Setting the Stage for UAV/UAS Applications in Agriculture

Ted BatkinBatkin Agricultural Service

Visalia, CA

Current Status

• Primarily Used for Crop Surveys• Some applications in the Midwest states• Emerging Technology for Precision Ag• Philosophical Disconnect between Ag and the

UAV/UAS worlds.• Technical Barriers for Remote Sensing – Target Definitions– Identifying Agricultural Needs

Technical Challenges

• How do new companies define the needs of the consumer (grower)

• How do producers communicate their needs to the technical industries in a language they will all understand.

• What sensors are necessary to meet the challenges of the agricultural community.

• Who will provide the funding for research and development to close the technical gaps.

Barriers to Market Entry

• Technical products that will meet the industries needs.

• Political barriers to the use of unmanned systems.

• Regulatory barriers to market entry.• Need for public/private partnerships for

funding R & D of product development.

Opportunities

• Building communication pathways for inter disciplinary forums and discussions.

• Education of public officials of the positive benefits to UAV/UAS programs.

• Overhaul of the current regulatory system to allow private enterprise entry into the UAV/UAS marketplace.

• Development of public funding mechanisms for R & D that encourage or force partnerships.