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Aerial Applications: Integrating Spray Drones and Airplanes into a Crop Protection Plan
March 3, 2025
How spray drones and airplanes can Provide growers with the best outcome
Crop protection is crucial for a successful growing season with high-yielding crops. Utilizing a variety of application methods, such as airplanes and spray drones, can significantly enhance the effectiveness of crop protection strategies.
Manned aircrafts, commonly referred to as crop dusters, have a long history of treating large areas efficiently and quickly via airplanes (fixed wing) or rotary planes (helicopters). They are particularly effective in covering large fields. They’ve also been an efficient option for applications where wet ground may pose a challenge – either due to weather or irrigation efforts – where a ground rig may not be an option.
Spray drones have also gained acceptance and popularity in recent years for their timeliness, maneuverability, and precision. They excel in reaching hard-to-access portions of a field and, similar to airplanes, are also effective on irrigated acres.
While each has its unique strengths and use cases, the real potential lies in their ability to complement each other. By working together, airplanes and drones can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of crop protection applications, ensuring that growers receive the best possible outcomes.
Integrating Airplanes and Spray Drones: A Real-World Example
We
compiled a case study highlighting how these two methods can collaborate to provide timely and cost-effective applications.
The goal of this particular job was to treat five rice fields with herbicides in Arkansas County, Arkansas. Three of the fields were small and open but also adjacent to a crop that was highly sensitive to the herbicides being applied. The remaining two fields were larger fields that contained sensitive crops to the north, east, and south.
"Due to the field sizes and nearby sensitive crops, utilizing both airplanes and drones were necessary to effectively treat the acres of rice fields. The airplanes handled the larger fields, while the drones were used for the smaller, more sensitive areas. By working together, the two systems complemented each other, ensuring that all fields were sprayed accurately and efficiently," says Jeff Dickens, Rantizo Upper Southeast Hub Lead.
For the spray drone application, the team used a DJI AGRAS T40 drone to spray a 100-foot buffer to the east and 50-foot buffers to the north and south. This created an herbicide-applied border of the field so that the crop duster could safely treat the remaining majority of the field, thus easing concerns about chemical drift.
“Our drone operators worked closely with the crop duster to ensure our efforts didn’t overlap,” says Dickens. “With effective collaboration and communication, we understood what each operator was doing and when. This ultimately led to the success of an efficient, effective application for the grower.”
Within five minutes of finishing the drone applications, Dickens was able to use
AcreConnect™
software to produce application maps for all the areas treated by spray drones. Dickens then provided the crop duster with a shapefile that could be integrated into their system for enhanced visual clarity in advance of airplane spraying.
The full case study can be viewed and accessed at this link.
Perspective from a Crop Duster
Douglas Guillot, an operations manager for Lake Air Service in southwest Louisiana, is a crop duster who has seen the ways that drones can complement his business. Guillot and his grower customers have found spray drones to be an alternative solution for agricultural applications with nearby developments and neighborhoods. Drone spraying offers him a way to conduct applications in a quieter fashion and take off more discreetly when near housing developments.
“The spray drones allow us to conduct spraying but with a quieter and more discreet method, particularly when applying in regions near housing developments,” shares Guillot. “This eases potential concerns for not only us as operators but our customers as well.”
Guillot’s investment in drones has increased in just a couple years from one drone then to three today – in addition to his fleet of five airplanes.
“The technology is there. It got to the point where one drone was not enough to keep up with demands,” Guillot said. “My goal is to create buffer zones for airplanes. I basically go from an edge and spray up to the nearest straight levy. From that area on the plane can spray the rest.”
As aerial application technology continues to evolve and improve, so will the abilities for growers to tap into the options for their application needs, whether that means crop dusters, spray drones – or both.
“At the end of the day, there are two goals for aerial applications: the first is safety for all involved, and the second is to make the most precise application possible for the grower,” says Dickens. “By using spray drones in conjunction with manned aircraft, these two goals are achievable.”
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Applying crop protection with ground rigs and airplanes is a key part of a successful growing season. But what about when the weather isn’t cooperating, or you can’t access a hard-to-reach part of the field? That’s where Luke Keller, crop advisor for Simplot Grower Solutions found spray drones to be a solution for his Oregon farmer customers. Learn more about how spray drones can complement ground rig and airplane applications in our blog ✔️ https://hubs.ly/Q0390Mb40
Swath testing involves evaluating your spray application pattern for width and consistency. It is essential for achieving an even and thorough application of agricultural crop inputs and to determine the optimal distance between each pass of your spray drone.
Our regional spray Hub teams recently tested two of the newest agricultural spray drones, the DJI T50 and the XAG P150. They aimed to compare their technologies, capabilities, and overall performance. Through swath testing and real-world applications, we aimed to determine how these two drones stack up against each other. Here’s what they noted. DJI T50: USER-FRIENDLY AND INTUITIVE DRONE ACTIVATION AND SETUP Compared to the P150, the T50 is still the easiest drone to use. The T50 is easier to set up and its software is more intuitive to learn for a new operator. In contrast, the P150 requires an operator to be bit more tech savvy. ACCESSIBILITY AND USABILITY The T50 excels in accessibility. You can import boundaries for application through the Agras website, an SD card, or a USB. Additionally, the T50 controller can be connected to an HDMI, allowing others to view the drone's operations on a larger monitor, enhancing the overall user experience. On the other hand, the P150 has made strides with the monitor on its controller, but it still lags behind the T50 in terms of accessibility. Boundaries must be imported via the P150's website, and while there is a USB-C port, it appears to be solely for charging the controller. SOFTWARE AND UPDATES The P150's update process is more fragmented, with settings and updates placed in multiple locations, making it challenging to navigate. Updates and data transfers for the P150 require SIM cards or Wi-Fi, with SIM cards generally providing a more reliable experience. However, the P150's updates and settings are scattered across different locations, which can be confusing for new users. The T50 simplifies the update process by consolidating all updates in one easy-to-find location. Connecting the T50 to a hotspot is usually all it takes to get the latest updates. REMOTE CONTROL The T50 remote control excels with its larger screen, making it easier to view and manage drone operations. It also features a handy strap, reducing the risk of dropping the controller. Programming specific functions to the controller buttons is straightforward, enhancing usability. The T50's external battery requires regular changes, but the connection between the remote and the drone is almost instant once both are powered on. The P150's remote control, while having fewer buttons, minimizes the risk of accidentally pushing the wrong buttons. This can sometimes occur with the DJI remote control. The P150’s built-in battery eliminates the need for constant battery changes, but it does require nightly charging and occasionally an additional charge during long days. The initial connection between the remote control and the drone takes about five minutes, but this isn't an issue as long as the drone or controller doesn't shut off for more than three minutes. CAMERA QUALITY, CONTROLLER TRANSMISSION DISTANCE The T50 boasts a 4K Ultra HD FPV camera, providing superior image quality. Its remote control has a maximum transmission distance of 7km, ensuring reliable connectivity over long distances. The gimbal on the T50 is particularly helpful for manual spraying, offering enhanced control and precision. The P150 features a 1080p HD FPV camera, which, while not as high-resolution as the T50, still delivers clear visuals. Its remote control has a maximum transmission distance of 2km. The P150 also includes an additional downward-facing camera, which is useful for landing but less so for manual spraying. The impact of the relay on the P150's transmission distance is still uncertain. XAG P150: A FOCUS ON DURABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY MACHINE DURABILITY AND MAINTENANCE The P150 is built like a tank, offering robust durability. It's also easier to work on, with fewer parts to manage, making maintenance simpler. Additionally, the P150 is more portable, being easier to carry compared to the T50. The DJI T50, while not as rugged as the P150, has a more complex build with more parts. This can make it slightly more challenging to work on. However, the T50's design and features still offer significant advantages. TURNING SPEEDS, AGILE FLYING The P150 turns faster and seems to fly smoother than the T50. It excels in agility, being able to move in three different ways at once—turning compass direction, moving up, and moving forward. This multi-directional capability makes the P150 highly responsive and efficient in its movements. The T50, while capable, is not as agile as the P150. It tends to move in two ways at once—turning compass direction and moving forward. This makes the T50 slightly less responsive in comparison, but it still offers reliable performance for various applications. HIGHER GPAS, FASTER SPEEDS The P150 outperforms the T50 at higher GPA (gallons per acre) applications, maintaining faster speeds and longer flight times due to its larger tank and higher throughput pumps. The P150 can maintain a speed of 30 mph at 5 GPA. OVERALL REACTIONS FROM OUR OPERATORS The T50 is familiar and easier to use than the XAG P150, but XAG has made significant strides in its user experience. The extra time it takes to learn the P150 pays off in spades when you start spraying. We saw this even with the XAG P100 Pro, which has a smaller tank and lower pump speeds compared to the P150. Overall, the T50’s ease of use makes it ideal for operators who prioritize simplicity and quick setup. On the other hand, the P150 provides a higher capacity for covering large numbers of acres. Both spray drones have their own benefits and disadvantages, depending on the features you value most and how you plan to use your drone. Ready to see which spray drone is best for you? Give us a call at 319 201-3020 ext. 1 or email us at sales@rantizo.com. To learn more about the DJI T50, visit this link . To learn more about the XAG P150, visit this link . MORE RESOURCES: Blog: XAG Spray Drones: P150 vs. P100 Pro Blog: Comparing Agricultural Drones: XAG P100 Pro vs. DJI T40 Blog: DJI T40 vs T50: A Comprehensive Drone Comparison
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