Leveraging Drones for Farm Management
By Jessica Graham
Drones are becoming a big deal on farms these days, helping us keep an eye on livestock, check on fences, and even spraying crops. Before you determine whether or not you would benefit by having a drone, you should consider the rules and regulations.
If you’re just flying for fun, snapping some cool aerial shots, you’ll need to pass the FAA’s Recreational UAS Safety Test. However, even if you’re mainly using your drone for ranch work – checking water tanks, inspecting pastures – it’s likely considered “commercial” use under FAA rules. To fly your drone for any work-related purpose, you’ll need to get a Remote Pilot Certificate. It’s not as scary as it sounds, but you will need to pass an exam. The FAA provides free study materials, and there are plenty of online courses available to help you prepare. The exam covers airspace rules, weather, and how to safely fly your drone. There are some fees associated with testing and registering your drone.
Pasture Management
One of the most common areas drones are thriving are for spraying purposes. Drones definitely have the advantage over self-propelled or pull-type sprayers in that they aren’t limited to where they can go by the terrain. Drones are revolutionizing how we work on the farm. Drones let you survey your pastures from a safe distance.
Plus, drones are incredibly precise. One method a lot of companies are using is flying the drone over the pasture and “mapping” the area. You can then go and pinpoint exactly where the weeds are and adjust the application rate accordingly. Some drones allow for variable rate spraying. This will spray more herbicide where needed, and less (or it can even shut-off) when it’s not needed. Imagine a drone flying over your field, mapping out the weed density and then applying just the right amount of herbicide. This limits over spraying as some drones have sub-inch accuracy.
Smith Farms, located in Indiana, has been using drones for a few years. Daniel Smith shares some of the ways drones have helped their farm. “Our farm has been in the family for four generations. We manage about 600 acres of pastureland and row crops and a herd of about 200 cattle. Over the years, we’ve seen a lot of changes in farming, but I’d say the last decade has been the most revolutionary with technology stepping in.”
Smith continues, “We’ve got a lot of hilly terrain and areas that are hard to reach with traditional equipment. We used to have our co-op spray with a self-propelled sprayer. We were at the grace and mercy of the co-op on when we could get our pastures and fields sprayed and fertilizer. I read about drones being used for spraying, and I thought, why not here? It’s been a game-changer for us.”
Drones use a spinning disc to apply the herbicide, creating a fine mist that perfectly coats the weeds. It’s like a super-precise jet sprayer, and you can easily adjust the droplet size with the controller. This eliminates the need to swap nozzles according to your herbicides and ensures even coverage. Another advantage is the reduction of soil compaction, and running over crops. When used correctly, they should save you money on chemical.
Smith emphasizes this point, “The drone is way more precise than I ever could be. Plus, we’re using less product because the drone applies it so accurately, which saves money. It’s surprisingly straightforward. The drone I use is equipped with a small spray tank and GPS mapping software. First, I map out the pasture I want to spray, marking the boundaries and any obstacles like trees or fences. Then, I load the drone with the herbicide or fertilizer and program the flight path. Once it’s in the air, the drone does all the work, spraying evenly and efficiently. Not only am I saving money on herbicides, I’m eliminating applicator fees. I’m also able to spray when the time is right, not when a self-propelled sprayer can get into the field. I’m not limited by field conditions.”
Considerations
While drones offer several advantages in pasture management, it’s crucial to acknowledge their limitations. The initial investment in drones and associated equipment can be substantial, and ongoing costs such as battery replacements and maintenance should be considered too. Operating drones does require some skill and with the money spent, you want to make sure you have a good pilot that’s taking into consideration trees, powerlines, and other obstacles. Additionally, weather conditions can impact flight operations. The data your drone can collect is invaluable, but processing and analyzing drone data can be time-consuming. Finally, it’s important to stay on top of the current rules and regulation both at the FAA and local level. Despite these challenges, the benefits of drone technology makes drones a valuable tool for modern agricultural practices.
The overall consensus is drones are changing the game for farmers. They’re not a fit for everyone, you need to look at your operation and see if it makes sense for you to use it. You should also consider the technology and if you want to be the one using, customizing, and receiving the data. If you do not want to set aside the time to learn the controls, figure out the mapping, and the variable rate spraying, you will not reap the full benefits of the drones. Nonetheless, it’s exciting to see how this technology is transforming the way we work on the land.
