Drone broadcast of dry granular fertilizer, urea, gypsum, lime and cover crop seed across fields that are too wet or too tall for ground spreaders.
Dry Granular Spreading drone services in Iowa are listed by 7 operators in this directory. Iowa's state-level custom-rate guidance averages $12 to $17/acre, with the broader dry granular spreading band running $10 to $18/acre. In Iowa, dry granular spreading most commonly serves corn, soybeans and cover crops. Iowa sits in the Corn Belt region, which shapes the calendar, weather and competitive pressure local operators plan around. Commercial drone applications in Iowa require Category 11 (Aerial Application) from IDALS on top of FAA Part 137 certification.
Drone dry granular spreading costs $10 to $18 per acre for application only, or $22 to $40 per acre when product is included. A DJI Agras T50 with dry hopper broadcasts urea, cover crop seed or granular fertilizer at 50 to 80 lbs per acre, covering 150 to 300 acres per day. Only FAA Part 137 plus state pesticide license apply when the product is a granular herbicide; fertilizer-only spreading requires only Part 107.
Drone dry granular spreading fills a real gap when fields are too wet for ground spreaders but still need fertilizer, lime, gypsum or rescue nitrogen. The DJI Agras T50 and T40 both offer dry-hopper attachments that broadcast 50 to 80 lbs per acre of urea, cover crop seed or granular fertilizer at 3 to 5 acre per minute throughput. Typical use cases include rescue nitrogen on pre-tasseling corn after spring rains blocked ground rigs, granular fungicide seed treatment alternatives, sulfur and gypsum top-dress on alfalfa and targeted lime on soil test zones. The service does not require Part 137 because dry fertilizer and seed are not pesticides, but some states still require a commercial pesticide applicator license if the product being spread is a granular herbicide or restricted use nutrient. Spreading rates are typically $10 to $18 per acre application only, with bring-your-own-product arrangements for fertilizer and all-in pricing for cover crop seed.
In Iowa, dry granular spreading is most commonly used on:
Prices reflect 2026 industry-typical drone spraying rates by crop. Pair with the operator-stated rates below for a quote tailored to your fields.
Iowa requires Category 11 (Aerial Application) for aerial pesticide application. The licensing authority is IDALS.
Full agency, exam and renewal-cycle details: Iowa state page · 50-state licensing reference · state extension service.
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.
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.
Eastern Iowa aerial application service. Founded by husband-wife team from corporate finance/accounting backgrounds. Also carries a smaller drone for surveillance.
Founded 2023 by retirees. Operates DJI Agras T40 for aerial spraying and spreading in SE Nebraska and SW Iowa.
Federal regulators and industry references that govern dry granular spreading in Iowa and across the United States.
7 operators in our directory list dry granular spreading as a service in Iowa. Use the operator grid below to compare credentials, fleet, response time and pricing before reaching out.
Commercial dry granular spreading in Iowa 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 Category 11 (Aerial Application) from IDALS. Confirm any operator you hire holds all three before any application.
Most Iowa operators book 4 to 6 weeks ahead of peak windows; rate confirmation is contract-bound and operator-specific. In Iowa, dry granular spreading is most often booked for corn, soybeans and cover crops, each with its own seasonal window. For one-off jobs during peak demand spikes, supply tightens fast — establishing the operator relationship in the off-season pays off.
Yes for broadcast rates up to about 80 lbs per acre. A DJI Agras T50 with the 80L dry hopper holds enough for 1.0 to 1.5 acres at typical urea rates, and the operator cycles through batteries and hopper refills to keep throughput at 150 to 300 acres per day. Rates above 100 lbs per acre start to make ground spreaders more economical once fields are dry enough for wheels.
Rescue nitrogen is a side-dress urea or UAN application after the V8 to V12 window, when corn is too tall for most ground rigs and spring rains have prevented timely fertilization. Drones solve this because the tall corn no longer obstructs access and field soil moisture does not matter since wheels never touch the ground. Yield response to timely rescue N on deficient corn is 15 to 30 bushels per acre.
Not for pure fertilizer. Urea, potash, gypsum, lime, sulfur and micronutrients are not pesticides and fall outside FAA Part 137. However, granular herbicides (e.g., Aatrex DF) and combination products that contain any EPA-registered pesticide active ingredient do trigger Part 137 and state pesticide applicator licensing.
Application-only rates run $10 to $18 per acre, with bring-your-own-product arrangements standard. All-in rates including product are typically $22 to $40 per acre for cover crop seed or urea. Minimum field size is usually 40 acres, with cover crop seeding often bundled into multi-service contracts at lower net rates.
Yes, and cover crop seeding is the most common dry-hopper use. The same DJI Agras T50 that spreads urea also broadcasts cereal rye, ryegrass, clover and radish seed at 15 to 60 lbs per acre. Many operators run fertilizer spreading during the May through June window and cover crop seeding August through October on the same equipment.