Using cover crops will improve your soil's health, prevent erosion, and enhance nutrient cycling on your land, but the challenges seem overwhelming. 

Drones have many applications for livestock producers that extend the growing season and build soil health by keeping the ground covered 365 days a year.

Ryan VonderHaar and Luke Boeckman of L&R Ag in Saint Rose discuss the technology and best practices for using drones to spread seed and spray chemicals.

Cliff Schuette of Breese has been using cover crops to extend the growing seasons for his 250-head herd of cows since 1996. He's transitioned to drones after previously using planes and helicopters to "put seed in place to grow while row crop is still growing.”

00:00: Introduction

00:45: About Cliff Schuette 01:54: About Ryan VonderHaar and Luke Boeckman of L&R Ag

03:10: Current production and rainfall status as of August 27 in Southern Illinois

04:54: Use of drones in adaptive grazing operations: applying chemicals, spreading cover crops, spraying fertilizer, spraying invasive species, spraying ponds, scouting, taking pictures and videos, finding lost livestock, mapping fields, thermal imaging soil testing

10:58: How to establish spraying/spreading pattern with drones

14:42: Putting crop ground back to work: establishing cover crops or forage on cropland, timing for seeding, extending grazing season, adding value that might otherwise sit idle, integrating livestock.

15:55: Best time to seed cover crops on standing corn and soybeans

17:33: Improving organic matter by adding livestock

20:02: Pros and cons of flying on cover crops, tips for successful application

23:33: Consideration for seed selection for cover crops: talk with suppliers, plan a year in advance to avoid residual chemical conflict with cover seeding

25:30: More is better in the mix, especially when you fly early.

25:59: Height, speed, and spinner speed recommendation for spreading cover crops

27:10: Recommendations for mixes for seed. If you’re going to beans next year, you’re going to heavy grass. If you’re going to corn next year, you’re going to be heavy legumes in the mix. But if spray residual in June 30, you won’t have any luck with turnips, radishes or clovers because the chemical application is too close to the seeding of the cover crops since they might be killed with the residuals. (Cliff Schuette)

29:00: Using sacrifice lot during mud months to avoid soil compaction

29:55: Applying chemicals: How technology works, potential applications for pastures and cropland, when drones aren’t effective

30:55: Drone uses crop wash to set spray width vs. traditional sprayer boom, creates challenges for setting border of chemical spray

34:57: Use of drones to eliminate invasives and spray brush and trees

36:44: Drones leave no wheel tracks in fields which is good for those producing seed wheat

37:42: Building a relationship with your drone applicator

39:04: Recommendation for application of chemicals

42:27: Considerations for using cover crops to graze sheep

About Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition: Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition is the voice of regenerative grazing in Illinois. ILGLC promotes regenerative grazing in Illinois through regional farmer-led grazing groups. They facilitate pasture walks, grazing schools, and other educational opportunities for graziers in Illinois, as well as no-cost on-farm consultations. Visit www.ilgrazinglands.org to learn more and find an upcoming event in your area.

About Illinois Grazing Forage Hub: Join our community of farmers working together to create a future that thrives for the environment and your bottom line. If you're ready to build a resilient and profitable farm that benefits the environment, visit https://grazingforage.com. Our free services empower you to restore soil health, improve animal well-being, and increase your farm's long-term sustainability.