This work was performed with Mark Ledebuhr (Application Insight LLC.), Adrian Rivard (Drone Spray Canada) and Adam Pfeffer (Bayer Crop Science – funding partner). Amy Shi is gratefully acknowledged for her assistance with statistical analysis. Introduction In June 2017, Transport Canada cleared the general use of drones. In 2018, Health Canada clarified that the use […]
Category: Aerial / RPAS
This category is for any aerial application content.
Wheat Head Coverage from Rotary Drones
Fusarium head blight is one of the most economically important diseases in winter wheat. Application timing is arguably the most critical aspect of effective crop protection. The application window stretches some two to five days following the point where 75% of the wheat heads are fully emerged and coinciding with the beginning of flowering (Figure […]
How to Calibrate a Drone
Calibration is a fundamental step in any spray application. To apply the correct product rate, we need to know how much liquid per unit land area is deposited under the sprayer. To conduct the calculations, either manually or through the drone software, we need to know the width of the spray swath. This task requires […]
Drone Sprayers – Are we Ready?
One of the fastest moving new agricultural technologies is spray drones. Hardly a month goes by without some sort of new capability, some new features. It’s truly an exciting space to watch. As with all things, there are good news and bad news to share. First the good news. Drone capacity is on the rise. […]
The Challenges of Spraying by Drone
Spray application by drone is here. It’s common practice in South East Asia, with a very significant proportion of ag areas now treated that way. Estimates from South Korea, for example, suggest about 30% of their ag area being sprayed by drone. It’s in the US, too. The Yamaha RMax and Fazer helicopters, which pioneered […]