Verify the Effectiveness UAS-mounted Sensors for Crop and Livestock Production Management

North Dakota State University

Pulsar Operational Boundary, Inc.

North Dakota Corn Council

Agricultural and

Biosystems Engineering Text size Small | Medium | LargeSearch

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

UAS Proof-of-Concept

Crop Production

Livestock Production

Expected Outcomes

• Validate specific uses of UAS

• Identify UAS services for the UAS Companies, Ag Producers and Consultants.

• Promote the commercialization of UAS for Crop and Livestock Management in ND.

UAS Applications Proof-of-Concept

Estimated economic impact of UAS in North Dakota is $83 million in next 10 years

Objectives

1. Evaluate UAS with Color, Thermal and Infrared Sensors• Crop Management• Livestock Management

2. UAS Business Development in ND

3. NDSU Extension Education Program

Effectiveness UAS-mounted Sensors Field Crop and Livestock Production

• plant emergence• plant populations• nutrient

deficiencies• disease symptoms• insect damage• weed infestations• plant vigor• moisture stress• crop senescence• impact of soil

salinity

Effectiveness UAS-mounted Sensors Field Crop and Livestock Production

• Animal movements• Diseased animals• Breeding activity • Feedlot surface

temperatures• Count animals• Identify extreme

disposition animals• Temperature of

compost piles

Primary Project Location

Other Locations if Needed

Effectiveness UAS-mounted Sensors Field Crop and Livestock Production

COA Submitted

Economic Impact1. Equipment Options

• UAS Platforms• Sensors

2. UAS Business Services

3. Image Analysis Procedures and Recommendations

Develop Business Models for UAS Crop Consulting Companies, UAS

Manufactures and Ag Producers.

Technological Impact 1. UAS Platforms2. Image Management3. Image Analysis4. Problem Diagnosis /

Application Map

Project TimetableApply for COA

Acquire UAS Equipment

Train Operators

Practice Data Collection

Data Analysis Practice

Data Collection - Crops Projects

Data Collection - Livestock Projects

Data Collection - Reimers Farm

Data Analysis

CREC Field Day Demonstrations

Interim Research Report

Extension UAS Seminars

Final Report

1-Feb 3-Mar 2-Apr 2-May 1-Jun 1-Jul 31-Jul 30-Aug 29-Sep 29-Oct 28-Nov 28-Dec

Equipment

Aphex Hexacopter

Trimble UX5

Equipment (UND UAS Center if Needed) Draganflyer X6 Helicopter

• Pseudocolor mosaic• Normalized Difference Vegetation

Index (NDVI) mosaic

Agisoft PhotoScan Pro software