Drone spraying services: costlier, yet delivering significant advantages
Despite their higher cost compared to traditional methods, drone spraying services offer significant advantages, leading to a rapid increase in their adoption worldwide. The potential of drone technology to revolutionise agricultural spraying practices is increasingly recognised.
Diversity Drone Spraying, based in Western Australia and owned by Tjaart Du Plessis, exemplifies this trend. Tjaart, alongside his son, ventured into this niche due to limited competition in their region and his agricultural background.
“I started in this market because there is not a lot of competition here, in this part of Western Australia”, he explains. “And it interested me because I come from a farm, grow vegetables, and I live in the Wheatbelt region.”
Tjaart uses a DJI T40 spray drone for his business, and also uses DJI multispectral imaging to produce prescription maps for spot spraying. Diversity Drone Spraying is active on broadacre farms, paddocks, vineyards and orchards.
“On broadacre farms we can do up to ten hectares per hour, and can cover 80 to 100 hectares a day. Farmers so far loved the drone spraying, because it is very accurate and you don’t leave any tracks on the field. You can lose a significant amount of your crop, when you drive around with your tractor. And it’s new in this region, and quite a spectacle.”
Costs relatively high
Some farmers are still hesitant because the costs of drone spraying are relatively high, Tjaart explains. “The costs per hectare are higher than spraying with a big rig. The price depends on the job, but 34 Australian dollars per hectare is probably the average. Conventional spraying would be around 11 dollars.”
“But there are important advantages”, Tjaart underlines. “You don’t have the soil compaction. And when it is wet, farmers won’t get bogged in the field. Spot spraying is also very effective with a drone. I received a lot of positive feedback on my spot spraying. Farmers are saving money there. And a drone also ensures precise and uniform distribution of pesticides, fertilizers, and nutrients, reducing waste.”
Another benefit of drone spraying is safety, Tjaart emphasises. “You’re not even coming close to the spray, so there is a minimal exposure to chemicals. In vineyards, drone spraying is a lot safer than quad bike spraying for example.”
Drone spraying reduces chemical runoff and promotes responsible farming practices, Tjaart says. “With a drone, its is easy to change your droplet size and minimise drift. We recently were spraying in a mango farm near Perth. We did the job in half the time, it was very effective, and we saved a lot of water there as well. But drone spraying is new in this region, and it is going to take time to take off.”
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The largest drone spraying network
Tjaart is located in a region where drone spraying is in fact still in its infancy. But in the US, drone spraying is taking on a huge scale. According to a report added to researchandmarkets.com, the U.S. agriculture drone market size is estimated to reach US $1,758.4 million by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 22.8% from 2023 to 2030.
Rantizo, the largest drone spraying network in the US, sprayed nearly 200,000 acres in 2023. The company’s expansion currently continues with the establishment of local hubs and the growth of its nationwide network of drone operators. Rantizo’s operators serve growers and retailers across 30 states.
Drones are particularly effective in areas with obstacles like trees, waterways, buildings, or irregular shapes, allowing for precise application
According to CEO Mariah Scott, the demand for drone services exceeds supply by a significant margin. Agricultural retailers and growers recognise drones as timely and versatile tools. “Drones are particularly effective in areas with obstacles like trees, waterways, buildings, or irregular shapes, allowing for precise application”, Scott noted.
Zach Hanner, Trial Manager at Rantizo, highlighted that pricing varies depending on local market dynamics, cropping systems, and competitive equipment and methods. “We have contractors all over the U.S., and each local market is unique. On average, we have seen row crop spraying ranging from $15 to $30 per acre.”
Steve Li, a researcher at Auburn University, is currently exploring optimal uses of drones for pesticide and farm chemical applications. Despite its infancy in the U.S. compared to countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, drone spraying shows promising potential.
The application efficacy of spray drones
Li serves as an associate professor in the College of Agriculture’s Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences at Auburn University and is a weed specialist affiliated with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Additionally, he conducts research at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.
He is evaluating the application efficacy of spray drones versus conventional application methods such as airplanes and ground sprayers. Drones are also employed to pinpoint weed infestations and precisely target affected areas, thereby minimizing herbicide usage and environmental impact.
Drones offer several advantages over traditional methods, Li explains on Auburn Agriculture’s website. “Drones allow us to spray a crop when the field is too wet after rains, they can spray small, odd shaped fields better than airplanes and ground sprayers, they handle hilly terrain and terraces very well, and they use much less fuel than ground sprayers and airplanes.”
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Significantly more affordable compared to self-propelled sprayers
Li emphasises the user-friendly nature of drones. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters, drones do not require prior aviation knowledge. Moreover, they do not physically damage crops, cause soil compaction, or create gullies in wet conditions.
Remarkably, Lee notes that drones, in addition to their operational benefits, are also cost-effective. “The maintenance required is low, they are simple to repair and change parts without special training and knowledge, and it is easy to transport drones on highways, roads and over long distances.”
Li believes drones can benefit both large-scale and small farms, particularly for smaller farmers due to economic considerations. Compared to large self-propelled ground sprayers, spray drones are significantly more affordable.
Li’s research underscores the potential of drone technology to revolutionise agricultural spraying practices in the U.S., offering efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits across various farming operations.
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