A north-central Iowa company is the first in the Midwest and one of only three nationwide to be granted a federal exemption to use drones for precision agriculture projects. Charles City-based Viafield will fly mapping drones, also known as U-A-Vs or unmanned aerial vehicles. Viafield spokesman Chris Menke says the drones can make photographic measurements of fields, determine the health of crops and look for pests during the growing season.
Menke says the use of a drone can help a farmer make quicker decisions on what needs to be done in the field.
Menke says other companies may tout they can use drones to scout fields but he says Viafield is the first in the Midwest that’s authorized.
