Extension Demonstration Shows Drone’s Usefulness on Farms

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Extension Demonstration Shows Drone’s Usefulness on Farms

Drone technology is rapidly transforming the agricultural landscape, offering farmers innovative solutions to improve their operations. Kevin Brooks, a Farm Management Educator with the University of Illinois Extension’s Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit, is at the forefront of this movement, assisting local farmers in leveraging drones to address various challenges and optimize efficiency.

 

Monitoring Crop Health

Throughout the growing season, crop health can fluctuate based on field conditions. Traditional methods, like walking or driving along the edges of a field, provide limited insights. Drones, however, offer a powerful alternative, allowing producers to monitor entire fields from above.

Each field often contains diverse soil types, leading to variations in crop performance across different areas. Additionally, pressures from weeds, pests, and diseases can differ widely. Brooks emphasizes that the key to effectively using drones in farming lies in quickly identifying problem areas, which can then be investigated more closely.

“In a 160-acre field, a quick aerial assessment from 200 feet can reveal a wealth of information,” Brooks explains. “The pilot can then lower the drone to conduct a more detailed examination of specific areas.”

 

Precision Problem Identification

A closer look often yields critical insights. For instance, if an invasive weed or disease is detected, the pilot can utilize Real Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning technology to pinpoint the exact location for targeted intervention. In contrast, less precise positioning methods may only highlight a general area for treatment.

Brooks notes, “Drones have a wide range of applications on the farm. They can identify wet spots that need drainage or areas suffering from nitrogen deficiencies, among other issues. Depending on the need, drones can be simple machines for quick assessments or more sophisticated tools for detailed mapping.”

 

Comprehensive Field Analysis

In addition to targeted inspections, Brooks employs Extension farm drones to monitor overall field health. Using platforms such as Drone Deploy and Agremo, farmers can gain a comprehensive view of their fields, identifying problems and conducting valuable crop stand counts. “Taking a stand count is quick and efficient,” Brooks states. “However, a thorough assessment of an entire field can be time-consuming.”

Mapping a field with high detail often involves an autonomously flying drone capturing thousands of images that are later stitched together into a comprehensive map. For an 80-acre field, this mapping process can take nearly an hour, with additional time required for uploading and processing the photos.

 

Drone technology is reshaping how farmers manage their operations, providing them with the tools needed to enhance crop health and productivity. By utilizing drones effectively, farmers can gain deeper insights into their fields, leading to more informed decision-making and improved outcomes. As this technology continues to advance, its role in agriculture will undoubtedly grow, offering even greater potential for efficiency and success in farming.

 

View this full article at: Extension demonstration shows drone’s usefulness on farms | AGDAILY