Using Drones On The Farm, Tips & Advice For Getting Started

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Among the tips cloud software platform provider DroneDeploy suggests for growers getting started using drones to map fields is selecting a drone that matches your specific requirements, which may not necessitate an exceedingly expensive unit. (Photo courtesy of DroneDeploy.)

DroneDeploy, which makes a cloud software platform for commercial drones, recently provided a few tips aimed at helping growers successfully use unmanned automated vehicles (UAVs), or drones, to map their fields and gain better insight into their operations. In addition to agriculture, DroneDeploy’s platform serves the construction, roofing, solar, inspection, and mining industries, enabling users to create high-resolution maps, reports, 3D models, and real-time 2D live maps. The company provides a Precision Ag Package specifically for agriculture professionals.

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Before using the drone to map a field initially, DroneDeploy advises first becoming comfortable with flying the drone manually and using its controls. (Photo courtesy of DroneDeploy.)

Spend Wisely

DroneDeploy called upon Jim Love, a light robotics manager and herbicide specialist, for help compiling its tips. When selecting a drone, Love advises not overspending; rather, find one that matches your needs, which doesn’t necessarily mean purchasing an expensive system. And, because drone accidents will occur, don’t buy a system you’ll be afraid to use, or one you can’t afford to lose.

Love also recommends becoming comfortable flying the drone manually and using its controls before actually creating field maps. When you’re ready to create a map, Love cautions that not every map is “going to be solid.” Early maps, for example, may only confirm what you already know about your fields. Making frequent flights, however, will provide more maps with more information to build on, resulting in actionable information about crop health, disease spread, and irrigation issues.

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When heading to a field to map it, bring extra batteries and SD storage cards. Besides helping avoid downtime, using multiple SD cards can help better organize your data later. (Photo courtesy of DroneDeploy.)

Pack Intelligently

Multiple drone batteries and SD storage cards are among the “right gear” Love recommends packing before heading out to a field to map it. Having multiple SD cards on hand, for example, helps in terms of card failures (“which will happen”) and avoiding downtime, but also in organizational benefits. “By changing out the SD card each time you fly a new field, it’s easier to organize your data efficiently,” he writes.

Besides a free ebook on using drones on farms, DroneDeploy offers a series of ag-centric webinars and a guide to crop scouting with drones to help evaluate plant health and spot crop stress. A 14-day free trail of DroneDeploy Pro providing 10 maps and models is also available.

Source: DroneDeploy

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