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Sowing cover crops by drone into the standing crop before harvest

Published: 19 October 2026

Author: The Agrodron Team · Agrodron Sp. z o.o. · Updated: 19 October 2026

Traditional cover crop sowing takes place after harvest, when the soil has already run short of moisture. A drone lets you sow seed into the standing crop before harvest – into cereals, canola or tall maize.

Relay sowing of cover crops by drone is broadcast sowing of cover crop seed into a standing crop a few weeks before harvest. The plants emerge under the cover of the canopy, and by the time the crop is harvested the field is already green.

Benefits

• An earlier start – the cover crop gains a few extra weeks of growth, which matters especially after a late harvest.
• No driving into the crop – no extra pass, no wheel tracks and no soil compaction; the drone can also sow into tall maize.
• Better use of moisture and residual nitrogen left after the main crop.
• Less erosion and nitrogen leaching, more organic matter.

What to sow

Small-seeded species that tolerate broadcast sowing well: mustard, phacelia, oilseed radish, grasses, clovers and mixes with legumes. We choose the seed rate to suit the species – with broadcast sowing it is usually higher than with row sowing. The choice depends on your crop rotation and on any programme you take part in.

When to sow

• When the crop starts to ripen and lets more light through to the soil.
• Ideally ahead of forecast rain – moisture determines emergence.
• We set the timing individually for the main crop and the cover crop species.

Sustainability programmes and carbon farming

Cover crops may count towards voluntary sustainability and carbon programmes, depending on the rules of each programme, such as the sowing window, the minimum number of species and restrictions on crop protection products. We adapt the mix and timing to the requirements of the programme you take part in.

How it works and what it costs

1. You tell us the field, the main crop and the planned cover crop.
2. We select the seed rate and calibrate the spread.
3. The drone sows seed along a GPS route – no wheel tracks and no damage to the crop.

The service costs price on request for a minimum of 5 ha, excluding the cost of seed. Travel costs are confirmed in the quote. Cover crop seeding by drone is carried out in line with SACAA RPAS rules. Order cover crop seeding.

FAQ – frequently asked questions

When should you sow a cover crop by drone?
Before harvesting the main crop, ideally ahead of forecast rain. We adjust the timing to the crop and to the requirements of any programme you take part in.

How much does sowing a cover crop by drone cost?
Price on request, in ZAR, depending on the area and the job. Seed is quoted separately.

Does a cover crop sown by drone count towards a sustainability or carbon programme?
It may – if it meets the requirements of the programme concerned. We adapt the species mix and the sowing date to the rules of the programme you take part in.

Which cover crops are suitable for relay sowing by drone?
Small-seeded species and mixes: grasses, clovers, mustard, phacelia.

Does sowing seed by drone require special permission?
Sowing seed involves no crop protection product, so product label requirements do not apply. Aviation rules for drone operations (SACAA RPAS) still apply. [TO VERIFY]