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Leading the Way With Drones

Sunday, December 1, 2024
filed under: Equipment

Drones have evolved as an increasingly important component in modern-day agriculture. Their technology — and the varied uses for them — has become dramatically prolific as more and more producers and researchers take advantage of what they have to offer.
        Among the companies leading the way with drones in the sunflower region is Pro Ag Solutions, based at Bismarck, N.D. Pro Ag Solutions was founded in 2021 by Cory Palm, who brought more than two decades of ag industry experience to the new venture. His independent company offers custom drone spraying and seeding, along with agronomic advice as well as seed, chemical and animal health supplies. Pro Ag Solutions also offers a variety of ag-related replacement parts on a direct-to-customer basis.
        The Sunflower recently visited with Cory for his insights on the use of drones in commercial agriculture — and, specifically, how they apply in sunflower.


When did you start working with drones — and how did Pro Ag Solutions evolve?
   Pro Ag Started in 2021. However, before that I personally started using drones in 2013 to help scout fields. Pro Ag Solutions came about when I saw a need for services that growers in this area were not getting from their current suppliers due to acquisitions and mergers.

How large a geographical area do you serve — and with what crops?
        Pro Ag Solutions covers North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and eastern Montana. The crop list includes corn, soybeans, wheat and barley, canola, sunflower, edible beans, peas, sugarbeets, potatoes, rye, pastures and several others.

What types of services do you provide with drone technology for ag producers?
        We offer custom aerial applications of herbicide/insecticide/ fungicide, seed and fertilizer with our DJI Agris Drones. We also offer field mapping with our DJI Matrice Drones for variable-rate applications, along with rock mapping using TerraClear software.

For sunflower specifically, what services can a drone provide?
        Drones can do anything an airplane or helicopter can do when it comes to aerial application. Though much slower, they do offer more-precise accuracy and are able to get into smaller areas.

How many acres can be covered per hour, based on the drone model and service being performed?
        Currently we run the DJI T30, which can do about 25 acres an hour; our T40, which does about 35 acres per hour; and our T50s, with which we have been covering about 40 acres an hour.

When applying fertilizer, herbicide, insecticide or a desiccant on sunflower, what water rates are we talking about?
        Most labeled rates are anywhere from two to five gal/ac, some higher. Typically, we try to run as little as possible as we have seen much better results with higher chem concentrations using 400-500-micron droplets combined with the downforce of the rotors.

I realize this depends on the particular drone being used, but what are some of the more common:
• Speed of Flight — DJI drones we are using fly at 23-33 feet per second. Other drones, such as XAGs, have 42 feet per second capabilities.
        • Feet Above the Plant Canopy — Typically, we try to stay within 10 feet above the crop canopy
        • Width of the Spray Pattern – It runs 20-35 feet, depending on speed and height above crop.

Are drones capable of variable-rate field applications?
        Yes they are, you can download a VR map directly into the controller.

What “ground-truthing” is used for calibrating the drones?
        There are various software programs out that can write VR prescription maps for drones. Many use satellite imagery to make maps; however, the most accurate map would be one flown with a drone within the past few days to show the most accurate areas based off of the vegetation.

About how many acres (all crops) did you treat via drones the first year you went commercial? How about in 2024?
        The first year we sprayed about 750 acres; that was primarily just pastures and drainage ditches for cattails. In 2024 we covered all the crops listed above and sprayed just shy of 14,000 acres with three drones.

Any particular challenges/issues when spraying with drones vs. “conventional” ground or air technology?
        There is no doubt that current drones are much slower. We also see more software issues because they rely so much on autonomous programing versus manual flying. However, they do provide a great tool in the toolbox when it gets wet and you can’t get in the field with ground rigs.

Have you ever seeded crops using drones?
        Yes, we have spread several crops, including canola and cover crops.

How does the grower then incorporate the seed?
        Many growers follow with a light tillage tool or harrow to incorporate the seed into the ground a little bit.

Speak to the process of becoming a certified commercial drone operator? I understand one definitely has to “jump through hoops.”
        Anyone interested in having one of these spray drones must obtain their Part 107 Commercial Drone license even if they are only using it on their own farm. There are also several requirements such as needing exemptions for overweight, swarming, night flight and No Visual Observer that need to be acquired before a person can go out and disperse products from these drones.
        If they are looking to do it commercially, they will also need to acquire a Part 137 certificate or work under someone who has one. This is the federal certificate that a commercial aerial business must have in order to operate.

Any concluding thoughts?
          The unmanned aerial business is going to continue to grow and evolve. Over the next few years there will be many new advances in the space as we look toward full-size unmanned helicopters and aircraft. Stay tuned.