New set of regulations proposed when it comes to using drones

Feb 17, 2015

Public will have 60 days to comment

More and more, farmers are turning to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones, as a method to keep a bird’s eye view on what’s happening on their farms below.

With the new technology, farmers can use them to look at tilling and drainage, conduct water quality assessments and surveys and even keep birds who want to eat their crops at bay.

In an attempt to keep everyone on a level playing field, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are proposing new rules for safe and appropriate operation of the equipment.

Some of the proposed rules include:

Certification

The person flying the drone would be classified as an “operator”. They would need to be at least 17 years of age, pass an aeronautics test and receive their FAA UAS operator certificate.
They would have to pass an FAA knowledge test every two years.

Flight Limits

Flights should be limited to a 500ft altitude and speed of 100mph
Must stay out of airport paths and restricted airspace
The UAS cannot be flown over people unless directly involved with the flight
The operator must stop flying if the flight is dangerous to bystanders or other property

The public will have a period of 60 days to comment on the proposed rules.

A drone

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.