Replacing DJI drones on a farm.
Growers bought a Mavic to look at a field and a Matrice or a spray drone to do more. Here is what replaces the look-at-the-field aircraft today, what is coming for acreage, and how cost share applies.
What the DJI aircraft did
- Checking crop stand and stress across a field
- Finding the dry pivot span and the broken line
- Counting and locating livestock, checking fence
- Documenting acreage and conditions for the file
- Training the people who will fly the mapping aircraft
What replaces it today
The Corvin complete kit replaces the look-at-the-field Mavic for close-in checks and for training, and it is built in Oklahoma. It does not carry a mapping sensor; that is the Ranger's job. The complete kit is $2,999, built to order in Tulsa, Oklahoma, without Section 889 covered components.
What replaces the rest, and when
The Ranger, a fixed-wing VTOL for large acreage with a multi-sensor payload, is in development at a published bundle price with reservations open. Spray aircraft are not something EnCor builds, and we say so. Spector bundle $34,999; Ranger bundle $22,000; reservation fee $5,000 each.
The rules and the clock
Existing DJI aircraft stay legal to fly, with updates through at least January 1, 2029. New foreign models cannot receive FCC authorization since December 22, 2025, and federal funds cannot buy them. Imported drones and parts carry Section 232 tariffs of 25 to 100 percent since September 3, 2026. Plan the replacement on your budget cycle, not in the 2028 queue.
How to pay for it
EQIP cost share through your NRCS field office where the state payment schedule lists precision-agriculture equipment, plus state precision-ag programs. Federal cost share buys compliant aircraft only, and imported drones now carry tariffs of 25 to 100 percent. Details on the Agriculture funding page.
Questions buyers ask
Do I have to replace my DJI?
No. It stays legal and updated through at least January 1, 2029. Replacement parts and new units now carry the tariff, which is the practical clock.
Does EnCor make a spray drone?
No. The Corvin is a reconnaissance and training aircraft and the Ranger, in development, is a survey aircraft. For spraying, you will need another vendor, and we will tell you that in a briefing.
What does the Ranger cost?
The complete bundle is published at the price on the pricing page, held with a reservation fee, with specifications as design targets until flight testing is complete.
- Wiley, "FCC Adds All Foreign-Produced Uncrewed Aircraft Systems and UAS Critical Components to Covered List", December 2025.
- DroneDJ, "FCC just saved millions of DJI drones from going obsolete" (update waiver through 2029), 2026-05-18.
- Euronews, "US slaps 100% tariffs on drones to counter Chinese dominance", 2026-09-03.
- Forbes, "White House Slaps Tariffs On Imported Drones" (Section 232 proclamation), 2026-08-14.
- EnCor, published prices, 2026-09-05.
Key dates
- 2025-12-22: FCC Covered List; federal funds stop for foreign drones
- 2026-05: update waiver extended to at least 2029-01-01
- 2026-09-03: Section 232 tariffs, 25% and 100%
- All replacement guides · By model