• Login/Join
    • Login
    • Join Agri-TechE
Menu
  • Login/Join
    • Login
    • Join Agri-TechE
  • Home
  • About
    • About Agri-TechE
    • Stakeholder Group
    • Introductions to the agri-tech cluster
    • International
    • Agri-Tech Briefings
      • Controlled Environment Agriculture
      • Gene editing consultation – what does it mean for agri-tech?
      • Controlling light in farming
      • What is ELMs? Agri-Tech to support Environmental Land Management
    • Agri-TechE Newsletters
      • Sign up to the newsletter
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Agri-TechE activities, conferences and missions for 2022
    • REAP Conference 2022
    • Agri-Tech Week
    • Our Publications
  • Articles
    • Agri-tech News
    • Member News
    • Monthly Musings
    • Innovator Spotlight
    • Leaders in the Field
    • Agri-Tech Archives
  • Community
    • Research Digest
    • Opportunity Zone
    • Young Innovators’ Forum
    • Funding Latest
  • Members
    • Directory
    • Become an Agri-TechE Member
    • Member Testimonials
    • Increasing your profile
    • Agri-TechE Member Drop-In
  • Contact Us
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About Agri-TechE
    • Stakeholder Group
    • Introductions to the agri-tech cluster
    • International
    • Agri-Tech Briefings
      • Controlled Environment Agriculture
      • Gene editing consultation – what does it mean for agri-tech?
      • Controlling light in farming
      • What is ELMs? Agri-Tech to support Environmental Land Management
    • Agri-TechE Newsletters
      • Sign up to the newsletter
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Agri-TechE activities, conferences and missions for 2022
    • REAP Conference 2022
    • Agri-Tech Week
    • Our Publications
  • Articles
    • Agri-tech News
    • Member News
    • Monthly Musings
    • Innovator Spotlight
    • Leaders in the Field
    • Agri-Tech Archives
  • Community
    • Research Digest
    • Opportunity Zone
    • Young Innovators’ Forum
    • Funding Latest
  • Members
    • Directory
    • Become an Agri-TechE Member
    • Member Testimonials
    • Increasing your profile
    • Agri-TechE Member Drop-In
  • Contact Us

Search

More results…

Generic filters
Exact matches only

  • Agri-Tech Week
  • Agri-Tech Week, Agri-Tech Week 2017, Innovator Spotlight, Sustainable intensification
  • CropAngel, drones, Innovator Spotlight, spray application, UAV

Nanotechnology to boost drone capabilities and increase spray coverage

  • September 30, 2016
  • 6:40 pm

A new aerial applicator for agrochemicals will extend the flight times for unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), allowing them to cover a greater crop area more cost-effectively and with greater precision.

CropAngel webNorfolk-based Crop Angel is at the forefront of UAV sprayer technology; it is now developing a new applicator with agrochemical manufacturer Agform to increase the capacity of its UAV fleet. Matthew Kealey, agronomist and director of Agform, owns Crop Angel alongside progressive farmer, Chris Eglington.

Limited flying time of UAVs poses a challenge for the industry; Kealey believes that they have the answer.

He explains: “At Agform we are using nanotechnology to develop new agrochemical formulations, improving the performance of active ingredients to strengthen potency of the spray. This would allow a greater area to be treated with the same volume of liquid.

“Crop Angel’s drones can currently fly for about 10 to 15 minutes, but with this new applicator we could increase capacity and lengthen flight time.”

The UAVs, equipped with a tank and nozzles, link to an iPad or tablet and use GPS navigation. Aerial mapping data of disease hotspots or weed infestations is integrated with the UAV control software, enabling the programming of a pre-planned course to target specific areas of a field.

“To use an example, drones are advantageous for fruit crops,” states Kealey. “When you apply liquids via tramlines, it often causes damage to the crop, and the use of ‘mist blowers’ in orchards is both expensive and time consuming. We can spray with precision, having less operator exposure and maintaining soil quality.”

Crop AngelCost-effective precision spraying

Kealey believes that farmers are embracing the technology; Crop Angel recently met with a large potato grower in Angus, who is excited by the benefits of the UAV sprayers.

The company are in a position to offer spraying drones for direct sale, but are waiting for final Civil Aviation Authority approval to allow drones to spray.

It is not only farmers who are attracted to the technology – there are benefits for estates and amenity areas such as golf courses. UAVs can navigate difficult terrain or avoid surface damage from tractors.

Invasive weeds on difficult ground

Kealey says: “Crop Angel recently received authorization to fly for a ‘bracken control’ project; bracken is an invasive weed, known to be a carcinogen and host to ticks. We will be working on estates in Scotland, using the UAVs sprayers to maintain heather and grouse moors.”

Crop Angel is well-positioned for the future, working across various sectors and remaining at the forefront as technology evolves. The development team is currently working on a number of innovative features, including improved spray delivery systems, powder applicators and pelleted small seed applicators, to economically benefit clients.

Share

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Related Posts
  • Sunny outlook for Prodata Weather Systems
  • CropQuant grows with crop to provide robot eye on performance
  • Farming on the edge: is saline farming an option?
  • Realising our Potential
  • Football will be first mover on UAV spraying says Crop Angel
Archives

Agri-TechE on Twitter

Tweets by AgriTechE 

MORE INFORMATION

  • News archive
  • Privacy
  • Events
  • Newsletter sign-up
  • View latest newsletter
Menu
  • News archive
  • Privacy
  • Events
  • Newsletter sign-up
  • View latest newsletter
Twitter Facebook Youtube Linkedin Instagram

© Agri-TechE 2022

Site design by Out of House