Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones

2012-02-20 Thread Vincent Philion
Hello Dave! Good one! 

Now, if the use of sprinklers for pesticide application is a "Pipe Dream", is 
this one like "building castles in the air" ?

;-)

Vincent

On 2012-02-20, at 14:58, Dave Rosenberger wrote:

>   This list-serve has been rather inactive, so here's a 
> futuristic issue to pique your imagination:
>   Over the weekend, I happened to read an interesting article 
> in NY Times concerning the fact that the US Federal Aviation 
> Authority has recently begun regulatory changes that will allow 
> commercial use of drone aircraft in non-military applications.


Vincent Philion, agr., M.Sc.
Phytopathologiste
Laboratoire de production fruitière intégrée
Institut de recherche et de développement en agro-environnement

335, Rang des vingt-cinq Est
Case postale 24
Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville (Québec)  J3V 4P8
Tél. bureau: 450 653-7368 poste 224
Tél. laboratoire: 450 653-7368 poste 229
Cellulaire: 514-623-8275
Skype: VENTURIA
Télécopie: 450 653-1927 

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Téléphone et télécopieur : 450 653-8375
Courriel: vincent.phil...@irda.qc.ca
Site Internet:www.irda.qc.ca

Pour nous trouver:
Laboratoire:
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Verger:
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Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones

2012-02-20 Thread Fleming, William
Drone helicopters sure would come in handy for cherry growers out west who use 
them to dry fruit to prevent rain cracking.
Often there aren't enough copters to go around for what must be a boring job 
for pilots.

Bill Fleming
Montana State University
Western Ag Research Center
580 Quast Ln
Corvallis, Montana
406-961-3025
Cell- 406-529-2409



-Original Message-
From: apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net 
[mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Vincent Philion
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2012 1:36 PM
To: Apple-crop discussion list
Subject: Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones



Hello Dave! Good one!



Now, if the use of sprinklers for pesticide application is a "Pipe Dream", is 
this one like "building castles in the air" ?

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Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones

2012-02-20 Thread Jim Bittner
I often thought that a drone flying low over sweet cherries would help chase
the birds away. 

Jim Bittner
Singer Farms
6620 Lake Rd
Appleton, NY 14008
716 778 7330


-Original Message-
From: apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net
[mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Dave Rosenberger
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2012 2:59 PM
To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net
Subject: [apple-crop] agricultural drones

This list-serve has been rather inactive, so here's a futuristic
issue to pique your imagination:
Over the weekend, I happened to read an interesting article in NY
Times concerning the fact that the US Federal Aviation Authority has
recently begun regulatory changes that will allow commercial use of drone
aircraft in non-military applications.  The article is available at
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/technology/drones-with-an-eye-on-the-publi
c-cleared-to-fly.html?emc=eta1,
but you may need a subscription to view it.
The gist of the article is that drone manufacturers are looking for
new business options as  US military orders are or will be (hopefully?)
slowing with the troop draw-down in Afghanistan.  The article mentions "crop
dusting" as one potential civilian use for drones.  That mention triggered a
number of questions.
Is anyone aware of companies that are actively testing drones for
pesticide applications?  Given the tremendous losses that occur when weather
conditions prevent conventional sprayers from getting through apple orchards
in eastern United States, helicopter drones might prove both useful and
cost-effective for rapid-response pesticide applications.  With modern GPS
capabilities, drones could presumably be programmed to accurately fly over
tree rows, adjust for wind-associated drift problems, and return to a
predetermined parking area for refilling a spray tank.  Even if lift
capabilities meant that the drone could only spray one acre per tank,
application speed might still allow it to cover acreage much faster than
conventional sprayers.  Spending a million dollars for a drone might sound
far-fetched, but various accounts suggest that PA apple farmers lost far
more than a million dollars last year when 50 days of rain during the
primary scab period created difficulties in maintaining fungicide coverage.
One drone operator in that area might have been able to save a lot of acres
from scab.
Other interesting questions:
1.  How much weight could a million-dollar drone carry?
2.  Can they operate in adverse conditions (i.e., during rain, with shifting
wind currents a low altitudes)?
2.  Are helicopter drones quieter than conventional helicopters, or at least
no nosier than conventional airblast sprayers?  If not, then noise becomes
an issue for many fruit farms located near residential areas.  (For many
orchards in the east, fixed-wing drones would be undesirable because
home-owners adjacent to orchards don't appreciate being buzzed by low-flying
aircraft, and they would go absolutely nuts if they learned that pilotless
drones were carrying pesticides over their properties!) 3.  What kind of
additional regulations might be imposed/required for a pesticide-laden drone
vis-a-vis safety of neighboring properties, etc?
4.  Should agrichemical companies be looking for new chemistries and/or
formulations that might work better for aerial applications than most of the
current products that must be absorbed or adsorbed into the cuticle to be
rainfast.  The older fungicides that were often applied via aircraft in
northeastern United States (back before air applications were mostly
discontinued) were contact fungicides that could be readily redistributed by
rainfall.  Thus perfect coverage of the all foliage was not essential
because final coverage was enhanced by the same rains that brought on scab
infection periods.  I'm not certain how well any of the fungicide products
developed since 1985 would actually work when applied via aircraft when
trees already have enough open leaves to limit coverage that occurs via
aerial application (e.g., during bloom).  Coverage with fixed wing and
conventional aircraft was enhanced by the turbulence generated from the
wings or the rotors, but a small drone might generate less turbulence and
redistribution might therefore become more important.

I don't expect to see crop-duster drones in NY orchards in the near future,
but they may well become practical within the next decade. 
Sounds like an interesting business for an agricultural techie who always
wanted to fly planes but is afraid of heights.
--
**
Dave Rosenberger
Professor of Plant PathologyOffice:  845-691-7231
Cornell University's Hudson Valley Lab  Fax:845-691-2719
P.O. Box 727, Highland, NY 12528Cell: 845-594-3060
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/faculty/rosenberger/

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Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones

2012-02-24 Thread Dave Rosenberger
Actually, I just found this video which is much better: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d6nQCgGTHw&feature=related


Peter Jentsch, entomologist at the Hudson Valley Lab, sent me some 
web info on Yamaha drones used for spraying rice in Japan  (see 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1BeKsZSho&feature=related and 
http://www.barnardmicrosystems.com/L4E_rmax.htm).  Another website 
indicated that these drones were already being used to spray 600,000 
hectares of rice in Japan in 2005 (the last year included on that 
graph).




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--
** 
Dave Rosenberger

Professor of Plant PathologyOffice:  845-691-7231
Cornell University's Hudson Valley Lab  Fax:845-691-2719
P.O. Box 727, Highland, NY 12528Cell: 845-594-3060
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/faculty/rosenberger/

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Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones

2012-02-24 Thread Daniel Cooley
That guy's good! I'm thinking drift is not a big issue.


On Feb 24, 2012, at 12:25 PM, Dave Rosenberger wrote:

> Actually, I just found this video which is much better: 
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d6nQCgGTHw&feature=related
> 
>> Peter Jentsch, entomologist at the Hudson Valley Lab, sent me some web info 
>> on Yamaha drones used for spraying rice in Japan  (see 
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1BeKsZSho&feature=related and 
>> http://www.barnardmicrosystems.com/L4E_rmax.htm).  Another website indicated 
>> that these drones were already being used to spray 600,000 hectares of rice 
>> in Japan in 2005 (the last year included on that graph).
>> 
>> 
> apple-crop mailing list
> apple-crop@virtualorchard.net
> http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
> -- 
> ** Dave 
> Rosenberger
> Professor of Plant Pathology  Office:  845-691-7231
> Cornell University's Hudson Valley LabFax:845-691-2719
> P.O. Box 727, Highland, NY 12528  Cell: 845-594-3060
>   http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/faculty/rosenberger/
> 
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Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones

2012-02-26 Thread Gary Mount
 Well, that settles it.  I definitely want to be the first kid on my 
block to get one.  Then again, what color will it be painted?  Gary Mount


Gary Mount
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Rd
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-924-2310
609-924-8569 fx
609-462-9672 cell


On 2/24/2012 12:25 PM, Dave Rosenberger wrote:
Actually, I just found this video which is much better: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d6nQCgGTHw&feature=related


Peter Jentsch, entomologist at the Hudson Valley Lab, sent me some 
web info on Yamaha drones used for spraying rice in Japan  (see 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1BeKsZSho&feature=related and 
http://www.barnardmicrosystems.com/L4E_rmax.htm).  Another website 
indicated that these drones were already being used to spray 600,000 
hectares of rice in Japan in 2005 (the last year included on that 
graph).




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Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones

2012-02-26 Thread Thomas Green
I like this color scheme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWHfX6ByzIY Perhaps
that one might even scare deer or other trespassers away.

There are also videos of these drones carrying cameras. Could you program in
search images of egg-laying plum curculios, apple maggot flies and codling
moths  and do some "spot spraying"?  You could add a speaker and supervise
u-pickers remotely.

One can imagine treating just the tops of trees for codling moth, retreating
pesticide-coated red spheres for apple maggot, perimeter row trees for plum
curculio.  My neighbors might provide the labor for free - two of them spend
hours flying their remote-controlled planes in the back yards on our street.




Thomas A. Green, Ph.D., CCA, TSP
President
IPM Institute of North America Inc.
4510 Regent St.
Madison WI 53705
608 232-1410
Fax 608 232-1440
ipmwo...@ipminstitute.org
www.ipminstitute.org
www.greenshieldcertified.org


-Original Message-
From: apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net
[mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Gary Mount
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 7:34 AM
To: Apple-crop discussion list
Subject: Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones

  Well, that settles it.  I definitely want to be the first kid on my block
to get one.  Then again, what color will it be painted?  Gary Mount

Gary Mount
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Rd
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-924-2310
609-924-8569 fx
609-462-9672 cell


On 2/24/2012 12:25 PM, Dave Rosenberger wrote:
> Actually, I just found this video which is much better: 
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d6nQCgGTHw&feature=related
>
>> Peter Jentsch, entomologist at the Hudson Valley Lab, sent me some 
>> web info on Yamaha drones used for spraying rice in Japan  (see 
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1BeKsZSho&feature=related and 
>> http://www.barnardmicrosystems.com/L4E_rmax.htm).  Another website 
>> indicated that these drones were already being used to spray 600,000 
>> hectares of rice in Japan in 2005 (the last year included on that 
>> graph).
>>
>> 
> apple-crop mailing list
> apple-crop@virtualorchard.net
> http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
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Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones

2012-02-26 Thread Evan B. Milburn
 
 To bad Gary. My bankers  have already  given approval for my $1,000,000 loan.
The company I ordered it from promised me that mine will be the only purple 
one in the country! 
Instructions are included!
 
  Evan B Milburn
  www.milburnorchards.com
 
 
 
 


--- On Sun, 2/26/12, Gary Mount  wrote:


From: Gary Mount 
Subject: Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones
To: "Apple-crop discussion list" 
Date: Sunday, February 26, 2012, 8:34 AM


Well, that settles it.  I definitely want to be the first kid on my block to 
get one.  Then again, what color will it be painted?  Gary Mount

Gary Mount
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Rd
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-924-2310
609-924-8569 fx
609-462-9672 cell


On 2/24/2012 12:25 PM, Dave Rosenberger wrote:
> Actually, I just found this video which is much better: 
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d6nQCgGTHw&feature=related
> 
>> Peter Jentsch, entomologist at the Hudson Valley Lab, sent me some web info 
>> on Yamaha drones used for spraying rice in Japan  (see 
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1BeKsZSho&feature=related and 
>> http://www.barnardmicrosystems.com/L4E_rmax.htm).  Another website indicated 
>> that these drones were already being used to spray 600,000 hectares of rice 
>> in Japan in 2005 (the last year included on that graph).
>> 
>> 
> apple-crop mailing list
> apple-crop@virtualorchard.net
> http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
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Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones

2012-02-27 Thread John belisle BelleWood Acres
Evan,

 

Great to see your name.  As always I am impressed at you uncanny ability to
stay on the cutting edge of all things.   I DO WHISH YOU WOULD GIVE US FIVE
BULLET POINTS ON HOW TO CONTROL THE BANKER???  As it seems you have yours
well under control.  $1,000,000. For a glorified remote control airplane.
Well done EVAN 

 

John

BelleWood 

 

From: apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net
[mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Evan B. Milburn
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 11:38 AM
To: Apple-crop discussion list
Subject: Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones

 


 

 To bad Gary. My bankers  have already  given approval for my $1,000,000
loan.

The company I ordered it from promised me that mine will be the only purple
one in the country! 

Instructions are included!

 

  Evan B Milburn

  www.milburnorchards.com
<http://www.milburnorchards.com/> 

 

 

 

 



--- On Sun, 2/26/12, Gary Mount  wrote:


From: Gary Mount 
Subject: Re: [apple-crop] agricultural drones
To: "Apple-crop discussion list" 
Date: Sunday, February 26, 2012, 8:34 AM

Well, that settles it.  I definitely want to be the first kid on my block to
get one.  Then again, what color will it be painted?  Gary Mount

Gary Mount
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Rd
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-924-2310
609-924-8569 fx
609-462-9672 cell


On 2/24/2012 12:25 PM, Dave Rosenberger wrote:
> Actually, I just found this video which is much better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d6nQCgGTHw
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d6nQCgGTHw&feature=related>
&feature=related
> 
>> Peter Jentsch, entomologist at the Hudson Valley Lab, sent me some web
info on Yamaha drones used for spraying rice in Japan  (see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1BeKsZSho
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1BeKsZSho&feature=related>
&feature=related and http://www.barnardmicrosystems.com/L4E_rmax.htm).
Another website indicated that these drones were already being used to spray
600,000 hectares of rice in Japan in 2005 (the last year included on that
graph).
>> 
>> 
> apple-crop mailing list
> apple-crop@virtualorchard.net
<http://us.mc659.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=apple-crop@virtualorchard.net>

> http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
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