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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #301005
Title: Using UAVs to enhance the quality of precision agriculture

Author
item GADLER, D - Collaborator
item Hunt Jr, Earle
item HORNECK, D - Oregon State University
item SPINELLI, C - Collaborator
item BRUNGARDT, J - Collaborator

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/18/2013
Publication Date: 10/9/2013
Citation: Gadler, D., Hunt Jr, E.R., Horneck, D., Spinelli, C., Brungardt, J. 2013. Using UAVs to enhance the quality of precision agriculture [abstract]. AUVSI Cascade Chapter Fall 2013 NW Robotics & Unmanned Systems Technology Forum Highlights. Available: http://www.auvsi.org/Cascade/meetings/.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Recent studies by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have indicated potential for significant improvement in the quality and application of Precision Agriculture products through the use of very high resolution imagery. An assessment of potential platforms to collect such imagery at an affordable price indicated that small Class I UAVs flying at very low altitude may provide a solution. A joint experiment was conducted under the auspices of Oregon State University’s (OSU) Hermiston Agriculture Research & Extension Center and USDA ARS to test the hypothesis. An integrated UAV system was designed by The Boeing Co. to include a Ground Control Station, Class I UAVs, imaging systems, and operational procedures. The system was turned over to OSU and operated by the PARADIGM isr inc. over potato fields in Oregon throughout the 2013 summer growing season. This briefing provides an overview of that experiment.