Glossary
Granular vs Liquid Application
The two physical forms of input a drone can apply: dry granular product spread from a hopper, and liquid product sprayed from a tank. Granular spreading is an established drone service in Canada; liquid pesticide spraying is now permitted on an interim basis for products already registered for aerial application.
Definition
A granular setup uses a hopper and a spinning spreader disc to broadcast dry product — granular fertilizer, cover-crop and forage seed, and some dry soil amendments. A liquid setup uses a tank, pump, and nozzles to atomize and spray liquid product. The same airframe can often be configured either way, and the regulatory status of the two now turns on the specific product rather than the form alone: spreading non-pesticide granular product is an established, unrestricted service, while applying pesticides by drone — liquid spray or granular bait — depends on whether that product is already registered for conventional aerial application. As of June 2026, PMRA’s interim Letter of No Objection permits drone application of those aerial-registered products under their existing label directions; it is not blanket approval, and products without an aerial label, or ones the registrant has opted out, remain out of scope. Non-pesticide liquids such as liquid fertilizer are not PMRA pesticides, but other operational rules still apply.
In an Alberta Context
For an Alberta operation right now, that distinction is the whole business model. Drone granular spreading — fertilizer top-dress, and cover-crop and forage seeding — is something UAV AG does today. Pesticide application by drone, whether liquid spray or granular bait, is now under a narrow interim pathway: PMRA’s June 2026 Letter of No Objection permits drone application of products already registered for conventional aerial application, under those label directions — it is not blanket approval, and off-label or opted-out products remain out of scope. UAV AG positions as "spreading now, spray-ready" and tracks which products in a grower’s rotation qualify rather than assuming blanket eligibility.
Why It Matters
Confusing the two is how operators get into compliance trouble. Knowing that non-pesticide granular spreading is unrestricted, and that pesticide application by drone now depends on whether the specific product is aerial-registered under the June 2026 interim pathway, keeps both the grower and the operator on the right side of the regulations while still capturing the real, available value of drone application.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Can I spray liquid fertilizer by drone in Alberta?
Liquid fertilizer is not a PMRA pesticide, so it does not fall under the pesticide spraying restriction — but other federal and provincial rules and operational constraints still apply. Contact us to confirm what is permitted for your specific product and field before assuming it can be flown.
+Are granular slug baits or pesticide pellets legal to apply by drone?
It depends on the product. As of June 2026, PMRA’s interim Letter of No Objection permits drone application of pesticide products, including granular baits and pellets, that are already registered for conventional aerial application, under those label directions. Products without an aerial label, or ones the registrant has opted out, are not covered.
+What products does UAV AG actually spread by drone right now?
Non-pesticide granular products: granular fertilizer (including top-dress), and cover-crop and forage seed. These are established, legal drone services in Canada today.
+What does "spreading now, spray-ready" mean?
It means UAV AG offers granular spreading today and operates aircraft capable of liquid application, and can apply pesticides by drone where the product already qualifies under PMRA’s June 2026 interim pathway. We track which products in a grower’s rotation are in scope rather than assuming blanket eligibility, and stay current as the rules evolve.