Drone operators say they see an uptick in business as agricultural drone application technology improves, farmers become more comfortable with it and more products receive aerial labels.
Drones have proven useful for aerial applications, especially for specialty crops. “Vegetable crops have probably adapted drones faster than any other crop,” said Briana Layfield, president and owner of Temecula-based Ag-Bee LLC. “When vegetable plants start growing, (growers) can’t get tractors in past a certain growth stage.” Last winter, her company treated vegetables in the Imperial, Coachella and Pajaro valleys. Other seasons, the company flies coastal vegetable fields from Ventura to Watsonville.
Nicholas Steed, who operates Oakdale-based UAV Ag Solutions with brother Brandon, said they’ve also experienced increased producer interest. The company has used drones to treat walnuts, almonds, alfalfa and field corn.
