Drones could be spreading slurry on farms across Ireland by 2021, pioneering new research has found. Researchers at the Slurry High Intensity Think Tank (SHITT), based in Teagasc Moorepark, have completed a number of field trials at the facility with the drones spreading slurry. A prototype, called SlurryDrone, is expected by the end of the slurry-spreading period this year, just in time for calendar farming to kick in.
How does it work?
The drones, which are the size of a small square bale and are nearly finished testing, are filled with slurry by a pump from the slurry tank.
The drone is controlled by a farmer with a controller on the ground. A camera is also fitted on the drone so that you can see where you have spread the slurry.
The latest GPS data is being used in the drones and a red light flashes on the controller when the SlurryDrone gets too close to a buffer zone or field boundary. An amber light flashes when the drone is down to 10% of its payload and it is time to refill.
Inspections
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the Department of Agriculture is in talks with the researchers to combine both dung spreading and drone inspections.
Since the drones are fitted with cameras, Department inspectors could complete inspections from photos taken by the farmer on a date set by the inspector.
TAMS
A well-placed source in the Department of Agriculture has told the Irish Farmers Journal that a Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) grant is likely to be rolled out once the drones hit the market early next year, with 1 April 2021 the target date to launch.
Farmers can apply for 60% of the cost of the SlurryDrones, which look set to retail well below the standard dribble bar and trailing shoe.
For more, see this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.
Read more
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Drones could be spreading slurry on farms across Ireland by 2021, pioneering new research has found. Researchers at the Slurry High Intensity Think Tank (SHITT), based in Teagasc Moorepark, have completed a number of field trials at the facility with the drones spreading slurry. A prototype, called SlurryDrone, is expected by the end of the slurry-spreading period this year, just in time for calendar farming to kick in.
How does it work?
The drones, which are the size of a small square bale and are nearly finished testing, are filled with slurry by a pump from the slurry tank.
The drone is controlled by a farmer with a controller on the ground. A camera is also fitted on the drone so that you can see where you have spread the slurry.
The latest GPS data is being used in the drones and a red light flashes on the controller when the SlurryDrone gets too close to a buffer zone or field boundary. An amber light flashes when the drone is down to 10% of its payload and it is time to refill.
Inspections
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the Department of Agriculture is in talks with the researchers to combine both dung spreading and drone inspections.
Since the drones are fitted with cameras, Department inspectors could complete inspections from photos taken by the farmer on a date set by the inspector.
TAMS
A well-placed source in the Department of Agriculture has told the Irish Farmers Journal that a Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) grant is likely to be rolled out once the drones hit the market early next year, with 1 April 2021 the target date to launch.
Farmers can apply for 60% of the cost of the SlurryDrones, which look set to retail well below the standard dribble bar and trailing shoe.
For more, see this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.
Read more
Harper Adams to offer sprayer drones to disinfect COVID-19 hotspots
Scottish suckler cows to trial virtual fencing on hills
Use satellites to monitor climate rules on farms – Brussels experts
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