Corn Farming with DJI Agriculture Drone Solutions Leave a comment

A complete solution guide for using DJI Agriculture drones when farming corn

In today’s rapidly evolving agricultural landscape, efficiency and sustainability are more critical than ever. Corn, a staple crop globally, plays a significant role in feeding populations and supporting economies. However, traditional farming methods often fall short in meeting modern demands. Enter DJI Agriculture drone solutions—a game-changer for corn farming.

Corn has been cultivated for over 9,000 years, originating in southern Mexico. Today, it’s one of the most productive crops worldwide, with major producers like the United States, China, and Brazil. In 2020 alone, global corn production reached 1.16 billion tonnes.

However, traditional corn farming methods present several challenges. In this article, we explore how drones can be used to boost corn farming efficiency and yields. 

Challenges Farmers Face with Traditional Methods

Corn farmers have traditionally relied on methods like tractors, crewed aircraft, or manual labor to manage their fields. While these methods have served well for decades, they have significant drawbacks.

When it comes to tractors, there are significant limitations and drawbacks to their use in spraying corn:

1. As the tractor sprays between rows, it may damage approximately 5.3% of the crops. This 5.3% damage is derived from the equation: (40 cm width per wheel * 2 wheels * 1,000 m field length = 800 square meters, divided by 15 m spray width * 1,000 m field length). This results in a yield loss of about €47.7-63.6 per hectare per season, depending on the 2023 sales price and yield in Romania (calculated as 5.3% of €150 per ton for 6-8 tons per hectare).
2. The operation has low efficiency, covering only 25-30 hectares per day over 10 hours using a Massey Ferguson 3650.
3. High labor requirements and costs are a concern: it takes €50 per day for a tractor driver and another €50 for a second driver who brings water for mixing chemicals. This is due to the small field sizes in Romania (1-30 hectares), which necessitates frequent transfers and water transportation. Initially, an additional €50 is needed for three more people to help measure the 15-meter spray width on a tractor without GNSS navigation. Overall, 2-5 people are required, leading to substantial costs.
4. Running a ground sprayer consumes significant fuel, costing €12.96 per hectare (€1.62 per liter for 200 liters of diesel across 25 hectares).
5. Ground sprayers also waste 400-500 liters of water per hectare after chemical mixing, a critical issue in water-scarce regions like Romania in 2024. The need for continual water transport further reduces spraying efficiency.
6. After rainfall, it’s necessary to wait at least 1-2 days before a tractor can enter the field to spray, which prevents it from getting stuck in mud but also hampers corn growth to some extent.
7. In the later stages of corn growth, it’s difficult or impossible for tractors to access the field, leading farmers to potentially abandon pest prevention or control measures, which can decrease corn yield.

These limitations highlight the need for more innovative and efficient farming techniques. This is where DJI Agriculture drone solutions come into play.

User Benefits of Drone Adoption

Adopting drone technology in agriculture offers numerous advantages that address the shortcomings of traditional methods. DJI drones offer exceptional precision and efficiency in spraying and spreading applications, ensuring even distribution of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, which reduces waste and increases effectiveness. By lowering the need for heavy machinery and extensive labor, drones cut operational costs. They also enhance crop health and yield through targeted applications that apply treatments precisely where needed, minimizing crop damage. Additionally, drones improve safety by eliminating risks to human operators and reduce environmental impact by minimizing chemical runoff and soil compaction.

Here are some benefits of drones in corn farming in detail:

Drone Application Opportunities in Corn Farming

Drones offer versatile application opportunities throughout the corn lifecycle. Here’s how they can be integrated at different stages:

•VT: Fungicide and insecticide spraying

•R5~R6: Cover crop seeding

•Before V0: Burndown and pre-emergence herbicide spraying

•V0-V5：Post-emergence herbicide spraying

Best Practices for Drone Spraying

To maximize the benefits of drone technology, it’s crucial to follow best practices tailored to your specific needs. Here’s a recommended setup:

Adhering to these parameters ensures optimal coverage and effectiveness, helping you achieve the best results possible for your corn crops.

Case Study

Time: August 1st, 2024

Location: Puieni, Giurgiu, Romania

The Riagro team, a well-known local spraying service, conducted a trial with support from FMC, the international chemical company, to test the effectiveness of Agras T50 in controlling the pest Helicoverpa armigera in corn crops.

Achieving a Control Efficacy of 88% Against Corn Pest

Trial Method: The team employed a standard formula used in the Romanian agriculture industry to quantify pest impact. This involves calculating the degree of pest attack by multiplying the percentage of affected plants by the attack intensity, then dividing by 100. The percentage of affected plants represents the number of plants impacted among those studied, and the attack intensity is graded from 0 to 6 based on the extent of plant damage. Ultimately, the average degree of pest attack is expressed through this calculation.

Conclusion

The integration of DJI Agriculture drone solutions in corn farming represents a significant leap towards modern, efficient, and sustainable agriculture. By addressing the limitations of traditional methods, drones offer enhanced precision, cost-effectiveness, improved crop health, and environmental benefits.

For farmers looking to optimize their operations and increase yields, adopting drone technology is a strategic move. Explore the full potential of DJI Agriculture drone solutions and take your corn farming to the next level.