This largely comes down to the type of investment you’re willing to make. To Hire or To Buyįor farmers interested in using unmanned aircraft for aerial application, the important question is whether to hire an outside drone pilot to conduct the application, or to purchase a drone and all necessary equipment themselves. The likely reason is that drones create a vortex as they fly, which swirls around both the foliage and the droplets as they’re being dispersed, allowing the spray to get into the lower parts of the plants, providing better coverage. There is also some question as to whether drones provide as enough coverage compared to manned aircraft or ground sprayers, but the limited studies available have so far shown similar rates of disease and pests compared to previous methods. Farmers who put in the time and money find that they can save more money over time compared to hiring commercial drone pilots, while those who turn their drones into a business find they can make a good living working for farmers who can’t or don’t want to make that investment. Still, many farmers and commercial drone pilots find this initial investment worth its long-term rewards. Even once you’ve completed all this, you likely won’t be flying at peak efficiency until you’ve had quite a bit of practice. You may also be required to complete an FAA physical exam, and apply for a weight exemption for drones over 55lbs. Depending on your state and local regulations, in order to fly a drone sprayer, you may need separate licenses for general drone piloting, aerial application, and pesticide application, with additional certifications for flying at night or with multiple units. The training and certifications involved in drone operation can take upwards of six months to complete. A Few Minor DrawbacksĮxisting users of drone sprayers do warn that the initial investment of both time and money can be a deterrent. Uneven ground may not be an issue for manned crop dusters, but these large aircraft have a much harder time maneuvering around oddly shaped sections of field, reducing efficiency in these areas. Where ground sprayers may get hung up on hilly, bumpy, or otherwise uneven fields, drones can coast right over them, maintaining the ideal altitude above the plants. If you’re spraying uneven or oddly shaped fields, drones are also a better solution, as it is much easier to make minute corrections for altitude or tight turns. They do require charging or refueling more often, due to their size and relative capacity, but they also take less time to charge or refuel. Most are electric or require very little fuel compared to manned aircraft. This makes it much easier to time the spraying of your fields just right.ĭrones are also more fuel efficient. You can also acquire your own drone and get licensed to fly it or dedicate an employee to do so.
With drones, it’s somewhat easier to get licensed, so there are more commercial sprayers available. There are a limited number of licensed pilots for crop dusters, meaning you may have to schedule spraying well in advance to get an appointment. If the ground is too muddy, ground sprayers may get stuck or work less efficiently. With traditional ground sprayers or manned crop dusters, many factors can keep you from getting your crops sprayed in a timely manner. Although these are both still available options, a lot of farmers are turning to drones to spray their crops. Previously, many farmers would spray their crops with ground spraying devices that traveled across their fields, or by hiring a manned aircraft to spray their crops aerially.
#Drone insurance upgrade#
But like with all technologies, old and new, accidents can happen, so it’s important to pair this upgrade with the appropriate drone aerial application insurance. With the boom in unmanned aircraft technology, it’s no surprise that farmers have started applying these tools to fulfill their crop spraying needs. As technology advances, we find more efficient and cost-effective ways to get our jobs done, and farming is no exception.
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