As one ag industry expert put it, using a drone on the farm is like being able to see your field from a 10,000-foot altitude, but also being able to zoom in to two inches above the plants. Growers are increasingly discovering that drone mapping is an invaluable tool, both for its ease of use, and for its many applications on the farm.
1. Crop Scout to Detect Parasites and Fungi
Using drone mapping to pinpoint plant health issues such as parasites and fungi.
2. Compile Plant Counts
One of the most exciting uses for drone mapping in agriculture is the ability to conduct complete, accurate plant counts.
3. Analyze Stand Establishment
In addition to plant counts, corn and soybean growers are using drone mapping to analyze stand establishment of newly planted crops to decide whether they need to replant certain areas.
4. Generate Variable Rate Prescriptions for Nitrogen and Pesticides
Drone maps provide a rich amount of data that can be used to make more informed decisions about issues like crop reseeding and targeted nutrient applications.
5. Assess and Clean-up Damage After a Storm
Generate a detailed Skymatics crop damage report
6. Negotiate Fair Crop Loss Percentages
Detailed information provided by drone map, gives an adjustor a second look at targeted areas and ultimately offere a far higher loss percentage.
7. Assess Slope and Drainage After the Harvest
Drone-generated elevation map can give a sense of the slope and drainage of a field. Paired with volume measurement tools, growers can plan the cut and fill of future terraces and waterways.
