Farms across the Midwest are rapidly adopting drones for a variety of tasks. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), more commonly known as drones, have been used for imagery in agriculture for over a decade. As technology improves and becomes more affordable, its utilization has expanded significantly.
A major shift began about four years ago with the introduction of larger drones capable of spray applications. Since then, the usage has grown dramatically. Just a few years ago, spray drones were not in this area, and now I personally know several farmers and commercial applicators who use them.
They are quickly becoming a practical option on nearly every farm, right alongside traditional ground sprayers, airplanes, and helicopters.
Current Role of Spray Drones
While drone sprayers are gaining popularity, they cannot replace ground sprayers. Ground applicators still dominate herbicide and fertilizer applications due to their ability to carry large volumes of product and cover acres quickly.
Drones are mainly replacing airplanes and helicopters for mid-season applications of fungicides and insecticides, typically applied in July and August. Drones are also increasingly used for seeding cover crops.
4 Benefits of Using Drones in Agriculture
1. Timely
Drones can be launched immediately after identifying a problem. They don’t require dry soil conditions or even daylight, making them extremely versatile.
2. Lower Costs
Spray drones typically cost between $30,000 and $40,000, which is much less than high-clearance ground sprayers that will cost 10 times as much. Smaller scouting drones are typically much less expensive, depending on features.
3. Crop Scouting
A single operator can scout hundreds of acres in minutes. High-resolution imagery helps detect trouble spots and create detailed field maps. With advancing camera technology, this capability is improving each year.
4. Application Precision
Drones spray directly over the crop canopy with computer / GPS-generated guidance paths, reducing human error and ensuring consistent application.
3 Challenges of Drone Use
1. Large Acreage Limitations
Spraying more than 600 acres a day requires multiple drones, a support trailer setup with generators, chemical refill stations, and a dedicated ground crew. Each drone typically covers 7-10 acres per flight before needing a refill and battery swap, meaning frequent stops and coordination.
2. Regulatory Hurdles
Commercial drone operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and register their drones. Drones over 55 pounds must also be registered with the Iowa DOT. The insurance rates for commercial drone applications have been increasing dramatically.
3. Reliance on Chinese Manufacturers
Most agricultural drones are currently manufactured in China. With growing concerns over data integrity and national security, there’s talk of restrictions or bans on Chinese-made drones. Unfortunately, U.S.-made alternatives are limited currently.
Looking Ahead
Despite the obstacles, it’s clear drones are quickly becoming an important part of modern farming. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into flight planning, crop analysis, and automated recommendations will accelerate adoption.
As technology continues to evolve, drone usage in agriculture is expected to grow even faster.
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