Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/350705
52 AUGUST 2014 Good Fruit Grower www.goodfruit.com nmanned Aerial Vehicles, more popularly known as drones, have the potential to provide the fruit industry with new tools to improve its effi- ciency and competitiveness. However, federal rules that will govern all commercial use of drones are in the process of being written. Several states are also considering their own regulations and, here, too, the industry needs to engage in the dialogue. Drones were developed originally for military use for flying over hostile terri- tory without a human pilot while providing continuous pictures, in real time, to an observer in a secure location. They have also been used to shoot down selected human and military targets. Drones designed for military purposes are highly sophisticated and expensive. However, for many years, small companies and amateurs have been designing cheaper drones that can fly unmanned over any terrain and send back continuous, real time photographs to the operator. Farmers can fly their own drones, but only for private use. Drones have been used to scan potato fields, help fight wildfires, and for artistic aerial photography. The range of uses is limited only by the operator's imagi- nation, the sophistication of the cameras used, and the length of time the drone can stay airborne. However, numerous safety and privacy concerns arising from their proliferation have led to demands for regulation. Potential uses Drones could be used by orchardists, nurseries, scouting programs, and area- wide pest management programs to oversee new plantings, monitor trees and fruit development throughout the growing season, and track the progress of insect infes- tations, diseases, and spray efficacy, etc. More sophisticated drones could selectively spray trouble spots before an infection can spread. During periods of extreme cold or heat, they could be used to monitor temperature and humidity in different air layers above the orchard. At harvest time, information on crop loads could be used to opti- mize size and placement of picking crews and support equipment, etc. However, because drones can deliver massive amounts of photographic data in a short time, a major challenge will be to interpret that data and turn it into actionable Good Point Bruce Prenguber, Globalwise, Inc. Desmond O'Rourke, Belrose, Inc. Don't let drones fly by With rising potential for tree fruit production, the industry needs to get involved. Stark Bro's Nurseries & Orchards Co. PO Box 398 • Louisiana, MO 63353 • 573-754-5111 • Fax 573-754-3701 A Growing Legacy Since 1816 Trees are growing good! Order early for 2016. Call 800-435-8733. Drones could be used in orchards to remotely oversee new plantings, monitor fruit development, track insect and disease development, or assess crop loads. But how will they be regulated?