By Blake Jackson
The University of Missouri will host its Crop and Pest Management Field Day on July 10 at the MU Bradford Research and Extension Center, located 8 miles east of Columbia at 4968 Rangeline Road. The event will spotlight the growing role of spray drones in modern agriculture, especially for weed and pest control.
Attendees will hear from MU Extension researchers about their latest findings on drone-based aerial applications of residual herbicides.
MU Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley and his team will also present research comparing drone and airplane applications of corn fungicides and discuss the use of adjuvants in drone spraying.
Drone use in agriculture is expanding rapidly. Bradley points to a report from the American Spray Drone Coalition showing that acres treated with spray drones in the U.S. more than doubled growing from 4 million in 2023 to 10.3 million in 2024. Analysts expect the global agriculture drone market to soar to $18 billion by 2030.
Field day registration begins at 7:45 a.m., with tour wagons departing at 8:30 a.m. The event offers an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge crop and pest management practices while earning continuing education units for certified crop advisers.
To register, visit: https://extension.missouri.edu/events/2025-crop-and-pest-management-field-day
Photo Credit: pexels-flo-dnd
Categories: Missouri, Education