Unmanned aerial vehicles (better known as drones) are an increasingly common sight these days, and a growing number of individuals are using them to help with their farming needs. As the team at Allied Cooperative in Adams, WI, explains, while mastering the use of these devices can be challenging, proper use of a drone can have a big impact on your farmland.

The following usage tips outline some of the best ways to implement unmanned aerial vehicles in meeting your farming needs:

• Choose Focus Areas: When scanning your fields for weeds or other concerns, trying to capture footage of every square foot of your property can be time-consuming and ineffective. Instead, you should use your knowledge of your farmland to focus on the locations that need the most frequent review. If a particular part of your field is prone to weeds, input that spot’s GPS coordinates into your drone and send it there! This allows you to quickly assess the land’s condition without an overly lengthy flight.
• Building the Future: There’s no denying that today’s generations are more in tune with technology than ever. Utilizing drones to help meet your farming needs is a great way to get young people interested in agricultural work. Whether trying to engage your kids in agriculture or attract younger workers, drone support can get your farm ready for the future.
• Don’t Depend on the Live Feed Alone: The live video feeds provided by drones can be quite useful, but to fully understand the images your drone is providing, you’ll need to review the footage at home. Your home computer allows you to view the recorded images on a much larger screen without the common outdoor problems of sun glare or poor transmission quality. This allows you to gain a better understanding of your field’s condition.

For knowledgeable and dedicated support for your farming needs, you can turn to the team at Allied Cooperative. To learn more about their agronomy and farming services, visit them online or call (800) 247-5679.