Using Drones to Spray Crops

[kshaw]

Apparently the FAA has approved use of drones to spray crops. Anyone know anyone that is doing this in Maryland?

 

[Tungsten]

I swear I read that as spraying cops (in riots). I was thinking "damn that escalated quickly."

 

[4g64loser]

Apparently the FAA has approved use of drones to spray crops. Anyone know anyone that is doing this in Maryland?

Companies offering the service or farms that do it?

Can't help on the first but I know a guy whose family has used them for.crop inspection for some time and experimented with using them for spot applications of pesticide and herbicide. He never mentioned anything about full field stuff but I imagine that applying spot this way is way more efficient.

 

[pbharvey]

Apparently the FAA has approved use of drones to spray crops. Anyone know anyone that is doing this in Maryland?

A friend of mine has a business doing just that. With the proper analysis you can target specific areas that need to be sprayed rather than just spraying everything.

 

[Venge]

I swear I read that as spraying cops (in riots). I was thinking "damn that escalated quickly."

I read it that way about 20 times before I saw your post

 

[Melnic]

That must take a long time to spray a field!

10 years ago, We used a drone to move 30lbs for about 3 minutes and the drone was a monster.
I don't think that is even a 5 gallon bucket. I think it used 4 $100 batteries.
Even if your 2x efficient than that, thats going to be a lot of trips and recharges.

 

[FrankOceanXray]

That must take a long time to spray a field!

10 years ago, We used a drone to move 30lbs for about 3 minutes and the drone was a monster.
I don't think that is even a 5 gallon bucket. I think it used 4 $100 batteries.
Even if your 2x efficient than that, thats going to be a lot of trips and recharges.

Ten years ago. That's the key. Advancements in battery technology alone ...

AI is stepping in. Can ID weeds and spray accordingly... Lot of cool tech in Ag.

 

[whistlersmother]

That must take a long time to spray a field!

10 years ago, We used a drone to move 30lbs for about 3 minutes and the drone was a monster.
I don't think that is even a 5 gallon bucket. I think it used 4 $100 batteries.
Even if your 2x efficient than that, thats going to be a lot of trips and recharges.

Maybe the ag drones will be gas powered?

 

[Blaster229]

This thread title needs to be changed lol

 

[AssMan]

These guys are for hire.

More locally, and although their focus has shifted towards delivery, I believe DroneUp still offers agricultural surveys, industrial inspections, and other work.

Let’s Fly! | DroneUp

www.droneup.com

 

[kshaw]

Maybe the ag drones will be gas powered?

Yes. I will bet that these have to be gas powered and up to the 55lb limit for small drones to be cost effective.

 

[gamer_jim]

put one of those fart sprays on a drone and gives new meaning to "crop dusting".

 

[Doco Overboard]

My son in law uses a drone for some time to monitor his fields for various purposes. Looks at timber with it sometimes and things like that.
It's the type thats probably not to uncommon based on the ones that are out there but it would have to be the size of a regular fixed wing aircraft to do any-kind of real herbicide or spraying with it.
Pretty soon in a couple of months they'll be out there doing plenty of flying not long after planting thats for sure. Before that they'll spray all the cover crop and start bailing straw for the mushroom growers in PA first. It'll be like a regular air show when they start. I like to watch them fly they'll do some hair raising stuff if you ever watched then go on for a bit.

 

[adit]

My son in law uses a drone for some time to monitor his fields for various purposes. Looks at timber with it sometimes and things like that.
It's the type thats probably not to uncommon based on the ones that are out there but it would have to be the size of a regular fixed wing aircraft to do any-kind of real herbicide or spraying with it.
Pretty soon in a couple of months they'll be out there doing plenty of flying not long after planting thats for sure. Before that they'll spray all the cover crop and start bailing straw for the mushroom growers in PA first. It'll be like a regular air show when they start. I like to watch them fly they'll do some hair raising stuff if you ever watched then go on for a bit.

The people on the "western shore" don't get to see the early spring daily acrobatic airshows that those on our side of the bay do.