Innovation in Action: Upcoming Projects & Live Demos
We’re constantly pushing boundaries by applying drone technology to new agricultural and environmental challenges. We love hosting visitors for key projects like these, as it demonstrates the kit in action.
Get in touch if you want to join us in the field to see the technology firsthand and meet the team:
- Paludiculture: On August 13th, we will be working on a paludiculture project seeding typha pellets near Formby for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust.
- Peatland Restoration: On August 27th, we will be working on a peatland restoration project in Cambridgeshire for The Great Fen.
Field Innovation Spotlight: Protecting Beans with Pod-Stik by Drone
Last month, we successfully completed the UK’s first autonomous drone application of Pod-Stik in field beans, in collaboration with De Sangosse. This pioneering trial aimed to protect what was the farmer’s best winter bean crop in a decade and maximise his harvest. A big problem when harvesting beans is pod-shatter, which not only reduces the yield but also causes volunteer beans the following season.
Using the XAG P100 Pro, we achieved precise coverage on the Tundra winter beans at Park Hill Farm, Cambridgeshire. The drone’s rotor-induced downwash was key to ensuring even application, reaching the undersides of the pods that traditional sprayers often miss. The farmer, Richard Cobbald, was pleased with the protected crop, and we were thrilled to offer a practical, zero-ground-impact solution to a long-standing challenge.
Show Season Wrap-Up
Show season has largely finished, and we’ve had a very busy summer! We’ve been clocking up miles and meeting hundreds of enthusiastic agriculturalists across the UK with a passion for innovation.
Thank you to everyone who saw us at The Game Fair, Royal Welsh Show, Newport Show, Scottish Game Fair, Ground Swell, Royal Highland Show, Cereals, and the Staffordshire Show. We’ve made many great connections that will help advance this sector – and we’ve had plenty of fun along the way!
Shading the UK’s Most Advanced Greenhouse
Dyson Farming has one of the highest-tech greenhouses in the UK. We worked with Dyson to apply a specialised coating called ReduHeat using the XAG P100 Pro. The coating helps protect plants from overheating by cutting out damaging infrared rays while allowing visible light to pass through for strong plant growth. Operators Matt Kemp and Malachey Doyle of Rural Drone Services made short work of the 1.5-hectare trial, demonstrating how the big XAG P100 Pro drones can handle this kind of work with ease.
Operator Community
“Fun”. That’s how Matt Kemp from Rural Drone Services summed up life in the agri-drone industry when we caught up with him at the Dyson project to hear his reflections on his time so far in the agri-drone community. Drone operations are opening up new, exciting opportunities across the UK and people like Matt are leading the way!
Exclusive Sneak Peek: Efficacy Trials in Action
Tomorrow marks a significant milestone in our journey to advance drone agriculture in the UK. The AutoSpray team, with a special permit in place, will be completing a UK-first efficacy trial using the XAG P100 Pro and a currently authorised pesticide. This work is the culmination of several years of dedication and perseverance, and represents the final key to unlocking commercial pesticide approvals for drone application in the UK. Regulator support is key, and we are proud to have the Health & Safety Executive on-site to oversee this crucial work. This is a major step forward in expanding what’s possible for farmers and operators across the country. Watch this space as we continue to lead the way in precision agriculture.
September Training Dates
Want to get fully licensed and flying in 5 days? Our CAA-approved training gets you operating fast – with ongoing support and a national pilot community.
📍 Held at Quad Rotor Services in Cheshire
📅 September 8th–11th.
Book Your Place