Advantages of Drone Applications in Rangeland and Pastures
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You might think being a cinematographer for a reality television show and treating crops in the rugged terrain around Flathead Lake, Montana, don’t have much in common. But for Tyson Dupuis, one career flowed seamlessly into the other. Dupuis, owner of Precision Aerial Applicators (PAA) developed skills as a drone cinematographer on shows like “Deadliest Catch” and “Bering Sea Gold.” Twelve years ago, he saw his first agricultural drone. “It only held 2.5 gallons, and there was no precision application technology yet, but I knew this would be my next calling,” he said.
Dupuis grew up on a small farm in the area, working with his grandfather and learning how to treat the family’s cherry orchards, alfalfa and grazing lands through boom or jet spray. While working in TV was exciting and rewarding, Dupuis didn’t want to do it forever. He eventually wanted to get into the business of helping farmers and ranchers. Drone application brought together his on-set experience and lifelong passion for farming. Dupuis started PAA in 2023 and business has grown quickly. Initial success came in treating potato fields — a good use case for drone treatment.
“Potatoes are a huge crop in Montana, but they’re under threat from PVY [potato virus Y],” Dupuis explained. “Farmers have trouble keeping it at bay. It’s a virus transferred by aphids feeding on plants.”
Since aphids are often found on the undersides of leaves, typical over-the-top spraying doesn’t always provide optimal control. Drone spraying offered unique advantages. “We found that with the rotor wash of the drone, there’s this turbulence that allows the treatment to churn up under the leaves where aphids live,” Dupuis said.
Word got around about this success. Before long, PAA had lots of potato-grower customers, but also began to get interest from ranchers about treating their pastures and grazing lands. “There are lots of hills and mountains near Flathead Lake,” Dupuis said. “Crop dusters and helicopters can’t get these areas. But it turns out, cows can.”
The area’s cattle industry is experiencing a recent resurgence, so there’s a need to return many locations back to suitable grazing lands. “With a drone, we can get rid of the broadleaves, but there may also be grass that’s been lost.” After treatment, PAA can redeploy drones, this time carrying hoppers to drop grass seed even in very remote places. “I don’t have enough drones to handle all the problems out here in our valley,” Dupuis said, “But over time we’re regenerating those fields as well.”
A view of one of PAA’s drones, treating rush skeletonweed.
PAA has also gained some land management customers. Some of the terrain around Flathead Lake is so remote, an applicator drone doesn’t have the battery power to fly the full distance on its own. In these cases, PAA deploys a Flycart 30 drone, which carries the applicator drone to the area, and then drops it off to do its work. This provides tremendous flexibility for treating tough-to-reach areas. The day before we spoke for this article, Dupuis had been out with the Lake County Weed District looking at an area challenged by rush skeletonweed. “Some of the land is pitchy, so they can’t get to it with a helicopter. When we sprayed for rush skeletonweed last year, they went back and saw an almost zero comeback with the drone. When they sprayed with backpacks, they’d usually have to go back every year,” Dupuis said.
Programmed for precision and efficiency
One of the biggest advantages of drone application is the precision. “We have centimeter-grade accuracy,” Dupuis said. Because the drone is guided by GPS, “It doesn’t miss and there’s no overlap.”
Scouting drones can also be used to fine-tune application rates. These drones scan an area, and data is fed into a computer, showing where weeds are less dense. Dupuis can then plug in a variable spray rate, so less product is used in areas where weed density is lower. “I can adjust the prescription I’m writing, and then the spray drone will go out and do what it’s been programmed to do.”
With the ability to adjust rates, reduce overlap and apply with precision, Dupuis said customers often find they’re using less chemistry and they feel confident in the application. They tell Dupuis, “I know you’re not overspraying into my wife’s garden.”
Another area of efficiency for drones versus boom spraying is equipment set up. Dupuis explained, “A drone doesn’t use traditional nozzles. The liquid comes out of a spinning disc,” which has more of an atomizer effect. “Droplet size is done at the controller level, so there’s no swapping of nozzles. It’s almost like a jet sprayer and really coats the weeds and leaves. You also don’t really have any gumming up.”
Since application automatically adjusts with speed, it’s also easier to ensure even dispersal of treatment with a drone. “In a traditional boom spray, you might end up dumping stuff heavier in one place versus another, and you might need to come back and do another pass,” Dupuis said. And unlike with boom sprayers, there’s no soil compaction or risk of running over crops when using a drone. PAA will soon complete some comparative testing of drone versus helicopter spraying of bitterroot, to quantify some of these efficiencies.
This video shows the drone application process, including how the drone rotors create turbulence that can help get product to the undersides of leaves. (Video courtesy of Tyson Dupuis/PAA.)
What to know if you’re considering drone application
We asked Dupuis for his thoughts on what someone should know if they’re considering either investing in a drone system to treat their own land or hiring a service for drone applications. Here were his pointers.
Licensure is a must
Anyone can buy a drone, but that doesn’t mean they are allowed to fly it — or apply products with it. To dispense agricultural products, drone operators must first complete remote pilot certification with the FAA and register their drone. (Drones are assigned “N” numbers from the FAA, just like any other aircraft.) They must then complete additional certification governing dispensing of agricultural products — the same kind of certification a traditional crop duster must complete. Finally, the operator will need to have a state applicator license. Dupuis said the FAA training is comprehensive. “If an operator has all the correct licensing, you can feel confident they have the skills to fly the drone.” And don’t be shy about asking to see those licenses. Dupuis keeps his licenses on his phone, ready to present if anyone asks.
Technology changes quickly
Dupuis said drone technology turns over pretty quickly — new versions are always coming out with larger tanks, better batteries and other features. The newest model Dupuis is looking forward to will carry 16 gallons. Like buying a smartphone, if you’re investing in drone technology, be prepared to make regular upgrades.
Look for the same level of service you’d expect from other applicators
If you’re hiring a drone application service, ask the same kinds of questions you would of a traditional boom operator. Make sure the applicator carries insurance for drift or overspray. Even though drones are highly accurate, with any kind of spray there’s always some risk of off-target movement. Dupuis also said to look for someone who really wants to understand your land and your goals. “Ask them what their spray plan is. Make sure they’re taking the time to walk the land, see what’s growing and listen to your needs.”
Ensure applicators are following product labels
As with boom spray, drone applications must follow all label and use recommendations for products, including guidance on use rates, tank mixing and application conditions, such as temperature, weather and wind. Not all crop protection products are suitable for drone application. Corteva Agriscience and other crop protection companies are working to develop specific guidance around drone application for products so that farmers and applicators can operate with increased confidence.
A new way to care for crops and landscapes
Dupuis is excited by the promise of what drones can do for this area to which he is deeply connected. “I’ve been hearing that here in the Flathead Valley, the amount of good topsoil we have isn’t as deep as we might think. Ranchers will admit ‘We’ve oversprayed,’ maybe due to machine calibration, maybe because of older chemistry or other factors,” he said. “But I’d say over the last 70 years, we’ve come a long way and learned so much. We’re smarter about the impact of chemicals and, in rangelands, we’re making wiser choices. One of the wiser choices is technology, and drones are part of that.
Environmentally, there’s less of a carbon footprint, you have less compaction and it’s super accurate with no overlap, so consumption of product is lower. This is very dear to me. I want to bring awareness of this technology to the Flathead Valley.”
Tyson Dupuis is happy to provide counsel on getting started with a drone system of your own or working with a qualified applicator. He can be reached at info@paamt.com.
All photos courtesy of Tyson Dupuis/PAA.
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