According to the University of Minnesota, the corn and soy bean industry made over $90 billion in 2016. This is a lucrative market and a good opportunity for many businesses. It is definitely tempting for drone manufacturers, retailers and service providers.  A company called Maverick Drone Systems located at Eagle Creek Parkway in Savage has entered this billion-dollar agricultural industry. The company currently sells drones and other services nationwide and their main customers are law enforcement, emergency services, commercial and noncommercial clients.

Maverick is the third company in the United States to market drones that help with farming. This was noted by Joe Elling, systems operator and flight coordinator at the company.  He explained that Maverick will now solve some of the problems farmers face nationwide by providing them with the tools needed to spray herbicide and pesticide on their crops by drones. This type of work is dangerous and by using drones, farmers will reduce the risk of accidents or handling of poisonous substances.

Maverick’s New Drone Technology

The new technology offered by Maverick received an FAA exemption certificate. They applied for the extension as far back as 1980, long before drones became widely adopted. The exemption gave the company the authorization needed to sell agricultural aircraft. Even though the rules by the FAA did not mention unmanned aircraft, at the time, they didn’t know that drones would be used for this purpose.

The company has since created the right technology for this endeavor. The drones will be more precise than humans when spraying. It will identify plants and insects, and detect problem areas.  Maverick plans to go to market in the next growing season of 2018. They will teach farmers how to use the drones or provide services to those who prefer to outsource. They plan to reach all corners of the United States, especially areas like Minnesota which have a large farming community. It is expected that the demand in Minnesota alone will be huge.

Drones have advanced so much in the last few years and are now used in real estate, law enforcement and in many other industries.  They are used in many ways to advance agriculture and Maverick’s new development is a welcome improvement in the industry.