An article by sUAS News shares:
The integration of drone technology and advanced sensors has revolutionized modern agriculture. From monitoring crop health to optimizing field operations, drones equipped with high-resolution sensors like the Sentera 65R are transforming how farmers approach their work. At North Dakota State University (NDSU), researchers used this cutting-edge technology to develop a smarter approach to tillage in sugar beet fields.
For crops like sugar beets, precision is key. With weeds increasingly showing resistance to herbicides, targeted tillage has become an essential part of weed management strategies. To create prescriptive tillage maps, NDSU researchers turned to the Sentera 65R sensor. Its ability to capture high-resolution imagery at a GSD of 7mm allowed the team to map weeds and differentiate them from sugar beet plants with unparalleled accuracy.
Traditional tillage methods often involve working the entire field, which can be resource-intensive and damaging to the soil. Using data collected from the 65R sensor, the research team developed a prescriptive tillage map that reduced the tilled area to just 10% of the field. This precision-driven approach saved fuel, reduced operational time, and preserved soil health by minimizing erosion and moisture loss.
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Be sure to visit the BWU Technology Partnerships Initiative website to learn more about how our NEOFIX program drives economic growth, promotes policy and infrastructure to improve drone safety and efficiency in various industries, and ensures that drone technology is being used responsibly.