From the edge of a paddock, a crop can look much the same from one end to the other. Walk further in and the picture can change: patchy establishment, yellowing plants or weeds that weren’t obvious from the gate. The next question is usually how widespread the problem is.
That’s one job an agricultural drone can help with. Depending on the aircraft and equipment, drones can also spray crops, spread suitable granular materials and produce maps that make it easier to keep track of changes over a growing season.
Different types of agricultural drones are built for different jobs. This guide looks at the main agricultural drone applications, how growers use them and what to consider when planning a flight.
Crop monitoring: finding the areas worth checking
An uneven patch in a wheat crop raises a simple question: is it confined to one corner, or does it run through the rest of the paddock? A drone with a suitable camera can capture an overhead view and show patterns that are difficult to judge from ground level.
Images may reveal differences in crop colour, gaps in establishment or changes in canopy cover. They’re useful for deciding where to inspect first, particularly when a paddock is large or the affected areas are scattered.
For some jobs, ordinary aerial photographs are enough. More detailed crop monitoring may call for a multispectral camera, which records selected wavelengths of light beyond those captured by a standard RGB camera. The DJI Mavic 3M is one option for collecting this kind of data, and software can turn it into vegetation indices to help identify differences in crop vigour.
Vegetation maps help growers choose where to inspect more closely. Differences in crop colour or vigour can be checked on the ground for moisture stress, nutrient issues, weeds, pests or disease. Field observations and agronomic advice provide the context for deciding what to do next.
Repeat surveys are particularly useful when flown and processed in a consistent way. Similar flight settings, lighting conditions and survey records make it easier to compare changes in a crop through the season.
Drone spraying: getting the application right
Spraying is one of the better-known agricultural drone uses. A purpose-built aircraft carries liquid and follows a planned flight route to treat a crop or a defined area. Suitable applications may involve herbicides, fungicides or insecticides, according to product labels and operating approvals. The DJI Agras spraying drone range is designed for agricultural application, with flight planning and spray settings tailored to the job.
For a paddock with a defined treatment area, the operator can plan the flight around that section. The product, application rate and spraying conditions are then selected to suit the crop and the target.
A well-planned spraying job brings together product label directions, application rate, droplet size, wind conditions and spray drift management. Flight height, speed and crop canopy also influence where spray lands. A programmed route supports consistent coverage, while calibration and operator checks keep the application on target.
Day-to-day planning includes the time needed for batteries, refilling, chemical handling and suitable weather windows. Considering these steps alongside tank capacity helps an operator work out a realistic plan for the paddocks involved.
In the field: wheat spraying near Deniliquin, NSW
EE Group Australia’s wheat case study documents a spraying operation on Phil’s family farm near Deniliquin in southern New South Wales. The property covers 2,500 hectares, with around 1,500 hectares planted to wheat.
According to the published case study, two DJI Agras T100 drones completed a 235-hectare flag-leaf fungicide application in seven hours. It’s a useful local example because the crop, timing and work undertaken are clearly described.
The reported figures describe a specific operation using two aircraft. Field layout, treatment requirements, weather and on-site arrangements are useful details to consider when planning a similar job.
The full wheat spraying case study has more detail on the operation and the conditions in which it was carried out.
Spreading seed and fertiliser: planning an even application
Agricultural drones fitted with spreading systems can distribute compatible seed and granular fertiliser along a planned route. The DJI Agras T100, T70P and T25P offer spreading configurations for this type of work. The feeder and operating settings are chosen to suit the granules being applied.
During a spreading run, the drone follows a planned route while the feeder meters material through the spreading mechanism. Operators set the application rate and check the distribution pattern so the material is spread consistently across the intended area.
Seed and fertiliser granules vary in size, shape, weight and flow behaviour. Moisture also affects how some products move through the feeder. Calibrating with the material intended for the job helps establish the right feed settings and spreading pattern.
Before a job, the operator checks that the material is suitable for aerial spreading, sets the required application rate and calibrates the feeder. A distribution check helps confirm the result. Refilling, battery changes and access between paddocks can then be built into the work plan.
For growers considering different farm drone uses, a useful spreading plan starts with the material, the application rate and the size and layout of the paddock. Hopper capacity then helps estimate how often the aircraft will need to be replenished.
Mapping paddocks and tracking change
Aerial mapping uses overlapping drone photographs to create a detailed view of a paddock. With suitable equipment and software, growers can record field features, review visible crop patterns and compare areas between surveys.
An area of weak growth identified early in the season, for instance, can be mapped again later. Consistent imagery may help show whether the pattern has spread or changed, and which parts of the paddock warrant another ground inspection.
The quality of a map depends on camera settings, positioning accuracy, light and image processing. A flight-route illustration shows where the drone travels; a processed crop map shows information derived from captured imagery. Checking the crop on the ground helps put that information into context.
A useful question to ask before launching is: “What am I trying to find out?” If the answer is clear, it’s easier to decide what imagery to collect and whether the resulting map will help with a decision.
For a closer look at how scouting, multispectral imagery and targeted application fit together, see EE Group’s precision agriculture mapping and monitoring guide. If weeds are your main concern, read about weed detection and targeted spraying.
What to consider before putting a drone to work
Start with the task, rather than a model number. The equipment needed to survey a paddock isn’t necessarily what you’d choose for spraying or spreading. Field size, crop type, terrain, obstacles and the number of locations to be covered will all affect the plan.
Think about the work on the ground as well. Where will batteries be charged? How will water, chemicals or granular materials be handled? Who will maintain the aircraft, interpret the imagery or check the application? These details may be less interesting than a headline specification, but they determine how practical the operation will be.
There are also legal requirements, and they’re worth checking early. In Australia, drone operating obligations depend on factors including aircraft weight, the type of activity and whether the flight qualifies for CASA’s landholder excluded category, which generally covers work on land you own or lease where no payment is involved. For drones over 2 kg and up to 25 kg, eligible landholder operations don’t require a RePL or ReOC, although registration, operator accreditation and standard operating conditions still apply. For drones over 25 kg and up to 150 kg, a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) is required even under the landholder category. Work for others, such as spraying a neighbour’s paddock for payment, generally falls outside the excluded category and may require a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) or additional approvals.
Spraying agricultural chemicals adds further requirements. Product labels and any APVMA permits set the conditions of use, and state or territory rules can cover licensing and aerial application. Check the current CASA drone guidance and the rules that apply where you operate before making plans.
Which applications make sense for your farm?
A drone earns its place when it helps answer a question or carry out a job that matters on the property. That could be locating uneven crop growth, treating a defined area, distributing a suitable material or keeping a record of seasonal changes.
| Job on the farm | Application to consider | What matters on the job |
|---|---|---|
| Check the extent of patchy growth | Aerial crop monitoring | Clear imagery and ground checks to understand the cause |
| Treat a suitable, defined area | Drone spraying | Product directions, calibration, weather and spray drift |
| Spread a compatible granular product | Drone spreading | Material compatibility, application rate and distribution |
| Record paddock changes over time | Aerial mapping | Consistent flights, processing and field interpretation |
Each application has its own equipment and operating requirements. EE Group’s DJI Agriculture overview outlines the aircraft categories, while the job in the paddock remains the best starting point for choosing a suitable approach.
FAQ
How much does a complete agricultural spraying drone setup cost in Australia?
For a starting budget, complete spray kits advertised by Australian dealers in November 2026 are around A$20,000 for a DJI Agras T25P, A$35,000 for a T70P and A$45,000 for a T100, including GST. These examples include batteries and charging equipment, but the price changes with the package. A spreading attachment, generator, extra batteries, training, licensing, insurance and chemical-handling gear can add to the bill. These are published market examples, not EE Group prices or a quotation. Ask for an itemised list of what's included before setting your budget.
Would it make more sense to buy a drone or hire an operator?
Regular spraying or spreading work can make ownership worth considering. Alongside the aircraft, budget for training, maintenance, battery charging, job preparation and record-keeping. For occasional applications, a suitably licensed contractor offers a way to see how drone work fits the property before investing in a setup.
What does drone spraying cost per hectare if I use a contractor?
As a rough guide, some published Australian broadacre rates are around A$30–80 per hectare, while individual operators advertise A$50 per hectare or more for higher-volume or more involved applications. There's no reliable flat rate for every paddock. Ask whether the quote includes GST, travel, a minimum call-out fee, mixing and loading, and the chemical itself. Application volume, crop conditions, the area to be treated and the location all affect the final cost.
How many hectares could a spraying drone cover in a day?
Daily coverage is shaped by application rate, field layout, battery and refill arrangements, weather, and the number of aircraft and operators. In EE Group Australia’s Deniliquin wheat case study, two DJI Agras T100 drones reportedly treated 235 hectares in seven hours. An operator can use your paddock map and spray plan to estimate a suitable work schedule for your property.
Do I need a licence to spray my own farm with a drone?
Often, yes. CASA's rules depend on the aircraft's operating weight and how it's used. The landholder excluded category may remove the need for a ReOC in eligible operations, but a drone weighing more than 25 kg and up to 150 kg still requires an appropriate Remote Pilot Licence (RePL). Chemical spraying also has separate state or territory rules, including pilot and operator licensing in some jurisdictions. Check CASA's weight-category guidance and your state regulator before flying or applying chemicals.
Can I spray when the paddock is wet or the wind picks up?
Drone spraying may be useful when paddock access is affected by wet ground, provided flight conditions and the product label permit the application. The operator checks wind, temperature, drift-sensitive areas and the crop canopy before flying. Weather limits depend on the approved label or permit, equipment guidance and the state or territory rules for aerial application.
Can the same drone spread seed and granular fertiliser?
Yes. Spreading-equipped versions of the DJI Agras T100, T70P and T25P can apply compatible seed and granular fertiliser. Operators select a suitable feeder configuration and calibrate it for the material’s size, weight, moisture and flow characteristics. A distribution check using the actual product helps confirm the application settings.
Can a crop-monitoring drone tell me why a patch is growing poorly?
A crop-monitoring drone can show where growth varies and how far an affected area extends. That gives growers a clearer starting point for checking moisture, nutrients, weeds, pests or disease in the paddock. A ground inspection or agronomist’s assessment helps identify the cause and guide the next step.
Getting started
Start with a particular job on the farm. Work out what information or application you need, how the flight would be organised and what happens after it. That makes it easier to judge which equipment and operating approach suits the property.
That’s what makes agricultural drone applications useful in practice: the right equipment doing a clearly defined job, with sound planning behind it.