UAVs or Drones have become an amazingly useful tool for growers, but there are multiple applications that will justify the cost to purchase and obtain the training needed to fly legally and safely.
Although aerial crop scouting is often mentioned as having the best return on money spent, there are many other uses. In terms of investing in farm equipment, UAVs or drones might be the best farm equipment investment ever.
Livestock Monitoring – Keep an accurate count showing where they are, monitor movement, and find missing livestock even in hard to access areas.
Security Surveillance – Fly anywhere on your farm, just need to keep your UAV or drone in sight
Checking Roofs of Farm Buildings, House, etc. Easier than climbing unto the roof yourself.
Insurance claims – You can probably provide aerial documentation to the insurance company even before the adjustor arrives.
There are even innovative uses. One grower was concerned that because that was no wind, or even a breeze, and pollen would not be spread. Flying his drone just above the plants provided some artificial wind, and increased pollination efficiency.