The world is abuzz with talk about drones, with the technology being used for everything from military operations to filming blockbuster hits. And at least one big box store is predicting drones will be the hottest Christmas toy for children this year. As this innovation has become more reasonably priced and accessible, more and more industries have realized the benefits of using drones for business.
The agriculture industry in particular is benefiting greatly from using drones on farms. From precision agriculture to assessing crop damage and yields, drones save time, money and prevent crop losses. Many farm owners are considering adopting drone technology as a result.
Drones are even starting to handle another task for farmers: livestock herding. Earlier this spring, Irish farmer Declan Brennan, posted a video of himself successfully using a drone to herd his sheep, and now farmers all over the world are starting to do the same thing.
The advantages of drones for tracking and herding livestock and locating missing or injured animals are obvious. To herd livestock, you need workers and dogs. In addition, you usually need an all-terrain vehicle to navigate the far reaches of your property.
Even if you keep your costs at a minimum by doing all the herding yourself, you are spending a good bit of time out in the fields, often during poor weather conditions. Chances are you’d much rather be doing something else with your time.
A drone needs just one operator to remotely swoop in and drive livestock to another location. A drone can sweep a large farm in minutes, and locate sick, injured or lost animals in enough time to prevent their death. What would otherwise take plenty of manpower, time and effort can be achieved in minutes without you needing to leave home.
The use of drones for any purpose is still controversial. Proponents worry about privacy and security issues, and before widespread use of the technology catches on, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must further define the process and guidelines regarding using drones for commercial purposes. However, the organization is already issuing permits for agricultural use.
The cost of drones has drastically dropped, with many now below the $1000 mark—an investment quickly recoverable when you don’t have to pay for hired help, or if you’re preventing livestock deaths. Along with significant money savings, using drones for herding saves you the planet’s most precious commodity: time.