Drones bring precision vegetable farming technology to the field

On the East Coast, many vegetable growers lack access to aerial applicator services, which often prioritize large row crop fields in the Midwest. Increasingly, drones are helping fill that gap, becoming an essential part of precision vegetable farming technology.

“Drones are a tool that basically any size grower can use,” said Kenny Strong, owner of Accurate Ag Spraying LLC in Smithsburg, Maryland. His customers range from 14-acre farms to operations covering 4,000 acres.

Strong noted that drone capacity has grown rapidly. “Now, we’re up to 10-and-a-half gallons, and the next model is going to be 13 gallons, so the size just continues to increase. Efficiencies went from a couple of acres an hour to up to 30 acres an hour. It’s really spiraled out of control in a great way.”

The economics of scale

While drones are becoming more affordable, they remain a significant investment. Entry-level models cost $400 to $1,500, while advanced platforms used regularly on farms start around $2,500. Leasing larger drones with longer flight times can run up to $8,000 annually. Spray platforms with higher payload capacity may cost $30,000 – $40,000 per year.

“Growers need the economies of scale, passing that cost on in the first year and recouping their capital investment,” said Geoff Klein, irrigation manager at Bullseye Farms in Woodland, California.

Martin Hein of Visalia, California’s Hein Ranch, who partners with FlyingAg to sell and advise on drone technology, said larger operations benefit most. A drone with one operator can photograph 6,000 acres in just two days.

Owning vs. contracting

For growers deciding between ownership and contracting, costs and flexibility are key. Paying an operator to fly a drone can cost $10 – $15 per flight, while contracting aerial imagery services may run up to $70 an acre annually.

Klein emphasized that owning drones provides greater control over scheduling, enabling more precise timing of water and fertilizer applications. “When you can fly 320 acres in 30 minutes, you know owning a drone start to make sense,” he said.

Chad Colby, agricultural technologist and owner of ColbyAgTech.com, added that contracting transfers maintenance, repair, and compliance responsibilities to the provider, reducing burdens on the grower. However, service providers often charge extra for specialized data processing, customized analysis, or additional equipment.

Practical applications in the field

Growers are using drones for crop scouting, site planning, and spraying, demonstrating the versatility of precision vegetable farming technology. Lightweight $400 drones can conduct simple field mapping, while larger models delivery high-resolution aerial imagery for real-time decisions.

Michael Reinke, Michigan State University Extension viticulture specialist and integrated pest management educator, advised smaller growers to experiment with drones before making significant investments.

“If you are interested in an application drone,” he said, “I would seriously think about contracting out at least at first to see if it is a fit for your farm before you look into the costs and certification challenges.”

Matching technology to farm size

Aditya Singh, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering at the University of Florida, emphasized drones’ scalability.

“One of the greatest advantages of using drones is their scalability, making aerial imagery applicable to both large and small farms,” he said.

Klein agreed that farm size should guide the decision. “If you’re a larger grower, it makes sense to have your own as long as you have someone who can run it and understand the data,” he said. “If you buy it and don’t use it, then it’s worthless. You’ve wasted money unless you put it to work.”

The future of precision vegetable farming technology

From small operations to expansive farms, drones are becoming integral tools in precision vegetable farming technology. As capabilities grow and costs stabilize, more growers will weigh ownership against contracting to capture the benefits of aerial data, improve crop management, and maintain flexibility.

— Doug Ohlemeier, assistant editor