Apply fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and defoliants with precision from the air.
Drone spraying is the most requested agricultural drone service in the United States. Commercial spray drones fly 8 to 15 feet above the crop canopy at 12 to 15 mph, applying fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, defoliants, and foliar nutrients at carrier volumes of 2 to 5 gallons per acre. Rotor downwash forces droplets into the canopy for coverage comparable to ground rigs at one-fifth the water volume. Drones are most valuable when fields are too wet for ground equipment, crops are too tall for tractor-mounted sprayers, or small and irregular fields make airplane application impractical.
National ag drone operator network – SE & mid-Atlantic focus
Osprey Agri Drones is a national agricultural drone operator network with strong coverage across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic. The company coordinates multi-state fleet deployment for corn, soybean, cotton, peanut, and rice applications, offering operators in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and beyond.
Shenandoah Valley grain & poultry litter drone application
Houff Corporation, a major Shenandoah Valley agricultural cooperative, offers drone application services to member grain and livestock producers. The coop uses drones for precision fungicide programs on corn and wheat, and for poultry litter and dry fertilizer spreading on hillside fields inaccessible to conventional ground equipment.
Osprey network coverage for Virginia & mid-Atlantic producers
The Virginia division of the Osprey Agri Drones network serves grain, cotton, and peanut producers across Virginia's Coastal Plain and Piedmont. Osprey's multi-state fleet of DJI Agras T50 and T100 drones provides rapid scheduling for corn VT fungicide, soybean R3, and peanut late-season disease programs.
Virginia corn, soybean & wheat drone application
Apex Ag LLC is a Virginia-based agricultural drone operator serving corn, soybean, wheat, and cover crop producers across the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont. The company offers fungicide applications, herbicide programs, and cover crop seeding, with scheduling designed to accommodate the mixed row-crop and livestock farm landscape of central and western Virginia.
Virginia drone ag application – grain, orchards & vineyards
Elevation Aerial Application provides drone spraying services to grain, orchard, and vineyard producers across Virginia. The company is equipped for steep-terrain orchard and vineyard applications in the Blue Ridge foothills and Appalachian highlands, as well as flat-ground corn and soybean fungicide programs in the Piedmont and Tidewater regions.
Osprey network coverage for Kentucky producers
The Kentucky division of the Osprey Agri Drones network delivers drone spraying services to corn, soybean, and tobacco growers across central and eastern Kentucky. Osprey operates a multi-state fleet of DJI Agras T50 and T100 drones, offering NDAA-compliant options and rapid scheduling for time-sensitive applications.
National network · largest spray drone operator network in US, 30+ states
Largest spray drone operator network in the US covering 30+ states, based in Iowa City, IA and led by CEO Mariah Scott. AcreConnect platform (map.acreconnect.io) connects farmers with local operators. Stone Valley Drones (PA) is a network member. Sells DJI Agras T10, T30, T40, and XAG P100 Pro. Holds FAA Exemption 18929B.
Northeast · only identified XAG authorized dealer in the region
The only identified XAG authorized dealer serving the Northeast US. Also sells DJI drones and the Ceres Air platform. Offers precision aerial application, multispectral mapping, agricultural education, training, repairs, and drone sales. Partners with Virginia Ag Drones. Offers John Deere Financing.
WV · crop protection, fertilizer & pasture management drone services
Huntington, WV operator run by Derrick Jackson. Has spent years flying drones over local farms in Mason County applying crop protection products, seed treatments, fertilizer, and pasture management solutions. Featured in WSAZ news report (April 2026) about drone pilots helping West Virginia farmers.
WV · steep mountain terrain specialist, 90% pasture work
Weston, WV spray drone company run by Nicholas Kuhn, specializing in steep mountain terrain inaccessible to tractors. About 90% of work is pasture spraying (autumn olive, multiflora rose, brush, ironweed, goldenrod). Also handles crop spraying, pond treatment, fertilizer, seeding, golf courses, and habitat restoration. Featured in WVU Extension Doddridge County demo.
Most operators charge $12 to $18 per acre for application only, with the farmer supplying the chemical product. Rates vary by region, field size, terrain, and product type. Small or irregularly shaped fields typically cost more per acre than large, open tracts.
A single commercial spray drone covers 20 to 50 acres per hour depending on the application rate, field layout, and drone model. A DJI Agras T50 averages 30 to 40 acres per hour in real-world conditions. Multi-drone fleets multiply throughput proportionally.
Operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, an FAA Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate or valid exemption, and their state's pesticide applicator license with an aerial endorsement. They must also carry liability insurance.
There are 10 operators offering drone spraying drone services in West Virginia: Osprey Agri Drones, Houff Corporation Drone Services, Osprey Agri Drones – Virginia Division, Apex Ag LLC, Elevation Aerial Application, Osprey Agri Drones – Kentucky Division, Rantizo, AG Drones East, Jackson Aerial Ag LLC, Kuhn's Aerial Applications LLC.