Have you ever used a drone to survey agricultural land before? It can be an effective way to get a sense of the shape of the land, any possible pests or problems, crop yields, and much more. Drones are a great way to determine how well your farm is doing without doing all of the work yourself.
If you’re looking for an efficient and reliable way to survey your farmland, this article will walk you through the process of using drones for surveying purposes.
How does a drone work?
A drone is an uncrewed aircraft. They are controlled remotely by a human pilot, usually from the ground; however, high-level drones can also be controlled from another location. The drone is connected to the person controlling it (pilot) through a wireless network.
Drones have been used commercially in agriculture for at least ten years, and they’re becoming more and more popular. They’re mainly used for surveying purposes and to find pest infestations or crop yields without touching the crops themselves.
Types of agricultural drone surveying
There are many different types of drones on the market, and most of them have specific purposes or uses. Depending on your needs, you might want to invest in one that’s better suited for surveying farmland than others:
-The DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter Drone is good for flying around and taking pictures of an entire farm because it has an automatic return home feature that keeps it safe when flying out in the open space, and it can reach speeds up to 45 mph, which is pretty fast for a drone. This type of drone is ideal for people who don’t want to spend too much money but still want something reliable.
-The DJI Inspire 2 Quadcopter Drone can fly up to 27 minutes at once, which is extremely long compared to other models because its propellers are designed differently than most models- it has eight instead of 4 propellers, so it uses less battery power.
What You Should Consider Before Investing in agricultural drone surveying
Before investing in a drone, be sure to consider how you plan on using it.
For example, do you need a drone that can carry larger payloads? If so, then you’ll want to invest in a drone with a maximum payload weight of 500 pounds or more. Or do you need something faster and can cover a more geographical area? If so, then you’ll want to invest in a drone with average top speeds of 45 mph or more.
You should also consider the type of terrain you’ll be surveying – is it mostly flat, or are there significant hills and mountains? The answer will help determine which drone is best for your needs.
Lastly, if the drone is being used for agricultural purposes, ensure that it’s approved by the FAA and doesn’t create a hazard when flying near crops. Your farm may require additional permits as well.
What Type of Drone Does My Farm Need?
There are many different types of drones available today that can be used for surveying. Your choice will depend on your land’s shape, size, and terrain.
To start, you’ll need to determine what type of drone will work best for your farm. The first category is fixed-wing drones, which are great for surveying flat land with long distances between points of interest. They’re also good for surveying crops from above and getting a bird’s eye view of the field.
Another option is multirotor drones, which are good for flying in tight spaces or uneven terrain. These come in quadcopter and octocopter varieties, so they’re versatile enough to handle various situations. If you plan on flying at lower altitudes and close to the ground, this may be the better option for you.
Lastly (and most importantly), you want to find a drone that will fit your budget while still having all the features you need. It takes some time to figure out what you want in your drone before spending too much money on it because it may not be necessary if it doesn’t fit your needs exactly as planned.