By Julie Tomascik
Associate Editor

Tractors and combines are mainstays on the farm. And drones could soon join them as the next indispensable piece of agricultural equipment.

Farmers and ranchers just need flexibility with the new technology.

The proposed rule on the “Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems” is still pending approval while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reviewing comments.

A final rule is expected in fall 2016 or spring 2017.

Drones, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Director of Congressional Relations R.J. Karney, are a small piece of the FAA reauthorization bill, which expires Sept. 30. The commercial use and recreational and hobby use of drones, along with privacy, will likely be discussed by Congress as they return from their August recess.

Because the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) is the next milestone in American precision agriculture, Karney said.

The sticker-shock for drones can be steep, but the data they collect can prove beneficial for farmers and ranchers. By identifying insect infestations, assessing crop yields or estimating soil moisture, farmers can prevent overusing resources, while also reducing the amount of input costs.

“There is progress with a lot of moving parts at this point,” Karney told the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Radio Network. “But, unfortunately for commercial use, that Section 333 exemption is still the only way farmers would be able to utilize drones for commercial purposes at this point.”

The Section 333 exemption permits companies to fly drones commercially on a case-by-case basis. And the FAA has increased their approval rating to about 60 cases each month, according to Karney.

In July, AFBF partnered with two companies—MEASURE and Informa Economics—to study the benefits of drones on precision agriculture. It helped fill a void in the conversations about the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in agriculture.

The study resulted in the development of an ROI Calculator—a return on investment tool—for corn, soybeans and wheat farmers. It helps determine if drones would prove a good fit for their operations.

“This is the beginning stages of what’s going to drive farmers and ranchers toward this technology, so it could be a complementary tool to go along with other devices that are currently used for precision agricultural techniques,” Karney said.

But restrictions have been placed within the proposed rule, including a flight ceiling of 500 feet and night use is prohibited.

AFBF asked for the flight ceiling to be increased, especially in more remote, rural areas, as well as security for farm data.

“We just hope that the FAA, through any rules and regulations, doesn’t prevent any more innovative ideas from reaching its fullest potential.”