Key Takeaways
- A major new U.S. survey commissioned and analyzed by Stratovation shows accelerating adoption of drone use among large-scale row crop farmers.
- 72% of current drone users plan to purchase or lease additional equipment, while 61% of non-users expect to adopt drones in the future.
- The study identifies multi-rotor drones as the dominant platform, representing 89% of current farm-level use.
- Findings highlight operational momentum as farmers shift drones from experimental tools to core components of production systems.
- Results were sponsored by partners including SweetWater Technologies, Agri Spray Drones, the National Corn Growers Association, and Syngenta.
Stratovation Study Shows Growing Farmer Confidence in Agricultural Drones
A new national study titled “Farmer Perceptions of Agricultural Drones”, developed and analyzed by Stratovation, provides one of the most comprehensive views to date of how U.S. farmers are integrating drone technologies into crop production systems. The project was sponsored by SweetWater Technologies, Agri Spray Drones, the National Corn Growers Association, and Syngenta, with additional support from key agricultural associations.
“Agriculture is in a pivotal position where emerging technologies like drones are becoming tangible tools for production efficiency,” said Cam Camfield, CEO and founder of Stratovation. “Farmers told us that drones or drone services are becoming a core piece of their operational infrastructure.”
Survey Highlights Farmer Sentiment and Adoption Intent
The research surveyed full-time, large-scale row-crop farmers across the United States, revealing strong interest across the industry:
- 67% of drone owners hold positive perceptions of drones, with no respondents reporting negative views.
- 72% of current users expect to purchase or lease another drone, with over half planning to act within three years.
- 61% of non-users say they intend to adopt drones in the future, indicating broad entry into the technology.
- Despite momentum, 67% of respondents still do not currently use drones, reflecting a market with significant room for growth.
“This research separates real field-level signals from industry hype,” Camfield added. “The appetite to expand is real, and the pattern suggests full-scale drone programs emerging on farms.”
How Farmers Are Using Drones: Insights From the Stratovation Dataset
Among respondents already using drones, the survey found:
- 89% rely on multi-rotor drones, making them the clear preferred platform for spraying, mapping, and field monitoring.
- Farmers increasingly view drones as long-term operational tools rather than one-off pilots or trials.
These findings point to structural integration of drone capabilities into mainstream production systems.
