A New Tool for Farmers: Drones

By MATTHEW WEISSMAN

Over the past few years, drones have been finding a new use on farms. On farms, drones can be used to spray and monitor crops as well as identify problems without a machine or human physically going to check.

Instead of having to drive across an entire field to check for damage or issues to plants, farmers can use drones with cameras and sensors to survey large areas much faster than before. Some agricultural drones with tanks can also apply fertilizers or treatments to crops exactly where they are needed.

The appeal for farmers is less time, less waste, and potentially lower costs. Drones can reach areas that are difficult for large machines to access and can provide farmers with extremely detailed information about their crops.

But agricultural drones aren’t a panacea. They can be expensive (especially with the new federal restrictions on importing drones), require training, FAA licensing, and are subject to aviation and agricultural regulations for that area. Farmers also have to decide whether the technology's benefits outweigh the large overhead. Still, as drones become more capable, easier to operate, and more accessible, they could become a common sight on farms.