In-field Conservation
UAV Benefits
- Quickly evaluate the impact of implemented conservation practices
- Map conservation structures and retain photographic record of performance. over time
- Quickly identify conservation system issues at a large scale in order to manage and mitigate environmental impacts
- Obtain photographic documentation of conservation field practices
UAV Challenges
Timing: Flying conservation systems, specifically cover crops, is done primarily outside of the growing season and requires time usually not spent in the field.
- Tip: Knowing when to fly in the fall, winter and spring is important. The best time to fly is with little to no other vegetation growing.
Clouds: Broken skies can ruin image quality.
- Tip: Fly when skies are fully overcast or clear for optimal image quality.
Camera settings: Incorrect settings can affect image quality.
- Tip: It takes a little experience. Familiarize yourself with general camera settings and know the goals of each particular flight.
In-field Conservation Examples
In 2019, this producer took preventative planting due to wet spring conditions...
These flights evaluate conventional management with no-till cover crop management...
Different cover crop application methods and timing of those applications were evaluated at Ivy...
In addition to the cover crop comparison above, some strips of cereal rye/hairy vetch were...
The map below was created a few days after spring termination of the cover crop. Treatments...
A local producer wanted to interseed cover crops at planting time to maximize benefits and was...
A DJI Agras was used to spread cover crops over standing soybeans. Cover crop mixes varied and...
Stitching software can measure the depth of a grassed waterway to determine both water capacity...