How Are Farmers Using Drones?
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Canadian Agriculture
Drones, officially known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have become increasingly common in various fields. In Canadian agriculture, farmers are leveraging drones for a range of tasks beyond just aerial photography. Let’s explore some common uses:
- Crop Scouting: Farmers use drones to scout their fields, checking for weeds, diseases, and insect pests. This task, which used to be time-consuming when done on foot, can now be performed more efficiently using drones. Agronomists also use drones for crop scouting, covering larger areas without disturbing plants.
- Livestock Management: Cattle ranchers benefit from drones for tracking animals in large pastures. Drones help monitor animal health and appearance, and some ranchers even use them for herding. In winter, when traversing certain terrain is risky, drones provide a safer alternative¹.
- Precision Farming: Researchers use drones and machine learning to assess thousands of potential plant strains. By capturing images and categorizing observable characteristics, such as lodging, stalk width, and days to flowering, drones accelerate the breeding process for new crop varieties.
While drones are already used for crop surveillance and livestock management in Canada, their use for general spraying (such as applying pesticides) remains restricted by Transport Canada regulations. However, with the correct certification, drones can significantly enhance farm and crop management, making modern farming more efficient.
In summary, drones are revolutionizing Canadian agriculture by providing valuable data, improving efficiency, and enhancing precision farming practices.
