Discover how a $33,000 investment in an agricultural drone can pay for itself in just one year. Drones are proving to be a lucrative investment for farmers in various ways. They help check crop health, spray exact amounts of pesticides and fungicides, and manage water use efficiently. All these tasks save time, work, and resources.
With actual in-the-field data provided by Spray Drone Solutions, let’s focus on only one specific benefit of drones in the Midwest: combating fungal diseases in crops.
Why Is Fungicide Spraying Essential For Midwest Corn And Soybeans?
Corn and soybeans in the Midwest are highly susceptible to diseases like Tar Spot and White Mold. Tar Spot can reduce corn yields by 50 to 60 bushels per acre, equating to a loss of $236 per acre. For a typical 1,500-acre farm in Iowa, this loss can amount to around $354,000. Similarly, White Mold can halve soybean production, potentially resulting in a loss of $412,500 on a farm of the same size.
Such extreme potential losses are why most farmers proactively spray fungicides, typically requiring two applications for effective disease control.
How Fast Should I React To Tar Spot Or White Mold In My Crops?
Fast treatment is necessary for Tar Spot due to its rapid spread in favorable conditions. Conversely, White Mold calls for a proactive and vigilant approach, especially during key growth stages and suitable weather conditions for the disease.
How Hard Is It To Get A Helicopter Or Aircraft For Fungicide Application?
Securing a helicopter or aircraft for fungicide application can be challenging during peak demand, like widespread disease outbreaks. Often, farmers face long waits, sometimes exceeding two weeks, which can be detrimental to crop health and your bottom line.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire Aerial Fungicide Services?
The cost of hiring aerial services ranges from $10 to $16 per acre. For a 1,500-acre farm, the total cost for two rounds of spraying can reach about $39,000.
What Are The Savings Spraying With My Own Drone?
Spraying fungicide yourself with a drone is more cost-effective, with savings of 77%. For a 1,500-acre farm, the total cost, including labor and fuel, is approximately $1.50 per acre. Even doubling our estimated costs to cover unexpected setbacks, our total expenses would still be only $3.00 per acre. Totaling no more than $9,000 for two applications – significantly lower than the $39,000-plus for hiring services.
Can My Drone Turn Into A Profitable Venture For Me?
Owning a drone can also become a source of income. By simply offering only fungicide spraying services to neighboring farms at a competitive rate of $10 per acre, you can quickly turn your drone into a profitable investment.
Where To Find The Best Agricultural Drones From Experts?
In the Midwest, there is Spray Drone Solutions. They have hard-earned real-world experience and get results for farmers that pay for themselves. They are a multi-brand dealer that carries parts with in-house service and repairs. Most importantly, they can help with both state and federal licensing. Being farmers themselves, they know how to take you from Zero to Hero quickly.
One of their Iowa customer’s experience highlights the financial benefits. The farmer, with no prior drone experience, purchased a drone package for $32,343 and, within a month, sprayed 4,200 acres, saving between $42,000 and $50,400. Plus, the drone remains an asset for future use.
Brett Buyert, the owner and founder of Spray Drone Solutions, gained his knowledge by using drones on his farm and spraying for hire for other farmers in his region. Being experienced farmers, he and his staff can assist you with tender setups, tanks, pumps, generators, etc.
The Rest of the Story: More Hard Drone Questions
Remember we only talked about the benefits of using a drone only for fungicide applications. We did not touch its uses and payouts for insecticide, fertilizer, herbicides, and crop health. If you want to know more about how we calculated numbers or the hard facts about what it really means to own a drone, then you need to talk to Brett Buyert of Spray Drone Solutions for:
Your Drone Questions
- How can a drone improve my crop yields?
- What are the legal regulations for operating a drone on my farm?
- How difficult is it to learn to operate an agricultural drone because I don’t play Xbox?
- What types of data can agricultural drones collect, and how can I use this information?
- What is the maintenance and longevity of an agricultural drone?
- How does drone technology integrate with my existing farm management systems?
- What are your training or support services provided with the purchase of a drone?
- What is the battery life and range of the drone, and how does it suit my farm’s size?
Last Updated on 04/15/2024 by Aaron Kuhl
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