Desiccation of soybean, sunflower and oilseed rape by drone
The drone doesn't trample the ripe crop and can work right after rain, as soon as the access road to the field has dried. We desiccate soybean, sunflower and oilseed rape for €25, €22 or €20 per hectare, depending on the area.
When to desiccate
The right moment depends on grain maturity and moisture, not on the calendar. You choose the product, based on the label or your advisory service's recommendation, and the label also sets the number of days from spraying to harvest. Our agronomist mixes the product at the field.
- Sunflower and soybean often keep a heavy green canopy even when the grain is ripe. Without desiccation, the crop can arrive at the buyer with too much moisture. In sunflower the treatment is usually done once the seed reaches physiological maturity, most often 25 to 40 days after flowering (Đukić et al., 2007).
- Oilseed rape is desiccated to prevent over-ripening and pod shatter. A pod sealant that strengthens the pods can be added to the desiccant.
Stages and timings for each crop are on its own page: soybean desiccation, sunflower desiccation and oilseed rape desiccation.
Why we desiccate by drone
- No trampling. A tractor sprayer destroys 5 to 6% of the crop; the drone flies 3 metres above the plants. Full comparison: drone or tractor.
- Tall crops and wet ground. The drone treats plants taller than 1.5 m. After rain there is no need to wait for the whole field to dry: a firm access road is enough.
- Even canopy coverage. The strong downdraft from the rotors pushes fine droplets all the way down to the lower leaves.
Price of desiccation by drone
| up to 20 ha | 20 to 100 ha | over 100 ha |
|---|---|---|
| €25/ha | €22/ha | €20/ha |
The price band is set by the total area. You supply the product and the water; field crops take 15 to 20 litres of water per hectare on average. Travel within 50 km of Opovo is free, and new clients get the first hectare free on a first order of at least 10 ha. Prices, packages and worked examples are all in the price list.
What will spraying your field cost?
Pick the service, the crop and the place. You see the price at once, with travel and discounts.
Road distances: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Estimated price
Enter the area and choose the place to see the price here.
Common questions about desiccation
To even out ripening, prevent over-ripening and avoid pod shatter. A pod sealant that strengthens the pods can be added to the desiccant. You choose the product and the sealant from the label and your agronomist's advice.
That is set only by the product's pre-harvest interval (PHI, on the label) and your agronomist's advice. In sunflower, for example, with temperatures above 20 °C, harvest can start 7 to 14 days earlier (Đukić et al., 2007). If it turns cold or rains after spraying, drying takes longer.
We spray in winds of 3 to 5 m/s. For products whose drift can damage neighbouring crops, the drone manufacturer (DJI Agras T70P) recommends winds below 3 m/s. If the wind picks up during the job, we pause and carry on once it drops. As for rain, only the access road to the field needs to dry.
€25/ha up to 20 ha, €22/ha from 20 to 100 ha and €20/ha above 100 ha. The product and water are not included; travel within 50 km of Opovo is free. Estimate the cost for your field: work out your price.
- First hectare free
- Free travel within 50 km
Call us while the crop is still ripening
We agree the date in advance, and grain moisture decides the exact day. Call us as soon as you start monitoring ripening closely.