Why You Should Consider Seeding Cover Crops with Drones This Fall

Growers are always on the lookout for the latest ways to boost yields and revenue – while also reducing environmental impact. A promising approach that helps meet these goals involves seeding cover crops with drone technology. Zach Hanner, Agronomy Operations Lead at Rantizo, outlines the incredible benefits of cover crop application with spray drones.

Drones Offer Flexibility with Cover Crop Management  

Traditionally, cover crop seeds have been broadcast planted, or drilled, into a field. While those methods offer high efficiency and germination rates, they are constrained by the timing of the previous crop’s harvest. In recent years, drones have revolutionized cover crop management in the following ways:

1.    Flexible Timing

• Drones allow producers to pick the optimal time for cover crop application, aligning it with favorable weather conditions for successful germination.

2.    Seed-to-Soil Contact

• Drones ensure good seed-to-soil contact, crucial for germination.

3.    Low Altitude Operation

• Drones operate at lower altitudes compared to airplanes and helicopters, resulting in more consistent and even seed distribution.

4.    Access to Challenging Fields

• Drones can reach fields that are otherwise difficult to access with traditional equipment providing more options for seeding and treating cover crop acres.

Seeding With Drones Offers Efficiency – In More Ways Than One

Drones follow automated flight routes, offering the chance to cover a vast majority of the necessary acres with precision and accuracy. The process of seeding cover crops with drones is remarkably straightforward. “Because the process closely mirrors our spraying operations, Rantizo operators can easily add and cross off seeding from the to-do list with minimal input,” says Hanner.

So, in addition to ROI and environmental benefits, the use of spray drones to seed cover crops can offer a third benefit to your operations that you maybe haven’t yet considered: extra time.

If you want to learn more about how to use drones for cover crop application this fall on your operation, please contact Rantizo at sales@rantizo.com or call 319-201-3020 ext. 1 to get connected!