Missouri Farmer Takes to the Skies: Drones Revolutionize Cattle Management

A family farmer in Grovespring, Missouri, has embraced drone technology to transform his cattle management practices, according to a recent report by KY3. Clyde Majerus, who oversees nearly 60 acres of land, has found an innovative way to monitor his herd from above, significantly reducing time and costs associated with traditional methods.

Update: the farmer needs a Part 107 certificate or FAA drone license to operate his drone like this. See below for details.

From Novice to Drone Pilot

Majerus, who didn’t grow up in the cattle industry, stumbled upon the idea while reading a cattle magazine.

“I was reading in cattle magazine about people using drones to check cows,” he said.

This spark of inspiration led him to experiment with drone technology on his farm.

Efficiency in the Air

The drone’s capabilities have impressed Majerus.

“The drone has a pretty wide range. It’s about six miles, okay, and you don’t have to have a license to fly it, and it goes up about 400 feet maximum,” he explained.

This range allows him to cover his entire property quickly and efficiently.

The drone Majerus uses is not a fully equipped DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise or some other large commercial drone. No, he uses a small, very inexpensive DJI Mini 2SE, that weighs less than 249 grams.

The time savings are substantial. What used to take an hour to check cattle on foot or by truck now takes less than half that time.

Majerus noted, “It’s probably a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half clear out to the far north fields, and I can be there in about three minutes on the drone.”

Counting Dollars and Cows

The financial benefits are also clear. Majerus estimates he’s saving around $500 in fuel costs alone. “The truck I use only gets seven miles a gallon while I’m driving out in the fields,” he said, highlighting the drone’s cost-effectiveness.

But the drone’s utility goes beyond simple observation. Majerus uses it for precise herd management:

“I can count how many cows are there, and if I’ve had a heifer that is about to have a calf, I really want to watch that one because that’s her first calf. So I’ll fly out and check her where she is.”

A New Dawn for Farming

Majerus believes this technology could be a game-changer for many in the agricultural sector. His success story demonstrates how drones can significantly improve efficiency and reduce costs in cattle management.

DroneXL’s Take

This innovative use of drones in agriculture aligns perfectly with the growing trend of drone inspections across various industries. As we’ve seen in recent articles on DroneXL, drones are increasingly being used for everything from infrastructure inspections to wildlife monitoring.

Majerus’s application of drone technology in cattle management is a prime example of how these versatile tools can revolutionize traditional practices, improving efficiency and reducing costs. It’s exciting to see farmers embracing this technology, and we can expect to see more agricultural applications for drones in the near future.

The Farmer Needs a Part 107

The farmer in this story needs an FAA Part 107 certificate for his drone use because he is clearly using the drone for commercial purposes in his cattle management operations. Here’s why:

Commercial Use of Drones

The FAA requires any business using drones for commercial purposes to obtain a Part 107 license[3]. In this case, the farmer is using the drone as part of his farming business, which qualifies as commercial use.

Specific Commercial Applications

This news story describes several ways the farmer uses his drone commercially:

1. Checking cattle: He uses the drone to monitor his herd, which is directly related to his business operations.
2. Counting and locating lost cattle: Using the drone to find missing animals helps protect his business assets.

Part 107 Requirements

To legally operate a drone for these commercial purposes, the farmer must:

1. Obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate by passing the FAA’s aeronautical knowledge test.
2. Register his drone with the FAA. Eventhought the DJI Mini 2SE weighs less than 250 grams, the moment you use the drone for commercial purposes, regardless of its weight, you need to register it with the FAA.
3. Follow all Part 107 regulations, including maintaining visual line of sight and flying below 400 feet. It is highly questionable that an anybody would be able to maintain visual line of sight at 1.5 miles with a DJI Mini 2 SE. Furthermore based on the images it seems that this farmer operates his drone in a highly environment.

By obtaining the Part 107 certificate, Majerus demonstrates his understanding of drone regulations and safety protocols, ensuring he can legally and safely incorporate drone technology into his cattle management practices.

What do you think about using drones for cattle management? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Photos courtesy of KY3.