Using Utility Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Early Establishment of Annual Forages for Grazing on Cropland

Commodities

Practices

Timely establishment of cover crops amid cash crop harvest is a significant problem for producers. A relatively new technology that may help is the unmanned aerial vehicle or drone. Drones can broadcast cover crop seeds into fields prior to cash crop harvest. Though there is interest in using this technology, there is no comparison of how planting date by drone affects fall or spring biomass accumulation of the cover crop. Furthermore, there is no data that relates this to when the cover crops achieve adequate grazing height nor how much season-long accumulation can be accrued to calculate total number of potential grazing days. To address this, a project will be conducted on 6 sites across Missouri. Three university research locations will host replicated trials looking at how 3 seeding dates affect the season-long forage production of commonly planted cover crop species for grazing potential. Additionally, three producer farms will serve as demonstration farms. This will fill recommendation gaps while fostering producer exposure and involvement with drone technology. Throughout this project, annual field days will be hosted at the sites. Field days will consist of project extension personnel and producer testimonials highlighting project findings, demonstrating drone technologies, and discussing best management practices with farmer attendees. These field days will be free to attend and will be open to all interested. Outreach efforts of this project will bring this innovative technology to the producers and foster a network of producers interested in implementing these practices on their own operations.

This project aims to demonstrate drone-assisted cover crop establishment on working farms and evaluate how planting date affects forage biomass and grazing economics. Through on-farm demonstrations, research, and outreach, producers and agricultural professionals will increase knowledge and confidence in using UAVs for early cover crop seeding and understanding how timing influences productivity. These learning outcomes are expected to lead to improved planting date decisions, increased use of UAV-based seeding to overcome harvest labor constraints, and more intentional integration of cover crops as grazed forages, supporting improved soil cover, reduced feed costs, and stronger crop-livestock integration.

Objective 1: Showcase an emerging cover crop establishment technology on working producer operations.

This objective focuses on reducing adoption barriers through peer-led, on-farm demonstrations of UAV-based cover crop establishment under real-world conditions.

Task 1.1: Partner with three identified producers across Missouri to establish cover crops using drone technology at different planting dates.

Task 1.2: Host three half-day field days per year at cooperating farms, featuring UAV demonstrations, plot comparisons, and facilitated producer discussion.

Outcome 1 - Learning:
Approximately 100 producers per year will increase knowledge and confidence in UAV-assisted cover crop establishment and better understand how planting date affects establishment success.

Outcome 1 - Action:
Approximately 10 producers are expected to adopt or trial UAV technology for pre-harvest cover crop establishment, consistent with the Summary Table.

Objective 2: Establish how planting date impacts cover crop establishment and seasonal biomass production.

This objective generates replicated, Missouri-specific data to support confident Extension recommendations.

Task 2.1: Establish replicated UAV-seeded research plots at three University of Missouri research locations across multiple planting dates.

Task 2.2: Collect and analyze data and publish results in a peer-reviewed journal article and a Missouri Extension publication.

Task 2.3: Submit an abstract and present findings at a national professional meeting.

Outcome 2 - Learning and Reach:
Producers and agricultural professionals will gain improved understanding of planting date and establishment method effects on biomass production. Project results will reach approximately 1,000 producers directly or indirectly through outreach and publications.

Objective 3: Evaluate how establishment method and planting date influence the economics of cover crops used for grazing.

This objective addresses economic uncertainty that limits adoption.

Task 3.1: Use project data to calculate establishment costs relative to forage biomass production and potential grazing days.

Task 3.2: Present economic findings at field days and producer meetings and incorporate results into Extension materials.

Outcome 3 - Learning and Action:
Producers will better understand the economic implications of planting date and establishment method, with at least five producers reporting improved ability to evaluate cover crop grazing decisions in their operations.

System-Wide Outcomes and Long-Term Success

These learning and action outcomes contribute to broader NCR‑SARE goals by increasing early cover crop establishment, improving soil protection, enhancing forage availability, and reducing reliance on purchased feed. In three to five years, success would include UAV-assisted seeding recognized as a practical Extension-supported option, increased early-planted cover crop acreage managed for grazing, and producers reporting improved confidence, forage utilization, and system durability.