Drone Use in Field Crops

By Richard Price

Unmanned aerial vehicles have been around for a while, but spray drones are a relatively new technology found on many Michigan farms. Applying herbicides, pesticides and fungicides with a drone offers many benefits compared to traditional ground rigs. Drones can get to hard-to-reach terrain without getting stuck or causing compaction. They are also highly efficient in dispersing products accurately using their global positioning system. However, these systems come with added complexity, including state and federal certification requirements and advanced spray systems that must adapt to varying crop and weather conditions.

To hear more about the pros and cons of these newer systems, join in the upcoming Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series on Aug. 7, 2025. Michael Reinke of Michigan State University Extension will tell us about his recent experience in using a spray drone on-farm.