Response from B T in Precision Ag, Data Management, Drones | AGvisorPRO

Honestly, dealing with regulations and paperwork. There is a mountain of paperwork involved because it all has to go through the faa. I will say, they have streamlined the process exponentially compared to what it was (had known of people waiting a year and a half) , but you basically need to start doing your exemptions and registrations now if you want to spray for this summer. As for drone adoption, i would say like any technology it just takes time for it to catch. Only recently would i say that it actually became a feasible option to use for full field applications and i think you will start seeing more and more of them as time goes on. That being said, it is not for everyone either, its a lot easier to make a phone call to the coop and have the helicopter come in and spray your whole farm in a day than spraying 35 acres an hour with a drone (most i had was 45/h this summer). Im not going to say drones are for young guys, but i have noticed that generally if there is a farm that owns one there is an individual in their 20’s or 30’s thats running it. Aging population of farmers has probably deterred interest as well. They are also kind of a niche piece of equipment in my mind. Fungicides, pastures, and cover crops (in my opinion) will have to be used to justify a $35,000 purchase. Not all farms can swing that, but can be a very easy return if you are size-able enough to make it cash flow