Mapping/Surveying with Drones

[Lynx Drones]

We're a Yorkshire and Lincolnshire based drone survey company specialising in multispectral imaging to produce NDVI/NDRE maps. These can be used for assessing crop health, nutrient deficiencies, weed pressure etc. This data can then be used to make informed decisions to improve yield.

Has anyone hired a drone operator to conduct these surveys? Or would they consider it in the future?

 

[Clive]

If your trying to build a business on this don’t bother imo

It’s simply too expensive, when you are competing with twice daily 365 day SAR and NDVI satalite image services at a couple £ / ha

 

[Lynx Drones]

Hi Clive,

Thanks for your input.

- The business isn't built solely on agricultural surveys, it's just one of many services which can be offered by drones. Our background is in the environment, remote sensing and satellite imagery, drones are the next big thing in our sector, and it would be a good opportunity to work with farmers.

- My understanding is that SAR doesn't compare with regards to resolution but then the SAR resolution is more than adequate having read through many of your posts on the forum! The use of a high definition 4k camera capturing images alongside the multispectral data could provide additional useful data - but as you said, costs would have to compare to current satellite imagery. There are a lot of studies into identifying black grass, perhaps more progress here would open the agri-drone market up more...

I know the big drone training providers are pushing the use of drones in agriculture at the moment with agriculture expected to make up 12% of the market by the end of 2020. It'll be interesting to see how this develops.

 

[Clive]

You are correct that resolution from satellites is lower than a drone can achieve but as you say its adequate for most farmers

There maybe a niche in high value crops like salad or veg where higher resolution could return on its costs I guess

I think they will be a great tool for agronomists field walking (I use a magic 2 myself and find it very useful for this) but the broad acre NDVI market is pretty covered by the cheap satellite (I think some are even free now ?) services