K
Kathleen Martin
Guest
The use of drone technology in precision agriculture has gained popularity in recent years.
However, there are still legislative barriers preventing widespread adoption, something which Agri-EPI and Connected Places Catapult explored in a recent webinar.
Currently, farmers can use drones for surveying, mapping, crop monitoring and disease detection.
But advances in technology mean autonomous crop pesticide applications could be a reality – if the regulations keep up.
Drones
Hannah Tew, ecosystem director at Connected Places Catapult, explained:
“Precision technology can tackle key agricultural challenges – using variable rate and precise application can reduce spray use and improve yields.”
However, in the UK, the Sustainable Use Directive 14 forbids aerial spraying, including the use of drones. However, there is a derogation available through the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
And drone technology is advancing all the time, as Bryn Bircher, policy officer at HSE highlighted.
He said: “We are heading into the fourth agricultural revolution. Things are changing rapidly. However, chemicals will still be around for a while.”
“There is the issue of drift; we know there is a lot of drift with a boom sprayer, but we don’t know the effect of drift from drones yet.”
And some drones do boast an impressive time-saving. “A drone with a 20-litre tank can cover 15 hectares an hour,” explained Robert Pearson at Auto Spray Solutions.
Continue reading: https://thatsfarming.com/latest-news/drone-farmers-uk/
However, there are still legislative barriers preventing widespread adoption, something which Agri-EPI and Connected Places Catapult explored in a recent webinar.
Currently, farmers can use drones for surveying, mapping, crop monitoring and disease detection.
But advances in technology mean autonomous crop pesticide applications could be a reality – if the regulations keep up.
Drones
Hannah Tew, ecosystem director at Connected Places Catapult, explained:
“Precision technology can tackle key agricultural challenges – using variable rate and precise application can reduce spray use and improve yields.”
However, in the UK, the Sustainable Use Directive 14 forbids aerial spraying, including the use of drones. However, there is a derogation available through the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
And drone technology is advancing all the time, as Bryn Bircher, policy officer at HSE highlighted.
He said: “We are heading into the fourth agricultural revolution. Things are changing rapidly. However, chemicals will still be around for a while.”
“There is the issue of drift; we know there is a lot of drift with a boom sprayer, but we don’t know the effect of drift from drones yet.”
And some drones do boast an impressive time-saving. “A drone with a 20-litre tank can cover 15 hectares an hour,” explained Robert Pearson at Auto Spray Solutions.
Continue reading: https://thatsfarming.com/latest-news/drone-farmers-uk/
