Recent advances in the utilization of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems in agriculture will be among the featured topics at the 2013 Agronomy Field Day on August 16 at Kansas State University’s Agronomy North Farm.
This year’s field day is titled “New Technologies for Crop Production.” One of the new technologies gaining considerable interest among producers, crop consultants, plant breeders, researchers, and others is aerial optical sensing technology with drones. K-State researchers are leading the nation in developing uses in agriculture for this exciting new technology, and will be demonstrating this at the field day.
Other new technologies featured will include the use of optical sensors for nutrient recommendations, the latest in stress tolerance research, and techniques used to measure greenhouse gases.
The field day will begin with registration at 9am and wrap up at 2pm There is no charge to attend, and a complimentary lunch will be available. Preregistration is requested so that a lunch count can be made. To pre-register online, click here.
Sessions include two concurrent one-hour tours in the morning, starting at 9:45 and 11am, followed by equipment demonstrations and discussion after lunch. Morning stops include:
* Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems for crop scouting
* Using sUAS technologies for estimating crop yields and variety selection
* Utilizing optimal sensors for nutrient recommendations
* Drought stress research
* Heat stress research
* Greenhouse gas measurements and nutrient management
After lunch:
* Demonstrations and discussion on sUAS flights
* Analyzing and interpreting images from sUAS technology
* Field checking of optical sensors for crop nutrient status
In addition, there will be displays from commercial companies and K-State researchers in the shed near the registration area, along with the crop garden, forage garden, and weed garden for browsing. Extension specialists will be available to answer questions.
