include corn and soybeans, each with established 2026 drone-spray rate bands. Iowa drone application rates run $12 to $17/acre depending on field size, crop and application timing, in line with 2026 statewide benchmarks. Every operator working over Iowa fields must hold FAA Part 107 plus Category 11 (Aerial Application) from IDALS, and many also carry FAA Part 137 for commercial agricultural aircraft operations. Contact statewide operators in the Iowa directory below for Ottumwa availability, or list your business free if you serve Ottumwa.
Corn Belt leader · 80,000+ acres serviced
AgriForce Drone Services is a full-service agricultural drone applicator based in central Iowa, serving the Corn Belt since 2020. FAA Part 107 and Part 137 certified fleet of 8 drones. Specializing in corn fungicide at tassel, soybean applications and fall cover crop seeding. Record: 1,200 acres treated in a single night.
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.
Illinois soybean & corn · 100 acres/day
Heartland Drone Co. is an Illinois-based drone applicator serving corn and soybean producers across the upper Midwest. Single-operator, 2-drone setup capable of 100+ acres per day. We keep our overhead low and pass the savings to you, flat rate $14/acre for any field over 40 acres, no trip fee within 60 miles of Peoria.
Single owner/operator (Curtis) servicing Central Iowa. We help with pasture management, hobby farms, and large row crop fungicide applications.
Hazel Hill Drone Services LLC provides professional agricultural drone spraying across Northeast Missouri and surrounding areas. We specialize in precision application of herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, and fertilizers using advanced drone technology. Our services help farmers reduce crop damage, improve efficiency, and spray fields that traditional equipment can't reach. Fast scheduling, reliable service, and results you can trust. Fully Licensed and Insured since 2023.
Full-service ag drone dealership powered by Agri Spray Drones. Established 2023 providing custom spraying cover crop seeding and granular applications.
Specializes in custom-built spray drone trailers and precision aerial application. One of the first companies in the region to bring precision drone spraying to agriculture.
Small Iowa-based drone service offering agricultural spraying and spreading along with non-ag services including photography and thermal imaging.
Iowa Certified pesticide applicator and Part 107 licensed drone operator. Provides precision spray drone application and field mapping in Southeast Iowa.
Iowa-based drone dealership and spraying service partnered with Rantizo. Participated in ISU/Bayer coverage test comparing drone airplane and ground rig applications.
Veteran-owned company partnered with Landus Cooperative (7000+ member-owners 70+ locations) to provide drone crop spraying and scouting services.
Iowa-based ag technology company (est. 1995 as Western Iowa GPS) partnered with Hylio. Top Ag Leader Blue Delta Dealer expanding into spray drone technology.
Ottumwa sits in Wapello County with a population of approximately 25,023 (US Census Bureau Places).
Southeast Iowa center serving the Skunk and Des Moines River valleys; mixed corn, soybeans and pasture.
Sources: USDA NASS Census of Agriculture (county-level cropland and farm-receipts tables) and US Census Bureau Places gazetteer. Confirm exact figures via primary source for any decision-grade use.
| Crop | Operators | Rate ($/acre) | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corn | 0 | $12 to $18 | Jul to Aug |
| Soybeans | 0 | $12 to $18 | Jul to Sep |
| Cover Crops | 0 | $12 to $18 | Aug to Oct |
Rate ranges from national crop benchmarks. Iowa statewide range: $12 to $17/acre. Estimate your job →
Commercial agricultural drone application in Iowa requires the federal FAA Part 137 certificate plus Category 11 (Aerial Application) from IDALS. Read the federal rules in the FAA Part 137 guide and the state-by-state breakdown on state pesticide licensing.
Primary-source references for verifying ag drone operator credentials in Iowa and federally.
Use the spray cost calculator to model Ottumwa jobs against the $12 to $17/acre state range. Pin down acres, target crop (most Ottumwa jobs are corn), and whether you need application only or chemical-included pricing.
Confirm the operator holds FAA Part 107, FAA Part 137 and Category 11 (Aerial Application). 0 of 0 Ottumwa operators in this directory list Part 137. Ask for a copy of their certificate and state license number before signing.
Corn treatment in Iowa typically lands in the Jul to Aug window. Demand spikes in peak season, so contact 2 to 3 of the Ottumwa operators below 4 to 6 weeks ahead with field maps, target product and a preferred date range. Confirm insurance certificates name your farm as additional insured before the first flight.
Drone spraying in Ottumwa typically runs $12 to $17/acre, in line with the broader Iowa 2026 benchmark. Application-only rates exclude chemical, and quotes vary based on field size, terrain and crop. Corn jobs in Iowa sit toward the lower end of that range when fields are large and contiguous. Use the spray cost calculator to model your specific acreage before requesting quotes.
Ottumwa does not yet have an operator listed at the city level, but 25 drone operators cover Iowa statewide and most can serve Ottumwa fields with reasonable travel. See the statewide grid below or use the spray cost calculator to estimate a job before reaching out. If you provide drone services in Ottumwa, list your business free to anchor this page.
Any operator booking commercial drone pesticide application over Ottumwa fields needs three credentials: FAA Part 107 (Remote Pilot Certificate) for the pilot, FAA Part 137 (Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate) for the business, and Category 11 (Aerial Application) from IDALS. Confirm all three before any application; many operators also carry NDAA Section 848 compliance for cost-share eligible work.