Drones play a crucial role in supporting the growth of U.S. agriculture, a critical sector contributing significantly to the national economy. DJI is empowering American farmers to increase efficiency, conserve resources, and boost crop yields, contributing $515 million to U.S. agriculture in 2023 alone. With DJI drones accounting for nearly 80% of all agricultural drones in use across the U.S., this technology is strengthening the industry by conserving water, reducing chemical usage, and lowering carbon emissions. Here’s one story of how drones unlock immense value for farmers in the U.S.
Russell Hedrick is a first-generation farmer from Hickory, North Carolina. By integrating drones into his operations, Russell has achieved significant cost savings and record-breaking yields. In this episode of “On The Road”, Russell shares his success story with DJI’s Wayne Baker, discussing how drone technology has transformed his farm and the potential impact of drone legislation on the agricultural and rural economy in the U.S.
Key takeaways from the interview:
- On maximizing farm profitability with drones: Russell’s focus on optimizing his farm’s operations led him to integrate drones into his farming practices. Drone technology has enabled more precise and efficient crop spraying across his farm, resulting in higher yields, lower costs, and improved profitability.
- On achieving improved yields with drones: By utilizing drones alongside other advanced farming techniques, Russell has consistently achieved yields far exceeding county averages, even achieving a state record in 2021 for soybean yield and a world record in 2022 for dryland corn at an impressive 459 bushels per acre, compared to the county average of 100-125 bushels.
- On the impact of drone restrictions on agriculture and rural economies: Despite misconceptions surrounding drone security, Russell shares that he has never experienced any safety issues using DJI drones, emphasizing that their geofencing feature helps farmers stay within safe operational limits. Beyond the farm, drones have a significant positive impact on rural economies, and restrictions on the types or brands of drones people can purchase could limit access to this cost-effective technology that has become essential for optimizing agricultural production and supporting sustainable farming practices.
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A Note from DJI DJI drones remain the product of choice for U.S. farmers due to their unmatched reliability, innovation, and safety. Efforts to restrict their access to DJI’s leading agricultural drone solutions, based on baseless allegations, will only harm the industry and the communities it supports. Ensuring that American farmers continue to have access to the best available tools is crucial not only for their success but also for the broader agricultural economy. To strengthen the U.S. agricultural sector and support farmers nationwide, we advocate for policymakers to engage directly with farmers to see firsthand how they use drone technologies to optimize their operations and increase yields, and we call for:
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For more, watch the full video above or view our series: Get The Facts.
