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Agricultural Drone Services in Mitchell, South Dakota

By Eugen Manoli, Founder and Editor · Updated

Mitchell, South Dakota has 1 verified agricultural drone operator listed in the directory, serving farms across the surrounding area. East-central South Dakota; Davison and Hanson counties anchor regional row-crop production. Together they list corn and soybeans as the primary crops treated by drone, with additional coverage across other regional commodities. South Dakota drone application rates run $12 to $16/acre depending on field size, crop and application timing, in line with 2026 statewide benchmarks. Available services in Mitchell include drone spraying, cover crop seeding, giving growers a full menu beyond pesticide application. Every operator working over South Dakota fields must hold FAA Part 107 plus Category 17: Aerial Application (General + Category G + Category 17) from South Dakota DANR, 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.

1
Listed operators
$12 to $16/acre
South Dakota rate range
Corn, Soybeans
Top crops served

Drone operators in Mitchell, South Dakota

Mitchell, SD

First SD drone spray applicators (August 2020). Rantizo subcontractor. RTK sub-inch accuracy.

FAA Part 137 ✓
Drone SprayingCover Crop Seeding
Price on request

Mitchell ag-county context

Mitchell sits in Davison County with a population of approximately 15,660 (US Census Bureau Places).

East-central South Dakota; Davison and Hanson counties anchor regional row-crop 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 Mitchell drone operators

CropOperatorsRate ($/acre)Window
Corn1$12 to $18Jul to Aug
Soybeans1$12 to $18Jul to Sep
Pasture and Rangeland1$14 to $25Apr to Sep

Rate ranges from national crop benchmarks. South Dakota statewide range: $12 to $16/acre. Estimate your job →

Mitchell drone operator credentials

0 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 South Dakota requires the federal FAA Part 137 certificate plus Category 17: Aerial Application (General + Category G + Category 17) from South Dakota DANR. Read the federal rules in the FAA Part 137 guide and the state-by-state breakdown on state pesticide licensing.

Verify Mitchell drone operator credentials

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

How to hire a drone operator in Mitchell

  1. 1
    Estimate your acreage and budget

    Use the spray cost calculator to model Mitchell jobs against the $12 to $16/acre state range. Pin down acres, target crop (most Mitchell jobs are corn), and whether you need application only or chemical-included pricing.

  2. 2
    Verify FAA Part 137 and South Dakota licensing

    Confirm the operator holds FAA Part 107, FAA Part 137 and Category 17: Aerial Application (General + Category G + Category 17). 1 of 1 Mitchell operators in this directory list Part 137. Ask for a copy of their certificate and state license number before signing.

  3. 3
    Book the application window early

    Corn treatment in South Dakota typically lands in the Jul to Aug window. Demand spikes in peak season, so contact 2 to 3 of the Mitchell 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 South Dakota

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FAQs about drone spraying in Mitchell

Drone spraying in Mitchell typically runs $12 to $16/acre, in line with the broader South Dakota 2026 benchmark. Application-only rates exclude chemical, and quotes vary based on field size, terrain and crop. Corn jobs in South Dakota 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.