Contract spraying for farms and landowners

Small farms, hay and cattle operations, horse properties and rural landowners who don't own a sprayer or hold an applicator license.

Price per acre or per hour, plus a charge for mixing and travel. Product is either billed at cost plus a margin or supplied by the customer.

• Careful, safety-minded work with chemicals
• Calibrating equipment and reading product labels
• Record keeping
• Driving tractors or trucks with trailers

• Commercial pesticide applicator licensing, which varies by state and by product type, so check with your state agriculture department
• General liability and possibly pollution or chemical liability insurance, since drift or wrong-product mistakes can be costly
• Weather windows: wind and rain limit when you can legally and safely spray
• Required application records and safe storage and disposal of chemicals
• Check county or city rules if you store chemicals at home

Startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on the sprayer, the truck, tractor or UTV you use, and what equipment you already own. These are estimates, so price your own setup and insurance before buying.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many acres you cover and how many hours you work. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week, and weather can limit your spraying days.

Check commercial pesticide applicator licensing with your state agriculture department, since it varies by state and product type. Also check general liability and possibly pollution insurance, required application records, and rules for storing and disposing of chemicals.