How many drone operators serve Lafayette?

1 verified agricultural drone operators are listed in the directory for Lafayette, Louisiana: Guardian Aerial. All listings are reviewed for licensing claims and contact information before publication.

What certifications do Lafayette drone operators hold?

Of the 1 Lafayette operators listed, 1 hold FAA Part 107 (Remote Pilot Certificate) and 1 hold FAA Part 137 (Agricultural Aircraft Operator), which is the federal credential required for commercial agricultural application. 0 list NDAA Section 848 compliant equipment. On the state side, Louisiana requires Category 11: Aerial Applicator + Aerial Owner Operator License from Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) for any commercial drone pesticide application.

Louisiana

Agricultural Drone Services in Lafayette, Louisiana

By Eugen Manoli, Founder and Editor · Updated April 21, 2026

Lafayette, Louisiana has 1 verified agricultural drone operator listed in the directory, serving farms across the surrounding area. South Louisiana hub; surrounding parishes anchor sugarcane, rice and crawfish-aquaculture production. Together they list rice and cotton as the primary crops treated by drone, with additional coverage across other regional commodities. Louisiana drone application rates run $14 to $20/acre depending on field size, crop and application timing, in line with 2026 statewide benchmarks. Available services in Lafayette include drone spraying, fertilizer application, giving growers a full menu beyond pesticide application. Every operator working over Louisiana fields must hold FAA Part 107 plus Category 11: Aerial Applicator + Aerial Owner Operator License from Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), and many also carry FAA Part 137 for commercial agricultural aircraft operations. Contact the operators below directly for season availability, exact per-acre pricing and to confirm license and insurance status before booking.

Listed operators

$14 to $20/acre

Louisiana rate range

Rice, Cotton

Top crops served

Drone operators in Lafayette, Louisiana

Guardian Aerial

Lafayette, LA

Louisiana rice, sugarcane & cotton drone applications

Guardian Aerial LLC is a Louisiana-based drone application company serving rice, sugarcane, cotton and soybean producers across the Acadiana and Delta regions. The operator specializes in fungicide and herbicide applications for flooded rice fields where ground equipment is impractical, and handles cotton defoliant timing in the fall.

Verified OperatorFAA Part 137 ✓FAA Part 107 ✓

Drone SprayingFertilizer Application

Price on request

Lafayette ag-county context

Lafayette sits in Lafayette Parish with a population of approximately 121,374 (US Census Bureau Places).

South Louisiana hub; surrounding parishes anchor sugarcane, rice and crawfish-aquaculture production.

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.

Crops served by Lafayette drone operators

Crop	Operators	Rate ($/acre)	Window
Rice	1	$14 to $22	May to Aug
Cotton	1	$14 to $20	Jun to Oct
Soybeans	1	$12 to $18	Jul to Sep
Corn	1	$12 to $18	Jul to Aug

Rate ranges from national crop benchmarks. Louisiana statewide range: $14 to $20/acre. Estimate your job →

Lafayette drone operator credentials

1 of 1

FAA Part 107 (Remote Pilot)

1 of 1

FAA Part 137 (Ag Aircraft)

0 of 1

NDAA Section 848 compliant

Commercial agricultural drone application in Louisiana requires the federal FAA Part 137 certificate plus Category 11: Aerial Applicator + Aerial Owner Operator License from Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF). Read the federal rules in the FAA Part 137 guide and the state-by-state breakdown on state pesticide licensing.

Verify Lafayette drone operator credentials

Primary-source references for verifying ag drone operator credentials in Louisiana and federally.

How to hire a drone operator in Lafayette

1
Estimate your acreage and budget
Use the spray cost calculator to model Lafayette jobs against the $14 to $20/acre state range. Pin down acres, target crop (most Lafayette jobs are rice), and whether you need application only or chemical-included pricing.
2
Verify FAA Part 137 and Louisiana licensing
Confirm the operator holds FAA Part 107, FAA Part 137 and Category 11: Aerial Applicator + Aerial Owner Operator License. 1 of 1 Lafayette operators in this directory list Part 137. Ask for a copy of their certificate and state license number before signing.
3
Book the application window early
Rice treatment in Louisiana typically lands in the May to Aug window. Demand spikes in peak season, so contact 2 to 3 of the Lafayette 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.

Other cities in Louisiana

Baton Rouge (2)Alexandria (1)Crowley (0)Monroe (0)

Statewide directory

All operators in Louisiana

View all operators in Louisiana →

Related crop guides for Louisiana

Rice in Louisiana →Cotton in Louisiana →

FAQs about drone spraying in Lafayette

Drone spraying in Lafayette typically runs $14 to $20/acre, in line with the broader Louisiana 2026 benchmark. Application-only rates exclude chemical, and quotes vary based on field size, terrain and crop. Rice jobs in Louisiana 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.