3 Things We Wish Someone Would Have Told us Before Starting a Custom Drone Application Business
A Strong Start
First, let us start out by saying that we were fortunate to be uniquely positioned to start a successful spray drone business from the get go. Our entire lives have involved farming right here in Central Wisconsin so, we are already immersed in the industry. We’ve been applying pesticides for 15+ years so, mixing a six-ingredient batch to spray on a high value crop is something we can do with confidence. And, before we purchased our first drone, we had work lined up on handshake deals from farmers we already knew.
We started this business to serve the people we enjoy working with the most; farmers, and to give them a more sustainable solution for their crop care. But this still wasn’t a business we entered into lightly. After all, this isn’t a drone business. It’s a chemical application business. We knew how much legal paperwork would be involved and how to work on Mother Nature’s schedule, but there’s still a few important points that, despite all our research and preparation, we were unprepared for once our first season really got rolling. Hence, this article.
Here are three things we wish someone would have told us before taking flight.
1. It’s not just dodging rain, it’s also waiting for calm wind
When we first envisioned running a custom spraying business with drones, we imagined long days. And we were not wrong. However, we quickly discovered the wind is rarely calm enough all the way through the day. Therefore, we would head out early, shut down in the middle of the day, head back out in the evening, and often run into the night.
There were maybe one to two days per week when it would be calm all day (and often those days fell on the weekend). That’s simply not enough time to get critical crop care done. We never thought we would be running a "night shift" operation, but many of our applications happened between dusk and dawn when the air was calmest.
Low winds are absolutely critical for effective and safe pesticide application. We operate with strict safety protocols, and we wouldn't even think about heading out unless the winds were 6 mph and actively dying down. It's a demanding aspect of the job, but it's a non-negotiable for precision and efficacy in agriculture drone operations for our client’s crops.
2. Look Up the Label: Most Products Aren't a 2 Gallon Per Acre aerial Rate
Many of the initial agriculture drone models that hit the market were often designed with a specific spray rate in mind, typically around 2 gallons per acre (gpa). Our assumption was that most agricultural chemicals would fit neatly into this efficiency model. We were wrong.
This past season, we sprayed a lot of 5gpa rate because that's what our farmers' products and crops truly needed. Many labels for insecticides, aphicides, and some herbicides and fungicides require higher aerial application volumes to ensure proper efficacy and coverage.
Here's the critical part: If we didn’t apply the chemical per the label specifications, our chemical liability insurance wouldn't cover any mishaps. This isn't just about doing a good job; it's about legal compliance and protecting our business and our clients. Before you invest in any drone spraying equipment, thoroughly research the labels of the products you anticipate applying, especially if you plan to spray anything besides corn fungicide and glyphosate (Roundup).
3. Don't Get Married to Your Setup: This Isn't Like Buying a Tractor
When you invest in a tractor, you expect it to be a workhorse for decades, with incremental improvements over time. The world of farm technology, especially in agriculture drone applications, is entirely different.
This isn't an asset-heavy business in the traditional sense; it's a depreciating asset business. Drone technology evolves at an astonishing pace. Much like when the first iPhones came out, you'll find yourself wanting to upgrade every year or every other year to keep up with the latest features, increased payload capacity, and reduced downtime. These advancements aren't just "nice-to-haves"; they directly translate to better efficiency.
However, upgrading your primary drone platform often means you'll have to update your auxiliary equipment too—think charging stations, generators, transport cases, and even specialized electrical. Being prepared for this rapid technological refresh cycle is crucial. It requires a different financial mindset than traditional agricultural equipment investment, focusing more on continuous innovation and adaptation rather than long-term asset retention.
The Bottom Line
Drone aerial application offers innovative solutions to farmers across Wisconsin. However, going in with a clear understanding of these realities—the wind-driven schedules, the critical importance of label compliance with diverse spray rates, and the rapid pace of technological obsolescence—can make all the difference between soaring success and unexpected turbulence.
For farmers in Central Wisconsin seeking efficient and precise pesticide application or other drone spraying services, partner with people who understand these challenges and are equipped to navigate them. We're committed to bringing this cutting-edge farm technology to your fields and look forward to partnering with more of our Antigo farmers in the seasons to come.
We’re an open book and here to help our neighbors get answers to all their questions when it comes to agriculture drones. You’re welcome to contact us.
About Venture Ag Drones
Venture Ag Drones provides custom aerial application in Central Wisconsin, including drone spraying and spreading. From row crop to specialty applications, our experience is wide-ranging, from corn fungicide, potato desiccation, Christmas tree insecticide, alfalfa new seeding planting and herbicide, greenhouse shade painting, specialty crop application, and so much more. Based in Antigo, Wisconsin, we’re here to become your trusted partner in this new age of drone agriculture technology. Connect with us today using our contact page.