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Seasoned Illinois farmer compares drones to tractor cabs

A farmer of 50 years says using a drone on his farm makes farming more fun and allows him do more.

“I think back to when we first got cabs on tractors. Were they worth it? No.  But, would you do it without it? No. So, we just go ahead and do it.”

Paul Taylor farms 750 acres of mostly corn and soybeans in north central Illinois. He tells Brownfield he bought his drone after watching a crop scout operate one with ease. He says it has proven profitable simply through its convenience.

“You can have a conversation at the coffee shop in the morning, and by noon have the images flown and developed on the software on your iPad and take a look at it. Then, you know by one o’clock whether you need to go ahead and take some action or not. That’s the one real advantage of a drone.”

Taylor says the keys to working a drone are confidence and persistence, which have helped him better track water and wind damage, draw yield maps and see when fields are ready to harvest. Brownfield interviewed Taylor at the recent Soil Health Summit in St. Louis.