Drone Potential in Agriculture
Drones are heavily regulated, but Michigan native Jason Hugo, owner/operator of goFarm LLC, has received an exemption from the FAA, allowing him to fly commercially. Raised on a crop farm in Linwood in Bay County, Hugo is using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and goFarm's technology to measure and identify plant disease, nutrient, and water pressure to create accurate insights farmers can use to improve their yields and lower their costs. Analysis of data captured from the aerial imagery also factors into precision agriculture practices which benefit the environment, such as applying inputs only where needed and, in turn, reducing the use of fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals.