Drones provide brand new opportunities to make agricultural processes easier and a lot more efficient. the use of such technology is also a lot safer than the manual labor of farm workers. farming drones for sale by owner.
The use of drones for agriculture depends on a number of important factors. The first and probably most crucial one to take a look at is the regulatory framework.
Is it Legal?
In the US, the use of drones for agricultural purposes remains illegal. Only a few companies have gotten Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rights to operate commercial drones under statutory exception. Every entity interested in getting this permit will have to apply individually because commercial drone use is only authorized on a case-by-case basis.
Many farmers are already using drones to survey the health of their crops. They certainly are breaking the regulations but FAA hasn’t been too adamant on doing enforcement in private properties.
If you’re about to start using a drone for agricultural improvements, you may want to check the regulations in your country first.
Choosing the Right Agriculture Drone
A good agriculture drone should be capable of doing several things.
You should make sure to buy fixed wing or a multi-rotor drone. Most farmers prefer fixed wing drones because of several important benefits these have.
Multi-rotor platforms have batteries that last a shorter period of time. In comparison, fixed wing drones can spend much more time in the air. This characteristic turns them in great gadgets for the owners of large farms. Fixed-wing drones are best-suited for the surveillance of large open spaces.
Also, there are several additional features and upgrades to look into. Some drone models can come with an optional ground control station, RC controller and additional sensors for even better surveillance.
A few other things to look for in a good farm drone include:
- Easy control of the drone
- The ability to record video apart from real-life streaming
- Integrated GIS mapping
- Added safety features like fly home in the case of loss of control
- Use of memory points to return to a place of interest
- Automatic or manual control modes
Uses of Drones in Agriculture
Drones can be used to accomplish a lot on a farm. Imaging and monitoring of crop health is just the beginning. The applications of UAVs are much more diversified. Here are some of the possible uses:
Crop dusting: this process becomes simpler, quicker, more efficient and more inexpensive through the use of a drone.
Near-infrared plant diagnostics: the signs of stress in plants through the use of such technology can become obvious 10 days prior to some physical damage takes place.
Water efficiency: the use of thermal cameras is great for identifying well-watered regions on the farm. These are usually cooler.
Make soil erosion and damage predictions: the use of imaging technologies and sensors can be used to prevent serious issues stemming from soil erosion or damage. This helps farmers to do effective long-term planning. Identify pest infestations
