5 Best Agricultural Spray Drones for Small Farms in 2025

Looking to save time and money on your small farm? Agricultural spray drones are a game-changer in 2025, offering precision, efficiency, and reduced costs. These drones are affordable (starting around ~$20,000) and can cut pesticide and nutrient application costs by 60%, at just $5–$6 per acre. They’re also faster, covering up to 60 acres/hour, and reduce soil damage compared to tractors.

Here are the top 5 spray drones for small farms:

1. DJI Agras T40: High capacity (10.5 gal tank), covers up to 52.7 acres/hour, foldable design, advanced obstacle sensors.
2. DJI Agras T-10: Lightweight and efficient for small farms, 10 L tank, 15–20 acres/hour coverage.
3. Talos T60X: Heavy-duty, 13.2–15.8 gal tank, up to 60 acres/hour, tri-camera obstacle detection.
4. XAG P100: Modular design, 10.6 gal tank, 32.8 ft spray width, fast battery recharge.
5. ABZ Innovation L30: Budget-friendly, 30 L tank, covers 52 acres/hour, smart flight planning.

Quick Comparison:

Drone Model	Tank Capacity	Coverage (Acres/Hour)	Key Features
DJI Agras T40	10.5 gal	52.7	Foldable, GPS/RTK, 360° obstacle sensors
DJI Agras T-10	2.6 gal	15–20	Lightweight, easy to operate, modular spraying system
Talos T60X	13.2–15.8 gal	60	Tri-camera, terrain-following, durable
XAG P100	10.6 gal	32.8 ft spray width	Modular, fast battery recharge, RTK
ABZ Innovation L30	7.9 gal	52	CDA tech, smart flight planning

Why choose spray drones? They save money, reduce chemical use by up to 50%, and work on wet or uneven terrain. Stay compliant with FAA regulations (Part 107/137) and follow a maintenance routine to maximize efficiency. Ready to take your small farm to the next level? Let’s dive into the details.

XAG P100 Pro vs DJI Agras T40 | Agri Spray Drones

How to Choose a Spray Drone for Small Farms

If you're running a small farm, picking the right spray drone can make a big difference in efficiency and cost savings. Here's a breakdown of the key factors to consider.

Tank Capacity and Coverage
Spray drones typically have tanks that hold between 10 and 30 liters. For even coverage, fly your drone 6–10 feet above the ground at speeds of 6–12 mph, with a 20% overlap in spray paths.

Operating Costs and ROI
Using a spray drone can save you money by reducing chemical use by 30–50%, thanks to its precision application.

Weather Considerations
For the best results, operate your drone in clear skies with winds below 10 mph. Moderate temperature and humidity levels also help ensure effective spraying.

Legal Requirements
Before you start, make sure you're compliant with FAA regulations. This includes obtaining Part 107 certification, registering your drone, and filing FAA 137 if you're using it for chemical applications. You'll also need to display your registration number on the drone and secure waivers if operating in controlled airspace.

Advanced Features
Look for drones equipped with:

• GPS/RTK navigation for accurate positioning
• Obstacle-avoidance sensors to prevent crashes
• Automated flight planning to save time and effort

These features make your operations smoother and more efficient - especially important for smaller farms.

"A lot of the consulting we do for farmers is to take care of the required paperwork." - Jonathan Cottingham, founder of Southern Drone OPS

1. DJI Agras T40

The DJI Agras T40 stands out as a solid choice for small farms, thanks to its balance of capacity, efficiency, and ease of use. Its coaxial twin-rotor design boosts payload capacity by 30% while improving portability.

Key Specifications:

• Spraying Payload: 88 lbs (40 kg); Spreading Payload: 110 lbs (50 kg)
• Liquid Tank Capacity: 10.5 gallons (40 L)
• Granular Tank Capacity: 18.5 gallons (70 L)
• Coverage: Up to 52.7 acres/hour (21.33 ha/hour) at 2 gal/acre; 9.9 acres/hour for orchard spraying
• Granular Material Capacity: 3,300 lbs per hour
• Spray Swath: 30 feet for even application
• Advanced Features: 360° obstacle sensing with active phased array radar and binocular vision sensors, 8-core processor for fast mapping, and IPX6K-rated dust- and rain-resistant electronics
• Applications: Spot treatments, full-field spraying, granular fertilizer spreading, and cover crop seeding

Efficiency is where the T40 shines. Its dual-atomized spraying system ensures uniform coverage, and the 10.5-gallon tank can empty in under 4 minutes when spraying at 2 gal/acre.

The drone's 8-core remote controller maps 16.5 acres in just 10 minutes, enabling precise variable-rate applications. Using the DJI Agras Intelligent Cloud platform, it can reduce chemical use by up to 50% through detailed in-field mapping and variable-rate prescriptions.

The T40 is also designed for convenience. Its foldable frame reduces its size by 70%, making it easier to transport. The intelligent charging station provides 1,500 W of AC power, recharging a flight battery in just 9 minutes. These features help minimize downtime and streamline operations for farms covering less than 100 acres.

The full package includes the drone, remote controller, intelligent charging station, three flight batteries, a battery cooling kit, and a field-operations kit.

Next, we’ll look at the balanced features of the DJI Agras T10.

2. DJI Agras T-10

The DJI Agras T10 is a compact drone designed for easy one‑person operation, featuring an angled truss frame and combining functions like surveying, mapping, spraying, and spreading. It is also available as a Ready to Fly Kit that bundles batteries, charger, and field accessories.

Key Specifications:

• Spraying payload: 10 kg (22 lbs); Spreading payload: 10 kg (22 lbs)
• Liquid tank capacity: 8 L (2.1 gal); Granular tank capacity: 12 L (3.2 gal)
• Field spraying rate: Up to 6 ha/hour (15 ac/hour); Orchard spraying rate: 4 ha/hour (10 ac/hour)
• Spreading rate: ~600 kg/hour (1,322 lbs/hour)
• Spray swath width: 5.5 m (18 ft) 

Flight times vary depending on the task: 17 minutes when empty and 9 minutes for spraying. The Dual Atomized Spraying System ensures even coverage with droplet sizes ranging from 50–500 µm. A built‑in scale tracks payload, and the spreader cleans itself in just 3 minutes.

Equipped with a spherical radar array and binocular vision sensors, the T10 offers 360° obstacle detection up to 50 m. Its intelligent controller supports variable‑rate mapping for precision work. Designed to withstand tough conditions, the drone features IP67 protection and durable core components. DJI also guarantees software updates until December 31 2026.

In real‑world tests, the T10 delivered impressive results. An Italian vineyard operator cut treatment time from four days to four hours while reducing chemical use. Meanwhile, a Flanders ILVO field evaluation confirmed uniform droplet distribution and accurate delivery across multiple nozzle types.

Next, the Talos T60X steps in with heavy-duty capabilities tailored for smaller farms.

3. Talos T60X

The Talos T60X is designed for small farms, combining high-capacity spraying, spreading, and mapping in a durable build that can handle tough terrain. For an all‑in‑one, turn‑key solution, check out the Talos T60X Ready‑to‑Fly Package, which bundles the drone, intelligent batteries, charger, and field‑ready accessories so you can deploy immediately.

Key Specifications:

• Spray Tank: 13.2 gal (standard) or 15.8 gal (upgraded)
• Spreading Capacity: 21 gal (supports 132 lbs payload)
• Coverage Rate: Up to 60 acres/hour at 2 gal/acre
• Maximum Flying Speed: 45 ft/s
• Droplet Size Range: 20–320 microns
• Spreading Flow Rate: Up to 418 lbs/minute

This drone features an advanced tri-camera system for obstacle detection and low-light first-person viewing. It also offers one-click takeoff, terrain-following capabilities, payload-monitoring sensors, and a magnetic-drive pump that keeps pesticides isolated from the motors.

The package includes everything you need to get started: the drone with a standard tank, remote control, charging station, batteries, a spreader system, and field-ready accessories. Its auger-delivery system efficiently controls the flow to spinner disks, enabling coverage of up to 70 acres per flight hour.

Additional features include field mapping with a UHD camera mounted on an adjustable gimbal and precise route planning through the D-RTK 2 Mobile Station.

Up next, learn how the XAG P100 combines portability and efficiency for small-scale farms.

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4. XAG P100

The XAG P100 features a modular design that allows you to quickly switch between spraying and spreading units. This flexibility means small teams can make adjustments in the field without needing tools, saving time on transport and maintenance.

Key Specifications:

• Liquid tank capacity: 10.6 gal (40 L)
• Maximum spraying width: 32.8 ft (10 m)
• Droplet size range: 60–400 μm
• Flow rate: 0.08–1.59 gal/min
• Spreading capacity: 617 lb per battery
• Flight speed (spreading): 45.3 ft/s
• Obstacle detection range: 131 ft

The drone uses a peristaltic pump and centrifugal atomization to deliver up to 1.59 gal/min, with real-time monitoring of the tank's liquid levels. In spreading mode, a centrifugal disc and screw feeder ensure even distribution of up to 617 lb per battery.

Powered by the SuperX 4 Pro control system, the XAG P100 offers precise autonomous flights with RTK navigation, a 1 GHz processor, and dual-link communication. Its 962 Wh water-cooled battery recharges in just 11 minutes, helping you make the most of your spray windows.

Equipped with radar sensors, the drone can detect obstacles up to 131 ft away. You can control it using either the XAG One app or a handheld controller for added convenience.

Next, we'll take a look at the ABZ Innovation L30, designed for small-scale operations.

5. ABZ Innovation L30

Wrapping up the list, the ABZ Innovation L30 offers a 30 L (7.9 gal) tank, Controlled Droplet Application (CDA), and smart flight-planning capabilities. It handles both liquid and granular spraying and can cover up to 21 ha (52 ac) per hour.

Key Specifications:

• Application types: Liquid and granular
• Notable features: CDA technology and advanced flight-planning algorithms

Pricing starts at $24,970 with Drone Spray Pro's Economy Package, which includes all necessary accessories and setup support.

Specs at a Glance

For farms under 100 acres, this budget-friendly package offers great performance at a reasonable price. Here's what you get with the T40 and Drone Spray Pro's bundle:

Specification	Detail
What’s Included	• Drone unit and remote controller
	• Three flight batteries
	• Smart charging station
	• Field operations kit

Note: The package includes the drone, remote controller, three batteries, and a charger.

Every package also comes with FAA licensing support, hands-on training, extra batteries, chargers, and mounting accessories - everything you need to get started right away.

Up next: Getting Started with Spray Drones.

Getting Started with Spray Drones

Once you've selected the right drone, it's essential to follow the necessary regulations and establish a solid maintenance routine.

FAA Requirements

To operate a spray drone commercially, you need a Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107. Additionally, drones weighing over 0.55 lb must be registered, and those used for aerial chemical applications require Part 137 certification. Make sure your drone's registration number is clearly displayed.

State-Specific Requirements

Some states have their own rules. For instance, Mississippi mandates FAA credentials, a valid driver's license, and passing the BPI exam before you can operate a spray drone.

Routine Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures your drone operates safely and efficiently:

• Pre-Flight and Post-Flight Checks: Inspect the drone before each use and clean it afterward to prevent buildup and confirm all systems are functional.
• Weekly Inspections: Examine key components like propellers, motors, and controls for wear or damage.
• Firmware Updates: Install updates as they become available to keep the drone stable and reliable.

In addition to maintenance, proper training is key to safe and effective operations. Drone Spray Pro offers hands-on training that covers FAA Parts 107 and 137 certification prep, safe chemical handling, flight techniques, equipment care, and weather evaluation.

Conclusion

After reviewing the top spray drones and key selection factors, it's time to make your decision. Focus on aligning the drone's capacity, cost, and regulatory requirements with your needs. For operations covering at least 980 acres annually, owning a drone often proves more economical than outsourcing at around $16 per acre. Plus, targeted application features can reduce chemical use by 30–50% compared to traditional sprayers, cutting costs and minimizing impact.

Here are three critical factors for success with spray drones:

• Scale: Ensure the drone's capacity matches your annual spraying needs to justify the ~$35,000 investment.
• Technology: Opt for GPS/RTK systems for precise 2–3 cm accuracy and automated mapping.
• Compliance: Stay on top of Part 107/137 certifications and FAA registration requirements.

For smaller farms, using your acreage and spraying frequency to guide your purchase can lead to both savings and precision. When the system is well-suited to your operation, it can consistently reduce chemical use and improve application efficiency.

Ready to move forward? Check out the steps in "Getting Started with Spray Drones" to certify, maintain, and deploy your new system.