Farming a Different Perspective
Drone use on farms has gained popularity in the agriculture industry and many others. Farmers benefit by using drones to survey their land, monitor crop growth and check for pests or diseases. As the technology behind drones continues to improve, farmers are finding more and more reasons to use them. What should you know about using a drone on your farm?
When you tend several hundred or thousands of acres and for each field numerous decisions need to be made. Even the best laid out plan can be disrupted by mechanical breakdowns, livestock getting sick and of course weather! A drone can help provide information that will make these decisions more calculated and keep a farm up and running!
Drone Uses
- Monitoring - Drones can provide accurate field mapping which can include information such as drainage patterns.
- Detecting – Many are equipped with special sensors which can use detailed colour information to determine plant health.
- Security – They can be used to save time by frequently monitoring those harder to reach areas. They can help monitor fencing & livestock movement, including locating missing or injured animals.
Trillium Mutual has a drone coverage available that would cover physical damage to the drone itself. They can also provide liability coverage for drones that are used for their own personal agricultural use such as crop and livestock monitoring, reviewing topographical layouts of fields, crop scouting and more!
Before You Fly
As a drone owner you have a responsibility to make sure that all conditions are fit for operating and using your drone. Consider the following before planning your next or first flight.
Check the Weather - Always observe and obey the manufacturers recommendations for operation especially in difficult or severe weather conditions.
Keep Appropriate Documentation - Always have the following available in print or digital format:
Know Your Space
- You should always know the class of airspace that you will be flying in and if you require special permission. Remember to respect minimum distances and stay far away from other aircraft.
- Make a note of any obstacles that could interfere with your line of sight or drones normal operation.
Have an Emergency Plan - Always have a plan to deal with any out of control situations such as a fly away.
Think about your farm operation. You typically make decisions on genetics, pest control, soil health, plant & livestock nutrition and much, much more. These decisions can have major impacts on the success of a farm operation by impacting your productivity and overall profits. After each season data collected can be used to compare what was learned versus previous years. Drones provide a system to easily identify areas for change and plan for the next year.
Drones are a useful tool for farmers, but not all types of drones are permitted in Ontario right now. Find out if you can use a drone on your farm under the current laws and learn about safety tips to keep your farm protected from rogue drones. Regulations in Ontario were introduced in June 2016, which established rules for the use of drones, or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The regulatory requirements in Canada around the use of drones for crop spraying is evolving with the technology and individuals should reach out their broker and insurer to see if appropriate liability coverage is available for this type of drone use.
All over the world people are using their drones to improve productivity, increase visibility and make data-driven decisions for their operation. As with any new technology there is always some skepticism. However, as more people continue to use this technology and find other uses the benefits will continue to be found. In an industry where margins are very thin, could this be the competitive tool your farm is looking for? Reach out to Jason Snider, our CFFO Insurance program specialist.