Drones provide unparalleled eye in the sky for beef operations

Drones have quickly become an integral part of row crop systems, offering crop producers affordable solutions for spraying and scouting. Now, beef producers are beginning to explore how these unmanned machines can benefit their ranch operations.

The potential applications of drones in cattle operations are vast. From checking water sources to locating newborn calves and even serving as marketing tools, producers are finding creative ways to integrate the technology into their daily routines.

“Having drones in the sky can give producers a pair of eyes to see a lot of information from up above,” said Yijie Xiong, a precision livestock management Extension specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

“But the most common thing I hear producers say is drones give them peace of mind. When there’s a lot of work and they can’t ride horses over every acre of their land, they can rely on something to complete the work for them,” Xiong added.

What can drones do?

While drones won’t replace saddles or ATVs anytime soon, they can serve as a valuable management tool for ranch operations. 

Xiong shares some of the ways she has seen producers implement drones.

These include locating newborn calves, as finding newborn calves can be a time-consuming task, especially when cows wander away from their calves. Thermal drones can simplify this process by detecting the calves’ body heat, even in tall forage.

“Anything that is warm will appear as a very bright yellow or red object in the video, making it really easy to find them,” Xiong said.

Drones can assist with various management tasks, such as using cameras to check water sources in remote areas or monitoring forage growth to determine if a grazing location is ready for cattle.

“I think the majority use of drones will still be for management decisions,” Xiong said. “Hopefully, the technology will soon advance to include more integrated data synchronization. For example, something seen from the drone could be readily and timely translated into management decision recommendations.”

Drones can enhance marketing efforts by capturing high-quality promotional images and videos. Whether it’s for a bull sale or showcasing the ranch’s support for a cause, drones can help producers create compelling content.

“They use drones to make beautiful promotional images and videos, and it’s really popular,” Xiong said. “Some ranchers use drones for promotional materials, and they’ve seen success with this. It also saves the cost of hiring a professional photographer.”

Additionally, introducing new technology like drones can spark interest in younger generations and create opportunities for family bonding.

“One producer I spoke with said it helps him spend more time with his five-year-old son,” Xiong said. “He uses the time to teach his son how to use the drone, which also creates interest in the cattle business and everything involved in maintaining the ranch. To him, it’s a valuable investment.”

Need to know

While spraying cattle with products such as fly spray via drone isn’t feasible yet, producers are finding innovative ways to adopt this technology.

When selecting a drone, producers should consider their specific needs. 

For example, drones with thermal imaging capabilities may be more expensive, but they are ideal for locating cattle. On the other hand, drones for marketing purposes can be relatively affordable and still capture high-quality images.

In addition to cost, it’s essential to understand the rules and regulations for flying drones.

For drones weighing over 55 pounds, Xiong highlights four permits required before flying, including a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part-107 Certificate, FAA Medical Class-III Certificate, state pesticide applicator license and FAA Part-137 Certificate or Exemption.

The use of drones is no longer limited to row crop farmers. More ranchers are discovering the benefits of drone technology for their operations. Whether it’s for marketing, management or simply peace of mind, drones are proving to be a valuable tool on the ranch.

Elizabeth Hodges is a staff writer for Farm Progress. This article was originally published by Farm Progress on Feb. 5.