Spray Drift, Weather and Calibration Questions
The drift, weather and calibration questions every grower should ask a drone spray operator — without replacing the product label.
This is not a prescription
This guide is educational. It does not recommend any product, rate or method. Always follow the pesticide label and your state or local regulator.
The main drift factors
EPA guidance identifies wind, droplet size, release height and buffer distance as major drift factors. Ask the operator how they monitor local wind, avoid temperature inversions, keep release height low and choose nozzles or atomiser settings for an appropriate droplet size.
Calibration and swath testing
Ask when the aircraft was last calibrated, whether swath width has been tested for the product and conditions, and how the operator confirms the intended rate is applied across the field.
Mixing and agitation
Extension research notes that many spray drones lack onboard tank agitation, so external agitation and tank-mix compatibility testing are important. Ask how products are mixed, how tanks are cleaned out between jobs and how leftover mix is handled.
Weather calls and records
Agree in advance how weather cancellations are handled and charged. Ask for a weather record with the application log, and keep it with your farm records.
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