A new proposal from the Federal Communications Commission regarding drones could have an adverse effect on farming. Doug Rebout, president of the Wisconsin Soybean Growers Association, talked of concerns about who’s manufacturing the drones.
“Right now, they’re concerned, and understandably so, about national security, and where the majority of drones that are being used here in the U.S. are coming from China, and they’re concerned about security. And you know, like I said, I understand that, but also, as a farmer, this is a major tool that’s really become important on farms lately. We are trying to be as proactive as we can with our seeds and our fertilizer, our chemicals, and everything. Drones as a tool, it would hurt us to have to give those up, because there are no, or very few, drones being made here in the U.S.”
He said farmers use drones in many ways.
“They’re getting used to go out and scout fields so that we know where the weeds are, so we don’t have to go across fields with sprayers when it’s unnecessary. They’re being used to actually applying chemicals and our pesticides and insecticides in places, so we don’t have to spray a whole field. We can just go out to use the drone and spot those areas that need it, and just apply what’s needed, where it’s needed. Flying on cover crops, they’re very useful for that. So that way, you know, when you have a crop that’s growing, we can come in and spray on that cover crop seed in a timely manner, so that way, that cover crop can grow and have its base there when we come in and harvest the seed.”
There aren’t enough domestic companies making drones yet to meet the growing demand.
“There are a few more tech firms in the United States that are starting to make them, but those are just ramping up and getting going, and just like anything with technology, we’re using the stuff now. We don’t have the time to wait for the American-made ones, and we’re hoping that the ones made here in the U.S. will have the same technology that other ones do to be able to use them.”