Texas is the largest agricultural state by acreage, with cotton (5 to 6 million acres), corn, wheat, sorghum and cattle operations creating year-round drone demand. TDA requires Category 9 (Aerial Application) plus at least one additional use-category exam, making the minimum three exams. Regulated herbicide counties require spray permits, a restriction unique to Texas.
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.
AR · nationwide DJI dealer + custom aerial applicator since 2021
Nationwide dealer of agricultural spray drones and aerial commercial applicator based in Arkansas, founded 2021. Specializes in personalized customer care offering sales, service, parts, repair and custom spraying. Holds both FAA Part 107 and Part 137 certifications.
Central Missouri drone spraying company providing liquid and dry application across nine states. Fully licensed and insured.
Veteran-owned. Founded 2023. 100000+ acres applied. Licensed operators in 8 states including Iowa Minnesota and Missouri.
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.
National franchise with Grapevine, TX location. FlightLine Network model. Also sells drones.
Founded by Coast Guard veteran. Highlights cotton defoliant capability (8 vs 16 day harvest window).
Texas Hill Country specialist in mesquite and prickly pear control.
East Texas specialist. Three spray crews. Serves 2-hour radius from Palestine and Longview.
21 years pesticide application experience
Flying Cowboy Ag Services offers the most precise custom applications in Central Texas. 11 years flying drones, 21 years applying pesticides.
Drone spraying and land solutions for agriculture, commercial and industrial sectors.
Locally owned in Washington County. Transforming traditional farming with drone technology.
Tell us the field and the job. We text you up to 3 Texas operators within 24 hours. Operators pay us, not you.
| Crop / service | Rate ($/acre) | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton insecticide | $14 to $18 | Jul to Aug |
| Cotton defoliant | $14 to $20 | Sep to Oct |
| Corn fungicide | $14 to $17 | Jul to early Aug |
| Wheat heading | $12 to $16 | Late May to early Jun |
| Cover crop seeding | $12 to $18 | Aug to Oct |
| Pasture / rangeland | $16 to $25 | Variable |
Application only. Chemical cost is additional. Rates based on 2026 operator surveys and university extension data. Use the calculator for a detailed estimate →
Texas pesticide licensing is administered by TDA (Texas Department of Agriculture) under Category 9 (Aerial Application). Unlike most states, Category 9 is not standalone, operators must also certify in at least one use category matching their work (1A Field Crop, 1C Pasture and Rangeland, etc.). Minimum 3 exams: General Standards, Category 9 and one use category. Each exam costs $64 through PSI/Metro testing centers. The commercial license costs $200/year.
CE requirements are 5 CEUs annually for both the commercial license and the aerial category. Required topics include Laws and Regulations, Drift Minimization and Pesticide Safety. Excess CEUs do not carry over.
Texas maintains a list of regulated herbicide counties where spray permits are required before applying regulated herbicides (primarily 2,4-D and dicamba). This applies to all aerial application including drones. Operators must check the TDA regulated herbicide county list before booking work in unfamiliar counties.
Record keeping: operators must document product name, EPA reg number, application rate, FAA N-number, weather conditions and spray permit (if applicable) for 2 years.
Texas has reciprocal agreements with 10 states. All reciprocal applicants entering Texas must pass the TDA Laws and Regulations exam regardless of their home state license.
Texas is part of the Great Plains agricultural region. See rates, crops and operators across the region.
Row crop rates run $12 to $17/acre. Cotton defoliant runs $14 to $20. Pasture and rangeland brush control is $16 to $25. Texas is a large state with significant regional variation.
Minimum 3: General Standards, Category 9 (Aerial Application), plus at least one use category (1A Field Crop, 1C Pasture, etc.). Each exam is $64 through PSI/Metro testing centers.
TDA designates certain counties where spray permits are required before applying regulated herbicides (primarily 2,4-D and dicamba). This applies to all aerial application including drones. Check the TDA regulated herbicide county list before booking work in unfamiliar counties.
Texas has reciprocal agreements with 10 states. However, all reciprocal applicants entering Texas must pass the TDA Laws and Regulations exam regardless. Check TDA for the current reciprocity list.
Yes. Daily averages exceed 15 mph across much of Texas for half the year. DJI Agras T50 (rated 13.4 mph) is often grounded by afternoon. Operators running Hylio AG-272 (25 mph) or XAG P100 Pro (22 mph) have wider daily windows. Most Texas operators spray at dawn and early morning.
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