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US Ag Drone Directory

Drone Spraying in New Mexico: Licensing, Rates & Operators (2026)

By Eugen Manoli, Founder and Editor · Updated

New Mexico has no separate aerial applicator category. Drone operators certify in the relevant use category with Core exam plus category at $55 per exam. Agricultural drone demand centers on pecan orchards, chile and ranch operations in southern New Mexico. Rates run $15 to $22 per acre.

FAA Part 137 operators in New Mexico

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4 verified operators serve New Mexico. Tell us your ZIP and crop. We will text you up to 3 matches within 24 hours.

  • 3 operators max, never more.
  • $15 to $22/acre per acre typical.
  • Operators pay us, not you. We never sell your info.
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Tell us your ZIP and crop. We will text you up to 3 verified New Mexico operators within 24 hours.

Typical row-crop application runs $12 to $18 per acre. Specialty and orchard work runs higher.

3 operators max, never more. Operators pay us, not you. We never sell your info.
4
Listed operators
$15 to $22/acre
Rate range / acre
Cotton
Top crop
New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA)
Licensing agency

Drone operators serving New Mexico

Lubbock, TX
Featured

Texas cotton, brush control & winter wheat

Texas Ag Drones LLC is one of the largest ag drone operations in Texas, with a 7-drone fleet covering cotton, grain sorghum, winter wheat and pasture brush control. We specialize in cotton defoliant applications in the Rolling Plains and South Texas, and handle mesquite and cedar brush control in rangeland where ground equipment cannot reach.

Verified OperatorFAA Part 137 ✓FAA Part 107 ✓
Drone SprayingFertilizer ApplicationEmergency Response+1 more
$12 to $18/acre
70K ac 7
Texas (serves OK and NM), TX

No job too big or too small

Texas-based operator covering TX, OK, and NM. Retired ag teacher Rod Brents combines traditional ranching with drone technology. Services include spraying, brush control (Brush Bullet), pasture management, right-of-way and solar farm spraying.

Verified Operator
Drone SprayingFertilizer Application
Price on request
Multiple TX offices, TX

Multi-office company (West TX, East TX, North TX). Serves farms, ranches, solar, industrial.

Drone SprayingCover Crop SeedingCrop Scouting+1 more
Price on request

Employee-owned precision technology dealer. Key Mountain West hub for ag drone sales. Has physical offices in CO, MT, ID and serves additional states.

Aerial MappingPilot TrainingEquipment Sales
Price on request

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Drone spraying licensing in New Mexico

Licensing agency
New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA)
Official site →
Aerial category
Core + site/pest category (no separate aerial category)
Core + 1 site/pest category. $55/exam. License $75/yr.
Renewal & CE
Annual renewal.
4 CEUs per year.

New Mexico pesticide licensing is administered by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA). Unlike most states, NMDA does not maintain a separate aerial applicator category, drone operators certify in the relevant use category (e.g., agricultural pest control) and the same license covers aerial application. Exams are $55 each with a $75 per year license fee.

Annual renewal is required with 4 CEUs per year. Agricultural drone demand in New Mexico centers on pecan orchards in the Mesilla Valley, chile in southern NM and ranch and rangeland operations. Reciprocity may be available with CO, OK and TX on a case-by-case basis.

New Mexico-specific rules operators must know

  • No separate aerial category. Drone operators certify in the relevant use category.
  • Annual renewal with 4 CEUs per year.
Reciprocity states
CO, OK, TX

Top crops for drone spraying in New Mexico

50K acres

Southern NM

Drone spraying guides by crop in New Mexico

Region
Great Plains

New Mexico is part of the Great Plains agricultural region. See rates, crops and operators across the region.

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Drone spraying in New Mexico, frequently asked questions

No. Unlike most states, NMDA does not maintain a separate aerial category. Drone operators certify in the relevant use category (e.g., agricultural pest control) and the same license covers aerial application.

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Neighboring states