ABC Drones demonstrates one of their products’ capabilities in the field at FarmFest Wednesday. Co-Owner Joe Encinias was the controlman for the drone.

GILFILLAN ESTATE– Drones were a conversation topic abuzz with farmers and businesses alike discussing the potential for future growth.

Drones have begun to build in popularity amongst farmers. Using tanks held within a frame, farmers can operate these drones remotely and cover their crops with any liquid they need. Several companies held demonstrations throughout the day to demonstrate their capabilities in watering fields of crops using remote controls.

ABC Drones were one of the several companies featuring their drone technology. Co-owner and farmer Sarah Hart founded the company with their family after they experimented with using drones on their farm. Co-owner Sarah Hart said acceptance and adoption of drones has increased since their founding in 2020.

“Our first couple years we would talk about drones and people thought we were crazy and couldn’t believe what could be done with them,” Hart said. “We’re farmers firstly, we’ve really been testing this on ourselves. We really believe this is something exciting farmers need to be about. The more we’ve been here, the more people say, ‘I’ve already seen one of those or I’ve already done this.’ It’s really interesting [to see] in three years how the reactions have changed.”

The company brought drones in three sizes to FarmFest; 4.2 gallons, 8 gallons, and 18 gallons. Hart said there are several advantages to using drones over conventional methods.

“There’s a lot of efficiencies with drones because you can spray when you want, how you want,” she said. “You don’t have to rely on anybody else coming in and doing it. It puts you in control over your own crop.”

The reception gathered on drones was mostly positive. Mike Werk is a corn and soybean farmer from Herman. After last being at FarmFest three years ago, the drones were what caught his eye. He believes they could have a lasting impact on farming.

“I had never seen one in action until 15 minutes ago,” Werk said. “I think it’s the future of our spraying, for sure.”

Wade Ysker is a corn and soybean farmer as well as a ditch hay bailer from Windom. He believes drone innovations could potentially do good, but is worried about privacy concerns.

“I don’t mind people having them,” Ysker said. “It does stink when you’re at home and one flies over me. It just sucks your privacy gets invaded a little bit. I’m not up on that. I get where it pays off for certain co-ops coming out and crop-checking.”