Customer Testimonial: SkyVantage is Revolutionizing Farming with Drones and SOURCE®
In the heart of Grundy County, Missouri, fifth-generation farmer Nathan Whitney is blending tradition with technology. With roots on land his grandparents farmed in the 1940s, Nathan and his family have expanded their operation from 1,000 to over 5,000 acres, raising corn, soybeans, cattle — and even a few golden doodle puppies. In 2024, Nathan launched SkyVantage Ag, a drone-based custom application business that he runs alongside his wife Jamie and their two sons. What started as a solution to the inefficiencies of custom spraying quickly became a full-service operation, offering seeding and chemical applications with agility, precision, and a personal touch.
The launch of SkyVantage coincided with Nathan’s first season using SOURCE®. After hearing about the product through ExtremeAg and doing his own research, he trialed it on 1,000 acres of corn and soybeans — and saw immediate results. “The health of the plant, the mass of the root system, the pod clusters — everything looked better,” he recalls. His side-by-side comparisons showed a 7‑bushel increase in soybeans alone. In 2025, Nathan took things further, reducing his spring nitrogen by 25 pounds and replacing it with a V4 foliar application of SOURCE, generating a $7 per-acre ROI. With Sound Agriculture’s support, he became a dealer — bringing a low-use-rate, tank-compatible product to his community that’s easy to apply via drone and backed by a money-back guarantee.
Today, SkyVantage is expanding its offerings with BLUEPRINT™, a microbial seed treatment designed to extend the plant’s root reach. Nathan is using both the liquid and powder formulations on corn and soybeans and sees potential in how it synergizes with SOURCE, particularly in Missouri’s nutrient-limited clay soils. He’s also testing fulvic acid to further optimize nutrient uptake. “With the economics the way they are, it’s about supporting plant health and finding new revenue streams,” he says. As SkyVantage grows, Nathan sees drone application and biologicals not just as tools for today — but as the foundation for a more resilient, forward-looking farm.