Submitted by Jim Crawford, Field Specialist in Agricultural Engineering – University of Missouri Extension
Drones and their increasing use in production agriculture was the highlight of the 36th annual field day tours held on August 26 at the Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center located just north of Corning, Missouri. Perfect weather and good attendance made for a successful event.
“The use of drones for spraying crops, applying fertilizer, seeding cover crops and just general inspection of crop health has increased dramatically the last five years,” said Center Director Jim Crawford.“We had a tour especially dedicated to talk about these topics as well as the steps to be able to legally operate them.”
The drone tour included a stop with Caleb O’Neal, MU Extension Field Specialist in Crop Sciences, talking about all the steps required to become properly licensed and insured to operate drones legally in the state of Missouri. Dr. Gabir Sing, MU Extension State Specialist in Soil Science, demonstrated the latest technologies using a drone to seed cover crops and apply supplemental dry fertilizer to crops. The basics of spraying pesticides with a drone and some common mistakes made were covered by Jesse Yount, MU graduate student in Plant Sciences.
Other tours at the center focused on pest management and crop management issues local producers are currently facing. Dr. Kevin Bradley, MU State Extension Specialist in Plant Sciences, discussed weed issues for 2026 and beyond while the current and future crop diseases were covered by Mu State Extension Specialist in Crop Pathology.
Dr. Ben Brown, MU Extension State Specialist in Ag Business, gave some insight in economic considerations heading into harvest that all farmers should think about. The unusual summer weather pattern and the future forecast for northwest Missouri was the topic of conversation for Dr. Zach Leasor, MU Extension State Climatologist.
Preserving our water quality for all Missourians is something all farmers strive to accomplish. Wayne Flanary, MU Extension Field Specialist in Agronomy, talked about practices producers can use to increase water infiltration and demonstrated the difference no-till makes to increasing water infiltration when compared to conventional tillage. New, innovative inlets for field drain tiles that reduce soil entering the tile while making it easier for farmers to farm the fields was demonstrated by Dr. Kelly Nelson, MU Extension State Specialist in Agronomy.
Next year’s field day will be held on August 25, 2026, at the facility located just north of Corning at 29955 Outer Road, Fairfax, Missouri.
