A new business has taken flight in Marshalltown — Heartland Sky, a drone spraying operation owned by Isaiah Borgos.
Officially launched in mid-April, Heartland Sky offers a modern twist on the traditional crop dusting method, using drones instead of airplanes for the task.
Borgos, 22, started his venture with three 80-pound drones. Each drone is capable of carrying 10.5 gallons of chemicals at a time, covering just over five acres on a full tank before needing a refill.
“I can take on bigger jobs; it just takes a bit more time. Whatever works best for the farmer,” Borgos explained.
The majority of his spraying will involve fungicide, particularly for corn and soybean fields. He also plans to spray when soybeans reach the R3 stage, when they’re beginning to pod. Beyond crop spraying, Borgos sees opportunities for his drones in other areas, including spraying the prairie at Grimes Farm or reducing grasshopper populations in pastures.
“The drones are incredibly nimble and can reach places that larger sprayers can’t,” Borgos said. “They’re more efficient, which makes it worth the extra cost for farmers. Once they see the results, they’ll want to try it too.”
The process for each job starts with the farmer confirming the details. Borgos then maps the field to ensure the drone stays within the boundaries and uses chemicals efficiently.
“The mapping ensures the drone doesn’t waste any chemicals or spray areas it shouldn’t,” he said. Once the field is mapped, the tanks are filled, and the drones are launched from a trailer. Borgos estimates he can cover 35 acres per hour per drone on a good day with favorable weather conditions.
Weather plays a big role in drone spraying. For example, spraying isn’t done on days with winds over 15 mph to avoid chemical drift. Also, the presence of nearby honeybees or rain can prevent spraying.
“A lot of this job depends on working with Mother Nature,” Borgos noted. “But that’s what makes it exciting. I don’t mind the challenges.”
With three drones operating in optimal conditions, Borgos can spray a 100-acre field in about an hour. Thanks to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, he can work long hours, starting as early as 7 a.m. and working until 3 a.m.
