Currently, there are six common uses of agricultural drones, which we profile below:

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1. Soil and Field Analysis

At the beginning, middle, and end of a crop cycle drones can be used to help obtain useful data surrounding the quality of the existing soil. By obtaining 3D maps of existing soil, you’ll be able to see if there are any issues surrounding soil quality, nutrient management, or soil dead zones.

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2. Seed Planting​

Drone planting is a relatively newer technology and not as widely used, but some companies are experimenting with drone planting. Essentially, manufacturers are experimenting with custom systems that have the ability to shoot seed pods into prepared soil. This technology helps to minimize the need for on-the-ground planting, which can be costly, time-intensive, and strenuous work. This same drone technology can be adapted and applied to a wide range of farm types, reducing overall planting times and labor costs across the board.

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3. Crop Spraying and Spot Spraying​

Crops require consistent fertilization and spraying in order to maintain high yields. Traditionally this was done manually, with vehicles, or even via airplane. These methods are not only inefficient, and burdensome, but they can be very costly as well.Spot spraying of crops used to be incredibly difficult. If you had an issue with weeds or a certain crop, the entire acreage would have to be sprayed.This is a huge waste of time and resources, as someone will have to walk the entire acreage, plus there are the overall costs of pesticides and the associated environmental cost of chemical usage.With the agriculture drone for spraying fertilizer and pesticides , this same task can be accomplished in less time, with fewer monetary resources, and a reduced environmental cost.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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4. Crop Mapping and Surveying

One of the biggest advantages of using drone technology is the ease and effectiveness of large-scale crop and acreage monitoring. In the past, satellite or plane imagery was used to help get a large scale view of the farm, while helping to spot potential issues.However, these images were not only expensive but lacked the precision that drones can provide. Today, you can not only obtain real-time footage but also time-based animation which can illuminate crop progression in real-time.With drone mapping and surveying, technology decisions can now be made based on real-time data, not outdated imagery, or best-practice guesswork.

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5. Irrigation Monitoring and Management

Irrigation can be troublesome. With miles and miles of irrigation, issues are bound to arise. Drones that are equipped with thermal cameras can help to spot irrigation issues, or areas that are receiving too little or excessive moisture.With this information, crops can be better laid out to maximize drainage, adhere to natural land runoff, and avoid water pooling, which can damage sensitive crops.Water and irrigation issues are not only costly but can ruin crop yields as well. With drone surveying, these issues can be spotted before they become troublesome.

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6. Real-Time Livestock Monitoring

Some drones are equipped with thermal imaging cameras that enable a single pilot to manage and monitor livestock. This allows farmers to keep track of livestock a much greater frequency, and with less time and staff investment.The drone operator can quickly check in on herd to see if there are any injured or missing livestock, as well as see livestock who are giving birth. Drones are used to keep an eye on the heard at all times, a once costly and time-intensive task.