This summer, Purdue Extension, which offers research-based information and expertise to millions of people in Indiana, will host a series of demonstrations throughout the state, to help Indiana farmers take full advantage of new UAS technology.

“This is perhaps the biggest innovation in agricultural technology I’ve seen,” says Bob Nielsen, Purdue Extension corn specialist for 36 years. “The possibilities for data collection are tremendous.”

Nielsen acknowledges that “there is a learning curve” when it comes to operating this technology, so the summer demonstrations will offer participants hands-on, practical instruction in flight techniques, and will also teach them how to download and process the copious amount of data that UAS are capable of collecting.

Purdue faculty and Extension specialists will lead the demonstrations, along with Extension educators and staff from Purdue agricultural research centers throughout the state.

“A vital part of our Purdue Extension mission is to research new agricultural technologies and help farmers develop best practices to use those technologies to their greatest capabilities,” explains Jason Henderson, director of Purdue Extension.

“Farmers have traditionally been early adapters of new technologies. Even in the early days of heavier-than-air flight, many farmers learned to fly and found a way to use those primitive aircraft to spray crops and scout fields.”

According to Mark Carter, Purdue Extension educator in Delaware County, UAS imaging could be significantly more effective for farmers than satellite imaging. Generally speaking, satellite flybys have to be booked in advance and can only be done once a day, while UAS can produce a continuous series of images to track changes in crop damage, drainage problems, nutrient deficiency and disease over time.

“These demonstrations will be a great opportunity for anyone in the ag community interested in this new technology to learn more about the most effective UAV systems and management practices for their own operations,” Carter says.

During each session, presenters will discuss a variety of UAS-related topics including FAA regulations for flying on farms, vehicle selection and a survey of available technology for flight planning and mapping. There will also be hands-on flight demonstrations at each location, weather permitting.

The demonstration schedule, as of July 13, can be viewed here.