Eye in the Sky: Ranch Drones скачать в хорошем качестве

Eye in the Sky: Ranch Drones

What can a drone actually do on a working ranch, and is it worth the cost? In this episode, host Haylie Shipp sits down with rancher Kari Koss, The Nature Conservancy’s Jason Hanlon, and Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Mapping Specialist Maida Knapton to talk about the real world uses of drones in agriculture. From checking water and locating cattle to mapping prairie dog towns and monitoring vegetation, this conversation focuses on practical applications for producers in large, remote landscapes like Northeast Montana. The group shares honest experiences about learning curves, price points, wind limitations, regulations, and how drones can shift from being seen as a toy to becoming a valuable management tool. Whether you are curious about saving time in the saddle, reducing miles on equipment, or gaining a new perspective on your operation, this episode offers a grounded look at how drones are being used on working ranches today. Guests Kari Koss is a South Phillips County rancher who uses drones to check water sources, monitor irrigation, and improve efficiency during busy seasons. Jason Hanlon is the Northern Great Plains Land Steward with The Nature Conservancy, with extensive experience flying drones for conservation, mapping, and rangeland data collection. Maida Knapton is the Mapping and GIS Specialist with Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, using drones for conservation planning, vegetation monitoring, and landscape modeling. Topics covered in this episode Using drones to check water, cattle, and remote pastures Drone costs and what you get at different price points Wind, battery life, and real world limitations in ranch country FAA rules, airspace, and line of sight requirements Drone use in conservation and mapping Autonomous flight paths for repeat monitoring Opportunity cost and time savings on a working ranch Real ranch applications discussed Checking water sources in hard to access areas Locating cattle before a gather Counting hay bales from above Monitoring infrastructure and flood irrigation Year to year photo monitoring of rangeland Mapping vegetation health Key considerations for producers Most consumer drones have built in safety features and are easier to fly than many people expect. Wind and battery life are often the biggest limiting factors on the Northern Plains. Entry level drones can cost a few hundred dollars while advanced mapping drones can cost several thousand. Current FAA regulations require pilots to keep drones within visual line of sight and under 400 feet above ground level. Airspace restrictions may apply near airports, military activity, or certain federal lands. Resources mentioned FAA B4UFLY app for checking airspace restrictions: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_start... Blue UAS Cleared List and transition information: https://www.diu.mil/latest/dius-blue-... Ranchers Stewardship Alliance YouTube channel webinar on drone seeding with Steve Kenyon:    • Ranch Tech: GPS Tags & Drone Seeding   This episode is especially helpful for producers, land managers, and conservation partners who are exploring practical technology that can save time, reduce labor, and provide better insight into large grazing operations. Want to support the work of RSA? Visit www.RanchStewards.org/support. #DronesInAgriculture #Ranching #AgTech #FarmDrones #RanchLife #CattleRanching #PrecisionAgriculture #RanchTechnology #Agriculture #AgInnovation #RangeManagement #Rangeland #LivestockManagement #DroneMapping #Conservation #WesternAg #MontanaRanching #WorkingRanch #AgPodcast