Mention the term Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or the word drones and most people will likely think of military applications. The military’s use of drones in both domestic and international settings has been a hot topic in recent months. Some people might even have a negative attitude toward the technology or think that it doesn’t apply to life in the Midwest. When put in the right context, however, it is easy to see how the burgeoning equipment can have a very positive impact on the Red River Valley, especially in regards to agriculture.
When most people envision a drone, they picture a dark stealth plane used on covert military missions and in spy movies. Such machines have become society’s reality involving the technology. It is true; the use of unmanned aerial vehicles began in the military. Their origin actually dates all the way back to 1849, when Austrians used unmanned balloons loaded with explosives to attack Venice. Although the unpredictable nature of wind currents made the mission less than a complete success, many balloons made it to their target. Unfortunately, many also floated back onto Austrian soil.
The balloon effort displayed the need to have more physical control over UAS. By World War I, the technology had improved to the point that several countries used UAS as aerial torpedoes. As years passed, the military was virtually the only organization employing the use of UAS. In recent years, however, that has changed. Drone technology is now being considered for use in everything from assisting with border patrol to fighting wild fires. Its largest application, however, may be in farming.
Unlike larger military drones, the type of UAS that can be utilized in agriculture is approximately the size of the child’s toy. Technology of all types has begun playing a key role in the Ag industry. Smart phone applications are being utilized by more and more farmers and have led to increased efficiency and higher profits. Although the commercial use of UAS is currently prohibited by FAA regulations, the technology is being studied with the hopes of implementation in the near future. A recent study by the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) predicts that the use of drone technology in the United States alone could potentially product 100,000 new jobs and add $82 billion dollars to the economy between 2015-2025. The use of UAS will allow farmers to take advantage of information that is otherwise time-consuming and costly to produce. It will provide aerial views of crops and livestock that are now only available by images taken by high-flying aircraft or satellites. Conversely, fixed-wing drones can fly up to 50mph and record imagery to approximately a two inch resolution. The real-time still and infrared imagery from this technology can be used for scouting for pests, weed pressures, and nutrient deficiencies. It can also locate livestock, measure crop height, and generate topographic maps and models for land leveling and drainage applications.
Several countries around the world have been utilizing this technology for agricultural purposes for many years. Japan, for instance, has taken advantage of UAS since the early 1990s. Other countries have begun to follow suit. Many in the agriculture industry feel that adopting such technology for domestic use is crucial if American farmers are to keep up with the rest of the world. Fear that drones will be used for civilian surveillance is one of the biggest reasons legislators have fought against the use of UAS. Many are hopeful that future regulation and controls can be put in place so this technology can be utilized by those who need it.
UAS technology is currently being studied at the North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Office. John Nowatzki, Agricultural Machine Systems Specialist from NDSU and lead investigator on the UAS research project is excited about the possibilities this technology may present to area farmers. According to Nowatzki, a big benefit of the technology is that the information produced by UAS is available immediately. “Satellite imagery availability takes a while,” he explained. Another benefit is the wide array of uses for UAS. “They can pick up so many things from the air,” Nowatzki said, explaining that area farmers could utilize the technology for anything from detecting nitrogen deficiency and monitoring herbicide drift to using thermal imaging to determine if any livestock are ill with fever.
Karl Hoppe, Area Extension Specialist – Livestock in the Carrington office is also working on the project. He acknowledges that the technology is still in its infancy. The untapped potential of the technology is likely the most exciting part of the UAS research. “As we learn more about the capabilities and limitations of UAS, equipment can be designed to take advantage of those strengths and weaknesses,” he explained. Like Nowatzki, Hoppe believes one of the key benefits in UAS is the immediacy of the results. “If a person wants to check a field for a pest, plant health issue, or just curiosity, they could from a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) over the field and see the results in a matter of minutes from when they make the decision to do the surveillance.”
Nowatzki recommends farmers stay abreast of current UAS research and try to remain as informed as possible. When the technology has been approved for commercial use, he advises those interested in exploration begin by purchasing something small. “See what you can and can’t do,” he said. In addition, as with any industry, Nowatzki implores farmers to be aware of the rules and regulations controlling UAS use.
Although the use of UAS technology is a disturbing topic for some, it is clear that the technology has distinct advantages. What was once used almost exclusively in the military is now finding applications in various industries. In the Red River Valley, the potential for UAS in the agriculture industry has many people excited. It might be too long until the sight of drones flying over farm land is as common as combines and seeders.