Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition: UGA researchers are taking things a step higher with UAVs

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The first stop of the 27th annual Georgia Peanut Tour was the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition in Moultrie, Ga. Many of you may be familiar with the annual expo that takes place at Sunbelt each October. This facility is not only the home to one of the largest farm shows in the country, it is also home to a 600 acre research farm. At Sunbelt, Dr. John Beasley and Dr. Glenn Harris with the University of Georgia, demonstrated their research related to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) supported by the Georgia Peanut Commission, Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Centers of Innovation for Aerospace and Agribusiness, as well as the Sunbelt Ag Expo, University of Georgia Tifton Campus and Middle Georgia State College. Their project’s primary focus is on detecting pests, irrigation needs, diseases and nutrition issues in peanuts earlier in the production process.This early detection becomes a huge benefit to crops as it can help prolong the life of crops, better-manage pesticide applications, as well as maximize yields and profits. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems expects the unmanned aircraft systems industry to grow by leaps in bounds in the upcoming years, and believes agriculture is the largest potential sector for UAVs to be used. Check out this video demonstration of the UAV in action.

2013 Peanut Tour Photo Album