The Field Report

Trent Brandenburg has been busy mowing his lawn and his roadsides due to the sunshine and frequent rains making his grass grow as well as his corn and soybeans. He has been hiring aerial spraying of fungicides to suppress disease in his corn and soybeans. Trent invests in the spraying in order to improve his crop test weights at harvest and thus get a higher price at the elevator.

Trent has noticed a new trend in aerial spraying this year: the use of drones. These are big drones, in order to carry the tank and nozzles. They are more maneuverable near towns and better able to avoid power lines. The airplane needs more climbing distance to clear the power lines or other obstructions near its flight path. The drones can deliver a more accurate spray pattern near the obstructions by being more maneuverable. Trent notes that technology is wonderful but more expensive.