Farmers Save Time and Money with Agricultural Drones

By Blake Jackson

Interest in drones for agriculture is rapidly growing, according to Caleb O’Neal, a University of Missouri Extension field specialist in plant science. O’Neal, who teaches drone classes statewide, has noticed rising curiosity among farmers, commercial sprayers, cow-calf operators, real estate professionals, and others exploring new technologies.

Data from the American Spray Drone Coalition shows U.S. acres sprayed with drones jumped from 4 million in 2023 to 10.3 million in 2024.

O’Neal compares this trend to the adoption of all-terrain and utility vehicles in the 1980s. “Back in the 1980s, it would have been rare to see a UTV being used on a farm,” O’Neal said.

“Visiting farms today, I’m hard-pressed to find an operation larger than 20 acres that doesn’t have some type of UTV that they utilize on a regular basis.” O’Neal predicts drones will become just as commonplace, evolving from toys to essential farm tools.

Drones can save both time and money. High-resolution cameras reduce the need for manual field inspections, allowing row crop farmers to detect nutrient deficiencies, soil issues, pest infestations, and disease.

Livestock producers can monitor fences, water availability, animal locations, and even observe calving or estrus patches without disturbing the herd.

“Time is one of a farmer’s most valuable and limited resources, so the more of it we can save while still completing the task, the better,” O’Neal says.

Precision agriculture is where drones excel. “Using data-driven insights, drones can enable farmers to apply site-specific fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs to maximize return on investment,” O’Neal explains.

Targeted applications reduce waste, lower environmental impact, and save money. Drones also reach difficult terrain, turning previously inaccessible areas into productive land.

However, drones require training and compliance with state and federal regulations. MU Extension programs provide guidance on flight parameters and when conventional equipment may be more suitable.

“Drones are another tool available to modern farmers, and as most farmers will agree, you can never have too many tools,” O’Neal says.

“Drones are no longer futuristic machines; they are transforming agriculture today, and they are tools that can enable farmers to optimize every acre and ensure their operational success.”

Photo Credit: gettyimages-seregalsv