Eye in the Sky: Ranch Drones
What can a drone actually do on a working ranch, and is it worth the cost?
In this episode, Haylie Shipp sits down with rancher Kari Koss, The Nature Conservancy’s Jason Hanlon, and Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Mapping Specialist Maida Knapton to talk about the real world uses of drones in agriculture. From checking water and locating cattle to mapping prairie dog towns and monitoring vegetation, this conversation focuses on practical applications for producers in large, remote landscapes like northern Montana.
The group shares honest experiences about learning curves, price points, wind limitations, regulations, and how drones can shift from being seen as a toy to becoming a valuable management tool. Whether you are looking to save time, reduce miles on equipment, or gain a new perspective on your operation, this episode offers a practical look at how drones are being used on working ranches today.
Topics Covered in This Episode
• Using drones to check water, cattle, and remote pastures
• Drone costs
• Wind, battery life, and real world limitations
• FAA rules, airspace, and line of sight requirements
• Drone use in conservation and mapping
• Autonomous flight paths
• Opportunity cost and time savings on a ranch
Real Ranch Applications Discussed
• Checking water sources in hard to access areas
• Locating cattle before a gather
• Counting hay bales from above
• Monitoring infrastructure and flood irrigation
• Year to year photo monitoring of rangeland
• Mapping prairie dog towns and vegetation health
Key Considerations for Producers
• Most consumer drones have built in safety features and are easier to fly than many expect
• Wind and battery are often the biggest limiting factors on the Northern Plains
• Entry level drones can cost a few hundred dollars while advanced mapping drones can cost several thousand
• Current FAA regulations require pilots to keep drones within visual line of sight and under 400 feet
• Airspace restrictions may apply near airports, military activity, or certain federal lands
Resources Mentioned
• FAA Before You Fly app for checking airspace restrictions: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly
• Blue UAS Cleared List and transition information: https://www.diu.mil/latest/dius-blue-uas-list-to-transition-to-dcma
• Ranchers Stewardship Alliance YouTube channel webinar on drone seeding with Steve Kenyon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3w7pqhGqCI
This episode is especially helpful for producers, land managers, and conservation partners who are exploring practical technology that can save time, reduce labor, and provide better insight into large grazing ope
Support the show
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.
For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.
