What the Evidence Says About Crop Dusting and Wind Energy

By Jaxon Tolbert, Senior Program Associate at the Southeastern Wind Coalition

If you’ve spent time in the Mississippi Delta region, you know how essential crop dusting is to farming. Skilled pilots, maneuvering low over fields, play a critical role in producing crops and supporting the region’s agricultural economy. But as wind farms spread across states like Mississippi and Arkansas, some farmers and pilots have raised a key question: Can crop dusters and wind turbines safely coexist?

The answer is clear: Yes, they can. With expert pilots, careful planning, and lessons learned from other states, the Delta region is demonstrating how agriculture and renewable energy can thrive together.

This isn’t just theory—crop dusters have been regularly spraying fields without issue at Mississippi’s first utility-scale wind farm, Delta Wind, since it began operations in Tunica County in April 2024. These pilots expertly navigate around the turbines, maintaining a safe distance from the rotor diameter. Their continued work demonstrates how agricultural aviation and wind energy can coexist effortlessly.

Built for the Job: How Crop Dusters and Wind Farms Work Together 

1. Skilled Pilots Can Successfully Navigate Any Obstacle

Crop duster pilots are among the most skilled professionals in aviation. With extensive training in low-altitude flying, they expertly maneuver around obstacles like power lines, trees, irrigation systems, and even unpredictable weather. Wind turbines, while tall, are simply another feature of the landscape for pilots. Additionally, FAA regulations implemented in 2019 require any towers over 50 ft to be clearly marked, significantly improving safety for pilots.

With advanced GPS systems and precision-flying techniques, crop dusters adapt to wind turbines, ensuring uninterrupted farming operations.

2. Pilots Can Earn More for Flying Around Turbines

Wind farm developers prioritize collaboration with local farmers and crop dusters. This includes negotiating higher fees for more complex work. Spraying on farms with wind turbines requires adjustments on the part of pilots, who can then demand more for their services. These agreements recognize the important work that pilots do and provide an additional economic boost for communities. 

3. Crop Dusting and Wind Farms Have Safely Co-Existed for Decades

The coexistence of crop dusting and wind turbines isn’t new. States like Texas and Oklahoma have successfully integrated wind energy with agriculture for decades.

A 2019 survey by the National Agricultural Aviation Association highlighted that obstacles like wind turbines, power lines, and communication towers are manageable when developers and pilots work together. Meanwhile, studies from Europe show that turbine wakes create only minimal flight disturbances, further demonstrating the low risk of these structures for aviation.

Clearing Up Common Concerns

When it comes to crop dusting near wind turbines, it is reasonable to ask questions.  However, modern regulations, careful planning, and clear communication have resolved these issues, ensuring the safety of pilots and the farming communities they serve.

1. Is Wake Turbulence from Turbines Dangerous?

Wake turbulence from turbine blades might seem concerning, but studies show its impact on flight paths is minimal. Larger turbines, like those used in the Delta, spin more slowly, reducing air disturbance even further. Pilots maintain safe distances, making wake turbulence a non-issue.

2. Do Wind Turbines Blow Fertilizer Away? 

There is no evidence that wind turbines displace airborne farming substances like fertilizer and pesticides. In fact, the presence of turbines can actually improve crop yields, according to a study conducted by Iowa State University. While they create small amounts of turbulence, wind turbines do not blow air– they capture it and turn it into electricity. 

3. What Agency Do Pilots Have in the Planning Process? 

Collaboration between wind energy developers and agricultural communities is essential for safety. Poor planning can create risks, but developers prioritize working closely with pilots and landowners to ensure turbines are strategically placed and highly visible.

For a closer look at how crop dusters maneuver around wind turbines, check out the video below:

Video Courtesy of The New York Times

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The Southeastern Wind Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing the wind industry in the Southeast, with a focus on supply chain growth, economic development, job creation, and developing wind energy solutions that benefit both industry and communities. Discover more about SEWC’s mission and explore the story of wind energy in the Southeast at www.sewind.org.