Aerial surveillance may take on an entirely new meaning for farmers in Illinois...
Researchers at the University of Illinois are using drones to scout field conditions. Crop educator Dennis Bowman says the Ag industry is expected to be one of the largest markets for drone usage. He says he knows some people have concerns about their use, but feels the technology is beneficial and can ultimately save farmers time and money: "People think about drones and a lot of times, the negative connotations come to mind, privacy issues and those kinds of things. But in the agricultural community, we're out in the middle of nowhere most of the time, flying them over fields of crops."
He says it offers a quick and easy way to check on the plants' progress and determine if they need more attention: "It does allow the opportunity to get an overall survey of the area and make a better use of your time - rather than just walking out blindly into a field of corn that's taller than your head, and hoping that you stumble across any of the problem areas that might be out there."
Bowman says his drones have computers similar to those used in smartphones and can make flights of about 10 to 15 minutes. He adds while the standard pictures and video are very helpful, they are looking to use imagery in other wavelengths, such as near-infrared, to identify areas of crop stress. Bowman says there are some restrictions on commercial use of unmanned aerial vehicles, but the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to release new policies by next year that would enable businesses to incorporate drones into their operations.
Cost of the drones used in farming can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on the technology. Bowman says he's hopeful with more interest, prices will drop in the future. He says he's especially interested in infrared technology that can indicate to farmers when crops are in stress.
