Sentera’s new software allows growers to send their drones out to gather photos, determine trouble spots and take action quickly
Farmers who access early warning data on poor emergence have the opportunity to spray out or rip up those tardy acres for replanting or go in with remedial nutrition to rescue them. The key is to know as soon as possible after emergence if you need to take such action. One week too late can […] Read moreTag Archives drones
Drones spit out facts, not answers
LACOMBE, Alta. — Chris Neeser has been studying drones for Alberta Agriculture since 2014 to gauge the usefulness of current technology in agricultural applications. “We examined the usefulness of imagery from UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) for the purpose of weed and disease forecasting, and hopefully the process might answer some of the questions in case […] Read more
Drones get civilized for agriculture
As drones become more affordable and flyable, an increasing number of growers are kicking the propellers as they try to figure out how to implement this emerging technology on their farms. The sky’s the limit in terms of the possible agricultural applications, but there is a limit to the amount of time and money farmers […] Read more
Preflight checklists make flights safe and data sound
When farmers are preparing drones for the season’s reconnaissance, there are vital preparations and decisions that must first be addressed. Producers should have a checklist of things to look at before launching their drones. First, says Felix Weber, operators must check to see whether they have the right approvals. “The law has changed as of […] Read more
Mini-drone fitted with sensor to aid crop scouting
Farmers know the value of early field scouting: finding stressed plants early can allow for quick intervention and save yields. The real question often comes down to a matter of cost efficiency: how much to pay up front in the hopes that the investment will pay off later? Crop scouting may have become more affordable […] Read more
Drones used to target areas for drainage
Unmanned aerial vehicle technology has advanced to the point that an RTK-equipped drone with elevation accuracy of plus or minus five centimetres can find the best route for water across a field. Prairie companies are working together to make every acre pay its way. One topographic-capable un-manned drone is a fixed wing eBee RTK, retailing […] Read more
Easy-to-use drones becoming crop tool
Drones are gaining ground in the field, mapping crops and pinpointing problem areas, enabling speedier response
Drones are becoming an increasingly popular and important tool for farmers as the unmanned aircrafts become more flyable and affordable. Until recently, only a handful of growers and companies offering crop imagery services made regular use of drones for business, but farmers and agronomists entering the industry today are finding drones to be a common […] Read more
Military know-how leads to ag spray chopper
FARGO, N.D. — The skills David Gan acquired while developing military drone technology in Israel is now being applied to precision agriculture in North America. “My company has a long history of building military (unmanned aerial vehicles) since 1989. Now we have a new company in California to serve North America,” Gan said at the […] Read more
Drone use shows promise as ranch helper
Researchers look to ‘precision ranching’ to help cattle producers carry out basic tasks and pasture management
KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Research designed to develop drones to help with routine ranch work has been given a $664,000 grant. John Church, Innovation Chair in Cattle Industry Sustainability at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, and his team are working with drones to carry out basic ranch tasks. Those include searching for, monitoring and herding cattle, […] Read more
Drone puts on a bottle and gets into the application business
A remote controlled aircraft maker from China has stepped into small agriculture in a big way. DJI is taking orders in China for a battery powered, eight-motor helicopter with a 2.6 gallon spray tank. The company said the drone can cover about 10 acres an hour at low water rates, even with four battery changes […] Read more
